// 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
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is an American carrier-capable supersonic, twin-engine, tandem two-seat, twin-tail, all-weather-capable variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental (VFX) program after the collapse of the General Dynamics-Grumman F-111B project. A large and well-equipped fighter, the F-14 was the first of the American Teen Series fighters, which were designed incorporating air combat experience against smaller, more maneuverable MiG fighters during the Vietnam War.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Reheat
- Thrust augmentation
- Post-combustion
USAGE NOTE
Fighter jets use afterburners for rapid acceleration and supersonic flight.