DNA-dependent ATPase component of the Fanconi anemia (FA) core complex. Required for the normal activation of the FA pathway, leading to monoubiquitination of the FANCI-FANCD2 complex in response to DNA damage, cellular resistance to DNA cross-linking drugs, and prevention of chromosomal breakage. In complex with CENPS and CENPX, binds double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), fork-structured DNA (fsDNA) and Holliday junction substrates. Its ATP-dependent DNA branch migration activity can process branched DNA structures such as a movable replication fork. This activity is strongly stimulated in the presence of CENPS and CENPX. In complex with FAAP24, efficiently binds to single-strand DNA (ssDNA), splayed-arm DNA, and 3'-flap substrates. In vitro, on its own, strongly binds ssDNA oligomers and weakly fsDNA, but does not bind to dsDNA. ATP + H2O = ADP + H(+) + phosphate Component of the Fanconi anemia (FA) core complex, which consists of CENPS, CENPX, FANCA, FANCB, FANCC, FANCE, FANCF, FANCG, FANCL, FANCM, FAAP24 and FAAP100. The FA core complex associates with Bloom syndrome (BLM) complex, which consists of at least BLM, DNA topoisomerase 3-alpha/TOP3A, RMI1/BLAP75, RPA1/RPA70 and RPA2/RPA32. This supercomplex between FA and BLM complexes has been called BRAFT. Forms a discrete complex with CENPS and CENPX, called FANCM-MHF; this interaction stimulates DNA binding and replication fork remodeling by FANCM and stabilizes the binding partners. Forms a heterodimer with FAAP24; this interaction increases FANCM single-stranded DNA-binding activity. Phosphorylated; hyperphosphorylated in response to genotoxic stress. Belongs to the DEAD box helicase family. DEAH subfamily. FANCM sub-subfamily. Extended N-terminus.