This paper describes research carried out in the European Commission funded Framework 7 project LEMCOTEC (Low Emission Core Engine Technologies). The task involved significant increase in core engine efficiency by raising the overall engine pressure ratio to over 100 (hecto-pressure ratio) by means of discontinuous cycles allowing for closed volume combustion. To this end, piston engines enable isochoric combustion and augment the conventional Joule/Brayton-cycle, thereby producing a composite cycle. An engine concept was chosen based on idealized parametric studies of simplified representations of the cycle as well as qualitative measures embracing weight, size, efficiency, emissions, operational behavior and the life cycle. The most beneficial mechanical representation of the Composite Cycle Engine in this study features crankshaft equipped piston engines driving separate piston compressors, a high pressure turbine driving an axial intermediate pressure turbo compressor, and a low pressure turbine driving the fan. The power plant performance calculations showed radical improvements in thrust specific fuel consumption of 17.5% during cruise. Although engine weight increases correspondingly by 31%, at aircraft level, a fuel burn reduction of 15.2% could be shown for regional operations relative to year 2025 engine technology. The concept is capable of meeting the emission reduction targets for CO 2 and NO x aspired to by the LEMCOTEC project and the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) targets for CO 2 in 2035, and for NO x in 2050. Nomenclature Combined Cycle Engine-A sequential assembly of two independent heat engines, where the exhaust heat of the first cycle is being utilized as a heat source for the second cycle. Composite Cycle Engine-An integrated assembly of at least two heat engine cycles featuring independent compression, heat source and expansion operating on the same working fluid. Compound Engine-An engine that uses at least two different principles of power extraction that contribute to the output power working on the same working fluid, e.g. a turbine and a piston engine.