Two months ago, Safran finally inaugurated ground testing for its Open-Rotor program.
© Safran
10 Years to build the first Open Rotor
Since 2008 the joint venture between Safran and GE develop the first Open rotor. This program is part of the europeen projet Clean Sky. The test are being in progress at Istre in the South of France. This double counter-rotating blower is supposed to consume 30% less gas than a traditional turbojet CM56 and 15% less than the LEAP. After two years of assembly, the Rotor is ready to be tested as the symbol of a new area, the "green aviation".
Innovative Rotor
Even if the structure is taken from the GE36, , this Open Rotor is spectacular and do not look like any rotor that as been build till today. The fans are outdoor and reach a diameter of 4 meters. The first row of propellers is made of twelve woven carbon blades that turn at 1000rpm when the second one composed of ten blades that go the other way at 750rpm. Finally thanks to the construction without fairing bring an important sound reduction.
© Safran
Clean Sky Program
The goal that Safran and European Union want to reach with this new Rotor is an environmental achievement. Thanks to this new technologie from Safran the Rotor will produce 50% less sound emission. It also has the same performance as a classical rotor but obviously consume less gas. According to Safran, this rotor will not receive the certification before 2030. Stéphane Cueille, the research and technology director, perfectly summurized the situation:
" Our demonstrator has the same sound levels as a Leap, thanks to an optimization of the aerodynamics of fan blades "