Gas turbine engine comprising a variable area nozzle driven by shape memory alloy actuators

A gas turbine engine (10) includes a variable area nozzle (30) having a plurality of flaps (38). The flaps (38) are actuated by a plurality of actuating mechanisms (40) driven by shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators (68) to vary fan exist nozzle area (36). The SMA actuator (68) has a deformed shape in its martensitic state and a parent shape in its austenitic state. The SMA actuator (68) is heated to transform from martensitic state to austenitic state generating a force output to actuate the flaps (38). The variable area nozzle (30) also includes a plurality of return mechanisms (42) deforming the SMA actuator (68) when the SMA actuator (68) is in its martensitic state.