Periodic Reporting for period 3 - OFELIA (Open Fan for Environmental Low Impact of Aviation)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2024-07-01 al 2025-06-30
Decarbonising aviation is the greatest challenge facing the air transport industry. The open fan engine architecture is in line with the Clean Aviation Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), which prioritises the development of technologies that reduce the environmental impact of small-medium range (SMR) aircraft. Since the engine is essential in this effort, the Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines (RISE) Open Fan architecture is the most promising solution concerning fuel efficiency to achieve 20 % emissions reduction. The EU-funded OFELIA project will demonstrate the RISE Open Fan architecture for SMR aircraft as a key contributor to the Air Transport Action Group’s goals towards carbon neutrality by 2050.
Reducing SMR aircraft environmental impact is a priority of the Clean Aviation SRIA, which objective is to have technologies ready for the future generation of SMR aircraft.
The engine is key in this effort and the Open Fan engine architecture is the most promising solution in terms of fuel efficiency to both achieve environmental goals (20% emissions reduction versus 2020) and target a rapid Entry into Service, as early as 2035.
In synergy with national programs, OFELIA will gather a large European consortium to contribute to the RISE technology demonstration announced in June 2021.
OFELIA aims to demonstrate at TRL5 the RISE Open Fan architecture, for the SMR to achieve or surpass the Air Transport Action Group’s goals on the way towards Carbon neutrality by 2050.
To this end, OFELIA will focus on this high TRL full scale demonstration of the engine architecture and on the development of key enablers for the Open Fan.
OFELIA will allow installation of an increased fan diameter on a conventional aircraft configuration, thanks to innovative turbomachinery technical solutions.
Following the architecture definition, OFELIA will perform a large-scale Open Fan engine ground test campaign, deliver flightworthy propulsive system definition and prepare an in-flight demonstration for the phase 2 of Clean Aviation.
The project will also optimize the engine installation with the airframer and address certification, in close collaboration with airworthiness authorities, taking advantage of the permit-to-fly activity.
OFELIA will then deliver a TRL5 Open Fan engine architecture for SMR, demonstrate a credible path to 20% CO2 reduction versus 2020 and prepare the path to flight tests to consolidate the roadmap for EIS2035.
As part of the technology maturation plan, the compatibility of Open Fan to hydrogen will be investigated in coordination with H2 pillar.
Reducing SMR aircraft environmental impact is a priority of the Clean Aviation SRIA, which objective is to have technologies ready for the future generation of SMR aircraft.
The engine is key in this effort and the Open Fan engine architecture is the most promising solution in terms of fuel efficiency to both achieve environmental goals (20% emissions reduction versus 2020) and target a rapid Entry into Service, as early as 2035.
In synergy with national programs, OFELIA will gather a large European consortium to contribute to the RISE technology demonstration announced in June 2021.
OFELIA aims to demonstrate at TRL5 the RISE Open Fan architecture, for the SMR to achieve or surpass the Air Transport Action Group’s goals on the way towards Carbon neutrality by 2050.
To this end, OFELIA will focus on this high TRL full scale demonstration of the engine architecture and on the development of key enablers for the Open Fan.
OFELIA will allow installation of an increased fan diameter on a conventional aircraft configuration, thanks to innovative turbomachinery technical solutions.
Following the architecture definition, OFELIA will perform a large-scale Open Fan engine ground test campaign, deliver flightworthy propulsive system definition and prepare an in-flight demonstration for the phase 2 of Clean Aviation.
The project will also optimize the engine installation with the airframer and address certification, in close collaboration with airworthiness authorities, taking advantage of the permit-to-fly activity.
OFELIA will then deliver a TRL5 Open Fan engine architecture for SMR, demonstrate a credible path to 20% CO2 reduction versus 2020 and prepare the path to flight tests to consolidate the roadmap for EIS2035.
As part of the technology maturation plan, the compatibility of Open Fan to hydrogen will be investigated in coordination with H2 pillar.
- WP1 led the project by coordinating the consortium, managing contractual amendment (GAM) and reports, facilitating meetings and stakeholder communication, ensuring administrative and financial compliance, and overseeing dissemination, exploitation, and knowledge-sharing activities.
