2 weeks ago

Smarter Aircraft Engines Push Aviation Toward India’s Sky Mobility Future

Aircraft engines are being improved to use less fuel and work more reliably.

Engineers are using artificial intelligence to inspect engine parts and help predict when maintenance is needed.

GE Aerospace says one of its inspection tools can cut some inspection times in half.

Special cleaning technology can also help engines perform better.

Engineers are testing new ideas such as Open Fan designs and hybrid-electric systems.

The CFM RISE programme aims to make engines 20 percent more fuel-efficient than today’s most efficient commercial engines.

These ideas are still being tested and are not yet a commercial engine.

GE’s technology centre in Bengaluru is helping develop and support these technologies.

This means India is becoming important not only as an aviation market but also as a place where aircraft engineering is carried out.

Key facts

Inspection technology: GE Aerospace says its Blade Inspection Tool can reduce GEnx inspection times by about 50 percent.
Engine cleaning: GE says its 360 Foam Wash can remove dust and dirt, improve compressor efficiency and help restore performance.
Global washes: More than 8,000 360 Foam Wash procedures have reportedly been completed globally since 2017.
RISE target: The CFM RISE programme is targeting a 20 percent fuel-efficiency improvement over the most efficient commercial engines currently in service.
RISE technologies: The programme includes Open Fan architecture, a compact core and hybrid-electric systems.
Bengaluru centre: GE Aerospace describes the centre as more than 25 years old and one of its largest multidisciplinary research and development centres outside the United States.
Indian engine presence: GE says more than 1,300 GE Aerospace and partner commercial engines are in service in India, with more than 3,000 engines on order.

NDTV · 2 weeks ago