CFM RISE Program: A Vision for Next-Generation Commercial Engines

New Delhi: Launched in 2021, the RISE (Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines) Program accelerates the development of uncompromising new propulsion technologies that will pave the way for the next generation of aircraft. With cutting-edge technology and strong partnerships, GE Aerospace is helping create a future of flight that’s more fuel-efficient while meeting expectations for durability and reliability. 

CFM International (a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines) is leading the next revolution in propulsion technology with the RISE Program, which aims to improve fuel efficiency by more than 20% compared to engines today.

Five Quick Facts About the RISE Program

1. Open Fan Engine Architecture : At the heart of the RISE Program is the Open Fan engine architecture, which removes the traditional casing, allowing for a larger fan size with less drag to improve efficiency. It will also be equipped with carbon-fibre composite blades for weight reduction, strength, and durability. Leveraging supercomputing, RISE Program engineers are designing a fan that maximises efficiency while minimising noise.
2. Compatibility with Unblended Sustainable Aviation Fuel : The core is being designed for compatibility with next-generation fuels, including unblended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), as well as with hybrid electric systems. It also uses adaptive engine technologies for improved thermal efficiency and cooling to boost performance while allowing safe and efficient operation at every stage of a flight.

1. Extensive Global Testing : To date, the RISE Program has successfully completed more than 250 tests across research facilities worldwide. In 2024, over 300 hours of wind tunnel testing were conducted at ONERA — the French national aerospace research centre — using a one-fifth scale model of the Open Fan by Safran Aircraft Engines. Meanwhile, endurance testing of high-pressure turbine (HPT) blades and nozzles was conducted earlier this year, with over 3,000 operational cycles completed.
2. Advancing the Science of Non-CO2 Emissions :Beyond CO₂, GE Aerospace is also helping to advance the industry’s understanding of non CO2 emissions while it develops next-generation combustion technology. GE Aerospace recently partnered with NASA to conduct groundbreaking contrail analysis tests, leveraging state-of-the-art Lidar technology to capture three-dimensional imagery.

5. Ground and Flight Tests this Decade :As part of the RISE Program’s push to revolutionise next-generation aircraft propulsion, CFM, in collaboration with Airbus, is preparing for an Open Fan Flight Test Demonstration to evaluate performance, safety, noise, and aerodynamics under real-world conditions. These efforts are key milestones in the development of disruptive engine technologies, which could potentially enter service in the latter half of the 2030s depending on airframer strategies.

RA News Desk