GE, Safran Developing Launch Development Program for Sustainable Engines that Could Work with Hydrogen

Paris–– GE Aviation and Safran are today launching an ambitious technological development program with the objective of reducing fuel consumption and CO ₂ emissions by more than 20% compared to current engines. The CFM RISE (Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines) program will test and bring to maturity a whole range of innovative and disruptive technologies for the engines of tomorrow, which could be put into service by the middle of the next decade.

The two companies also announced the extension of their 50/50 partnership in CFM International until 2050, demonstrating their desire to pave the way for more sustainable aviation, in line with the aviation sector’s commitment to reduce by half its CO ₂ emissions by 2050.

“  The ties between GE and Safran have never been stronger,” says John Slattery, Chairman and CEO of GE Aviation. Together, with the RISE technology development program, we are reinventing the future of aviation by bringing to market a series of revolutionary technologies, which will open new horizons for the new generation of single-aisle aircraft in terms of consumption. fuel consumption and reduced emissions. We fully embrace the imperative of sustainable aviation. As we have always done in the past, we will be able to meet the challenges of tomorrow. ”

“  Our sector is now facing the most important challenges in its history,” emphasizes Olivier Andriès, CEO of Safran. We must act without further delay and step up our efforts to reduce our impact on the environment. Since the early 1970s, the unprecedented efficiency and reliability of our engines has been the hallmark of our historic partnership. Our LEAP engine already reduces emissions by 15% compared to its predecessor. By extending our CFM partnership until 2050, we reaffirm today, as leading technological players, our commitment to work hand in hand to help our sector meet the challenges of the climate emergency.  ”

The technologies developed under the RISE program will serve as the foundation for the next generation of CFM engines that could be brought to market by the middle of the next decade. The objectives of this program are the reduction of fuel consumption and CO ₂ emissions by more than 20% compared to the best current engines, as well as their 100% compatibility with alternative energies such as sustainable aviation fuels and hydrogen, more environmentally friendly.

The primary purpose of this program is to ensure maximum propulsive efficiency for the engine, in particular thanks to a non-faired architecture. This is a key element to significantly optimize fuel consumption while offering the same speed performance and the same cabin experience as current single-aisle aircraft. Electric hybridization is also one of the avenues studied to optimize propulsive efficiency while allowing the electrification of many aircraft systems.

The RISE program is managed by a team of engineers from GE and Safran, which has a complete technological roadmap: composite fan blades, very high-temperature resistant metal alloys, ceramic matrix composites (CMC ), electric hybridization, and additive manufacturing. The RISE program will include more than 300 prototypes of complete engine components, modules, and assemblies. Ground tests of an engine demonstrator are planned at GE and Safran test sites around the middle of the decade, closely followed by flight tests.

The first framework agreement of 1974 which created CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between the two engine manufacturers in the aeronautical sector, redefined what international cooperation was and changed the course of civil aviation. The partnership was renewed in 2008 for the launch of the LEAP program. CFM is today the world’s leading supplier of engines for commercial aviation, with a range of products whose efficiency, reliability, and low total cost of ownership set standards in the industry. More than 35,000 CFM engines have been delivered to more than 600 operators around the world and have accumulated more than one billion flight hours.