Work in progress: a new engine generation – Part 2

What engines will power our airliners in 10 to 30 years? In part 2 we investigate what engine makers, universities and research agencies have in store.

As described in part 1 of this survey the Big 3 aero engine makers Pratt & Whitney, General Electric and Rolls-Royce all study updated or clean-sheet concepts in their quest for more (fuel) efficiency and lower emissions, like the GTF 2.0, LEAP 2.0 and UltraFan. These should be ready for service around 2025, but what technological step is there to follow? Away from day-to-day’s hectic all makers have been running research programs, but Europe has taken a leading role on this.