Brequet Range Equation

t=ti t=tf
W=Wi W=Wf

Range

tf

Range = ∫ Vdt
ti

In level flight at const speed:

L = W , Lift = Weight
T = D , Thrust = Drag

The aircraft weight changes during flight due to use of fuel. Relate weight
change to time change:

dW
dW = dt
dt
fuel weight
=− dt
time
fuel weight T
=− dt
time T

The quantity:

fuel weight 1
time T

is known as the specific fuel consumption or sfc. It has units of:

lb( fuel ) force

sfc units = or
lb − hr force − time

⇒ dW = − sfc iT dt
Wf
V 1
⇒ Range = − ∫ dW
Wi
sfc T
But since T = D and L = W we have:

Wf
V L dW
Range = − ∫
Wi
sfc D W
16.100 2002 1
This is the general form of the range equation. The Breguet range equation is
V L
found by assuming that is constant for the entire flight. In that case:
sfc D
Wf Wf
V L dW V L dW
Range = − ∫
sfc D W∫i W
=−
Wi
sfc D W

Breguet range equation:

V L Wi
Range = log
sfc D Wf