Volvo RM12


The Volvo RM12 is a low-bypass afterburning turbofan jet engine developed for the Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter. A version of the General Electric F404, the RM12 was produced by Volvo Aero.

Design and development

Produced by Volvo Aero, the RM12 is a derivative of the General Electric F404-400. Changes from the standard F404 includes greater reliability for single-engine operations, increased thrust, and the adoption of a full authority digital engine control system. Several subsystems and components were also redesigned to reduce maintenance demands. The air intakes of the engine were designed to minimize radar reflection from the compression fan, reducing the radar cross section of the aircraft overall. The F404's analogue Engine Control Unit was replaced with the Digital Engine Control – jointly developed by Volvo and GE – which communicates with the cockpit through the digital data buses and, as redundancy, a hydromechanical back-up. Hydromechanical backup remains in the new Full Authority Digital Engine Control which Volvo began developing in 1996. General Electric produces 50% of the engine. Elements such as the fan/compressor discs and case, compressor spool, hubs, seals, and afterburner are manufactured in Sweden, final assembly also taking place there.

Applications