Disadvantages of using thrust vectoring only in an aircraft with variable rotation nacelles such as the X-19 Take a quad tilt rotor aircraft such as the curtiss-wright X-19 or even a bi-tilt aircraft such as the V-22.

What would be the advantages or disadvantages of using thrust vectoring only for control of roll, pitch and yaw assuming for a moment that there is no added mechanical complexity in individually tilting each nacelle a variable rotation and assuming each nacelle can tilt 180 degrees from full vertical producing downward thrust (lift) to reverse vertical, essentially sending the aircraft downwards.

In theory, the front two nacelles would control pitch by rotating up or down simultaneously while the back two nacelles would control roll by each nacelle tilting oppositely. Combined all nacelles would be capably of controlling yaw or by changing the thrust being generated on each side of the aircraft, a yaw moment could be generated.

of course there are clear issues in the form of Cost, mechanical complexity, control of the aircraft in an engine out scenario, gyroscopic moments and control generally but purely from a flight mechanics perspective, what are the advantages or disadvantages of removing ailerons and using thrust vectoring to control the flight of such an aircraft.

Currently, it is my belief is it would allow the use of highly complex airfoil geometries that would increase the efficiency of the aircraft in flight as airfoils would no longer be necessary and perhaps increase maneuverability of what i would imagine to be large aircraft but there is no drawbacks other than those previously mentioned however, would thrust vectoring produce less turning moments than ailerons?

I look forward to any and all replies, thank you.
It is my belief is it would allow the use of highly complex airfoil geometries that would increase the efficiency of the aircraft.


The best airfoil is one that adaptively changes shape to meet current requirements (read: flaps or flaperons that run the entire length of the wing).


  What would be the advantages of using thrust vectoring only for control of roll, pitch and yaw?


That's how the V-22 works. During horizontal short field takeoffs, the engines are angled forward and upward and the flaps are fully deflected to generate maximum lift. Pitch and roll control are provided by thrust vectoring and differential thrust (the V-22 has conventional swashplates). Below is an image of a V-22 during takeoff. (source)