Two of Gloucestershire's aviation giants have launched a bold technology development program targeting more than 20 percent lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions compared to today's engines.

Named the CFM RISE (Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines), the program led by a joint GE and Safran engineering team aims to demonstrate and mature a range of new, disruptive technologies for future engines that could enter service by the mid-2030s.

The companies, with bases at Staverton and Bishops Cleeve, today also signed an agreement extending the CFM International 50/50 partnership to the year 2050, declaring their intent to lead the way for more sustainable aviation in line with the industry's commitment to halve CO2 emissions by 2050.

"The relationship between GE and Safran today is the strongest it has ever been," said John Slattery, president and CEO of GE Aviation.

"Together, through the RISE technology demonstration program, we are reinventing the future of flight, bringing an advanced suite of revolutionary technologies to market that will take the next generation of single-aisle aircraft to a new level of fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. We fully embrace the sustainability imperative. As we have always done in the past, we will deliver for the future."

CEO of Safran, Olivier Andriès added: "Our industry is in the midst of the most challenging times we have ever faced. We have to act now to accelerate our efforts to reduce our impact on the environment.

"Through the extension of our CFM partnership to 2050, we are today reaffirming our commitment to work together as technology leaders to help our industry meet the urgent climate challenges."

Program goals include reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by more than 20 percent compared to today's most efficient engines, as well as ensuring 100 percent compatibility with alternative energy sources such as Sustainable Aviation Fuels and hydrogen.

A demonstrator engine is scheduled to begin testing at GE and Safran facilities around the middle of this decade and flight test soon thereafter.