GE uses AI to slash hypersonic engine design times

AI-powered design studies at the company’s New York research centre support faster development of future commercial and military propulsion technologies.

GE Aerospace researchers have demonstrated a generative AI-powered design tool capable of producing preliminary layouts for hypersonic ramjet engines in seconds, in what the company describes as a major step forward for commercial and military propulsion development.

The work was carried out by a team at the company’s research centre in Upstate New York, where engineers used the app to generate a preliminary dual-mode ramjet engine design while satisfying multiple operational and performance requirements simultaneously.

The demonstration comes as both defence and commercial aviation sectors push to shorten development cycles amid rising demand for faster aircraft innovation and increased pressure on engineering teams.

Joe Vinciquerra, General Manager and Senior Executive Director, GE Aerospace Research, says: “By using generative AI tools we can significantly reduce design cycle times, enabling us to be faster to test and ultimately faster to commercialise the best, most proven end product.”

According to the company, the AI system was able to process multiple flight conditions and mission scenarios simultaneously, reducing early-stage design studies from weeks or months to seconds while producing comparable results.

GE Aerospace says the technology is also being applied to commercial engine programmes including the CFM International RISE technology demonstrator initiative, a joint programme between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines focused on next-generation narrowbody propulsion systems.

The RISE programme is exploring technologies including open fan engine architecture aimed at improving fuel efficiency and supporting future sustainability targets.