ATAR stands for “Atelier Technique Aéronautique de Rickenbach.” It refers to a family of French turbojet engines developed originally in Germany during World War II and later produced and improved in France by the company Safran Aircraft Engines (formerly Snecma).
These engines powered many famous French fighter aircraft, especially the Dassault Mirage III, Dassault Mirage 5, and Dassault Super Étendard.
Developed from the German BMW 003 turbojet technology after World War II.
German engineers moved to France and continued development under French aerospace programs.
The engines were refined and produced by Snecma starting in the late 1940s.
ATAR engines are axial-flow turbojet engines.
Basic working principle:
Air intake – air enters the engine.
Compressor – multiple axial compressor stages compress the air.
Combustion chamber – fuel burns with compressed air.
Turbine – hot gases spin turbine blades.
Exhaust nozzle – gases exit at high speed creating thrust.
Many later ATAR versions also include an afterburner (reheat) to increase thrust for combat aircraft.
Important models include:
| Variant | Aircraft | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ATAR 5 | Early French fighters | First operational version |
| ATAR 8 | Mirage IV bomber | Higher thrust |
| ATAR 9C | Mirage III | Most widely used |
| ATAR 9K-50 | Mirage F1 | Improved fuel efficiency and thrust |
Type: Single-spool axial turbojet
Thrust (dry): ~42 kN
Thrust with afterburner: ~60 kN
Compressor: 9-stage axial
Used mainly in supersonic fighter aircraft
ATAR engines helped France rebuild its independent jet engine industry after WWII. They powered several successful combat aircraft exported worldwide and were a major step toward later advanced engines developed by Safran Aircraft Engines.
✅ In short:
ATAR is a series of French military turbojet engines widely used in Mirage fighter jets, known for their axial compressor design and afterburner capability.
The Atar Gas Turbine Engine is a turbojet engine series originally developed by Snecma (now part of Safran Aircraft Engines). The Atar engine family became widely known for powering several French military aircraft including the Dassault Mirage III and Dassault Mirage 5 fighter jets.
The Atar turbojet engine series was designed to deliver reliable thrust and durable operation in high-performance aviation environments. Over time, several improved versions of the engine were developed with higher thrust output and better fuel efficiency.
On IndustrialMarinePower, buyers and sellers can list Atar gas turbine engines for sale or wanted, including surplus aviation turbines and turbine components used for aerospace, experimental, and industrial applications.
The Atar turbojet engine family includes several well-known models:
Atar 8
Atar 9B
Atar 9C
Atar 9K50
These turbine engines were primarily used in:
military aircraft propulsion
aviation training and aerospace projects
turbine testing and research applications
industrial turbine conversion projects
Typical specifications of the Atar gas turbine engine include:
Engine Type: Turbojet Gas Turbine
Manufacturer: Snecma / Safran
Thrust Output: up to approx. 70 kN depending on model
Applications: Aerospace propulsion and turbine testing systems
Fuel Type: Aviation turbine fuel
The Atar engine series became one of the most recognized European turbojet platforms used in several Cold War era aircraft.
IndustrialMarinePower connects buyers and sellers of gas turbines, jet engines, and industrial power equipment worldwide.
Listings may include:
Surplus Atar turbojet engines
Used aviation turbines
Rebuilt gas turbine units
Wanted listings for specific Atar engine models
Buyers can contact sellers directly for price, condition, engine history, location, and shipping information.
Atar gas turbine engine for sale or wanted – Snecma Atar turbojet engine.
Available models may include:
Atar 8, Atar 9B, Atar 9C, Atar 9K50
Condition: Surplus / Used / Rebuilt
Application: Aviation, aerospace projects, and industrial turbine applications.
Contact the seller for price, condition, location, and delivery details.
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