Kaveri & Aero-Engine: News & Discussion

[Rakesh]

Safran unveils higher-thrust M88 engine for Dassault Rafale F5 under T-Rex program
https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/sa ... 15.article
17 June 2025

Safran has unveiled the M88 T-Rex, an evolution of the in-service M88 engine, designed to power the F5 standard of the Dassault Aviation Rafale fighter. Available thrust with afterburner will increase by around 20% to 19,840lb (88kN) over the current version’s 16,500lb, says the French engine specialist. To achieve the higher output, Safran plans to introduce “significant, targeted upgrades” including an improved low-pressure compressor, new materials and better cooling in the high-pressure turbine, and a nozzle with optimised aerodynamics. However, the changes will mean the M88 T-Rex is no larger than the baseline variant and has the same fuel efficiency and cost of ownership.

During recent risk-reduction activity, Safran demonstrated the updated performance without increasing fuel consumption. Modules will be compatible between the two versions, simplifying fleet management and maintainability. “We’re proud to be launching this project, which will push the boundaries of the M88’s performance to meet the evolving needs of our armed forces customers in an increasingly unstable geopolitical context,” says Christophe Bruneau, executive vice-president, military engines, Safran Aircraft Engines.

“Development of the M88 T-Rex will also enable us to expand our technology portfolio, benefiting our entire product range and strengthening national sovereignty.” Safran is currently conducting additional risk reduction studies ahead of the engine’s development. A production decision is expected later this year. Qualification of the M88 T-Rex is aligned with the planned entry into service of the Rafale F5 standard in in the early 2030s.

[Rakesh]

Safran unveils higher-thrust version of M88 for future Rafale upgrades
https://www.safran-group.com/pressroom/ ... 2025-06-17
17 June 2025

At the Paris Air Show, Safran is unveiling the M88 T-REX, an evolution of its M88 engine. Compatible with future standards of the Dassault Aviation Rafale, this engine will build on the proven reliability and performance of the M88, while taking it to new limits with a thrust increase to 9 metric tons with afterburner. To achieve this level of performance, the M88 T-REX will incorporate significant, targeted upgrades. The improved low-pressure compressor will allow greater airflow intake. The high-pressure turbine will incorporate new materials and next-generation cooling circuits and the nozzle will benefit from optimized aerodynamics. With these enhancements, the M88 T-REX will retain the key advantages of the current M88 in terms of size, modularity, fuel efficiency and cost of ownership, while delivering 20% more thrust.

Maintainability and fleet management will also be simplified thanks to compatibility between the modules of the M88 T-REX and those of the current M88. “We’re proud to be launching this engine project, which will push the boundaries of the M88’s performance to meet the evolving needs of our armed forces customers in an increasingly unstable geopolitical context,” said Christophe Bruneau, EVP Military Engines, Safran Aircraft Engines. “Development of the M88 T-REX will also enable us to expand our technology portfolio, benefiting our entire product range and strengthening national sovereignty.” Safran is currently conducting risk reduction studies ahead of the engine’s development. Qualification of the M88 T-REX is aligned with the planned entry into service of the Rafale F5 standard.

[Rakesh]

VIDEO: https://x.com/AjayshreeSamby3/status/19 ... 6510553495 ---> Safran M-88 T-REX with enhanced 9 tons of thrust.

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/vguillermard/status/1934895909516583237 ---> @SAFRAN is launching an evolution of the #M88 engine, called the M88 T-REX. Compatible with the future (F5) standards of the Rafale of @Dassault_OnAir, its thrust will be increased by 20% to 9 tonnes with post-combustion.

[Cybaru]

Nice!

That means it may be possible to replace the GE404 with this engine in the future if something goes wrong.

Let's get a deal now that gets Kaveri to 404/414 and work on a new Kaveri120KN standard. That is the news we are all waiting for now...

I wonder if IN goes for this for increased thrust during takeoff allowing larger loads.

[Cybaru]

The other reason for TEDBF was as we wanted something with longer station time (more fuel) and higher thrust. If the higher thrust engines M88REX allow CFTs (which was showcased again during this Paris air show) to be part of normal ops, then the reason for TEDBF decreases IMO. TEDBF still does not have sanction and thats a different problem.

IMO, we should still get NLCA or TEDBF program out the door and order enough to make progress.

[basant]

If we are serious at all, design Mirage 4K like dual-engine, Kaveri powered LCA. It will be faster and force IAF to purchase it. Left to itself, IAF will keep sabotaging the indigenous programs with spurious SQRs, delays and khayali pulao engines that, if exist at all, are prone to sanctions or supply issues. This is the sane way every country (or group of countries like EU) with an engine & airframe tech works.

[Cybaru]

I don't understand why something like 404/M88REX can't be used for initial prototypes and even for operations for AMCA. Don't even need 414 for AMCA if there are delays there.

SupreCruise and all can come in due time. Get the prototype flying and sort out the million other issues. Don't stall the program for one metric.

[pravula]

I don't understand why something like 404/M88REX can't be used for initial prototypes and even for operations for AMCA. Don't even need 414 for AMCA if there are delays there.

SupreCruise and all can come in due time. Get the prototype flying and sort out the million other issues. Don't stall the program for one metric.

