SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EXPANDING AN OPERATING SPEED RANGE OF A HIGH SPEED FLIGHT VEHICLE

Systems and methods for expanding an operating speed range of a high speed flight vehicle (102) include providing a turbine engine (100) with an inlet air duct (112), and positioning a heat exchanger (140) in the inlet air duct (112) to cool at least a portion of duct air flow (118) associated with an engine core (122). Additionally or alternatively, a nozzle assembly (200) includes a cowl (210) fluidly communicating with the turbine engine (100) and having a cowl internal surface (216) defining a cowl orifice (218), and a plug (230) defines a primary thrust surface (232). The plug (230) is supported relative to the cowl (210) so that a portion of the primary thrust surface (232) is disposed within the cowl orifice (218) to define a throat (242) therebetween. An actuator (248) is coupled to at least one of the cowl (210) or the plug (230), and is configured to generate relative movement between the cowl (210) and the plug (230), thereby to modify the throat (242).