I've heard that the TVC on the F-22 gives it the additional ability to manoeuvre by directing thrust without moving control surfaces as much, it's part of the FCS and signature management system of the aircraft that is designed to minimise movement of control surfaces that might compromise stealth. Then again, if you're already paying hundreds of millions of dollars for a new aircraft with the aim of world-beating capabilities and a huge premium on maintenance is already there, coupled with the fact that 2x F119 produce roughly x4 times the thrust of the RD-93, then we can say that a bit of extra weight, cost and complexity to gain an edge in WVR and for limiting protrusion of control surfaces is perhaps worth it.
For now we've been lagging on HOBS + HMD combo, so TVC seems rightfully nowhere on PAF's list of priorities. A solid JHMCS like HMD and PL-10 with LOAL might completely negate the need for nose authority given by TVC. Also one other factor we need to be aware of, a loaded F-22 flies clean whereas others will have weapons on pylons during a fight, so pound for pound the nose authority given by a TVC F119 is more meaningful, even on a clean aircraft tilting the whole thing along its axis to produce a high AoA will hugely boost drag... do we know what TVC use looks like with a loaded aircraft? Are those fancy cobra, J-turn and falling leaf moves as impressive?
May be TVC could be useful in NGFA given the above? If it is deemed worth the extra capability given the weight, cost, maintenance and integration in the FCS. And given that performance in terms of range and agility aren't too compromised after the added weight and the power requirement (you need power for the hydraulics that will move to direct the thrust of the engine itself), which ofc is easily achieved if you have F-22 which is the world's most agile fighter with tons of spare thrust and the ability to supercruise at mach 1.8. I also read somewhere that aircraft like the F-22 that are designed for supercruise will likely have lower aspect ratio and highly swept wings, and as a result they may need a bid of extra help in the subsonic and low transionic regime where they are comparatively less efficient, and that therefore the extra manoeuvrability can come from the TVC - similar concept to the variable sweep wings of F-14.
quwa.org