New engines are not a joke anymore with fadec, but it has been done on a regular basis (Su-57, JF-17, J-11, J-10, Jaguar come to mind)

[drnayar]

Safran unveils higher-thrust M88 engine for Dassault Rafale F5 under T-Rex program
https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/sa ... 15.article
17 June 2025

Safran has unveiled the M88 T-Rex, an evolution of the in-service M88 engine, designed to power the F5 standard of the Dassault Aviation Rafale fighter. Available thrust with afterburner will increase by around 20% to 19,840lb (88kN) over the current version’s 16,500lb, says the French engine specialist. To achieve the higher output, Safran plans to introduce “significant, targeted upgrades” including an improved low-pressure compressor, new materials and better cooling in the high-pressure turbine, and a nozzle with optimised aerodynamics. However, the changes will mean the M88 T-Rex is no larger than the baseline variant and has the same fuel efficiency and cost of ownership.

would it enable the Rafale to supercruise without afterburner ?

[Rakesh]

Safran and HAL strengthen their cooperation to produce LEAP engines forged parts
https://www.safran-group.com/pressroom/ ... 2025-06-19
19 June 2025, Le Bourget (France)

At the 55th edition of the Paris Air Show, Safran Aircraft Engines, the world's leading French engine manufacturer in the design, development and production of aircraft engines, signed an agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India's leading aerospace and defense company, for the industrialization and production of rotating parts for LEAP engines. This agreement supports the government’s “Make in India” policy and follows the memorandum of understanding signed by Safran Aircraft Engines and HAL in October 2023 to develop industrial cooperation in LEAP engine parts manufacturing, as well as the contract signed last February by both partners to produce forged parts. Safran Aircraft Engines is thus continuing to expand its footprint in India and is extending the scope of its cooperation with HAL through the production of Inconel parts.

The objective is to support the strong growth of the Indian aerospace market and ensure the ramp-up of LEAP engines powering single-aisle civil aircraft. To this end, Safran Aircraft Engines is developing a complete aerospace ecosystem based on the creation of new facilities in India and closer cooperation with its major Indian partners such as HAL. “We are really proud to expand this long-standing partnership with Safran and to develop our industrial expertise in forging processes for Inconel parts for the LEAP program”, said Dr. D K Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director of HAL. “We are pleased to extend our collaboration with HAL, a key player of the Indian aerospace industry,” said Dominique Dupuy, Safran Aircraft Engines' Purchasing VP. “This industrial cooperation is part of our roadmap to diversify our production sourcing and strengthen our industrial footprint in India, so as to support the growth of domestic air traffic with our LEAP engine and prepare for future requirements of the M88 engine powering the Rafale.”

Safran Aircraft Engines is thus boosting its capabilities and presence in India, where it already operates five production sites in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Goa. A sixth site dedicated to maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of LEAP engines will open in Hyderabad by the end of the year. In 2022, Safran and HAL also set up the Safran HAL Aircraft Engines joint venture in Bengaluru, specializing in manufacturing components for the LEAP engine as well as the M88 engine. India is CFM's third largest market in terms of the number of engines in service, with 75% of the Indian commercial fleet equipped with CFM engines. Today, of the 500 aircraft operated by 7 Indian airlines with CFM engines, over 370 are LEAP-powered, and over 2,000 engines on order are for Indian airlines. In addition, Safran Aircraft Engines plans to develop its military collaboration with India on the M88 engine.

[williams]

Safran unveils higher-thrust M88 engine for Dassault Rafale F5 under T-Rex program
https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/sa ... 15.article
17 June 2025

Safran has unveiled the M88 T-Rex, an evolution of the in-service M88 engine, designed to power the F5 standard of the Dassault Aviation Rafale fighter. Available thrust with afterburner will increase by around 20% to 19,840lb (88kN) over the current version’s 16,500lb, says the French engine specialist. To achieve the higher output, Safran plans to introduce “significant, targeted upgrades” including an improved low-pressure compressor, new materials and better cooling in the high-pressure turbine, and a nozzle with optimised aerodynamics. However, the changes will mean the M88 T-Rex is no larger than the baseline variant and has the same fuel efficiency and cost of ownership.

would it enable the Rafale to supercruise without afterburner ?

Not at 88 kN. Basically they have made some incremental improvements. GE still holds advantage when it comes to CMC tech. Hence DRDOs first love of GE engines. However cooperation with Safran if it goes through will be better. They may part with more tech than GE. Safran's FADEC powers GE engines. However India need to demonstrate a bit more before any of these guys will signup for advanced collaboration.

[Rakesh]

Safran and HAL strengthen their cooperation to produce LEAP engines forged parts
https://www.safran-group.com/pressroom/ ... 2025-06-19
19 June 2025, Le Bourget (France)

In addition, Safran Aircraft Engines plans to develop its military collaboration with India on the M88 engine.

https://x.com/AjayshreeSamby3/status/19 ... 8220540234 ---> Safran Aircraft Engines announces construction of a new MRO shop dedicated to M88 engine in Hyderabad. It will have a capacity of 600 modules per year.

https://x.com/AjayshreeSamby3/status/19 ... 2216035740 --->