Snecma
Société Nationale d'Étude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation
or SNÉCMA was one of the world's leading aerospace corporations which merged with SAGEM to form SAFRAN. Snecma is now a subsidiary of the SAFRAN Group and previous Snecma subsidiaries have been reorganised within the wider group.
The name is roughly translated as "National Company for the Study and Construction of Aviation Engines."
History
Snecma was formed in 1945 by the nationalisation Gnome & Rhône, one of the largest aerospace groups in France at the time.
In 1961 Snecma and Bristol Siddeley agreed a joint venture to produce the powerplant for the Concorde SST, the RR/Snecma Olympus 593. In 1968 Snecma took control of Hispano-Suiza, Sochata and Bugatti. Bugatti's automobile background (turbochargers and engines) was valuable to Snecma. In a subsequent reorganisation all aero-engine maintainence services would be grouped as Sochata-Snecma.
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. In 1973 Snecma took full control of Messier-Hispano. In 1977 this landing gear business was further consolidated by the creation of Messier-Hispano-Bugatti (later renmaed Messier-Bugatti).
In 1974 Snecma and General Electric (GE) created a joint venture, CFM International, beginning a long term relationship which continues today. Testing of FADEC, a joint development of the two companies began in 1985. 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 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 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.
Product range
Commercial engines
Military engines
Rocket engines
- Ariane 5 G
- Ariane 5 ECA
- Ariane 5 ECB
- Satellite propulsion