The process of combusting excess fuel in a jet engine's exhaust to produce extra thrust.
Present participle of 'afterburn,' from 'after' and 'burn' (Old English byrnan). Term emerged with jet engine technology in the mid-20th century.
Afterburning is so fuel-inefficient that modern fighter jets are designing new engines that don't need it—the latest generation achieves supersonic speeds through better aerodynamics and engine efficiency. What seemed essential in 1960 is becoming obsolete.
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