The RM12 engine is a low by-pass ratio turbofan engine. It is a twin spool design and equipped with an afterburner that modulates fully from minimum to maximum augmentation. It incorporates a three stage fan and a seven stage compressor, each driven by a single stage turbine. Thanks to variable guide vanes, the RM12 engine is highly tolerant to air inlet distortion and engine transients. The fan is designed to meet stringent requirements regarding FOD and bird ingestion tolerance.
The engine consists of a total of seven modules, a configuration that minimises and simplifies maintenance. In addition, all modules are fully interchangeable with those of other RM12 engines.