'open rotor' jet engine that could revolutionize air travel

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

French aero engine maker Safran unveiled its new 'open rotor' prototype and said it could be on planes by 2030.
https://www.safran-group.com/


The Open Rotor engine, which places previously hidden whirring parts on the outside to capture more air, was developed with European Union backing and is being tested in specially built facilities at a French military base near Marseille.

Shaped like an elongated egg with two rows of blades at the back, the engine aims to burn 15 percent less fuel than current conventional turbofan engines, which have also improved significantly in recent years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=hbSbx1B44yA

 

[FordGT90Concept]

They basically externalized the big intake fan of turbofans.

Propfans (this design) date back to the 1970s:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propfan

Antonov An-70

I can't see them replacing turbofans mainly because they have a significantly lower top speed. Just look at that ginormous cone on the back of it. This engine isn't producing much, if any, thrust directly from combustion. Turbofan does.

 

[Jetster]

Looks like a turboprop

 

[infrared]

I've seen this before, or similar. I had a quick google, looks like the propfan idea was in development from the 1970s apparently. Interesting
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propfan

 

[xorbe]

Just seems like a GE turbofan without the casing. The containment casing protects the passengers in the event of blade-out failure. Jump to 2:58

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Those are Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines. The enclosure produces some thrust by itself because it compresses it near the exhaust (hence the > shape). They lose that with propfans but they gain more surface area by having larger, counter-rotating blades; however, the longer the blades the closer they get to become supersonic, which creates problems of its own.