Afterburner thrust stand.
Why does an afterburner need a wider nozzle?
Why does an afterburner need a wider nozzle?
Fit all five engine assemblies before running.
The turbine exhaust still contains oxygen. Spray bars add fuel downstream, and V-gutters hold a flame in the fast-moving gas. Added heat raises exhaust speed and thrust, but fuel consumption rises faster. The variable nozzle opens to pass the hotter flow. This stand uses illustrative values and a nozzle-matching fuel interlock.
Illustrative stationary thrust stand, not an identified engine. Chosen core airflow, fuel, temperature and pressure schedules; cp = 1150 J/(kg·K), gamma = 1.33, fuel heating value 43 MJ/kg, afterburner heat efficiency 85%, nozzle efficiency 90%, maximum afterburner total-pressure loss 5%. Ideal pressure-matched exit, inlet speed 0; exhaust mass includes both fuel streams. Throat area is relative to the dry core at the selected throttle. A teaching test-stand interlock closes all fuel unless the throat is within ±8% of its target; off-design nozzle thrust, ignition transients, compressor maps, wall cooling and real-engine limits are not simulated. Cutaway changes only inspection.
At 80% core throttle or more, add at least 50% afterburner fuel and match the throat area to its target within 8%.
Compare dry thrust with afterburning.