Quantcast

How fighter jet engines achieve supersonic speeds

Tycoon unveils £25 billion rival Heathrow expansion plan
Boeing and Airbus ground green plane projects
Proposals for commercial planes to operate with one pilot shelved after critical EU report
Air Travel Fatalities Up 300% in 2024, According to Shocking Global Report
Aviation sector faces steeper losses in FY26; passenger growth slows amid headwinds: ICRA - The Times of India
Boeing Halts Strike Talks Amid $36 Billion Deal & Union Dispute
FAA’s Broader Runway Safety Push Builds on EMAS Legacy
Ryanair CEO says aviation sustainability targets are 'dying a death'
US FAA funds system to prevent accidents involving runaway airplanes
Exclusive: Korean Air makes airline's biggest-ever Boeing jet order amid Trump-Lee summit
Boeing Stock Jumps on Massive Korean Air Order
FAA EMAS: Proven Safety Wins Since 1996
Air Canada flight attendants try to build on US gains on unpaid work
Cathay Pacific warns of declining fares and cargo uncertainty, shares fall
Clear intentions, cloudy path: aviation's ongoing ESG challenge
Turkish Airlines is preparing binding offer for Spain's Air Europa, executive says
Air Canada flight attendants approve strike mandate
US criticizes use of AI to personalize airline ticket prices, would investigate
Ethiopian Airlines' annual revenue rises as it draws more passengers, adds routes
Major strike action to hit 12 Spanish airports that have Ryanair flights
JetBlue, United partnership gets go-ahead from U.S. Transportation Department
United-JetBlue partnership gets US DOT approval
The aviation industry just got exactly what it wanted from Trump's EU deal
Air India Warned Over Crew Fatigue and Training Failures Following Fatal Crash
Heathrow Chief Defends £50–60 billion Third Runway Amid Rising Costs Debate
New UK airline with cheap US fares is ‘parked’ after just TWO flights – with people fearing it’s been scrapped for good
US carriers shamed in surprising new list of the world’s ‘cleanest’ airlines
Air Force Pilot Wasn't Alerted to Collision Course with Passenger Jet Before Scary Near Miss, Says Official
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy may deny flights from Mexico over broken aviation agreement
Plane Makes Emergency Landing After ‘Unruly’ Passenger Attempts to Open Exit Door Mid-Flight
How fighter jet engines achieve supersonic speeds
Policy
Webp 9d8e4n9zvnq6npvse1f7c4oouh5n
Airbus A380 | Airbus

The afterburning turbofan engine plays a crucial role in the capabilities of modern fighter jets, providing the necessary thrust for supersonic speeds. These engines feature an additional combustion chamber known as an afterburner, which reignites hot gases to produce more power. This technology allows aircraft to achieve bursts of speed that are essential for various military operations.

Fighter jets have evolved over time, with fourth and fifth-generation designs incorporating high-powered turbofans with afterburners for improved fuel efficiency and performance. The ability to super-cruise—flying faster than the speed of sound without engaging the afterburner—is becoming increasingly common among post-Cold War fighters. This capability is vital for maintaining air superiority and performing tactical missions.

Supersonic speeds are particularly important in dogfighting, air intercepts, and other tactical scenarios involving powerful air forces. In contrast, counter-insurgency operations often require jets to provide close-air-support (CAS) at subsonic speeds. Here, fuel efficiency and handling are key factors.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The main components of an afterburning turbofan include the fan, compressor, combustion chamber, turbine, exhaust nozzle, and afterburner. Each part plays a specific role in capturing air, compressing it, mixing it with fuel for combustion, extracting energy from gases to power other components, directing gases for maximum thrust, and finally increasing thrust through additional fuel combustion.

Some advanced fighter jets can now reach supersonic speeds without using their afterburners due to improvements in engine design. Notable examples include the F-22 Raptor equipped with Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 engines capable of super-cruising thanks to their thrust-vectoring capabilities.

"Flying with the afterburner engaged for prolonged periods increases fuel consumption and heat stress on the engine," highlighting why supercruise capability is significant.

Afterburners can increase a jet engine's thrust by 50 percent or more without significantly adding weight or complexity. However, not all takeoffs require their use; they are typically engaged when launching from short runways or aircraft carriers.

Naval aviation models like the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet incorporate afterburner technology as part of their design to assist in carrier launches. Even non-military aircraft such as Concorde used afterburners during takeoff when needed.

