The F-16’s afterburner works by injecting extra fuel into the exhaust stream after the gases have already passed through the turbine, creating a second stage of combustion that greatly increases thrust. First, the engine compresses incoming air, burns it in the main combustion chamber, and uses the energy to drive the turbine. The hot, fast exhaust then flows into the afterburner section, which contains flame holders—metal structures that help keep a stable flame in the high-speed airflow. When