Wind-tunnel testing of multiple configurations of sub-scale blades for GE’s Open Rotor engine is being conducted to identify the optimum blade design for the engine’s two counterrotating stages of blades. Minimal noise output and minimal specific fuel consumption (with the associated lower emissions output) are primary benefits derived from the optimum blade configuration.
Testing began in October 2009 at NASA’s Glenn Research Center, in Cleveland, Ohio, employing the GE-NASA test rig used in testing the 1980s-era GE36 unducted fan (UDF) engine.
