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General Electric (GE.N) and France’s Safran (SAF.PA) have unveiled plans to test an open-bladed jet engine that could cut fuel consumption and emissions by 20% as they launch their landmark CFM International joint venture. by a decade to 2050.
The “RISE” engine, positioned as a possible successor to the “LEAP” model used on the Boeing 737 MAX and some Airbus A320neos, will have a design with exposed fan blades known as an open-rotor and would be operational by the mid-2030s.
The system will feature hybrid-electric propulsion and can run on 100% renewable fuel or hydrogen, an energy source preferred by Airbus (AIR.PA) for future concepts.
CFM is the world’s largest jet engine manufacturer measured by the number of units sold. It is the sole engine supplier for the Boeing 737 MAX and competes with Pratt & Whitney of Raytheon Technologies (RTX.N) for the selection of aircraft engines on the Airbus A320neo.
The technology demonstration project comes as the industry prepares to compete for the next generation of single-aisle aircraft, such as the MAX and A320neo, in the busiest part of the aircraft market, while facing increasing environmental pressures.
Industry sources have said Boeing is considering launching a replacement for its slightly larger and long-haul single-aisle 757, which could pave the way for a replacement for the MAX.
But it has postponed a decision to act relatively quickly — a move that would require an available conventional engine — or wait for the arrival of technology like open-rotor with hybrid drive, Reuters recently reported. read more
GE Aviation Chief Executive John Slattery said CFM would be ready to compete for any jet fighter, challenging other engine manufacturers to compete with the technology.
“If Boeing or an aircraft maker launches a platform and the business case makes sense to us, then we will showcase our best aggregate technologies we have at the time,” he told a news conference Monday.
Boeing said it regularly conducted technology studies and collaborated with suppliers. It gave no new indication of whether open-rotor technology could power its next jet fighter.
Airbus, which says it is working on a zero-emission aircraft to go into service by 2035, said on Tuesday that the engine was expected to be “agnostic” about fuel type.
“We are waiting for news on where Airbus and Boeing are headed,” said Jefferies analyst Sandy Morris.
Safran shares rose 1.6% early Tuesday, supported in part by signs of a truce in an aircraft trade war. read more
TOP BIRTH
The open-rotor engine concept places previously hidden buzzing components on the outside of the engine to capture more air and reduce stress on the engine’s fuel-burning core.
Previous attempts to develop such engines since the 1980s have faced problems, including noise.
Safran Chief Executive Olivier Andries said a prototype tested in 2017 had produced no more noise than the LEAP.
“I am confident that we will meet the strictest noise regulations… and safety requirements,” he told Reuters.
All eyes are now on rivals led by Pratt & Whitney, who are expected to provide updates on its modified turbofan later this year.
“We are committed to continuing to invest in evolving propulsion systems to power the next generation of commercial aircraft,” said Pratt & Whitney.
Founded in 1974, CFM was born after a top deal between US President Richard Nixon and French counterpart Georges Pompidou, following Pentagon attempts to block it on the grounds that the engine was related to the B-1 bomber .
In a compromise, French engineers were initially banned from looking inside the sealed housing of the original CFM core.
While such restrictions have long since disappeared, GE and Safran still maintain an unusual Chinese wall between them over the cost of the world’s best-selling jet engines to avoid disputes.
“One of the ingredients of CFM’s success is that we share the revenue; we don’t share the costs. If one of us isn’t competitive, it doesn’t reflect on the (other) partner. Everyone is fully responsible,” says Andries . said.
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