Safran begins wind tunnel tests for open

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French engine maker Safran Aircraft Engines and France's aerospace lab ONERA are testing a model called ECOENGInE, a 1:5 scale demonstrator of the open fan engine that could be used in the CFM RISE program.

CFM, a partnership of GE Aviation and Safran, started the RISE program in 2021. They're creating an open fan engine to cut aircraft CO₂emissions by 20 percent by 2035, possibly reaching 80% with sustainable aviation fuel.

[📣#Press #release] Safran and @onera_fr start wind tunnel tests of future Open Fan.
✅A key pillar of the #CFM #RISE technology demonstration program
✅The Open Fan aims to reduce fuel burn and CO2 emissions by 20%
➡️https://t.co/Xb5vPQtoSI@CFM_engines @SafranEngines pic.twitter.com/whDTv6ZDfQ

— Safran (@SAFRAN) January 19, 2024

It's a smaller version of the Open Fan. They're conducting ECOENGInE tests at ONERA's wind tunnel in France.

"This series of wind tunnel tests is a major milestone in our Research & Technology roadmap, which aims to develop the technological building blocks for the next breed of commercial jet engines," said Pierre Cottenceau, VP of Engineering and R&T for Safran Aircraft Engines.

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"With the RISE program, Safran Aircraft Engines is contributing our long-standing expertise to the development of the fan module to demonstrate the benefits of an unshrouded engine architecture on the ground and in flight by mid-decade," added Cottenceau in a press release.

Simulating real-world airspeeds in a wind tunnel

To improve the Open Fan engine, Safran and ONERA signed a plan that is expected to expire in 2028. They're running a 200-hour test to check if the fan blades and engine design are operational. 

They simulate real air speeds in a giant wind tunnel called S1MA. It's huge, 8 meters wide, allowing tests on engines alone or with a plane wing.

"As scientific experts in aerospace, ONERA is a key player in efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of aviation," said Marie-José Martinez, Wind Tunnels Director for ONERA. "The partnership we've set up with Safran reflects our shared drive to support the development of cleaner, greener aircraft. 

"ONERA is proud to be making available our exceptional facilities, funded by the French government, and our world-renowned engineers and technicians," added Martinez.

Safran is also part of the EU-funded OFELIA project, working on an efficient open-rotor engine for smaller aircraft. Open-rotor engines can be more fuel-efficient but face challenges like size, weight, and noise during operation.