News
Snecma announces Silvercrest’s first successful test results

Jan. 29, 2008, Courcouronnes, France – Snecma (SAFRAN Group) today
announced the first, positive results from its Silvercrest core engine
demonstrator test program. To date, the core engine has completed 35
hours of combustion testing, achieving all expected performance
objectives.

The test campaign began last December in Snecma’s Villaroche, France
test facility, on a dedicated rig for core testing. These tests will
enable Snecma to validate the design and core performance as well as
overall integration.

Tests performed as of today have assessed the overall compressor
performance as well as combustor performance and HPT efficiency. Tests
also checked the overall dynamic behaviour characteristics.

Ignition and initial run reached up to 19,800 rpm, which represents 85%
of take-off thrust. Other successful results included: rotor blade
dynamic characteristics, high-pressure compressor (HPC) and high
pressure turbine (HPT) tip clearances and compressor pressure ratio and
stall margins. A total of 660 real time parameters are monitored during
the tests.
The test campaign is planned to continue until March.

“We committed early 2006 that we would run a core engine end of 2007.
We did it and we are seeing outstanding results, fully in line with our
expectations. We are very pleased with the success of this first series
of tests”, said François Planaud, Snecma executive vice president,
commercial engines. “Snecma is the first engine manufacturer to run a
core engine demonstrator to validate a brand new engine concept in this
market segment. It marks a major step toward the continuation of this
program, and the optimization of the engine design.”

The Silvercrest engine family, developing 9,500 to 12,000 lb of thrust,
is intended for super-midsize to large business jets. It will bring
spectacular advances in performance, reliability and environmental
friendliness over current generation engines. The typical application
of the Silvercrest engine family will be a large cabin, long-range
aircraft. The engine design integrates specific features that will also
meet the needs of 40 to 60-seat regional jets, when relevant market
conditions allow carriers to replace their existing fleets.

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 that
are powerful, reliable, economical and environmentally friendly, along
with military aircraft engines that have always delivered world-class
performance. Snecma develops and produces propulsion systems and
equipment for launch vehicles and satellites. CFM56 engines are
produced and marketed by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company
between General Electric and Snecma.