The CFM56-2 turbofan engine was the beginning of a success story when it entered service back in 1982. The engine was certified at 24,000 pounds thrust by the FAA and DGAC, and was the first high-bypass 10-ton thrust engine of the CFM56 family. The -2 was originally developed from the advanced GE military F101 and features high performance together with large fuel consumption savings and met noise and emission requirements for new aircraft in force at the time of its introduction. Furthermore, the CFM56-2 was the first high-bypass ratio engine to meet the FAR 33-6 ingestion rules.

Due to its outstanding performance and reliability during the re-engined Boeing 707 flight test program, the CFM56-2 was selected in 1979 to re-engine the McDonnell Douglas commercial DC-8 aircraft for VIP and transport applications. Proven low fuel burn enabling extended range and excellent take-off performance from hot airfields, resulted into the selection of the engine by many major military forces such as the USAF, USN, FAF, and RAF to power their re-engined or new KC-135R, C-135FR, E-3, KE-3 and E-6 tactical and strategic aircraft.

The CFM-56-2 maintainability, built-in by modular design and advanced condition monitoring, along with its low shop visit and engine shutdown rates, are the foundations of CFM56 high reliability leading to the customer's confidence in the CFM56 family.

Examples of aircraft that are powered by the CFM56-2