airframe

noun air·frame \ -ˌfrām \

|Updated on: 12 Jul 2018

Definition of airframe

: the structure of an aircraft, rocket vehicle, or missile without the power plant; also : aircraft

Recent Examples of airframe from the Web

The contours and structure of a new airframe itself could also bring new radar signature reducing properties as well as new mission and crew options.

— kris osborn, Fox News, "Marine Corps arms Osprey with rockets and missiles - adds assault missions," 6 July 2018
The factory in question produces wound-filament airframes and nozzles for engines used in solid-fuel missiles, particularly the Pukguksong series of rockets, the report said.

— Time, "Satellite Images Show North Korea Is Expanding a Missile-Manufacturing Plant, a Report Finds," 2 July 2018
Sabrewing's aircraft are built on a composite airframe with a gas-electric hybrid power system that drives four electric motors, each turning a variable-position fan.

— author: elwood brehmer, Anchorage Daily News, "Startup plans to revolutionize the air cargo industry, starting with Alaska," 15 June 2018
Representatives of airframe and engine manufacturers, who are not usually involved in NTSB investigations, also arrived to help determine whether there were pre-flight defects with the plane.

— jason nark, Philly.com, "Two killed in plane crash in South Jersey were on an 'angel flight' to help patient in need," 14 June 2018
The problem: During maintenance at Hill Air Force Base, maintainers discovered an unacceptable amount of corrosion where an exterior carbon fiber panel fastened to the F-35 airframe.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The F-35 Is About To Get Cheaper. Now Here's the Bad News.," 12 Apr. 2018
One of Scaled’s 15 current projects is building Stratolaunch, a plane with an all-new composite airframe, a 385-foot wingspan, six Boeing 747 engines and two fuselages.

— samantha masunaga, latimes.com, "An interest in model airplanes paved the way for Ben Diachun of Scaled Composites," 8 June 2018
Its aluminum and composite airframe can carry out rescue missions or hunt submarines in temperatures as low as -60 degrees Fahrenheit.

— joe pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, "The Big Machines Bringing Industry—and War—to the Melting Arctic," 3 Jan. 2018
The New Orleans Detachment produces airframes, engines and other components for Navy aircraft, while also providing maintenance services.

— laura mcknight, NOLA.com, "Navy petty officer living in Harvey faces child pornography charge," 4 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'airframe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of airframe

1930

in the meaning defined above

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