A generalized nonlinear model for multi-engine single thrust vectored flyingwing

W. Dakshina T. Fernando; Joseph Chan; Lily Wong; Julian K. P. Tan; Chee Pin Tan; W. Dakshina T. Fernando; Joseph Chan; Lily Wong; Julian K. P. Tan; Chee Pin Tan

doi:10.3934/mmc.2026017

Mathematical Modelling and Control

2026, Volume 6, Issue 3: 216-239. doi: 10.3934/mmc.2026017

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Research article

A generalized nonlinear model for multi-engine single thrust vectored flyingwing

School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Malaysia

Received: 04 August 2024 Revised: 15 October 2025 Accepted: 10 December 2025 Published: 25 August 2026

Superior maneuverability and stealth are two primary focal points in the sixth generation of aviation and aerospace concepts. A potential technology to deliver such enhanced maneuverability is thrust vectored control (TVC), which is currently limited only to vertical control during take-off and landing. The expansion of maneuvering to all three dimensions (including horizontal) enables TVC's ability to attain extreme maneuvers with the least effect on overall performance. However, developing controllers to achieve these maneuvers requires a detailed mathematical model to help understand the aircraft dynamics. Thus, this paper demonstrates the development of a nonlinear dynamic model in the first-order differential form for an aircraft employing a full flyingwing design with a tail-end single-thrust vectored engine with two wing-mounted forward thrusters. This design falls under the generic class of the multi-engine single-thrust vector system (MESTV) configuration. A feedback controller was incorporated to simulate and attain optimal performance in two realistic and critical flight scenarios: flight-envelop regulation and stall recovery. The developed model was tested with three phases of operation; climb and cruising, pitch, and yaw maneuvers. The simulation results show that the proposed configuration achieved horizontal (yaw) maneuvers together with vertical (pitch) maneuvers. Thus, the proposed engine configuration is well-suited to attain superior maneuverability.
- thrust vectored control,
- nonlinear dynamics,
- flying wing,
- turbulent wind,
- aircraft manoeuvring
Citation: W. Dakshina T. Fernando, Joseph Chan, Lily Wong, Julian K. P. Tan, Chee Pin Tan. A generalized nonlinear model for multi-engine single thrust vectored flyingwing[J]. Mathematical Modelling and Control, 2026, 6(3): 216-239. doi: 10.3934/mmc.2026017

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Abstract

Superior maneuverability and stealth are two primary focal points in the sixth generation of aviation and aerospace concepts. A potential technology to deliver such enhanced maneuverability is thrust vectored control (TVC), which is currently limited only to vertical control during take-off and landing. The expansion of maneuvering to all three dimensions (including horizontal) enables TVC's ability to attain extreme maneuvers with the least effect on overall performance. However, developing controllers to achieve these maneuvers requires a detailed mathematical model to help understand the aircraft dynamics. Thus, this paper demonstrates the development of a nonlinear dynamic model in the first-order differential form for an aircraft employing a full flyingwing design with a tail-end single-thrust vectored engine with two wing-mounted forward thrusters. This design falls under the generic class of the multi-engine single-thrust vector system (MESTV) configuration. A feedback controller was incorporated to simulate and attain optimal performance in two realistic and critical flight scenarios: flight-envelop regulation and stall recovery. The developed model was tested with three phases of operation; climb and cruising, pitch, and yaw maneuvers. The simulation results show that the proposed configuration achieved horizontal (yaw) maneuvers together with vertical (pitch) maneuvers. Thus, the proposed engine configuration is well-suited to attain superior maneuverability.

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