Safran inaugurates BeCOVER, a new compressor test centre in Belgium

Adrien Dolimont, Minister-President of Wallonia, and Olivier Andriès, CEO of Safran, inaugurated the BeCOVER compressor test centre in Herstal, Liège, Belgium. The state-of-the-art 3,000 m² facility is designed to test advanced compressors for civil and military aircraft engines, supporting the aviation sector's environmental objectives. BeCOVER aims to validate innovative technologies to address major environmental challenges, including reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency.

The centre boasts unique aerodynamics-testing capabilities, including a closed air loop for altitude condition simulations, making it a leading facility in Europe. Developed by Safran Test Cells, a unit of Safran Aero Boosters, the site incorporates advanced technologies for optimising energy and water use. Its semi-buried architectural design reduces noise pollution and integrates with the local environment.

In December, BeCOVER will host a prototype low-pressure rapid compressor developed by Safran Aero Boosters for the Open Fan engine in the CFM RISE (Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines) programme. This innovative engine architecture is poised to reduce aircraft fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions by 20%, with potential reductions of up to 80% when using sustainable fuels. Targeted for deployment in next-generation single-aisle aircraft by 2035, the Open Fan engine is a cornerstone of efforts to minimise aviation's environmental footprint.

The prototype compressor, developed in collaboration with the Partenariat d'Innovation Technologique Wallon (P.I.T.), highlights Wallonia's commitment to fostering innovation and attracting talent. This high-speed compressor reduces engine weight and raw material usage by minimising the size of the low-pressure spool. Equipped with 1,200 sensors, the prototype will undergo rigorous aerodynamic efficiency testing in a six-month campaign.

BeCOVER is not limited to Safran projects. It serves the broader aerospace industry and sectors like energy while providing a platform for experimental research in turbomachinery aerodynamics. Available to academic institutions and Belgian universities, the centre promotes collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and skill development across scientific and industrial communities.