11 spectacular photos of jets spitting fire with their afterburners

Seaman Apprentice Tyler Caswell/US Navy

Afterburners are a feature on jet engines that inject more fuel and oxygen for a quick and massive boost. For modern day fighter jets, the increase in thrust could be anywhere between 40 to 70 percent. 

Due to the high fuel consumption rate, the use of afterburners is limited to a few minutes in scenarios such as taking off on short runways or during combat.

During these few minutes, the bright plume of fire is produced, creating the following eye-catching effects.

An F/A-18F Super Hornet takes off from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.

An F-22 Raptor jet engine is tested in a full afterburner state. Airmen test aircraft engines like these in a specialized hangar, known as a "hush house", to ensure that all components are functioning properly.

A US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off on a mission at dawn from Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.