CFM International confirmed its Open Fan engine architecture passed the preliminary design review on 18 July 2026, clearing the path for full-scale ground tests and a flight test demonstration with Airbus around 2029. The milestone validates the design maturity required to proceed to detailed engineering, marking the transition from conceptual development to testing readiness for the RISE program’s next-generation narrowbody engine. First tests of the full fan system will commence by year-end 2026 or early 2027, while operators anticipate a 20%+ fuel burn reduction and significantly lower emissions compared to current LEAP engines. Service entry remains targeted for the mid-2030s, contingent on airframer development timelines for a new aircraft.