GE

GE revives technology from the 80s – cuts consumption by 20 percent

The challenges of finding a new aircraft engine technology gained new impetus with the partnership between Airbus and CFM International, which will evaluate a new propulsion architecture.

The collaboration between the two manufacturers will assess the feasibility of the open rotor concept, or cutting-edge open fan engine, in English. The project is derived from studies carried out in the 1980s, being basically a conceptual union of the turboprop with the turbofan.

Airbus will use an A380 as a demonstration and flight test aircraft, aiming to accelerate and mature the development of advanced propulsion technologies, being a partner of the RISE program (acronym for Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engine) of CFM.

“New propulsion technologies will play an important role in achieving aviation's net-zero goals, alongside new aircraft designs and sustainable energy sources,” said Sabine Klauke, Technical Director at Airbus.

The development of a new aircraft engine, capable of reducing fuel consumption, emissions and noise, is seen as fundamental for the emergence of a new generation of aircraft, whether in the single-aisle or two-aisle market.

However, the flight test campaign will only be carried out in the second half of this decade, possibly in mid-2025, from the Airbus facilities in Toulouse, France, where most of the test infrastructure is concentrated.

Test flights will evaluate engine and wing integration; and aerodynamic performance; propulsion system efficiency gains; average and overall performance; fuel efficiency, with up to 20% reduction in CO2 emissions expected compared to current engines; evaluation of acoustic effects and models, both in flight and their resonance on the ground; as well as ensuring compatibility with sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).

“By evaluating, maturing and validating the open rotor engine architecture using a dedicated flight test demonstrator, we are significantly contributing to advancing the technology that will allow us to achieve our industry-wide decarbonization goals. ”, Klauke explained.

In a note, Airbus also explained that before the test flights with the A380, CFM will carry out the engine ground tests, together with the validation of the pre-flight test, which will be carried out at the GE flight test operations center. Aviation in Victorville, USA. CFM is a joint venture between the French Safran and the North American GE Aviation, being responsible for the CFM-56 and CFM Leap engine family.

Vivaero