Safran Develops Open Fan Engine for A380 Flight Demonstration

Aircraft propulsion research for sustainable aviation technologies
In aerospace propulsion and aircraft engine development, improving fuel efficiency and reducing environmental impact are key priorities for the next generation of commercial aircraft. A new European research initiative aims to advance these objectives through the development and flight testing of an Open Fan propulsion architecture.

The TAKE OFF (Technology And Knowledge for European Open Fan Flight) project, funded under the European Union’s Clean Aviation research and innovation programme, has officially launched with the objective of preparing the first flight demonstration of an Open Fan engine. The project is coordinated by Safran Aircraft Engines and involves a consortium of 25 European partners, including aerospace manufacturers, suppliers, universities, and research institutions.

Collaborative development across the European aerospace sector
The project brings together major aerospace companies such as Airbus, Avio Aero, and GKN Aerospace, alongside academic institutions and research centers across Europe. The collaboration is designed to combine industrial expertise with research capabilities to accelerate the development of advanced propulsion technologies.

TAKE OFF has received approximately €100 million in funding from the Clean Aviation public-private partnership, supporting research activities aimed at preparing the Open Fan engine architecture for flight testing before the end of the decade.

The project builds on earlier work conducted within the OFELIA (Open Fan for Environmental Low Impact of Aviation) programme, which explored the environmental performance potential of open fan propulsion systems.

Open Fan architecture for improved fuel efficiency
The Open Fan propulsion concept was first introduced in 2021 as part of the CFM RISE technology demonstration programme. The architecture is designed to improve aircraft engine performance by increasing propulsive efficiency while reducing fuel consumption.

Developers aim to achieve approximately 20% improvement in fuel efficiency compared with current engine technologies used on single-aisle commercial aircraft. The concept combines advanced aerodynamic design, lightweight materials, and new propulsion integration approaches.

Such improvements are intended to support the aviation industry’s broader objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining operational performance and safety standards.

Flight demonstration using an Airbus A380 platform
The TAKE OFF project covers the full development process required to bring the propulsion architecture to flight testing. Activities include engine demonstrator assembly, aircraft integration, flight clearance procedures, and post-flight analysis.

The programme is expected to culminate in a flight demonstration using an Airbus A380 aircraft, enabling engineers to validate the Open Fan propulsion concept under real flight conditions. The demonstration aims to achieve a level of technological maturity equivalent to a pre-development configuration.

The project will also operate in synergy with the COMPANION (Common Platform and Advanced Instrumentation Readiness for Ultra Efficient Propulsion) project, led by Airbus, which focuses on advanced testing platforms and instrumentation for next-generation propulsion systems.

Supporting Europe’s roadmap for ultra-efficient aircraft
The TAKE OFF initiative forms part of the Clean Aviation roadmap for developing ultra-efficient propulsion technologies for future short- and medium-range aircraft. By demonstrating the performance and feasibility of the Open Fan architecture in flight, the project is intended to guide the design of future aircraft engines.

Flight demonstration data will help engineers evaluate performance characteristics, including fuel efficiency, acoustic behavior, and integration with aircraft systems. These results are expected to support future industrial decisions and reduce technological and investment risks associated with new propulsion architectures.

Through collaborative research and large-scale testing, the TAKE OFF project aims to advance European aerospace innovation while contributing to the long-term development of more efficient and sustainable aircraft propulsion technologies.

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