MD-80 deploying thrust reversers - GIF

[Frank S]

The boeing C17 Globemaster can reverse thrust at altitude to assist in rapid loss of altitude Very few aircraft can do this because the induced stresses on th airframe is tremendous. Fighter jets use thrust vectoring to assist and control pitch yaw and roll. Reverse thrusting is used more to cancel out the forward idle thrust that to actually slow or stop an aircraft. Mi Tasol explained the application procedure pretty well. Intentional or unintentional and accidental overrides of the deployment systems can result in an aircraft crashing. Lauda flight 004 crashed in 1991 due to an uncommanded thrust reversal on 1 of its engines