turboréacteur

A turboréacteur, often translated as turbojet engine, is a type of airbreathing jet engine. It operates by compressing incoming air, mixing it with fuel, igniting the mixture, and then expelling the hot exhaust gases at high speed through a nozzle. This expulsion of gas creates thrust, propelling the aircraft forward. The core components of a turboréacteur include an inlet, a compressor, a combustion chamber, and a nozzle. Air enters the inlet and is then compressed by rotating blades. Fuel is injected into the combustion chamber and ignited, creating a high-pressure, high-temperature gas stream. This stream expands and accelerates as it passes through the nozzle, generating thrust. Turboréacteurs are characterized by their relative simplicity compared to other jet engine types like turbofans. They are most efficient at high speeds and altitudes, making them suitable for early jet aircraft and some high-speed military applications. However, their fuel consumption can be higher than turbofan engines, especially at lower speeds. The concept was developed in the late 1930s by engineers such as Frank Whittle and Hans von Ohain, leading to the first operational jet aircraft in the early 1940s.