All Europe's Major Engine-Makers Are Involved

The European Commission and Snecma Moteurs have signed an agreement to launch a new research program called VITAL to significantly reduce aircraft engine noise and CO2 emissions.

VITAL is a four-year program with a total budget of 90 million euros, including 50 million euros in funding from the European Commission. Snecma Moteurs will be leading a consortium of 53 partners including all major European engine manufacturers – Rolls-Royce Plc, Volvo Aero, MTU Aero Engines, ITP, Avio, Techspace Aero, Volvo and Rolls-Royce Deutschland – and Airbus.

This is an integrated European Commission program, reflecting and continuing Snecma Moteurs’ Research & Technology efforts over the last few years to develop technologies that bring innovative environmental solutions to our products and our customers. The VITAL program, building on the results of the previous research programs EEFAE & SILENCE, aims to achieve the technology breakthroughs required to meet the ambitious ACARE1 goals.

Jean-Jacques Korsia, VITAL program coordinator at Snecma Moteurs, said: " The VITAL program will only be able to meet its goals by achieving real technological breakthroughs."

It focuses on the low-pressure parts of the engine, evaluating new engine designs including counter-rotating fans, lightened fans, highly-loaded turbines and turbines with fewer blades, as well as more specific enabling technologies. The weight reduction will enable the development of very high bypass ratio engines that reduce noise by 5dB to 8dB, while also decreasing CO2 emissions. Each component will be validated along the program by large-scale aeroacoustic and mechanical rig tests.

The VITAL program will deliver the technologies expected by our customers to help control the environmental impact of air transport.

FMI: www.acare4europe.com