Lighter, simpler, faster: could this thrust device give Chinese drones an edge over F-35s?
An aerodynamic tail nozzle designed in Nanjing proves its mettle in a high-subsonic speed drone test
In a world first, Chinese researchers have flight-tested new streamlined thrust technology in a high-speed drone, capping nearly two decades of research in the area for the lead scientist.
The lighter and simpler aerodynamic thrust vectoring system abandons the complex mechanical parts of elite fighter jets like the F-35B and Su-37 to redirect engine exhaust to make the aircraft more manoeuverable.
Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics announced last month that a team led by Professor Xu Jinglei succeeded in its flight test of an aerodynamic thrust vectoring nozzle on a high-subsonic speed drone.
Unlike traditional systems that rely on heavy, complex moving parts, the new system achieves greater manoeuverability through a lightweight nozzle with no moving components.
The test was conducted in a desert in the country’s northwest using the CK300 high-subsonic unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
The aircraft is 3.6 metres (11.8 feet) long, and has a maximum take-off weight of 140kg (308lbs), a service ceiling of 13,000 metres and a top speed of 0.9 Mach.