M88 Engine from Rafale to initially Power European Next Generation Fighter

Europe’s Next Generation Fighter (NGF) being built under the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project could initially be powered by M88 engine that is currently used on Rafale jets.

An agreement regarding the same was signed by French company Safran that produces M88s and Germany’s MTU. ITP, a subsidiary of Rolls Royce based in Spain, the third partner in the FCAS project, is not part of the agreement, La Tribune reported today, citing sources.

In November 2019, the two engine makers settled on Safran’s appointment as prime contractor in the initial phase. They agreed to form a 50-50 joint venture after being mired in dispute on who will be accorded program leadership.

Last week, Airbus and Dassault Aviation proposed to the governments of France, Germany and Spain to build a FCAS demonstrator.

Aside of NGF, the project aims to build drones of specialized capabilities like reconnaissance and strike. The FCAS is envisioned as a futuristic air power weapon that will replace the Rafale and Eurofighter fleets in France and Germany beginning in 2040. A so-called combat cloud will pump command-and-control data between all program platforms, essentially creating a flying network of sensors and weapons with the NGF as its hub.