Snecma M88


The Snecma M88 is a French afterburning turbofan engine developed by Safran Aircraft Engines for the Dassault Rafale fighter.

History

The program for the M88 arose from a need for a suitable propulsion system for air-superiority and ground-attack missions. In 1983, Dassault Aviation planned to produce a technology demonstrator for the Avion de Combat eXpérimental, which was expected to fly in 1986. Although the M88 was intended to be fitted to the definitive aircraft, it was not expected to be ready in time, and the ACX was therefore initially powered by the General Electric F404.
Due to the broad application of the new engine, it was necessary for the engine to have a high thrust-to-weight ratio, low fuel consumption in all flight regimes, and a long engine life. Additional considerations were afforded to good maintainability, and upgrade potential. The program was officially launched in 1986. It was decided to flight test the engine, the M88-2, aboard the Dassault Breguet, and the Rafale A prototype. Indeed, after having replaced the aircraft's left F404, the engine was first flight tested aboard the Rafale A on 27 February 1990. By now, the fourteen M88-2s had accumulated 1,600 hours of running time. The demonstrator thereafter reached supersonic speed without afterburners, reached a height of 50,000 ft, endured load factors of −2g and +9g and flown at an angle of attack of 30°. Within 14 months of its flight aboard the Rafale A, the M88-2 had amassed 75 hours on 65 flights.

Variants

;M88-1
;M88-2
;M88-3
;M88-4
;M88 Pack CGP or M88-4E
;M123
;M138

Applications