EXHAUST NOZZLE FOR THRUST VECTORING

An exhaust nozzle (10) for a gas turbine engine is described for vectoring a flow of exhaust gases issuing therefrom at an angle to a centre line (8) of the engine. The exhaust nozzle (10) comprises a plurality of radially outer flaps (25) and radially inner flaps (26) which are circumferentially disposed around the engine. The radially outer flaps (25) and radially inner flaps (26) alternately overlap each other to define a path through which the exhaust gases flow. The radially outer flaps (25) can be moved asymmetrically about the engine centre line (8). The radially inner flaps (26) are maintained in sealing contact with the outer flaps (25) by the flow of exhaust gases passing therethrough. The radially inner flaps (26) are divided into a number of triangular sections (29) which renders the flaps (26) torsionally flexible so that they can twist along their lengths to maintain sealing contact with adjacent radially outer flaps (25) when the outer flaps (25) are moved asymmetrically.