- WP2 focused on vision product studies and technical trades for Open Fan installation, delivering key outputs that identified major design drivers, selected the “V family” mount architecture, and assessed engine rotation direction to enable further optimisation. Enhanced collaboration with stakeholders, optimised fuel burn and emissions, progressed certification (EASA), supported ACAP/SMR integration, and delivered comprehensive datapacks for both jet-fuel and H2 configurations.
- WP3 significant milestones were achieved in component manufacturing and testing, reaching TRL4 for HSLPT, launching rig campaigns. Advancements continued in engine module technologies (HPC, ABC, TVF), manufacturing innovations (additive, welding, full builds), and electric machine development, with design completion nearing and validation tests initiated.
- WP4 advanced whirl flutter understanding via detailed wind tunnel tests, FEM/CFD validation, and stability mapping, progressed Mid Fan Case/Frame and bearing compartment design, optimising structure and manufacturing with PDRs completed or underway. Finalised the RGB and LPC PDRs, advanced sub-module and turbine integration, drove MFC and oil system maturation, achieved major milestones for the GTD, and initiated the HS-LPT rig program, meeting key deliverables for integration and test readiness.
- WP5 key achievements include scheduling the Open Fan Flight Test for 2028, advancing engine/aircraft integration and aero-acoustic simulations, delivering core documentation, refining flight test instrumentation, supporting major PDR and flight test planning milestones, and successfully conducting critical bird ingestion and lightning tests.
- WP2 focused on vision product studies and technical trades for Open Fan installation, delivering key outputs that identified major design drivers, selected the “V family” mount architecture, and assessed engine rotation direction to enable further optimisation. Enhanced collaboration with stakeholders, optimised fuel burn and emissions, progressed certification (EASA), supported ACAP/SMR integration, and delivered comprehensive datapacks for both jet-fuel and H2 configurations.
- WP3 significant milestones were achieved in component manufacturing and testing, reaching TRL4 for HSLPT, launching rig campaigns. Advancements continued in engine module technologies (HPC, ABC, TVF), manufacturing innovations (additive, welding, full builds), and electric machine development, with design completion nearing and validation tests initiated.
- WP4 advanced whirl flutter understanding via detailed wind tunnel tests, FEM/CFD validation, and stability mapping, progressed Mid Fan Case/Frame and bearing compartment design, optimising structure and manufacturing with PDRs completed or underway. Finalised the RGB and LPC PDRs, advanced sub-module and turbine integration, drove MFC and oil system maturation, achieved major milestones for the GTD, and initiated the HS-LPT rig program, meeting key deliverables for integration and test readiness.
- WP5 key achievements include scheduling the Open Fan Flight Test for 2028, advancing engine/aircraft integration and aero-acoustic simulations, delivering core documentation, refining flight test instrumentation, supporting major PDR and flight test planning milestones, and successfully conducting critical bird ingestion and lightning tests.
OFELIA project addresses urgent climate challenges by developing the fuel-efficient Open Fan engine architecture, aiming for a 20% emissions reduction compared to 2020 levels. It supports the European Green Deal’s climate neutrality goals and targets a reduced aviation carbon footprint. OFELIA has established an impact monitoring roadmap with specific KPIs and contributions to the Clean Aviation High-Level Goals for the Open Fan Demonstrator.
Project assessment uses several methods to ensure systematic progress and verification. TRL and MRL are tracked with evolution maps, reviews, and milestones. The V-cycle approach ensures thorough design, integration, and validation, supported by comprehensive testing and reviews at each stage—including ground and flight demonstrations. Technical and maturity reviews are carried out at both component and system levels. Performance assessment includes measuring CO2, noise, NOx, and particle emissions, with these results informing overall evaluations and supporting achievement of TRL6 and EIS by 2035.
Project assessment uses several methods to ensure systematic progress and verification. TRL and MRL are tracked with evolution maps, reviews, and milestones. The V-cycle approach ensures thorough design, integration, and validation, supported by comprehensive testing and reviews at each stage—including ground and flight demonstrations. Technical and maturity reviews are carried out at both component and system levels. Performance assessment includes measuring CO2, noise, NOx, and particle emissions, with these results informing overall evaluations and supporting achievement of TRL6 and EIS by 2035.