The Pugachev's Cobra (or Pugachev Cobra) is an example of supermaneuverability in air combat maneuvering (ACM), specifically poststall maneuvering. It is a demonstration of the pitch control authority, high angle of attack (AOA) stability and engine/inlet compatibility at high angles of attack of the aircraft. The maneuver allows for very quick turns which can make an attack fail, or put the pilot in a position to execute an attack. The Pugachev's Cobra is considered to be one of the most dramatic and demanding maneuvers performed at air shows worldwide. The maneuver is so named after the Sukhoi OKB (design bureau) test pilot Viktor Pugachev, who first performed the maneuver officially in 1989 at the Paris Le Bourget air show.
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Description
Initially the pilot has to disengage the angle of attack limiter of the plane. This action also disengages the g limiter. After that the pilot must pull the stick hard. The aircraft reaches 90°–120° angle of attack with a slight gain of altitude and a significant loss of speed. When the elevator is centered, the drag at the rear of the plane causes torque, thus making the aircraft pitch forward. At that time the pilot must add power to compensate the speed loss. In a properly performed Pugachev's Cobra, the plane maintains an almost straight flight throughout the maneuver; the plane does not roll or yaw on either direction. Proper entry speed is significant because if entering too slow, the pilot might not be able to accomplish the maneuver; entering too fast might exceed the g-force limit of the plane and the pilot may suffer loss of consciousness.[1]
The vertical form of this maneuver is called a Cobra, named after the snake that behaves in a similar manner. Performing the maneuver on the horizontal plane does not result in the plane losing considerable speed. It allows the plane executing this maneuver to fire a missile at the aircraft pursuing it.[2]
Aircraft known to be capable of the maneuver
Aircraft known to be able to make the Cobra maneuver are:
- Sukhoi Su-27 and variants (Su-30 to Su-37)
- Mikoyan MiG-29
- Mikoyan MiG-35
- Sukhoi Su-30MKI
- F-15 ACTIVE
- F-22 Raptor
- Eurofighter Typhoon
- Chengdu J-10
Thrust vectoring aircraft, which should theoretically be able to perform this maneuver (though the air intake still needs to be able to handle the air inflow) includes:
- Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indian Air Force
- Mikoyan MiG-29OVT and Mikoyan MiG-35 'Fulcrum' versions with TVC
- Sukhoi Su-47 was to be equipped with TVC
- F-16 MATV/VISTA
- Rockwell-MBB X-31
- F/A-18 HARV
Maneuvers that are related to the Cobra include the Cobra Turn and the Kulbit.
References
- ^ What is cobra?, AeroWeb.Lucia.it
- ^ That Magnificent Flying Machine. TIME
External links
Video links
- Videoclip 1 @ AeroWeb.Lucia.it
- Videoclip 2: F-22 Raptor
- Videoclip 3: Sukhoi Su-30 MKI
- Videoclip 4: Saab Draken
- Videoclip 5: F-16 MATV
- Videoclip 6: F-18E/F
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