Initiated by Garrett in October 1987, the TPF351-20 engine was selected by Embraer to power the Embraer/FMA CBA 123 Vector, a high-speed commuter "pusher" aircraft.

[1] It was built on the 1,310 kW (1,760 hp) TPE331-14 which power the Jetstream 41, keeping its combustor system and high pressure turbine, already of the right size.

The two-stage centrifugal compressor is scaled-up from the Garrett F109 turbofan of the Fairchild T-46 and Promavia Jet Squalus trainers.

[3] It was Garrett's first free-turbine turboshaft, avoiding the high reduction gear of a single spool turboprop and allowing an easier starting since the gas generator is disengaged from the power turbine.

[5] The "TPF" represented "Turbine PropFan",[6] while the -20 suffix indicated the 2,000 shp (1,500 kW) nominal thermodynamic power rating.