rocket-assisted takeoff

rocket-assisted takeoff

[′räk·ət ə¦sis·təd ′tāk‚ȯf] (aerospace engineering) rato

rocket-assisted takeoff (RATO)

A method of assisted takeoff for use with heavy-loaded aircraft and/or taking off from a high-altitude airfield. Auxiliary booster rockets, attached to the airframe, are ignited at the critical time during takeoff to provide the requisite additional thrust. These are jettisoned over a safe area after their use. Also referred to as a jet-assisted takeoff, or JATO.