Safran Aircraft Engines has completed more than 400 hours of wind tunnel testing on its 1/5-scale ECOENGInE demonstrator, advancing the acoustic and aerodynamic validation of the CFM RISE Open Fan architecture.

In a press release published on June 12, 2026, the manufacturer detailed its progress following the 32nd American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and Council of European Aerospace Societies (CEAS) Aeroacoustics Conference held in Brussels, Belgium, on May 28, 2026. The testing program addresses the primary environmental and regulatory hurdle for open rotor engines: managing noise emissions without a traditional engine nacelle.

Validating the Open Fan architecture

The ECOENGInE demonstrator testing took place at the ONERA S1MA wind tunnel in France and the DNW Large Low-speed Facility in the Netherlands. The test campaign stems from a framework agreement announced on January 19, 2024, between Safran and ONERA. The French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) supports the initiative through the Civil Aviation Research Council (CORAC) plan, which funds research to simulate real-world airspeeds and validate the fan module’s performance.

The 400 hours of accumulated testing provide physical data to verify numerical simulations of the Open Fan configuration as it would be installed on a commercial aircraft wing. This physical validation is required to prove that the computer models accurately predict how the airflows and sound waves will behave in flight.

Acoustic challenges of the CFM RISE program

The CFM Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines (RISE) program is managed by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between Safran Aircraft Engines and GE Aerospace. The program targets a 20% reduction in fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions compared to current-generation commercial aircraft engines, with an entry-into-service goal of 2035 for next-generation single-aisle jets.

Removing the engine nacelle is central to achieving these efficiency gains through a significantly higher bypass ratio. However, the un-ducted design exposes the fan blades, creating complex aeroacoustic phenomena. Engineers must mitigate this noise to comply with stringent airport community noise regulations and ensure passenger cabin comfort.

At the AIAA/CEAS conference, Safran authored or co-authored approximately 12 technical papers detailing these efforts. The research involves collaboration with multiple European institutions, including the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR), the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics in Belgium, and the École Centrale de Lyon in France.

AirPro News analysis

We view the accumulation of 400 wind tunnel test hours as a critical de-risking step for the CFM RISE program. While the targeted 20% fuel burn reduction offers a clear economic incentive for airlines, acoustic certification remains the most significant technical barrier for any open rotor architecture. Historical attempts at un-ducted fans in the 1980s faltered largely due to insurmountable cabin and community noise issues.

By demonstrating that modern numerical acoustic modeling aligns with physical wind tunnel data, Safran and GE Aerospace are building the foundational environmental case required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The extensive involvement of European academic and state research institutions also indicates a broad regulatory and governmental alignment behind the Open Fan concept ahead of the 2035 target date.

Sources: Safran Group

Airbus is presenting ten advanced aerospace technologies focused on decarbonization, next-generation materials, and automated manufacturing at the ILA Berlin Air Show, which runs from June 10 to June 14, 2026.

In a press release issued on June 10, 2026, the European aerospace manufacturer detailed exhibits that highlight its roadmap toward hydrogen propulsion and intelligent operations. The event, which traces its roots to 1909, also serves as the backdrop for Airbus to mark a half-century partnership with the Lufthansa Group.

Advanced manufacturing and material consolidation

Airbus is highlighting significant component consolidation achieved through additive manufacturing. A key exhibit features a 3D-printed titanium door latch shaft currently flying on the Airbus A350. According to the company, this single printed component replaces ten separate parts required in previous designs.

The consolidation results in a 45 percent weight reduction compared to the predecessor assembly. Airbus is also demonstrating factory-floor automation advancements, including the CabinMarker robot developed by Airbus Robotics, which is designed to integrate artificial intelligence and robotics into the manufacturing process.

Decarbonization initiatives and autonomous teaming

The manufacturer’s decarbonization strategy is represented through updates on the ZEROe hydrogen-powered aircraft program and the Wing of Tomorrow research initiative. Both programs aim to validate technologies required for next-generation, low-emission commercial aircraft.

In the uncrewed sector, Airbus is demonstrating autonomous and teaming capabilities during the air show. The company partnered with Primoco UAV to conduct a live autonomous flight of teamed uncrewed aerial vehicles, showcasing the integration of intelligent operations into complex airspace.

