Blueprint

AEROSPACE

RISEing to the challenge

GE Aviation and Safran, partners in CFM International, have announced a new engine technology platform – RISE or Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines. RISE uses an open-rotor architecture with a single rotating fan and the goal of achieving a 20% cut in emissions. It is also sized for a number of airframe configurations, including beneath the wing. Set to undergo ground testing in the middle of the decade, RISE is being designed to allow for hybrid-electric applications using 100% SAF and also, potentially, hydrogen fuel in the future.

Jet speeds
A reduced fan diameter (12-13ft) will allow for underwing integration, unlike previous larger diameter (16ft) open-rotor designs, as well as giving jet-like Mach numbers with the rear stators.

Quieter fan
CFM says that ground-testing of an open-rotor engine by partner SAFRAN has found that noise levels can be kept to the equivalent of today’s quiet LEAP turbofan – a major drawback of open-rotor designs from the 1980s.

Single rotor
Unlike previous contra-rotating open rotor engines, RISE will use a single rotating fan in front and a set of active variable-pitch stators behind – reducing weight and complexity.

Core benefits
RISE will incorporate a compact high-temperature core, advanced alloys and ceramics and an embedded electrical generator which will open up hybrid-electric applications.

Opening up multiple applications
As a ‘puller’ open rotor engine, RISE will be able to be integrated on multiple airliner configurations, including tail-mounted and high and low-underwing single-aisle. Test bed flying will also be simplified.