CFM56 engine: key player in aviation history since its debut

The CFM International CFM56 engine, also known as the F108 in U.S. military variants, is a high-bypass turbofan engine developed by CFM International, a joint venture between Safran Aircraft Engines and GE Aerospace. The engine has been widely used across several aircraft programs, notably the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 families.

General Electric was responsible for manufacturing the engine's high-pressure systems, while Safran produced the low-pressure turbine and other components. Additional parts were supplied by Avio of Italy and Honeywell from the United States, with final assembly taking place in Ohio and France.

First running in 1974, the CFM56 struggled to secure orders initially but found success when Delta Air Lines and United Airlines selected it for their Douglas DC-8 aircraft. It entered service in 1982 and became a key powerplant for the Boeing 737 Classic series due to its improvements in fuel efficiency and noise reduction. The engine also gained popularity with Airbus A320 operators amid challenges faced by competing engines like the IAE V2500.