Snecma Starts Assembly of First Silvercrest, the New-generation Business Jet Engine

Geneva, May 14, 2012 – Snecma (Safran group) announced today at the 12th European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition – EBACE – that it had passed a major milestone for its new-generation Silvercrest business jet engine, starting assembly of the first complete engine, in preparation for the first ground test.

After kicking off full scale engine development in the third quarter of 2010, Snecma has now completed the design phase, in line with its development schedule. All parts for the first test engine (FETT) are now ready or in production. This first complete Silvercrest engine is being assembled and will start ground tests this summer, followed by flight tests slated for the first half of 2013.

The new Silvercrest bizjet engine features highly innovative technologies drawn from Snecma's advanced research programs, and also incorporates feedback from the company's vast operating experience as engine supplier for mainline and regional jets. "Our new engine uses the latest 3D aero design techniques," notes Laurence Finet, General Manager Silvercrest Program, at Snecma. "It is based on a new-generation compressor with four axial stages using blisks and one centrifugal stage, a low-emissions combustor and a single-stage high-pressure turbine with single-crystal blades. The wide-chord fan blades are designed for very high efficiency and excellent resistance to foreign object damage. At the same time, it offers outstanding fuel efficiency and maintainability, with advanced health monitoring functions."

The Silvercrest engine family covers a thrust range from 9,500 to 12,000 pounds. It will deliver unrivaled performance in the business jet market, with ambitious objectives including a 15% reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, NOx emissions 50% under the current CAEP/6 standard and a 50% reduction in the noise footprint. Based on these specifications, the Silvercrest family is the perfect engine for all corporate jets in the super-midsize, large and long-range classes.

"The launch of the Silvercrest engine is a strategic move for our company," said Pierre Fabre, Chairman and CEO of Snecma. "We are firmly convinced that our innovative technologies and proven expertise in commercial airplane powerplants will deliver a major breakthrough in business jet propulsion for all stakeholders, from aircraft manufacturers to owners, operators and pilots.”

Snecma (Safran group) is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of aircraft and space engines, with a wide range of propulsion systems on offer. The company designs and builds commercial aircraft engines - including the CFM56 world leader and the new-advanced turbofan LEAP* - that are powerful, reliable, economical and environmentally friendly, along with military aircraft engines that have always delivered world-class performance. Snecma also develops and produces propulsion systems and equipment for launch vehicles and satellites. EngineLife®, a new brand for Snecma’s service business, offers a complete range of engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services to airlines, armed forces and operators.

*CFM56 and LEAP engines are produced and marketed by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between Snecma (Safran group, France) and GE (USA).