Airbus A380 Selected to Test Open Fan Engine Technology

Safran Aircraft Engines has officially launched the TAKE OFF research project, a major initiative within the European Clean Aviation Programme aimed at developing next-generation aircraft propulsion.

The project has received €100 million in funding and brings together 25 industry partners, including Airbus, Avio Aero, and GKN Aerospace.

Its central goal is to prepare an advanced Open Fan engine architecture for real flight testing.

A380 Will Serve as Flying Testbed

The experimental propulsion system will be tested on the Airbus A380, which will act as a flying laboratory for the technology.

A demonstration flight is currently planned for 2029, marking one of the most significant propulsion experiments in modern commercial aviation.

The program covers the entire development cycle, including:

• Assembly of the engine demonstrator

• Integration with the aircraft wing

• Flight testing and certification work

Open Fan Technology Explained

The Open Fan engine concept features large, exposed fan blades without a traditional nacelle. This design allows for much higher propulsive efficiency compared with conventional turbofan engines.

The concept was previously introduced in the CFM RISE program, a joint initiative by CFM International.

According to developers, the technology could reduce fuel consumption by about 20% compared with current aircraft engines, while also lowering carbon emissions.

Part of Aviation’s Decarbonization Push

The TAKE OFF program supports Europe’s broader strategy to decarbonize aviation and improve aircraft efficiency.

If successful, open fan propulsion could become a key technology for next-generation single-aisle aircraft expected in the 2030s, potentially reshaping the design of future commercial jets.