THRUST VECTOR AIDED MANEUVERING OF THE YF-22 ADVANCED TACTICAL FIGHTER PROTOTYPE

In the mid 1980s design work began on the I;. S. Air Force's next generation air superiority fighter. The F---22 tcm. consisting of Lockheed. Roeing, and General Dynamics. embraced n design philosophy in which low ohservablc technology, maneuverability. and supersonic perfctm~ance were given equal consideration. Even with low observable features and long range weapon e~nploynrznt capabilities, the team believed that the probabilities of brief, short range air combat engagements. based on historic:d precedents and pt)stulated fi~lure scenarios, demanded a highly agile design. Thrust vectoring crnergeci :rs a kcy krturt. for obtaining the dcsrrod agility without ;dversely impxting the aircraft's law ohserv:rble signature. Thn~st vectoring ttxhnology