History

1889: Foundation of the Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal (FN)

Over the centuries the Principality of Liège has always nurtured a tradition of know-how in precision engineering. In August 1888 the Belgian state placed an order for 150,000 repeating rifles with the arms manufacturers of Liège. The craftsmen decided to join forces to carry out this order and thus founded the Fabrique Nationale d'Armes de guerre, or FN.

They first produced rifles under license from Mauser and various weapons under license from Browning before starting to branch out by producing the "chainless" bicycle which was used by postmen, policemen and private individuals for over thirty years.

1900: Launch of the motor vehicles division

Beside the manufacture of arms, which remained its core business, FN started manufacturing motorcars, motorcycles and later trucks as well as numerous kinds of special vehicle for military use.

1949: Launch of the turbo-engine division

Other programs of FN's Engine Division

1954: Avon engines (Rolls Royce) for Hunter fighters
1958: launch of repair and overhaul activities for jet engines such as Derwent, Avon, Orenda (for Canuck CF100 aircraft) and Marboré (for Fouga Magister training planes).
1962: J79 engine of the F104G fighter-bomber under license from General Electric and involvement in the production of Rolls Royce's Tyne 21 and 22 engines.

After the Second World War, the Belgian Air Force decided to purchase English Gloster Meteor twin-jet fighter planes equipped with Derwent engines. Because of its strong reputation and extensive experience in high technology, FN was entrusted with the manufacture of the Derwent turbo-jet engines developed by Rolls Royce

From 1949 to 1954, over 1,000 Derwent engines were produced in the Herstal workshops, thus allowing FN to launch into the new and promising aerospace industry.

1964: First steps into the space industry

FN collaborated with Rolls Royce for the manufacture of the first stage of the Blue Streak engine of the Europa rocket within the framework of a European program called ELDO.

FN later manufactured valves for the Ariane 1 space launcher and contributed to the development of regulation valves for the Ariane 4 and Ariane 5 launchers.

1974: First partnership in the civil industry

The Engine Division participated in CFM International, a joint venture "" which included the French engine manufacturer Snecma and General Electric, for the development of the CFM56 engine. In spite of its difficult beginnings, this engine was to become the best-seller of the civil aviation sector for over thirty years.

In parallel, the company also worked as a subcontractor for the production and maintenance of the Atar engines (intended for the Mirage V aircraft) and the Larzac engines (intended for the Alphajet training jets of Dassault-Dornier).

1977: The F100 Program ("contract of the century") and construction of the current factory

The Air Forces of Belgium, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands chose to adopt General Dynamics F16 fighters equipped with Pratt & Whitney F100 engines. The FN Engine Division was entrusted with the production, final assembly and testing of most parts of these engines. This essential program, which is still running today, led to the construction of a brand-new factory in Milmort.

The company also played an active part in General Electric's F110 engine program, in Pratt & Whitney's JT 9 and PW 4000 as well as in the various versions of the successful CFM56.

1987: Establishment of a limited company: FN Moteurs SA

When FN decided to regroup and focus its activities on the basic armament crafts, the Engine Division was spun off to form a subsidiary company, FN Moteurs SA.

1989: Snecma becomes majority shareholder

The Snecma group acquired a 51% stake in the capital of FN Moteurs' capital. Two years later, Pratt & Whitney acquired a19% stake, the remaining 30% of the capital being held by the Walloon Region.

1992: FN Moteurs becomes Techspace Aero

In order to assert its new identity and confirm its reputation in the aerospace industry, FN Moteurs changed its name to Techspace Aero.

1999: Techspace Aero celebrates 50 years of aerospace activities

The company expanded its activities by signing a partnership contract with Honeywell for the design, development and production of high pressure turbines for the AS900, thus enabling Techspace Aero to position itself in the Business Jets markets.

2000: GE90-115b, the most powerful engine in the world

With a thrust rate of over 20,000 lb, the GE90-115B is the most powerful commercial engine ever developed. Techspace Aero has played an active part in this venture by designing and/or producing various components,:including low pressure and high pressure compressors, lubrication units and oil tanks.

2001-2004 : Techspace Aero enters into new partnership contracts

Techspace Aero signed a partnership contract with General Electric for the whole low pressure compressor module of the CF 34-10 engine (about 10 % of the complete engine).

In 2002, Techspace Aero managed to position itself in the promising super jumbo jets market by becoming involved in the A380. The company signed a partnership agreement with the American engine manufacturers Pratt & Whitney, whereby the company was to be responsible for developing and making the low pressure compressors and low pressure turbine discs, together making up 7.5% of the whole engine.

Techspace Aero also participates in the most powerful turbo-prop programme in Europe, the TP400, intended for the Airbus A400M transport plane.

In 2004, the company has signed an agreement with General Electric to participate in the GEnx engine which will equip the future Boeing aircraft 787 and 747-8. Through partnership agreements with the major international engine manufacturers, Techspace Aero is responsible for the low pressure compressors of the main new engines currently being used in commercial aviation.