ICAS 2000 CONGRESS Industria de Turbo Propulsores, S.A. THRUST VECTORING NOZZLE FOR MILITARY AIRCRAFT ENGINES Daniel Ikaza Industria de Turbo Propulsores S.A. (ITP) Parque Tecnológico, edificio 300 48170 Zamudio, Spain
[email protected] number of actuators, which, in turn, leads to an optimized mass and overall engine efficiency. ITP has dedicated a research programme on Thrust Vectoring technology which started back in 1991, and which met an important milestone as is the ground testing of a prototype nozzle at ITP. Fig. 1.- CFD Model of a TVN ABSTRACT Even though Thrust Vectoring is a relatively new technology, it has been talked about for some time, and several programmes worldwide have explored its Fig. 2.- TVN ground tests at ITP application and benefits. Thrust Vectoring can provide modern military aircraft with a number of advantages The next major goal will be the realisation of a flight regarding performance and survivability, all of which has programme, in order to validate the system in flight, and an influence upon Life Cycle Cost. evaluate the capabilities and performance of the system as a means of primary flight control. There are several types of Thrust Vectoring Nozzles. For example, there are 2-D and 3-D Thrust Vectoring A decisive contribution is being done by ITP’s partner Nozzles. The ITP Nozzle is a 3-D Vectoring Nozzle. company MTU of Munich, Germany, by developing the Also, there are different ways to achieve the deflection of electronic Control System. the gas jet: the most efficient one is by mechanically This programme is making the Thrust Vectoring deflecting the divergent section only, hence minimizing technology available in Europe for existing military the effect on the engine upstream of the throat (sonic) aircraft such as Eurofighter, in which the introduction of section.