Technology And Knowledge for European Open Fan Flight

forthcoming

Reducing the environmental impact of Short-Medium Range (SMR) aircraft is a core priority of the Clean Aviation SRIA which aims to deliver enabling technologies ready for the next generation of SMR aircraft. Propulsion plays a pivotal role in this effort, with the Open Fan engine architecture emerging as the most promising solution to achieve environmental goals while supporting a timely Entry into Service by 2035. Building on the foundations laid by the Clean Aviation OFELIA and COMPANION projects, and leveraging synergies with national funding programmes, the TAKE OFF project gathers a broad European consortium to advance the RISE Open Fan technology demonstration announced in June 2021. The project will culminate in a full-scale, in-flight demonstration of an Open Fan engine, enabling a path to 30% reduction in fuel consumption at the aircraft level and validating TRL6 for the engine architecture. TAKE OFF is structured to cover the entire demonstration chain—from final engine design, assembly, and instrumentation, through aircraft platform integration and flight clearance, to post-flight data analysis and model calibration. TAKE OFF also paves the way for future certification of Open Fan products. Early and continuous engagement with airworthiness authorities, development of draft regulatory material, and application of the Certification Readiness Level (CRL) framework will ensure alignment with evolving regulatory needs. Fully aligned with the Clean Aviation roadmap under the SMR pillar, TAKE OFF provides essential propulsion-level evidence to guide system-level design and de-risk industrial investment. By delivering flight-proven data, refined digital tools, and matured technologies, TAKE OFF will reinforce Europe's leadership in sustainable aviation and accelerate the deployment of next-generation SMR aircraft.