// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Afterburner
An additional combustion chamber in some jet engines that injects and burns extra fuel to provide a temporary boost in thrust.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
An afterburner is a secondary combustion component in certain jet engines that injects additional fuel into the hot exhaust gases downstream of the turbine, igniting it to produce a significant, temporary increase in thrust for short durations like takeoff or supersonic flight.
BACKGROUND
General Electric Company, doing business as GE Aerospace, is an American aircraft engine supplier that is headquartered in Evendale, Ohio, outside Cincinnati. It is the legal successor to the original General Electric Company founded in 1892, which split into three separate companies between November 2021 and April 2024, adopting the trade name GE Aerospace after divesting its healthcare and energy divisions.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Reheat
- Thrust augmentation
- Post-combustion
USAGE NOTE
Fighter jets use afterburners for rapid acceleration and supersonic flight.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Afterburner.
A global leader in jet engine manufacturing, GE Aerospace develops and produces a wide range of turbofan engines for military aircraft, many of which incorporate afterburner technology to provide increased thrust for supersonic flight and high-performance maneuvers.
A major aerospace manufacturer, Pratt & Whitney develops advanced military aircraft engines featuring afterburners, known for their powerful thrust and cutting-edge performance in fighter jets like the F-22 and F-35.
Rolls-Royce is a prominent developer of aerospace propulsion systems, including high-performance turbofan engines for military applications that utilize afterburner technology to enhance thrust for critical mission phases.
A leading French aerospace engine manufacturer, Safran Aircraft Engines designs and produces military jet engines equipped with afterburners, powering combat aircraft such as the Dassault Rafale.
Germany's leading engine manufacturer, MTU Aero Engines is a key partner in several international military engine programs, contributing to the development and production of components for afterburning turbofan engines like the Eurojet EJ200.
Through various research centers, NASA conducts fundamental and applied research into advanced propulsion systems, including combustion and nozzle technologies that are directly relevant to improving the efficiency and performance of afterburners for future high-speed aerospace vehicles.
The AFRL conducts extensive research and development in aerospace propulsion to advance U.S. air and space capabilities, including significant work on improving afterburner technology for military aircraft to achieve higher thrust, better fuel efficiency, and enhanced operational flexibility.