A variable area nozzle comprising a concentric support and a plurality of
convexly contoured self sealing vanes is disclosed and claimed. The vanes
are circumferentially and rotatably mounted to the concentric support
forming a nozzle infinitely positionable between a first position
corresponding to a minimum area nozzle and a second position
corresponding to a maximum area nozzle. A closer, which is preferably a
shape memory alloy (SMA), urges the nozzle toward the first position
corresponding to a minimum area nozzle. Periodically spaced openers act
between adjacent vanes to urge the nozzle to a second position
corresponding to a maximum area nozzle.