What are Afterburners and How Do They Work?

Afterburners are a type of jet engine component that allows for increased thrust and speed. They are typically used in military aircraft, but some civilian aircraft also have them.

Afterburners work by injecting fuel into the exhaust nozzle of the engine, which then ignites and burns along with the regular exhaust gases. This creates a hotter and more powerful exhaust gas stream, which can increase the thrust of the engine.

When an afterburner is engaged, it can significantly increase the fuel consumption of the engine, so it is typically only used for short periods of time when maximum thrust is needed, such as during takeoff or combat maneuvers.

Afterburners are also known as "reheat" or "auxiliary power units." They are not a separate engine, but rather an additional component of the main engine that allows for increased power output.