Thrust Vectoring
- Thrust vectoring is the ability of an aircraft’s main engines to direct thrust other than parallel to the vehicle’s longitudinal
- axis, allowing the exhaust nozzle to move or change position to direct the thrust in varied directions.
- Vertical takeoff aircraft use thrust vectoring as takeoff thrust and then change direction to propel the aircraft in horizontal flight.
- Military aircraft use thrust vectoring for maneuvering in flight to change direction. Thrust vectoring is generally accomplished
- by relocating the direction of the exhaust nozzle to direct the thrust to move the aircraft in the desired path.
- At the rear of a gas turbine engine, a nozzle directs the flow of hot exhaust gases out of the engine and afterburner. Usually, the nozzle
- points straight out of the engine.
- The pilot can move, or vector, the vectoring nozzle up and down by 20°. This makes the aircraft much more maneuverable in flight.