NASA has awarded GE Aerospace a contract for Phase 2 of the Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC) program, supporting continued technology development for the next-generation of commercial aircraft engines with the aim to improve fuel efficiency significantly and reduce emissions compared to engines today.

The HyTEC’s Phase 2 Integrated Core Technology Demonstration is a cost-sharing contract with a maximum value of approximately $68.1 million and a five-year performance period that begins 15 February. The contract is awarded with a 50% minimum GE Aerospace cost share during the contract period.

Part of NASA’s Advanced Air Vehicles program, HyTEC was established to accelerate the development of turbofan engine small core technologies. The first phase of the project focused on developing several key engine core technologies, including high-pressure compressors, high-pressure turbines, advanced materials, electric hybridization, and compact combustors, through subsystem or component tests.

This cross-section of a turbofan jet engine shows the components of the HyTEC project’s smaller engine core, with the compressor, combustor, and turbine noted. By shrinking the engine core, better fuel efficiency can be achieved. NASA

To meet the goal of HyTEC Phase 2, GE Aerospace will integrate these technologies into an engine core to perform a compact, high-power density core ground demonstration by the end of September 2028.

The new contract builds on work completed in Phase 1 of HyTEC for high-pressure compressor and high-pressure turbine advanced aerodynamics, as well as the combustor.

Phase 2 will mature technologies for a core demonstrator test later this decade. Testing will also expand to include 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) combustion evaluation.

Additionally, GE Aerospace will further advance the state-of-the-art for engine integration of hybrid electric systems. Hybrid electric testing under HyTEC Phase 2 builds on GE Aerospace’s ongoing efforts to develop more electric engines, including the previously awarded NASA Turbofan Engine Power Extraction Demonstration under the first phase of HyTEC.

HyTEC Phase 2 is a major demonstration within NASA’s Sustainable Flight National Partnership portfolio that will contribute to the US goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Currently, GE Aerospace is executing one of the most comprehensive technology demonstration roadmaps in the industry. More than 100 tests have been completed as part of CFM International’s RISE (Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines) program. (RISE is a registered trademark of CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between GE and Safran Aircraft Engines.

The RISE program encompasses a suite of new aviation engine technology developments to increase propulsive and thermal efficiency, including open fan engine architecture and engine compact core work supported through HyTEC. The RISE program targets more than 20% improved fuel efficiency and 20% fewer CO₂ emissions by the mid-2030s compared to the most efficient engines today.

All GE Aerospace and CFM International engines can operate on approved SAF blends and new technologies are being developed for compatibility with alternative energy sources, including 100% SAF. To date, GE Aerospace and its joint ventures have tested 10 different aircraft engine models with 100% SAF through a mix of component-, engine-, and aircraft-level studies.