A rocket engine nozzle includes an aerospike having a plurality of adjustable airfoil vanes distributed around a central longitudinal axis of a rocket engine combustion chamber. The aerospike is integrated on an exit plane at an exit end of the combustion chamber. The adjustable airfoil vanes and an inner perimeter of the combustion chamber define a plurality of apertures which choke an exhaust exiting the combustion chamber and cause the exhaust to expand supersonically along the adjustable airfoil vanes, creating a supersonic jet. An actuator is configured to adjust a position of each of the adjustable airfoil vane relative to each other so as to direct the exhaust exiting the rocket engine combustion chamber as the exhaust expands supersonically over the airfoil vanes without causing a shockwave to be imparted on the supersonic jet that is created. Accordingly, performance of the rocket engine is improved over conventional systems.

A rocket engine nozzle includes an aerospike having a plurality of adjustable airfoil vanes distributed around a central longitudinal axis of a rocket engine combustion chamber. The aerospike is integrated on an exit plane at an exit end of the combustion chamber. The adjustable airfoil vanes and an inner perimeter of the combustion chamber define a plurality of apertures which choke an exhaust exiting the combustion chamber and cause the exhaust to expand supersonically along the adjustable airfoil vanes, creating a supersonic jet. An actuator is configured to adjust a position of each of the adjustable airfoil vane relative to each other so as to direct the exhaust exiting the rocket engine combustion chamber as the exhaust expands supersonically over the airfoil vanes without causing a shockwave to be imparted on the supersonic jet that is created. Accordingly, performance of the rocket engine is improved over conventional systems.

Provided are an exhaust duct, an exhaust duct assembly, and an aircraft using the exhaust duct. The exhaust duct has a structure that enables combustion gas to be diverged and discharged from an inlet end to a first outlet end and a second outlet end at respective sides of the exhaust duct. The exhaust duct includes a first housing including a first body forming an outer wall of the inlet end, and further includes second bodies respectively extending on respective sides from the first body and respectively forming the first outlet end and the second outlet end; a second housing spaced apart from the first body, forming an inner wall of the inlet end, and extending curvedly toward the second bodies; and a connection housing connecting the first housing to the second housing and including at least one recess portion recessed toward the inlet end.

Provided are an exhaust duct, an exhaust duct assembly, and an aircraft using the exhaust duct. The exhaust duct has a structure that enables combustion gas to be diverged and discharged from an inlet end to a first outlet end and a second outlet end at respective sides of the exhaust duct. The exhaust duct includes a first housing including a first body forming an outer wall of the inlet end, and further includes second bodies respectively extending on respective sides from the first body and respectively forming the first outlet end and the second outlet end; a second housing spaced apart from the first body, forming an inner wall of the inlet end, and extending curvedly toward the second bodies; and a connection housing connecting the first housing to the second housing and including at least one recess portion recessed toward the inlet end.

A nacelle assembly of a gas turbine engine includes an annular structure defining a central axis, and having a radially inward surface and a radially outward surface, the radially inward surface at least partially defining a bypass duct. An aft portion of the radially inward surface at least partially defines an axially extending convergent-divergent exit nozzle. A secondary nozzle flap is radially spaced from the aft portion of the radially inward surface. The secondary nozzle flap and the aft portion of the radially inward surface define a secondary bypass duct therebetween. The secondary nozzle flap is operably connected to the annular structure such that the secondary nozzle flap is selectably movable relative to the aft portion of the radially inward surface, thereby changing a cross-sectional area of a secondary bypass duct exit.

Provided are an exhaust duct, an exhaust duct assembly, and an aircraft using the exhaust duct. The exhaust duct has a structure that enables combustion gas to be diverged and discharged from an inlet end to a first outlet end and a second outlet end at respective sides of the exhaust duct. The exhaust duct includes a first housing including a first body forming an outer wall of the inlet end, and further includes second bodies respectively extending on respective sides from the first body and respectively forming the first outlet end and the second outlet end; a second housing spaced apart from the first body, forming an inner wall of the inlet end, and extending curvedly toward the second bodies; and a connection housing connecting the first housing to the second housing and including at least one recess portion recessed toward the inlet end.

Provided are an exhaust duct, an exhaust duct assembly, and an aircraft using the exhaust duct. The exhaust duct has a structure that enables combustion gas to be diverged and discharged from an inlet end to a first outlet end and a second outlet end at respective sides of the exhaust duct. The exhaust duct includes a first housing including a first body forming an outer wall of the inlet end, and further includes second bodies respectively extending on respective sides from the first body and respectively forming the first outlet end and the second outlet end; a second housing spaced apart from the first body, forming an inner wall of the inlet end, and extending curvedly toward the second bodies; and a connection housing connecting the first housing to the second housing and including at least one recess portion recessed toward the inlet end.

An assembly is provided for an aircraft. This aircraft assembly includes a powerplant. The powerplant includes a gas turbine engine, an exhaust nozzle and a flowpath extending from the gas turbine engine to the exhaust nozzle. The exhaust nozzle is movable between a first position and a second position. The exhaust nozzle is configured to exhaust combustion products, received through the flowpath from the gas turbine engine, when the exhaust nozzle is in the first position. The exhaust nozzle is configured to block flow of the combustion products through the flowpath when the exhaust nozzle is in the second position.

An assembly is provided for an aircraft. This aircraft assembly includes a powerplant. The powerplant includes a gas turbine engine, an exhaust nozzle and a flowpath extending from the gas turbine engine to the exhaust nozzle. The exhaust nozzle is movable between a first position and a second position. The exhaust nozzle is configured to exhaust combustion products, received through the flowpath from the gas turbine engine, when the exhaust nozzle is in the first position. The exhaust nozzle is configured to block flow of the combustion products through the flowpath when the exhaust nozzle is in the second position.

A heat shield for a gas turbine engine includes a radial heat shield flange that extends in a circumferential direction and forms a ring. A plurality of bosses extend from a first axial side of the radial heat shield flange. There is a plurality of guide pins. One of the plurality of guide pins extends from a corresponding one of the plurality of bosses.