Thrust vectoring

Hello people!🙏
✈️ Today in this post I am going to explain you about thrust vectoring concept.
☑️ CONTENTS:

1. Introduction
2. History
3. Features
4. Working of thrust vectoring.
5. Methods of thrust vectoring.
6. Advantages of thrust vectoring.

☑️ INTRODUCTION:

• Thrust vectoring is a capability to vector or point the thrust of an aircarft in desired direction.
• In simple terms vector thrust means that the  nozzle deflection toward the direction which is not the axis of engine itself. It means the nozzle is mobile.
• Thrust vectoring is advantageous to modern military and combat aircraft regarding their performance and survivability.
• There are two types of thrust vectoring.

1. 2-D thrust vectoring: It refers to thrust vectoring along pitch axis.
2. 3-D thrust vectoring: It refers to thrust vectoring in all directions.(360 deg).
   

• This concept is first originated in United States(US).but they are of 2- D thrust vectoring.
• However in late 19's Russia has implemented this technology in most of its fighter /military / and combat aircraft like(SU-35,SU-30MKI,SU-30MKM,SU-57). they are equipped with vectored thrust.

• Thrust vectoring in operation during flight.

Actuator at the nozzle section.

☑️History:

The thrust vectoring concept was first introduced in rockets,to control it's direction.

The ancient Chinese people were the first study and built rocket.but they were confined to small fire works. But in the early 20th century the concept of spaceflight and it's directional control was not crystal clear.

• Then comes the well known father of astronautics 'konstantian Tsiolkovsky'( Russian 1857-1935).
• He studied and  employed the Newton's laws to rockets and spaceflight.
• His technical suggestions and engineering application were foresighted and accurately suggested the use of thrust vectoring concept to rockets. Such that the rocket can be able steer in the desired Direction.
• Then later the thrust vector story has started by a frenchman,Michel Wibault, he proposed a single seat fighter jet  called 'Gyroptere'.

☑️FEATURES:

• The main purpose of introducing thrust vectoring in aircraft is to provide STOL(Short takeoff and landing AND VTOL(vertical takeoff and landing).
• If the aircraft is having high thrust to weight ratio, it means it is capable of vertical take-off.
• Till date there are only two operational VTOL aircarft , they are 'HARRIER' (British),'YAK -38'(Russian).
• Besides,it has some disadvantages like maneuverability in horizontal flight,fuel consumption is more.

☑️ WORKING OF THRUST VECTORING:

So how exactly the thrust vectoring works? Essentially thrust vectoring works by adding directional force from the exhaust gas of the engine to the pitch,roll,yaw,axis of the aircraft it achieves this by using special nozzles at the rear of the engine, that are capable of directing the gasses (up and down) or (side to side) upto 25 to 30 degrees. 

They work very much the same way as conventional control surfaces except they do not require air to be flowing over these surface to be effective. They only require the engine to be running this gives aircraft equipped with (thrust vector). A great advantage in low speed and  high angle of attack especially if the aircraft has the (thrust to weight ratio 1:1) 

• Suppose if it is required to pitch up the aircraft using(TVC) thrust vector control ,then the TVC has to be deflected downward, thus putting a downward pressure on the tail and bringing the nose up of the aircraft.
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☑️METHODS OF THRUST Vectoring:

• TILTING OF PROP: In this method whole the aircraft engine and propeller assembly are tilted away from the horizontal to provide the thrust vectoring.
• TILT ROTOR: This as same as tilting of propeller, the main difference being here is instead of propeller the rotor deflected to get vectored thrust.
• Main engine jet exhaust turning: this is general methods employed to military and combat aircraft during maneuring in flight. To control their direction.
• ELBOW NOZZLE: this type of nozzle is used in 'HARRIER' aircraft,it is used because of design which makes it simple and lightweight to perform operation. And the main disadvantage of this design is that the flow is always being turned to only 180 degrees because of which the nozzle suffers a thrust loss.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

  Elboe nozzles.

☑️ ADVANTAGES OF THRUST VECTORING:

1. Performance enhancement in conventional flight 
2. Extended flight envelope.
3. Increase safety while maneuring.
4. Reduction of control (I.e ailerons,flaps, rudder,etc).

'HARRIER AIRCRAFT