Sustainable Aviation

This analysis evaluates eight energy source candidates for next-generation aircraft propulsion based on energy density, storage requirements, infrastructure compatibility, and design implications. The study recommends drop-in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) as the optimal near-term solution, balancing performance, cost, and emissions reduction while minimizing certification risk.

This presentation examines the critical design parameters governing turbofan engine architecture: bypass ratio (BPR) and overall pressure ratio (OPR). Through analysis of commercial and tactical applications, material constraints, and emissions considerations, we demonstrate why high-bypass architectures dominate subsonic aviation and explore breakthrough technologies like CFM’s RISE program that promise 20% fuel consumption reduction.