Ariane, a star is born

On Christmas Eve, December 24, 1979, Ariane 1 lifted off from French Guiana for the first time. This new launch vehicle was entirely powered by Société Européenne de Propulsion (SEP), with four Viking V engines on the first stage, a Viking IV on the second stage and an HM7A on the third stage. This successful maiden launch was the culmination of an immense effort, and also marked the beginning of independent European access to space.

The new Ariane 2, Ariane 3 (1984) then Ariane 4 (1988) versions brought higher performance, as the launch rate also picked up. In the meantime, Snecma took a controlling interest in SEP in 1984. Following preliminary studies that year, in 1988 SEP launched development of a large cryogenic engine to power the main stage of Europe's future heavy launcher. In 1991, the new engine, dubbed Vulcain and rated at 253,000 lb of thrust (115 tons), successfully operated for 600 seconds during its first ground test.

On June 4, 1996, the new Ariane 5 lifted off for the first time, powered by its Vulcain main stage engine and two 600-ton-thrust solid rocket boosters, built jointly by SEP and FiatAvio of Italy. It exploded in flight, however, due to a problem with the control software. On October 30, 1997, the second Ariane 5 made a more successful debut, paving the way to commercial service. A day later, Snecma acquired 100% of SEP, which became the Rocket Engine Division. In 1999, with the 1,000th Viking engine being delivered, Snecma started development of the new upper-stage cryogenic engine for the upgraded Ariane 5 Evolution, named Vinci®.

Launch after launch, Snecma engines have propelled Ariane to predominant leadership in the geostationary satellite launch service market. Snecma is now the leading rocket propulsion company in Europe and among the top companies in the world.

Growth of the equipment and services businesses

In 1977, Snecma grouped all of its landing gear operations within a single company, called Messier-Hispano-Bugatti. It would add several French landing gear companies, then changed its name to Messier-Bugatti in 1990 to avoid confusion with Hispano-Suiza. A maintenance and repair subsidiary would soon be created as well, called Messier Services. In the meantime, Snecma grouped its civil and military repair and support businesses, including Sochata, within Snecma Services.

The Snecma group also began to expand in Europe. In 1991, Snecma took control of FN Moteurs, a Belgian company specialized in the manufacture of engine parts and subassemblies and repair services. It was renamed Techspace Aero in 1992. In 1994 Snecma signed an agreement with the TI Group of Britain to form a joint subsidiary grouping the landing gear businesses of Messier-Bugatti and Dowty Aerospace (part of TI Group). The new entity was called Messier-Dowty, and Snecma would take full control four years later, in 1998.

Snecma acquired Labinal in 2000, expanding its portfolio of businesses to encompass aircraft wiring. That same year, it also took control of Hurel-Dubois. In 1997 Snecma had already created Hispano-Suiza Aerostructures, which operated in the same area of engine nacelles and thrust reversers. With its latest acquisition, Snecma furthered the consolidation of the French aviation industry. The two entities would be merged in 2001, creating a world leader in this market, Hurel-Hispano.

Turbomeca grows with Eurocopter

Meanwhile, fellow French engine-maker Turbomeca was growing along with French-German helicopter company Eurocopter. Turbomeca engines power the entire Eurocopter range. For example, it developed the Makila for the Super Puma, which made its first flight in 1978. First tests of the TM333 started in 1981, and it flew on the Dauphin in 1982, then on the new Panther in 1984. The following year, the RTM322 started tests, and it made its first flight on a Sikorsky S-70C in 1986.

Labinal and Turbomeca grew closer together in 1987 through cross-shareholdings. Two years later, Labinal took control of Turbomeca, and the MTR390, designed to power the new Tiger combat helicopter, kicked off tests. The Arrius, a new turboshaft engine, took off with the MBB BO108 in 1991. The TM333 powers the Indian ALH, now named Dhruv, which made its first flight in 1992. The RTM322 was chosen for the EH101 Merlin, which commenced testing in 1983. Two years later, this same engine flew on a prototype of the NH90, a new European military transport helicopters. In 1994, Turbomeca took control of Microturbo, a well-known producer of small and medium turbine engines. With Labinal, Turbomeca and Microturbo joined Snecma Group in 2000.

Snecma group consolidation

On January 3, 2000 Snecma restructured, organizing operations into two complementary core businesses, Propulsion and Equipment. It became a holding company, spinning off its aircraft and rocket engine design, production and marketing activities to create Snecma Moteurs.

A few months later, as we said, Snecma acquired Labinal, which would bolster both of its core businesses. Turbomeca and Microturbo joined the Propulsion business, as Snecma entered the world of helicopter propulsion to round out its already large range of propulsion systems. For the Equipment business, first Labinal, then Hurel-Dubois would further expand the group's offering.

From the 50-hp Gnome Omega, to the 1.5 million-pound-thrust Ariane 5 boosters, from Louis Seguin's little 40-person workshop in Gennevilliers to a global corporation with 38,500 employees and facilities in 16 countries, it's been a very eventful century indeed for Snecma. We've given you a glimpse at our history so far, but there are many more pages to come...