The lighter and simpler aerodynamic thrust vectoring system abandons the complex mechanical parts of elite fighter jets like the F-35B and Su-37 to redirect engine exhaust to make the aircraft more manoeuverable.

Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics announced last month that a team led by Professor Xu Jinglei succeeded in its flight test of an aerodynamic thrust vectoring nozzle on a high-subsonic speed drone.

Unlike traditional systems that rely on heavy, complex moving parts, the new system achieves greater manoeuverability through a lightweight nozzle with no moving components.

The test was conducted in a desert in the country’s northwest using the CK300 high-subsonic unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

The aircraft is 3.6 metres (11.8 feet) long, and has a maximum take-off weight of 140kg (308lbs), a service ceiling of 13,000 metres and a top speed of 0.9 Mach.