In early 2000, GE Energy launched a program to develop a catalytic combustion system for one of its small power generation gas turbines, the GE10-1 engine. The target was to release to the market a new combustor able to guarantee NOx emissions lower than 2.5 ppmvd (referred to 15 vol.% O-2). Today, a full-scale engine test campaign has been completed, during which measured NOx emissions were as low as 1 ppmvd in the 90-100% load range. The article is aimed to illustrate the developed technology and the results obtained. The combustion system's configuration is briefly described, focusing on the XONON (R) catalyst module installed. Reported data show combustion system's performances, mainly in terms of pollutant emissions and operability. Perspectives for future development of such combustion system are outlined. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.