GE Aerospace Completes RISE Program Tests in Germany

GE Aerospace (GE) and its subsidiary Avio Aero have completed critical testing milestones for hydrogen combustion and hybrid electric propulsion systems at facilities in Germany. Announced on June 12, 2026, at the ILA Berlin airshow, the tests advance technologies intended for the CFM International RISE program.

The milestones, achieved in collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the European Union’s Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking, focus on the HYDEA and AMBER projects. According to a press release issued by GE Aerospace, these developments support the broader goal of the Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines (RISE) program, which targets a fuel burn improvement of more than 20 percent compared to current commercial engines. The engineering work supporting these milestones spans centers in Germany, Italy, Poland, and Türkiye.

Hydrogen combustion and altitude restart validation

The HYDEA project successfully executed its first engine restart test using hydrogen under simulated altitude conditions. Conducted at the DLR Institute of Space Propulsion in Lampoldshausen, Germany, the test utilized a custom hydrogen sector combustor test rig.

Engineers employed a synthetic air generator to replicate dry air at specific flight conditions, allowing the team to establish a relight operability envelope for hydrogen fuel. The specialized ignition system used in the test was designed and manufactured by Unison, another GE Aerospace company. Luca Bedon, Head of Research and Technology at Avio Aero, stated that the European teams are turning ideas into tested capabilities alongside their research partners.

Hybrid electric fuel cell testing

Parallel to the hydrogen tests, the AMBER project concluded a testing campaign on a proprietary fuel cell system at the DLR BALIS facility. This megawatt-class hybrid electric propulsion initiative focused on the dynamic behavior of fuel cells during flight operations.

The testing validated the system’s ability to transition from idle to maximum power during short transient times. It also demonstrated the fuel cell’s resilience across various power modes designed to simulate both short-range and long-range flight profiles.

“The future of flight is more electric. We’re proud to partner with DLR and others around the world to advance the building blocks to help make hybrid electric aviation a reality,” said Roman Seele, Future of Flight Leader for GE Aerospace in Germany.

Broader implications for the CFM RISE program

The technologies validated through HYDEA and AMBER will feed into the CFM International RISE program. CFM International is a 50-50 joint company between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines. Unveiled in 2021, the RISE program has accumulated more than 350 tests and over 3,000 cycles of endurance testing to date.

GE Aerospace and Avio Aero are also participating in additional Clean Aviation initiatives, including the TAKE OFF and OFELIA projects. These parallel efforts focus on Open Fan ground and flight test demonstrators led by Safran Aircraft Engines. María Calvo, Head of Project Management at the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking, noted that Avio Aero’s ongoing commitment reflects the strength of European industrial collaboration in delivering technologies for the next generation of aircraft.

AirPro News analysis

We view the concurrent progress in both hydrogen combustion and megawatt-class hybrid electric systems as a strong indicator of GE Aerospace’s diversified approach to the CFM RISE program. By utilizing European research infrastructure like the DLR facilities, the manufacturer is effectively distributing the high research and development costs associated with next-generation propulsion. The successful altitude relight test for hydrogen is particularly notable, as ignition and flame stability at altitude remain primary technical hurdles for direct hydrogen combustion in commercial aircraft.

Sources: GE Aerospace