Advanced technology exhaust nozzle development

The requirement for greater tactical aircraft operational capabilities has led to increasing research emphasis on the refinement of engine/airframe integration methods and exhaust nozzle flexibility. A major prospective advancement in the development of these capabilities takes the form of multifunctional exhaust nozzle systems with thrust reversal and thrust vectoring features, whose operation will be shared by both airframe and powerplant control systems. Attention is presently given to the two-dimensional convergent-divergent and single expansion ramp nozzle designs, with emphasis on the variable geometry mechanical systems by which they assume cruising flight, vectoring, and thrust reversal operations. The nozzles have been wind tunnel model-tested for the cases of the F-18 fighter and a supersonic cruise configuration concept.