Open fan engine prototype helps Airbus cut 20 percent of aircraft emissions
Airbus is exploring the technologies of the past and future to help it create zero emissions aircraft and this latest engine prototype helps save 20% of emissions.
Key takeaways
- Production of the much-loved airplane was halted in 2021 due to lack of demand.
- The aviation industry has made the ambitious pledge to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and this new technology could help support that.
- Earlier this year, Airbus announced it was to test an experimental hydrogen engine on an A380 - another partnership with CFM International - with the aim of creating a zero emission airplane by 2035.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2022) 'Open fan engine prototype helps Airbus cut 20 percent of aircraft emissions', 311 Institute, 11 August. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/open-fan-engine-prototype-helps-airbus-cut-20-percent-of-aircraft-emissions/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
The aviation industry has an emissions problem which is why the industry’s running at full speed to develop new electric and hydrogen aircraft, as well as accelerating the development and adoption of carbon neutral Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). However, as great as these innovations are they all rely on advances in avionics, drive trains, and not least jet engine technology, and as odd as it sounds you could be forgiven that the future of flight looks a little bit like the past as Airbus shows off its latest experiments with a range of new open fan engine prototypes.
Take a closer look at the plane in the video below. Do you notice anything different about one of its engines? This Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger jet, has been recruited as a demonstrator to trial new cutting edge open fan engine architecture which could help cut carbon emissions by up to 20%.
The Future of Aviation and Mobility, by keynote Matthew Griffin
The project was unveiled Tuesday by Airbus and CFM International at Farnborough Air Show just outside of London, an annual trade exhibition showcasing the latest in aerospace innovation.
It's the latest innovation to be air-tested on the A380 "superjumbo," which has had mixed fortunes in recent years. Production of the much-loved airplane was halted in 2021 due to lack of demand. Existing aircraft were grounded by airlines during the pandemic, only to enjoy a recent resurgence due to travel demand.
CFM, whose parent companies are GE and Safran Aircraft Engines, has been developing advanced propulsion technologies as part of its Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engine (RISE) demonstration program.
Tech explainer
Now the aim is to mature and accelerate that with a flight test campaign on board this A380, which is due to take to the skies in the latter half of this decade from the Airbus Flight Test facility in Toulouse, France. Before that happens, CFM will perform engine ground tests and flight test validation at GE Aviation's Flight Test Operations center in Victorville, California.
The aims of the flight test program are to better understand engine-wing integration and aerodynamic performance, to demonstrate better fuel efficiency that would cut CO2 emissions by a fifth compared to today's most efficient engines, and to ensure compatibility with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF).
The aviation industry has made the ambitious pledge to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and this new technology could help support that.
"New propulsion technologies will play an important role in achieving aviation's net zero objectives, along with new aircraft designs and sustainable energy sources," said Sabine Klauke, Airbus Chief Technical Officer, in a statement.
The CFM RISE Program is all about pushing the technology envelope, redefining the art of the possible, and helping to achieve more sustainable long term growth for our industry," Gaël Méheust, President and CEO of CFM International, confirmed.
Earlier this year, Airbus announced it was to test an experimental hydrogen engine on an A380 - another partnership with CFM International - with the aim of creating a zero emission airplane by 2035.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
Airbus is exploring the technologies of the past and future to help it create zero emissions aircraft and this latest engine prototype helps save 20% of emissions.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
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Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 15-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder and Futurist in Chief of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Sources and further reading
- CFM International cfmaeroengines.com
- Safran Aircraft Engines safran-group.com
- net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 iata.org
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 11 August 2022. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2022). Open fan engine prototype helps Airbus cut 20 percent of aircraft emissions. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/open-fan-engine-prototype-helps-airbus-cut-20-percent-of-aircraft-emissions/
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