// PROPULSION SYSTEMS AND ENGINE TECHNOLOGY TERM
Turbojet
A turbojet is a basic type of jet engine that operates by drawing in air, compressing it, mixing it with fuel and igniting it, then expelling the hot exhaust gases out the back to generate thrust. These engines are powerful but can be less fuel-efficient than other jet engines.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
The turbojet engine is a foundational gas turbine air-breathing propulsion system that generates thrust by continuously drawing in ambient air, compressing it via a compressor, combusting it with fuel in a combustor, expanding the high-energy gases through a turbine to drive the compressor, and expelling the remaining hot exhaust through a nozzle. This configuration was paramount for early jet aircraft and is characterized by its direct exhaust thrust.
BACKGROUND
A turbofan or fanjet is a type of airbreathing jet engine that is widely used in aircraft propulsion. The word "turbofan" is a combination of references to the preceding generation engine technology of the turbojet and the additional fan stage. It consists of a gas turbine engine which adds kinetic energy to the air passing through it by burning fuel, and a ducted fan powered by energy from the gas turbine to force air rearwards. Whereas all the air taken in by a turbojet passes through the combustion chamber and turbines, in a turbofan some of the air entering the nacelle bypasses these components. A turbofan can be thought of as a turbojet being used to drive a ducted fan, with both of these contributing to the thrust.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- pure jet engine
- straight jet engine
- gas turbine engine (type)
- reaction engine (type)
USAGE NOTE
Turbojets were prevalent in early fighter jets but have largely been replaced by more fuel-efficient turbofan engines in modern commercial and many military aircraft.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Turbojet.
A global leader in propulsion systems, Rolls-Royce has a rich history in designing and manufacturing turbojet engines, from early pioneers like the Derwent to modern military engines where turbojet principles are fundamental.
GE Aerospace is a major manufacturer of jet engines for military and commercial aircraft. They have developed iconic turbojet engines like the J79 and continue to advance propulsion technologies that build upon turbojet foundations for high-performance applications.
A division of RTX, Pratt & Whitney is a leading producer of aircraft engines, with a storied past in turbojet development, including the J58 for the SR-71 Blackbird, and ongoing work in advanced military propulsion.
Part of the Safran Group, this French company specializes in aircraft and rocket engines. They have a strong legacy and current involvement in developing military jet engines for fighter aircraft, which often utilize or derive from advanced turbojet designs.
AECC is a state-owned Chinese aerospace manufacturer focused on aircraft engines. They are actively involved in the research, development, and production of various jet engines for military and civilian applications, including designs rooted in turbojet technology.
A Russian state-owned company, UEC (part of Rostec) specializes in the development and production of engines for military and civil aviation, space programs, and other industries. They produce a range of jet engines for military aircraft that leverage turbojet architectures.
Honeywell Aerospace develops a wide range of aerospace products, including smaller turbojet and turbofan engines for military trainers, auxiliary power units, and unmanned aerial vehicles, applying core turbojet principles in their designs.