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[ TECHNOLOGY ]

Propelling

the Future

Aircraft Engines. “The ground tests allowed us
to meet our acoustic and other performance
OPEN ROTOR TECHNOLOGY HOLDS GREAT objectives, and to validate the thrust reversal
FUTURE PROMISE function.”

In a LinkedIn article published in March Stéphane
Atul Chandra Cueille, Safran Senior Executive Vice President,
R&T and Innovation, and Chairman of the Clean
A new generation of aircraft engines such as the CFM International Sky Governing Board, pondered on whether, a
LEAP and Pratt & Whitney’s Geared Turbofan (GTF) have delivered further 15 percent reduction could be achieved
unprecedented gains in fuel efficiency along with dramatic reduc- from upcoming engines if a conventional archi-
tion in emissions and noise. However, new propulsion technologies tecture like that of the LEAP was retained and
are a must if greater performance and efficiency gains are needed stated that such an achievement would be hard
from aeroengines, if they are to shape the choices made by aircraft using conventional engines. ‘which is why we’re
manufacturers for the 2030-2035 timeframe. The current trend is conducting research to identify new and higher
therefore to reduce or even do away with the nacelle: all develop- performance configurations, such as the Open
ment projects under way in the field of electrical propulsion, which Rotor.’ “While the Open Rotor solution holds out
aim to reduce fuel consumption and the environmental impact of the greatest promise of delivering a further 15
aircraft, are turning back to open-rotor engines. per cent improvement, it’s also the most com-
plex technologically speaking,” he adds.
Safran Aircraft Engines which is leading the Open Rotor pro-
gramme as part of the Clean Sky European research project, has Safran is also exploring alternate paths, he
a head start in the development of a next generation propulsion says, including a conventional design, but with
system. An early sign of the promise of the Open Rotor engine, larger diameter fans as an obvious solution,
was it emerging as the winner in the Propulsion category at the where a higher bypass ratio would allow a
62nd Aviation Week Laureate Awards in March. further 5-10 per cent reduction in fuel con-
sumption which he says, is far from negligible.
“We are very proud of this award, which recognizes over ten years However, a Cueille adds, that a larger engine is
of all-out efforts along with our partners in Clean Sky to develop the harder to mount under the wing and is heavier,
Open Rotor and show the excellent maturity of this type of archi- which means lengthening the landing gear and
tecture,” noted Olivier Andriès, Chief Executive Officer of Safran strengthen the aircraft’s structure – two very

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