In the present work the feasibility of using various optical/laser based techniques for characterization of the afterburner of a full-size aircraft engine have been investigated. The tests have been performed on-site at Volvo Aero Corporation and were mainly directed towards surface thermometry using thermographic phosphors and fuel visualization. All applications were studied for different engine running conditions, including various use of the afterburner (A/B). Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF) was employed for fuel visualization to investigate to what extent unburned fuel exits the afterburner. Laser-Induced Phosphorescence (LIP) from thermographic phosphors was used to measure two-dimensional surface temperatures on the outlet nozzle of the afterburner. In addition, the spectral characteristics of the burning jet stream were investigated.