airframe

[ air-freym ]

noun

1. the framework and external covering of an airplane, rocket, etc.

airframe

/ ˈɛəˌfreɪm /

noun

1. the body of an aircraft, excluding its engines

Word History and Origins

Origin of airframe¹

First recorded in 1930–35; air(plane) + frame

Example Sentences

They will likely combat drones by burning through their airframes.

From Popular-Science

Yet it is always possible that the airframe will be beset by problems, that the code required to fly the plane will take years to get right, and that new complications can emerge in the process.

From Popular-Science

Unity’s rocket is limited in size – and therefore in power – by being enclosed in a sleek airframe.

From The Daily Beast

“Instead of building an interesting airframe and then trying to figure out how to put the battery into that aircraft, we started with the battery first and put things on top of it,” Kelekona said.

From Singularity Hub 

The impetus behind upgrading Elvis was finding a way to use the helicopter in riskier missions, including forest fire fighting, and expanding what the airframe could do.

From Popular-Science

Both a rocket engine with a temperamental record and an airframe of revolutionary design and construction had to be proved safe.

From The Daily Beast

The physical airframe of a drone is actually very simple and can built without much trouble.

From The Daily Beast

The tests took place in a 1960s vintage Boeing 727 airframe.

From The Daily Beast

A metal airframe is designed to work as its own lightning conductor.

From The Daily Beast