Open Fan for Environmental Low Impact of Aviation

Reducing the environmental impact of Short- and Medium-Range (SMR) aircraft is a core priority of the Clean Aviation Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), with the objective of enabling technologies for the next generation of SMR aircraft. In this context, propulsion remains a major lever, and the Open Fan engine architecture stands out as the most promising solution to significantly improve fuel efficiency, supporting the ambition of a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to 2020 levels, while remaining compatible with an Entry into Service (EIS) around 2035.

Building on strong synergies with national research programs, the OFELIA project brings together a large European consortium to contribute to the maturation of the RISE Open Fan technologies announced in June 2021. The project focuses on developing and consolidating the key technological enablers of the Open Fan architecture required to meet the performance, integration and certification challenges of future SMR aircraft.

OFELIA aims to mature the Open Fan engine architecture and its technologies up to TRL5. The project also addresses engine–airframe integration aspects and regulatory considerations, with close collaboration between engine manufacturers, airframers and airworthiness authorities to ensure that installation and certification constraints are fully embedded from the early design phases.

By delivering TRL5 maturity for the Open Fan key technologies, OFELIA will show a credible pathway to achieving a 20% CO2 reduction versus 2020, prepare subsequent demonstration phases within Clean Aviation Phase 2 and consolidate the roadmap towards an EIS by 2035