Two years ago, CFM International joint-venture partner GE Aerospace unveiled one of the aviation industry’s most comprehensive technology demonstrator programs for a more sustainable future of flight. Through the program called RISE (Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines), the company is advancing a suit of pioneering technologies, including advanced engine architectures like an open fan, compact core, advanced combustion technology, thermal management, and hybrid electric systems to be compatible with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
The company has so far completed more than 100 tests s part of its RISE technology program. New technologies are also being matured to test direct hydrogen combustion.
Testing to date has helped validate the novel open fan architecture for greater propulsive efficiency, with early testing showing positive noise level performance. The RISE program targets more than 20% better fuel efficiency with 20% lower CO2 emissions compared to the most efficient engines in service today. In addition, the technologies are being validated to meet the most stringent non-CO2 and noise emission requirements.
“The RISE program was launched as the absolute manifestation of our deep commitment to push the boundaries of innovation and deliver the breakthrough technologies that will help achieve our most aggressive sustainability goals in support of the industry promise of net zero by 2050,” said Gaël Méheust, president and CEO of CFM International. “Our global team of engineers has been accomplishing amazing things, and I am more convinced than ever that our RISE program will deliver the propulsion technologies that will set even higher standards for our industry.”
As a result of testing progress, CFM is on track for ground and flight tests in the middle of this decade. To test airframer integration of the open fan architecture, plans were previously announced with Airbus for an open fan flight technology demonstration in the mid-2020s.
“Since we launched the RISE program, we have made significant progress to validate the conceptual design review and launch the industrialization of the first demonstrator parts. We are on track to the ground and flight tests around the middle of the decade with a thorough test plan that includes open fan aeroacoustics modeling this year. The RISE program is a great opportunity for our engineers to play a key role in building a more sustainable aviation industry,” said Michel Brioude, Vice President of Engineering and R&T at Safran Aircraft Engines.
