Engines
Safran Inaugurates Open-rotor Test Program
Unshrouded engine technology could save up to 15 percent in fuel consumption.
Safran has been running an open-rotor demonstrator at its facility in Istres, France, since May. The engine configuration could burn 15 percent less fuel than the CFM Leap. (Photo: Safran)
Safran has been running an open-rotor demonstrator at its facility in Istres, France, since May. The engine configuration could burn 15 percent less fuel than the CFM Leap. (Photo: Safran)

French group Safran on Tuesday inaugurated ground testing of the first open-rotor engine demonstrator. The company expects the new unshrouded engine architecture to deliver fuel savings of 15 percent compared with the new Leap series of turbofans, built by the CFM joint venture between Safran and GE.