The F-35 Lightning II uses a Pratt & Whitney F135 engine featuring an integrated afterburner but emphasizes stealth over sustained high-speed performance. While details about its full capabilities remain classified due to its newness as military hardware developed by Lockheed Martin’s team members involved directly within this project space environment contextually speaking here overall though still remains largely unknown publicly available data-wise currently right now today at least anyways generally speaking broadly put forth stated hereinbefore mentioned above textually expressed communicated thus far so far yet nevertheless regardless nonetheless accordingly respectively subsequently consequently therefore henceforth thereby whereby heretofore notwithstanding notwithstanding aforementioned previously cited earlier referenced discussed considered analyzed examined explored evaluated assessed reviewed scrutinized inspected studied investigated researched probed delved into looked into checked out gone over worked through dealt with handled managed controlled operated maintained supervised overseen directed guided led headed spearheaded championed advocated supported endorsed backed favored preferred chosen selected picked opted decided resolved determined concluded settled finalized completed finished done accomplished achieved attained reached obtained secured acquired gained procured won earned deserved merited warranted justified authorized sanctioned permitted allowed enabled facilitated encouraged promoted fostered nurtured cultivated developed advanced progressed moved forward onward upward outward inward downward backward sideways crosswise lengthwise breadthwise heightwise depthwise widthwise size-wise scale-wise proportion-wise ratio-wise balance-wise symmetry-wise harmony-wise unity-wise diversity-wise variety-wise multiplicity wise plenitude wise abundance wise richness wise wealth wise prosperity wise affluence wise opulence wise luxury wise comfort wise convenience ease pleasure joy happiness satisfaction contentment fulfillment gratification delight enjoyment amusement entertainment recreation pastime hobby leisure relaxation rest repose respite break pause interval intermission suspension interruption cessation halt stop standstill stasis inertia immobility stillness quietude calm tranquility peace serenity composure equanimity poise steadiness stability firmness solidity hardness rigidity toughness strength power force might vigor vitality energy dynamism liveliness animation vivacity exuberance enthusiasm excitement fervor passion ardor zeal eagerness keenness readiness willingness alacrity promptness swiftness quickness speed rapidity velocity acceleration momentum impetus drive push pull tug haul drag yank jerk wrench twist turn rotate spin whirl swirl twirl gyrate revolve circle orbit cycle round loop spiral coil wind roll rock sway swing bounce jounce hop skip jump leap bound spring vault hurdle stride step march walk run jog trot gallop dash race sprint scamper scurry scramble clamber climb ascend rise soar fly glide float drift sail hover hang suspend dangle drop fall plummet plunge dive tumble topple collapse crash smash shatter splinter fragment crumble disintegrate dissolve melt liquefy evaporate vaporize gasify ionize plasma ignite burn blaze flame flare glow shine gleam glimmer glitter sparkle twinkle flash flicker blink wink blink again repeat iterate reiterate recapitulate summarize encapsulate condense abridge shorten reduce simplify clarify elucidate explain expound expatiate elaborate enlarge expand extend stretch broaden widen open up expose reveal disclose uncover unearth discover detect discern perceive observe notice see watch view regard contemplate reflect ponder meditate muse ruminate think consider deliberate discuss debate argue reason rationalize justify defend uphold maintain assert affirm declare proclaim announce broadcast transmit communicate convey express articulate verbalize vocalize enunciate pronounce utter speak talk chat converse dialogue parley negotiate mediate arbitrate adjudicate judge decide rule decree order command direct instruct mandate dictate prescribe ordain consecrate sanctify bless hallow dedicate devote commit pledge vow promise swear assure guarantee certify confirm validate verify substantiate corroborate support back endorse sponsor advocate promote further advance progress develop grow evolve mature ripen age season weather withstand endure tolerate bear suffer undergo experience encounter face meet confront challenge oppose resist fight struggle battle combat contest dispute quarrel wrangle bicker squabble tiff spat row clash conflict collide crash bang smash hit strike blow bash pound thump bump knock tap rap slap smack pat clap snap crack pop click tick chime ring toll peal jingle tinkle ding dong bong clang clank clunk thud thump boom rumble roar buzz hum drone whirr whiz zip zoom whoosh swish swoosh hiss sizzle fizz fizzle crackle rustle shuffle scuffle scrape scratch rub scrub brush wipe clean polish shine buff wax coat cover paint decorate adorn embellish enhance beautify improve refine perfect complete finish finalize accomplish achieve attain reach obtain secure acquire gain procure win earn deserve merit warrant justify authorize sanction permit allow enable facilitate encourage promote foster nurture cultivate develop advance progress move forward onward upward outward inward downward backward sideways crosswise lengthwise breadthwise height."

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Alaska Airlines has announced a significant expansion of its route network for 2026, with plans to introduce service to two new cities and launch 13 new or returning routes.

Oct 25, 2025

Delta Air Lines will introduce new in-flight menu options created by celebrity chef José Andrés starting November 4.

Oct 25, 2025

The Blue Sky partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue launched today, allowing members of both airlines’ loyalty programs to earn and redeem points across the two carriers.

Oct 25, 2025

Air Canada is set to expand its presence at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) by introducing four new nonstop routes to the United States in 2026.

Oct 25, 2025

United Airlines has announced it will add 10 new destinations from its Chicago O'Hare International Airport hub starting next year.

Oct 25, 2025

The partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue, known as Blue Sky, has officially launched.

Oct 25, 2025