Thrust Vectoring using Differential Throttling in Axisymmetric Aerospike Nozzle

Differential Throttling is a very promising technique of Fluidic Thrust Vectoring, that can be applied to aerospike nozzles, both linear and axisymmetric, to improve the controllability of aircrafts. In this work, numerical simulations have been carried out to study the performances of Differential Throttling at various values of Nozzle Pressure Ratio for an axisymmetric aerospike nozzle, in terms of lateral force generated, and losses with respect to symmetric flow. A significant turning of the angle of thrust can be generated with this method, obtaining a fairly wide range with respect to the percentage of differential pressure, suggesting satisfactory behaviour as a thrust vectoring technique for this type of nozzles.