Numerical investigations of the flow field of a supersonic single expansion ramp nozzle (SERN) and its interaction with a freestream of Ma=8 are conducted using Large-Eddy Simulations (LES) to allow accurate predictions of the high Reynolds number flow characterized by shocks and expansion waves, turbulent boundary and shear layers, and flow separation. The influence of selected parameters, i.e., boundary-layer thickness, wall temperature, gas composition, and flap angle on the thrust vector is determined to optimize the thrust vector. It will be shown that variations of boundary-layer thicknesses and wall cooling have inferior influence on the thrust compared to flap angle variations and change of the adiabatic exponent. A positive flap angle causes an increase of lift and drag, while a variation of the fluid, i.e., a gas at a lower adiabatic exponent than air, leads to a decrease of lift and drag.