The company was faced with a dilemma when the United States Air Force (USAF) announced its Advanced Medium STOL Transport (AMST) project in 1972 which included funding for the development of a 10-ton engine – either to build a "limited" technology 10-ton engine with Snecma, or a similar engine with "advanced" technology on their own.
A compañía enfrontouse a un dilema cando a USAF anunciou o seu proxecto Advanced Medium STOL Transport (AMST) en 1972 que incluía fondos para o desenvolvemento dun motor de 10 toneladas - xa fose para construír un motor de 10 toneladas con tecnoloxía "limitada" con Snecma, ou un motor semellante con tecnoloxía "avanzada" pola súa conta.