Definition
A maneuver, used primarily on thrust-vectoring aircraft such as the Harrier, in which the engine nozzles are rotated while the aircraft is flying forward to redirect engine thrust away from straight aft. This produces rapid changes in pitch, deceleration, or flight path that cannot be achieved by aerodynamic controls alone.
Plain English
Turning the engine's exhaust nozzles partway down or forward while flying normally, so the engine's push is redirected. This lets the aircraft slow down, change direction, or pitch up much faster than wings and tail surfaces could do on their own.
Context Anchor
Seen in powerplant and flight-control discussions for aircraft that can direct jet exhaust, especially vertical or short takeoff and landing aircraft.
Derivation
‘Vectoring’ comes from the Latin ‘vector,’ meaning ‘carrier’ or ‘one who conveys,’ used in physics to describe a force with both size and direction. Rotating the nozzles changes the direction of the thrust vector, hence ‘vectoring.’ ‘Forward flight’ distinguishes it from vectoring used for hover or vertical takeoff.
Why Pilots Care
It gives aircraft like the Harrier jet a significant advantage in close-range aerial combat by allowing tighter turns without losing speed.
Grounding Statement
Picture a jet already flying forward, then turning part of its engine push downward so the push no longer acts only straight back.
Intuition Check
VIFF is not air traffic control giving the pilot headings to fly. Here, vectoring means physically changing the direction of the engine’s thrust while the aircraft is in forward flight.
Example Sentence 1
The Harrier pilot used VIFF to bleed off speed rapidly and force the pursuing aircraft to overshoot.
Example Sentence 2
Vectoring in forward flight requires precise control to avoid excessive drag.