French engine manufacturer Safran announced on Friday that it has initiated wind-tunnel tests for its "RISE" technology project. The collaborative effort with GE Aerospace aims to develop a revolutionary jet engine design for the next generation of medium-haul jets. The "RISE" project seeks to create an open-bladed jet engine that can reduce fuel consumption and emissions by 20% from the mid-2020s.
Safran and GE Aerospace are testing the foundational components of this innovative engine design, which features visible fan blades and aims to be twice the diameter of current models for improved efficiency. Positioned as a potential successor to the "LEAP" model used in the Boeing 737 MAX and many Airbus A320neo jets, the "RISE" project is a significant leap forward in engine technology.
One crucial aspect of future certification will focus on ensuring the safe handling of any blade failures. Unlike traditional jet engines, the "RISE" design places the front fan, responsible for the majority of thrust, outside the conventional housing familiar to airline passengers. To assess the design's durability and performance, a one-fifth scale model of the "Open Fan" concept is undergoing 200 hours of testing in the historic S1MA wind tunnel near Modane in the French Alps.
The S1MA wind tunnel, originally constructed with parts seized from a World War Two construction site in the Austrian Tirol, is renowned as one of the largest of its kind. Using hydroelectric power equivalent to 1/1000th of France's total consumption, the tunnel has played a vital role in testing various iconic aircraft, from Concorde to the Airbus A380, and multiple generations of French fighter planes.
Despite facing uncertainty about its future due to subsidence discovered a decade ago, the wind tunnel has received investments from French and European funds, ensuring its continued operation.
CFM, a joint venture between Safran and GE, is the world's largest jet engine maker based on the number of units sold. As the exclusive engine supplier for the Boeing 737 MAX, CFM competes with Raytheon Technologies' Pratt & Whitney unit for engine selections on the Airbus A320 neo.