NASA announced this week it is "winding down" the three-year Phase 1 of its Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC) project. And according to the illustration accompanying the announcement, the new engine technology could include an unducted open-fan configuration. Phase 1 has focused on selecting component technologies for reducing the core size of the HyTEC concept engine. Phase 2 will involve testing and demonstrating the core.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/nasa-winding-down-phase-1-of-hytec-engine-research-project