jato

noun3

1. •
   An auxiliary jet engine in a detachable unit that provides extra power for the takeoff of an aircraft
2. •
   A RATO unit or RATO takeoff - a rocket assisted take-off
3. •
   A takeoff assisted by such a unit

noun2

1. •
   (US) One of the rockets used for the above purpose.

   • An enduring urban legend claims that someone in Arizona strapped a JATO to their car and crashed it into a cliff.
2. •
   (US) Acronym of jet-assisted takeoff, a method of using booster rockets to allow heavily-loaded aircraft to lift off more quickly and use less runway length for takeoff.