Snecma M88

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

Design and development

The original M88-1 was a demonstrator engine with a technology level similar to that of the 3 shaft RB199. The M88-2 is a much more advanced engine developed specifically for the Rafale. Unlike the EJ200 for the Eurofighter, the M88 has variable camber fan inlet guide vanes, an HP compressor with a sixth stage and an exhaust nozzle of the ejector type. The M88 delivers 50&nbsp;kN (11,250&nbsp;lbf) of dry thrust and 75&nbsp;kN (17,000&nbsp;lbf) in full afterburner.

Like its contemporaries, it features state-of-the-art technologies such as single-crystal high-pressure turbine blades, powder metallurgy discs and full authority digital engine controls. The M88-2 was built with easy maintainability and reduced operating costs in mind. the M88-2 consists of twenty-one modules for interchangeable and replaceable repairs without the need for recalibration or balancing.

Variants

An additional improvement, the M88-2E4, reduces fuel consumption by up to 8% compared to the original M88-2.

The M88 Pack CGP (for "total cost of ownership") or M88-4E is based on a study contract, development and production reported in 2008 by the General Delegation for Armament and is to introduce technical improvements...
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