Reducing the environmental impact of Short- and Medium-Range (SMR) aircraft is a core priority of the Clean Aviation Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), with the objective of enabling technologies for the next generation of SMR aircraft. In this context, propulsion remains a major lever, and the Open Fan engine architecture stands out as the most promising solution to significantly improve fuel efficiency, supporting the ambition of a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to 2020 levels, while remaining compatible with an Entry into Service (EIS) around 2035. Building on strong synergies with national research programs, the OFELIA project brings together a large European consortium to contribute to the maturation of the RISE Open Fan technologies announced in June 2021. The project focuses on developing and consolidating the key technological enablers of the Open Fan architecture required to meet the performance, integration and certification challenges of future SMR aircraft. OFELIA aims to mature the Open Fan engine architecture and its technologies up to TRL5. The project also addresses engine–airframe integration aspects and regulatory considerations, with close collaboration between engine manufacturers, airframers and airworthiness authorities to ensure that installation and certification constraints are fully embedded from the early design phases. By delivering TRL5 maturity for the Open Fan key technologies, OFELIA will show a credible pathway to achieving a 20% CO2 reduction versus 2020, prepare subsequent demonstration phases within Clean Aviation Phase 2 and consolidate the roadmap towards an EIS by 2035

Reducing the environmental impact of Short-Medium Range (SMR) aircraft is a core priority of the Clean Aviation SRIA which aims to deliver enabling technologies ready for the next generation of SMR aircraft. Propulsion plays a pivotal role in this effort, with the Open Fan engine architecture emerging as the most promising solution to achieve environmental goals while supporting a timely Entry into Service by 2035. Building on the foundations laid by the Clean Aviation OFELIA and COMPANION projects, and leveraging synergies with national funding programmes, the TAKE OFF project gathers a broad European consortium to advance the RISE Open Fan technology demonstration announced in June 2021. The project will culminate in a full-scale, in-flight demonstration of an Open Fan engine, enabling a path to 30% reduction in fuel consumption at the aircraft level and validating TRL6 for the engine architecture. TAKE OFF is structured to cover the entire demonstration chain—from final engine design, assembly, and instrumentation, through aircraft platform integration and flight clearance, to post-flight data analysis and model calibration. TAKE OFF also paves the way for future certification of Open Fan products. Early and continuous engagement with airworthiness authorities, development of draft regulatory material, and application of the Certification Readiness Level (CRL) framework will ensure alignment with evolving regulatory needs. Fully aligned with the Clean Aviation roadmap under the SMR pillar, TAKE OFF provides essential propulsion-level evidence to guide system-level design and de-risk industrial investment. By delivering flight-proven data, refined digital tools, and matured technologies, TAKE OFF will reinforce Europe's leadership in sustainable aviation and accelerate the deployment of next-generation SMR aircraft.