At ANT Industries in Atherstone, Warwickshire, the focus is on delivering precision-engineered components and solutions to some of the most advanced sectors in the world. One of their key customers, GE Aerospace, is currently making headlines with its ground-breaking work on the open-fan engine concept under the Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines (RISE) programme.
Shaun Rowley, Managing Director of ANT Industries, expressed admiration for the strides being made by GE Aerospace, saying, “The technological advancements we are witnessing from GE are nothing short of extraordinary. Their work on the open-fan engine concept is a true testament to the innovative spirit that drives the aerospace industry forward. At ANT Industries, we are proud to support such a visionary company in achieving these milestones.”
GE Aerospace’s RISE programme aims to develop an open-fan engine that is 20% more efficient than current turbofan engines. The concept promises to revolutionise aviation by reducing weight, drag, and fuel consumption. As part of this effort, GE Aerospace plans to utilise two of the world’s fastest supercomputers to model how this cutting-edge engine integrates with aircraft wings and other structures.
“The level of collaboration involved in this project is remarkable,” Rowley noted. “NASA, Boeing, and GE Aerospace, alongside the Department of Energy, are coming together to tackle one of aviation’s biggest challenges—how to integrate next-generation engines in a way that maximises efficiency and performance. It’s an honour for ANT Industries to be part of a supply chain that is contributing to supporting these transformative developments.”
GE Aerospace’s use of advanced computing resources at Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois and Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee highlights the immense complexity of the project. The Department of Energy’s award of 840,000 node hours to GE Aerospace underscores the significance of this research in pushing the boundaries of aerospace innovation.
Rowley continued, “The open-fan engine is a marvel of engineering. By removing nacelles and using larger fans, the design significantly reduces weight and drag, unlocking efficiency gains that were previously unimaginable. It’s exactly this kind of forward-thinking technology that inspires us at ANT Industries to continuously refine our processes and deliver components that match the precision and innovation demanded by our clients.”
As GE Aerospace works towards bringing the open-fan engine to market by the mid-2030s, ANT Industries remains committed to supporting its customers with industry-leading expertise and high-quality solutions. “The future of aerospace is being written today,” said Rowley. “We’re thrilled to play our part in working with world class organisations like GE.