Forum: X-planes

Even though the X-44 project was cancelled, I'm wondering about the proposed nozzle design that it was to have. I've seen two designs: a round, more conventional nozzle, and a flattened, square nozzle.

The square nozzle intrigues me.

When I look at it, I have trouble understanding how the designers planned on making it actually work. From the images that I've seen, the nozzle looks like a single-piece structure. How would it have vectored thrust like that? How would it have altered its cross section in response to speed and thrust conditions like other nozzles do? Perhaps it was to be made of some elastic material that could deform without the needed for multiple plates or "turkey feathers"?

On a similar note, do any jet nozzles incorporate elastic or flexible materials into their design? Flexible plastics that I'm aware of would melt at jet nozzle temperatures.

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Elite 1K Joined: May 26, 2005 - 08:39 PM Posts: 1496

Kriptid wrote:

When I look at it, I have trouble understanding how the designers planned on making it actually work. From the images that I've seen, the nozzle looks like a single-piece structure.

That's concept art. It's like asking in G.I. Joe cartoons, how does the Cobra Rattler's wing pivot when there's no apparent actuator mechanism.

To your second question, no there aren't any plastic polymers that could withstand the heat from an afterburning turbofan. Even exotics like carbon-fiber reinforced polyetherketones melt at around 700 degrees F.

Was there any discussion about possible nozzle designs for it within the circle where it was envisioned?

I think squire one is the real one. I still don't why it is cancelled? Any reason?

Too public maybe?

Forum: X-planes

X-44 MANTA TVC Nozzles