Snecma: Setting the Pace for the Future of Aircrafts and Rockets

Snecma SA is a multinational company that manufactures aircraft and rocket engines. Based in Courcouronnes, France, Snecma is involved in the design, development, manufacture, and selling of engines used in civil and military aircrafts, satellites and launch vehicles. The company also provides support services for aircrafts operators like airlines and the military.

Before the name Snecma was officially adopted by the company as its corporate name, it used to stand as an acronym for Société nationale d'études et de construction de moteurs d'aviation (or National Company for the Design and Construction of Aviation Engines in English). On April 27, 2004, the name was changed to Snecma.

In 1945, the jet engine technology of BMW decided to form Snecma in response to the nationalization of the French aircraft engine manufacturer Gnome & Rhône. Since then, Snecma has been producing jet engines for many European nations and other countries in the west.

Snecma sealed its position as one of the leaders in the industry through joint ventures with other aircraft engine manufacturers. In 1961 for instance, Snecma partnered with Bristol Siddeley in a joint venture to produce Concorde’s power plant, which would later be known as Rolls Royce/Snecma Olympus 593.

In 1970, Snecma and Messier decided to unify their landing gear businesses in a merger. The merger was officially launched in 1974 with the formation of Messier-Hispano. In 1973, Snecma held the control of Messier-Hispano. In 1977, further consolidations were made with the landing gear business with the formation of Messier-Hispano-Bugatti, which would later be known as Messier-Bugatti.

A new merger was formed by Snecma in its landing gear business in 1994 in a merger with the British TI Group. The merger created Messier-Dowty. Snecma controlled Messier-Dowty in 1998.

Snecma Services was formed in 1999 to consolidate Snecma’s MRO (for maintenance, repair and overhaul) operations. Other recent corporate decisions made by Snecma included the creation of Hurel-Hispano (now known as Aircelle) in 2001 that consolidated the group’s engine nacelle and thrust reverser businesses; and, a merger with Sagem that formed SAFRAN.