Archive · 19 Aug 2026
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.
Aircraft propulsion is becoming more efficient, data-driven and increasingly supported by artificial intelligence.
GE Aerospace says its Bengaluru teams are developing AI-enabled inspection tools that can reduce GEnx inspection times by about 50 percent.
GE’s 360 Foam Wash has completed more than 8,000 engine washes globally since 2017, according to the company.
The GE-Safran CFM RISE programme is targeting a 20 percent fuel-efficiency improvement through Open Fan and hybrid-electric technologies.
GE Aerospace says India has more than 1,300 GE and partner commercial engines in service and more than 3,000 on order.
- Who
- GE Aerospace, Safran Aircraft Engines and engineers at GE Aerospace’s Bengaluru technology centre.
- What
- They are developing smarter maintenance tools, improved engine-cleaning systems and next-generation propulsion technologies.
- When
- The article describes ongoing work; GE says its 360 Foam Wash has been used globally since 2017.
- Where
- At GE Aerospace’s technology centre in Bengaluru, India, with technologies intended for aircraft operating worldwide.
- Why
- The efforts aim to improve engine efficiency, maintenance predictability, performance and reliability while reducing fuel use.
- 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.