CFM RISE Program accelerates with over 250 tests, new partnerships, and advancements in Sustainable Aviation Technologies.
CFM International announced recently that the Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines (RISE) technology demonstration program is accelerating. Over 250 tests have been completed, and new research partnerships have formed. Technologies are continuing to mature on the way to full-scale Open Fan tests.
Gaël Méheust, president and CEO of CFM International, said, “The work happening today on test rigs and with research partners around the world represents an unprecedented level of new technology development in CFM’s history. As CFM celebrates its 50th anniversary, we are acting on our clear ambition to make air transport more sustainable. With the RISE program, CFM will, once again, change the way that people fly.”
The CFM RISE program is advancing from component-level evaluations to more module-level tests. For example, CFM parent company Safran Aircraft Engines has an agreement with ONERA to conduct wind tunnel tests. These tests demonstrate the aerodynamic and acoustic performance of Open Fan designs. More than 200 hours of wind tunnel testing have been completed at Onera Aerospace Lab. This testing used a 1:5 scale model of an Open Fan, including a version mounted on a demonstrator plane wing section for Airbus. Additionally, a high-speed, low-pressure turbine (LPT) test campaign with advanced turbine blades was conducted.
Pierre Cottenceau, executive vice president of engineering and research & technology for Safran Aircraft Engines, said,“We have made significant progress in our testing plan, which confirms the benefits of the Open Fan propulsive system for the next generation of single-aisle aircraft. We successfully completed key tests on fan acoustics, aerodynamics, and blade ingestion, and the high-speed, low-pressure turbine, while advancing hybrid electric tests for our suite of pioneering technologies.”
Recently, CFM parent company GE Aerospace was awarded a contract with NASA. This contract aims to advance next-generation compressor, combustor, and high-pressure turbine (HPT) technologies. The advancements will occur through an engine compact core demonstration.
Mohamed Ali, senior vice president of engineering for GE Aerospace, said, “To change the future of flight and make it more sustainable, we have to change the aircraft engine. Around the world, our engineers are rising to this challenge, developing revolutionary technologies to drive the efficiency gains needed. The Open Fan architecture is the most promising engine technology to help the industry reduce flight emissions, designed to meet or exceed customer expectations for durability and to deliver a step change in fuel efficiency using conventional or alternative jet fuels.”
Following its first test run of next-generation HPT blades and nozzles using a demonstrator engine, GE Aerospace initiated a second HPT airfoil endurance campaign. This campaign highlights the RISE program’s early focus on durability. Furthermore, tests of next-generation compressor and combustion technologies have commenced. These tests aim to advance material capabilities and understand the impact of new engine designs on CO2 and non-CO2 emissions.
GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines now have over 2,000 engineers globally supporting the development of RISE program technologies. Additionally, they continue to hire more engineers.
First unveiled in 2021, the RISE program is one of the aviation industry’s most comprehensive technology demonstration programs. Through the RISE program, CFM is advancing pioneering technologies, including advanced engine architectures like Open Fan, compact core, and hybrid electric systems. These technologies are designed to be compatible with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Additionally, plans were announced with Airbus for an Open Fan flight technology demonstration to test airframer integration.
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The CFM RISE program aims to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 20% compared to the most efficient commercial aircraft engines today. Additionally, SAF can reduce fuel lifecycle emissions by up to 80%. Furthermore, technologies are being validated to meet the most stringent non-CO2 and noise emission requirements.
Q. – What is the RISE program?
A. – A technology demonstration program for sustainable aviation.
Q. – When was the RISE program first unveiled?
A. – 2021.
