Snecma is a major French manufacturer of engines for commercial and military aircraft, and for space vehicles. The name is an acronym for Société Nationale d'Étude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation (in English, "National Company for the Design and Construction of Aviation Engines").
In 2005, the Snecma group, which included Snecma (called Snecma Moteurs at this time), merged with SAGEM to form SAFRAN. Snecma is now a subsidiary of the SAFRAN Group and previous Snecma group subsidiaries have been reorganised within the wider group.
History
Snecma was formed in 1945 when the large French aero engine firm Gnome & Rhône was nationalized.
1960s
In 1961, Snecma and Bristol Siddeley agreed to a joint venture to produce the power plant for Concorde, which would become the Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593. the main body of the engine came from the Bristol Olympus with the refinements being the addition of the variable intakes necessary for supersonic flight.
In 1968, Snecma took control of Hispano-Suiza, Socata and Bugatti. Snecma valued Bugatti's automobile background (turbochargers and engines). In a subsequent reorganisation, all aero-engine maintenance services would be grouped as Sochata-Snecma.
1970s
In 1970, Messier and Snecma agreed to merge their landing gear businesses. The following year, Messier-Hispano was formed in which Snecma held a stake. Snecma took full control of Messier-Hispano in 1973, .
In 1977, the landing gear business was further consolidated by the creation of Messier-Hispano-Bugatti (later renmaed Messier-Bugatti).
Snecma and General Electric (GE) created a joint venture in 1974, CFM International, beginning a long term relationship which continues today. Testing of FADEC, a joint development of the two companies began in 1985.
1990s
In 1990, Snecma announced its participation in the GE90 programme.
Messier-Dowty was formed in 1994 following the merger of the landing gear businesses of Snecma (Messier) and the British TI Group (Dowty).
In 1997 Snecma acquired 100 per cent of Société Européenne de Propulsion.[1]
In 1998, Snecma took full control of Messier-Dowty.
In 1999, Snecma Services was created to consolidate all maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operations (including Sochata-Snecma).
In 2000, Snecma became a holding company and the propulsion business was reformed as Snecma Moteurs. Later in the year Snecma acquired Labinal, along with its Turbomeca and Microturbo subsidiaries.
In 2001, Hurel-Hispano (now renamed and known as Aircelle)was created to consolidate the group's engine nacelle and thrust reverser businesses.
In 2005, Snecma merged with Sagem to form SAFRAN. Snecma is divided, with the company's subsidiaries contributing to the propulsion and equipment divisions of the new group. Snecma moteurs is then renamed Snecma
Products
The company's major civil aircraft engine is the CFM International CFM56. Produced by a partnership between Snecma and General Electric, CFM56s power more than 4,900 aircraft around the world.
Snecma is also the main partner for the General Electric CF6-80 and GE90 programs. Snecma recently increased its presence in the high-thrust turbofan segment by joining the Engine Alliance GP7000 program managed by the Engine Alliance, a 50/50 joint venture of General Electric and Pratt & Whitney. This engine is one of two options available to power the Airbus A380.
The company has entered into the PowerJet partnership with NPO Saturn of Russia to provide SaM146 engines for the Sukhoi Superjet 100.
Commercial engines
Military engines
Space engines
Sites
References
- Gunston, Bill (2006). World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines, 5th Edition. Phoenix Mill, Gloucestershire, England, UK: Sutton Publishing Limited. ISBN 0-7509-4479-X.
External links
|
Lists relating to aviation |
|
| General |
|
|
| Military |
|
|
| Accidents/incidents |
|
|
| Records |
|
|
