Air-breathing Engines
Air-breathing engines are propulsion systems that use atmospheric air as the oxidizer to burn fuel and produce thrust. These engines are used in aircraft and some space launch vehicles to provide the initial thrust to reach the desired altitude and speed. Air-breathing engines can be further classified into subsonic and supersonic engines based on the speed of the vehicle. Subsonic engines include turbojet, turbofan, and turboprop engines, while supersonic engines include ramjet and scramjet engines. Turbojet engines are used in subsonic aircraft, while turbofan engines are used in both subsonic and supersonic aircraft. Turboprop engines are used in small aircraft and helicopters. Ramjet engines are used in supersonic missiles, while scramjet engines are used in hypersonic vehicles. Air-breathing engines have a higher specific impulse than rocket engines, which makes them more fuel-efficient for subsonic and low supersonic speeds.
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