afterburners

Jet speed boosters

Afterburners are components in jet engines that inject additional fuel into the exhaust stream, igniting it to produce a dramatic burst of thrust.

Military fighter jets use afterburners for takeoff, combat maneuvers, and supersonic flight, though the massive fuel consumption limits their use to short bursts.

The term extends figuratively to describe any sudden surge of power or effort: She kicked into afterburners for the final stretch of the race.

propulsion

jet

Forced fluid stream

turbojetTurbine-powered aircraft propulsion
turbofanHigh-bypass aircraft engine
ramjetVelocity-fed aircraft engine

scramjet · thrust · exhaust · nozzle · combustion · reheat · plume · injector · fuel · ignition

speed

supersonic

Exceeding audio velocity

hypersonicFaster than Mach five
MachSonic speed ratio
accelerationRate velocity changes

velocity · momentum · boost · surge · rapid · swift · fast · full-throttle · sprint · blitz

aviation

fighter

One who engages in combat

cockpitPilot's control compartment
pilotOne who steers aircraft
takeoffDeparture or parody

combat · dogfight · intercept · scramble · sortie · military · aircraft · squadron · airshow · maneuver

metaphor

boost

Upward push or increase

surgeSudden powerful increase
overdriveEfficiency mode at speed
turbochargeBoost via compressed air

kick · push · accelerate · power-up · nitro · next-level · amplify · intensify

afterburners

jet

supersonic

fighter

boost

afterburners

Opposites

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