A gas turbine jet engine works by compressing air, mixing it with fuel, igniting the mixture, and ejecting the air behind the engine, creating a pushing force known as thrust. The engine does this using the basic principle of intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust, known as the Brayton cycle.

All jet engines, which are also called gas turbines, work on the same principle. The engine sucks air in at the front with a fan. A compressor raises the pressure of the air. The compressor is made with many blades attached to a shaft. The blades spin at high speed and compress or squeeze the air.