BLUF
GE Aerospace’s 30-year-old AVEN thrust-vectoring nozzle is being used to accelerate development of the X-BAT autonomous fighter aircraft. The refurbished technology enabled rapid testing, with hover trials planned as both companies pursue improved future versions.Learning Outcomes
- Describe the role of thrust-vectoring technology in enabling vertical take-off, landing and manoeuvrability for advanced autonomous aircraft.
- Analyse how repurposing and modernising legacy aerospace technologies can accelerate innovation, reduce development time and support rapid prototyping.
- Evaluate the importance of iterative testing, risk management and data collection in developing and refining next-generation autonomous flight systems.
