A missile includes a control system having divert and attitude control
system thrusters with control valves. Each of the control valves has a
nozzle plate having a plurality of small nozzles therein. The nozzle
plate includes a pair of portions, one of which is rotatable relative to
the other. Control of flow through the nozzle plate may be effected by
relative positioning of the portions of the nozzle plate. An upstream
convergent portion of the nozzle plate may be fixed relative to the
missile, with a downstream throat and/or divergent portion of the nozzle
plate moveable. Movement of the movable portion of the nozzle plate may
be accomplished by use of an actuator that is external to the missile
body. The control valve provides a simple, lightweight and compact way of
controlling flow from a divert thruster.