Lufthansa Group partnership milestone

Coinciding with the opening of ILA Berlin 2026, Airbus and the Lufthansa Group formally celebrated 50 years of partnership. The companies announced agreements on future strategic cooperations during the event.

The milestone aligns with the anticipated delivery of the 700th Airbus aircraft to the Lufthansa Group, which is scheduled to occur later in 2026.

AirPro News analysis

The exhibits Airbus selected for ILA Berlin 2026 illustrate a dual-track approach to aerospace development. We observe a clear balance between long-term disruptive technologies, such as the ZEROe hydrogen program, and immediate, incremental efficiency gains. The 3D-printed A350 door latch shaft is particularly notable. By reducing a ten-part assembly to a single component, Airbus is addressing both aircraft weight reduction and supply chain simplification. We view the emphasis on robotics and part consolidation as a practical response to the ongoing production bottlenecks affecting the broader aerospace manufacturing sector.

Sources: Airbus

Industrial carbon transformation company Twelve officially opened AirPlant One in Moses Lake, Washington, on June 10, 2026, establishing the first commercial-scale facility in the United States dedicated to producing power-to-liquid SAF. The facility utilizes captured carbon dioxide, water, and renewable electricity to manufacture synthetic fuel without upstream fossil fuel extraction.

In a press release issued by Twelve, the company confirmed the plant is now operational and producing E-Jet fuel, alongside a byproduct called E-Naphtha. The milestone follows a $645 million funding round secured in September 2024 to scale operations and fulfills a 2022 joint commitment from Alaska Airlines (AS) and Microsoft Corporation to purchase the facility’s output.

Commercializing power-to-liquid aviation fuel

Twelve’s proprietary process bypasses traditional biomass-based sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production methods. Instead, the Moses Lake facility synthesizes drop-in aviation fuel directly from renewable electricity, water, and captured carbon dioxide. According to the company, this E-Jet fuel delivers up to a 90% reduction in lifecycle carbon emissions compared to conventional jet fuel.

Beyond emissions reductions, the power-to-liquid model introduces a new economic framework for Airlines fuel procurement. Because the primary input cost is electricity, production can be tied to long-term power purchase agreements. Twelve states this structure can offer airlines price predictability horizons exceeding 10 years, insulating operators from the volatility of global crude oil markets.

“We broke ground on AirPlant One with a simple thesis: that the fuels powering the global economy could be made from renewable electricity and air, anywhere in the world,” said Nicholas Flanders, Co-Founder and CEO of Twelve. “Today, that thesis is operational and Alaska Airlines will fly on fuel made right here in Washington State.”

Corporate Partnerships and market demand

The development of AirPlant One relied heavily on early demand signals from major corporate partners. In 2022, Alaska Airlines and Microsoft committed to purchasing the facility’s future output, providing the commercial foundation necessary to secure project financing. Alaska Star Ventures, the airline’s investment arm, also participated in Twelve’s recent funding rounds.

Ryan Spies, Managing Director of Sustainability for Alaska Airlines, noted that the partnership demonstrates how collaboration can advance SAF technology while diversifying fuel supply chains and strengthening energy security.

Microsoft is utilizing a book-and-claim accounting model to apply the environmental attributes of the E-Jet fuel toward reducing its reported business travel emissions. Melanie Nakagawa, Chief Sustainability Officer at Microsoft, stated that the company’s investment helps scale energy solutions and lays the groundwork for cleaner aviation globally.

AirPro News analysis

The activation of AirPlant One represents a critical pivot point for the US sustainable aviation fuel market. While biomass-derived SAF currently dominates the limited global supply, agricultural and waste feedstock constraints will eventually cap its scalability. Power-to-liquid synthetic fuels offer a theoretically limitless production ceiling, provided sufficient renewable energy and carbon capture infrastructure exist.

We view the localized production aspect as increasingly vital. As international Regulations begin mandating physical SAF blending at specific airports rather than relying entirely on book-and-claim credits, domestic facilities like AirPlant One will become essential infrastructure. The ability to offer airlines decade-long fixed fuel prices could also fundamentally alter airline cost structures if power-to-liquid production reaches parity with conventional jet fuel volumes.

Sources: Twelve Benefit Corporation