In a world grappling with the effects of climate change, the CFM RISE program, a collaboration between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, serves as a beacon of hope. The program is a testament to decades of dedication, engineering prowess, and a shared vision for a sustainable future.
The Genesis of the CFM RISE Program
In the face of escalating global temperatures and rising sea levels, industries across the globe are prioritizing sustainability. The aviation industry is no exception. In response to this pressing issue, CFM International, a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, launched the Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines (RISE) program in 2021. Arjan Hegeman, GE Aerospace’s general manager of advanced technology, confidently declared:
“History will judge us to be on the right side of the fence.”
Decades of Innovation Culminating in CFM RISE
The CFM RISE program is not an overnight sensation; it’s the culmination of years of meticulous research, development, and validation. Its cornerstone technologies—open-fan architecture, carbon-fiber composites, ceramic matrix composites, and additive technology—mark the fruits of countless hours spent in labs and testing facilities.
The Role of Open-Fan Architecture in Fuel Efficiency
The key innovation of the RISE program lies in its utilization of open-fan architecture, first developed by GE and Safran in the 1980s. Unlike traditional turbofans, open-fan technology operates without a case surrounding the fan. This unique design facilitates fuel efficiency and decreases carbon output, all while maintaining the speed and performance of conventional turbofans.
The Legacy of GE36 and the GE Aerospace Journey Towards More Efficient Engines
Although the GE36 never made it to commercial use due to a drastic decrease in fuel prices in the late ’80s, the technologies it introduced set the course for aviation for the next 30 years. Its carbon-fiber composite fan blades played a crucial role in the development of higher-bypass jet engines such as the GE90, the GEnx, and the GE9X.
Ceramic Matrix Composites: The Key to a More Efficient Engine Core
Beyond the open-fan design and carbon-fiber composite fan blades, the CFM RISE team is honing in on the core of the engine. Here, the focus is on ceramic matrix composites (CMCs), which GE Aerospace has been perfecting for over a decade. Lighter than steel yet capable of withstanding extremely high temperatures, CMCs present a groundbreaking material for the hot section of a commercial aircraft engine.
The CFM RISE Program: A Response to Climate Change
The CFM RISE program is not merely an engineering marvel; it’s a reflection of the collective urgency to combat climate change. The aviation industry accounts for approximately 2% of global CO2 emissions, a figure that will likely increase as the commercial aviation fleet expands. Hegeman asserts, “investing in fuel efficiencies is not only the right thing to do for the planet and for following generations, it’s also going to be much more of an economic differentiator for the operators compared to what it was in the past.”
Looking Ahead
The CFM RISE program stands as an inspiring example of how innovative engineering can play a pivotal role in combatting climate change. By harnessing state-of-the-art technology and capitalizing on decades of research, GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines are redefining the future of sustainable aviation.
As we look forward to a more sustainable future, we invite you to share your thoughts and insights. How do you think the CFM RISE program will impact the aviation industry and our global climate objectives? Comment below to join the conversation.
