Civil Aircraft Engine Development: Past Innovations and Future Technologies

Abstract

Since the 1940s, civil aircraft engines have experienced five generations of technological innovation, evolving from early turbojet engines to today's advanced geared turbofan engines. This continuous evolution has significantly promoted improvements in aviation transportation efficiency, economic performance, and environmental sustainability. This article systematically reviews the technological development trajectory of several generations of gas turbine engines, highlighting key breakthroughs, technical milestones, and the application background that drove each major advancement. Successive innovations are shown to be the inevitable response to escalating environmental pressures, shifting market demands, and the rapid progress of materials science and manufacturing processes. Looking forward, variable cycle engines, hybrid-electric propulsion systems, hydrogen fuel technologies, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) are expected to become critical pathways for overcoming current thermal efficiency bottlenecks and achieving the long-term goal of zero-carbon aviation. Meanwhile, the civilian application of hypersonic technology, though promising for future high-speed travel, still faces substantial challenges in areas such as thermal management, system reliability, and cost control. Through a comprehensive historical analysis combined with forward-looking technological prospects, this article provides an important reference for understanding future development trends in aviation engine technology and for identifying key directions in the pursuit of sustainable aviation advancement.