Variable area nozzle and method for operating same

A variable area nozzle assembly for a gas turbine engine,

• a fixed structure surrounding an exhaust duct extending along a nozzle axis, the fixed structure defining an exhaust duct outlet of the exhaust duct, the fixed structure including a first side beam and a second side beam, each of the first side beam and the second side beam extending in a direction axially aft from the exhaust duct outlet;
• an upper thrust reverser door and a lower thrust reverser door, each of the upper thrust reverser door and the lower thrust reverser door pivotably mounted to the first side beam and the second side beam at a first axial position;
• and
• an upper panel and a lower panel, the upper panel and the lower panel pivotably mounted to the upper thrust reverser door and the lower thrust reverser door, respectively, at a second axial position located axially forward of the first axial position, the upper panel pivotably mounted to the upper thrust reverser door at a second upper pivot axis located at the second axial position, the upper panel pivotable relative to the upper thrust reverser door about the second upper pivot axis, the lower panel pivotably mounted to the lower thrust reverser door at a second lower pivot axis located at the second axial position, the lower panel pivotable relative to the lower thrust reverser door about the second lower pivot axis, the upper panel and the lower panel defining a nozzle outlet cross-sectional area therebetween.