IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO CONTROL SYSTEMS

摘要

A steering and propulsion system for a guided missile, in which thrust vectoring of the propulsive effluent is achieved by means of a dirigible tail nozzle. The dirigible nozzle is mounted on a spherical bearing to swivel about a point lying at the centre of the throat of a fixed convergent/divergent inner nozzle disposed within the dirigible nozzle. Aft of the swivel point, the dirigible nozzle has a convergent portion leading to a divergent mouth, and the inner wall of the convergent portion is formed as a domed annular surface which is part-spherical and has its geometrical centre at the swivel point. This dome annular surface is a close running fit against the peripheral rim of the exit of the fixed inner nozzle. A set of free-spinning fins are mounted along with the dirigible nozzle so as to deflect angularly therewith.