Thrustvectoring

Thrust vectoring is a propulsion control technique in which the direction of an aircraft engine’s exhaust is actively directed to influence the aircraft’s attitude and maneuverability. By deflecting or reorienting the thrust, pilots can induce pitch, yaw, or roll moments without relying solely on aerodynamic control surfaces. Thrust vectoring can improve handling at high angles of attack, shorten takeoff and landing runs, and enable advanced aerobatic maneuvers or enhanced close-quarters performance. Some designs also use thrust vectoring to aid vertical or short takeoff and landing capabilities.

Mechanisms for thrust vectoring vary. The most common method uses gimbaled or swiveling exhaust nozzles that pivot in one or more axes, producing two- or three-dimensional deflection of the thrust. Another approach employs vanes or plates inside or around the exhaust stream to redirect the jet. In multi-engine configurations, differential thrust from engines can supplement vectoring. Systems are typically controlled by flight-control computers and integrated with the aircraft’s hydraulics or electrics, with actuators applying precise nozzle deflections.

Operational use and history vary by platform. Thrust vectoring has been implemented on a number of modern fighters to enhance agility, high-angle-of-attack performance, and maneuverability in air combat. The most prominent example is the F-22 Raptor, which uses two-dimensional thrust-vectoring nozzles. Other designs, including certain Russian and Indian aircraft, have incorporated TVC in their propulsion systems. Thrust vectoring is not universal; it adds complexity, weight, heat, and maintenance considerations, and is typically balanced against aerodynamic efficiency and flight-control requirements.

See also: aircraft propulsion, variable-geometry nozzles, flight control systems.