Which component in the propulsion system is responsible for generating thrust?

The engine is the primary component in the propulsion system responsible for generating thrust. It converts fuel into mechanical energy, producing power that propels the aircraft. In a fixed-wing aircraft, the engine drives a propeller, whereas in a rotary-wing aircraft, it drives rotors. The thrust generated by the engine is facilitated through combustion within the engine itself, which produces high-speed exhaust gases that propel the aircraft forward in many jet-powered designs.

While other components like the propeller, rotor, and turbine play essential roles in the propulsion system, they rely on the engine's output to function effectively. The propeller and rotor translate the mechanical energy provided by the engine into thrust through their movement, but it is the engine where the initial energy conversion occurs. A turbine, when mentioned in a jet engine context, contributes to the engine's operation but does not create thrust by itself; it is part of the overall system that aids in driving the compressor and provides power but does not independently generate thrust. Thus, the engine is the foundational element in thrust generation within the propulsion system.