SINGAPORE—Singapore will host the real-world evaluation of open-fan powerplants developed under CFM International’s Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines (RISE) technology demonstrator program.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Airbus and CFM have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will make Singapore the world’s first airport testbed for RISE.
Under the initiative, either Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) or Seletar Airport (XSP) will be used as a testbed to co-develop what CAAS describes as a “comprehensive readiness framework” for integrating open-fan engines and next-generation aircraft into existing airport operations. The work will cover aircraft and engine design considerations, airport infrastructure modifications, changes to operational procedures, safety standards and regulatory processes.
The agreement was signed at the Changi Aviation Summit, held on the eve of the Singapore Airshow.
CAAS Director General Han Kok Juan told reporters ahead of the signing that the authority will finalize the project scope and timeline with CFM, noting that the effort is expected to span multiple years.
CFM unveiled the RISE concept in 2021 which centers on an open-fan engine, positioning the technology as a successor to today’s high-bypass turbofans. RISE targets a 20% improvement in fuel efficiency, while maintaining compatibility with sustainable aviation fuel and supporting longer-term adoption of hydrogen-based propulsion. Airbus has said its next-generation single-aisle aircraft in the 200-seat class, expected to enter service in the second half of the 2030s, could feature an open fan engine.
“This first-of-its-kind agreement is a huge boon for the CFM RISE development program,” CFM President and CEO Gaël Méheust said in a statement. “Being able to perform real-world demonstrations—from ground handling and maintenance activities to day-to-day airport operations—will help build confidence among airlines, regulators and, ultimately, the flying public in the safety, durability and efficiency of open-fan technology.”
For CAAS, the collaboration aligns with its broader strategy to position Singapore as a global aerospace innovation hub, leveraging its regulatory framework and airport ecosystem to accelerate the maturation and deployment of advanced aviation technologies.
Related Content
