Simulation study of thrust vectoring for air combat maneuvering for a lightweight fighter-class aircraft

摘要

A simulation study has been conducted to examine the effects of thrust vectoring on the combat effectiveness of an aircraft having maneuvering performance representative of a lightweight fighter-class aircraft. Air Force and Navy pilots flew simulated one-on-one engagements between the basic (unvectored) aircraft and the modified aircraft with vectoring. Independent variables for the study were: (1) maximum vector angle (15 deg or 30 deg); (2) inclusion of induced lift; and (3) an increment in aircraft weight, representing an installation penalty.