Pugachev/Cobra Maneuver - practical?
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Pugachev/Cobra Maneuver - practical?
Hi,
I'm just wondering on why there's a split opinion on the Pugachev/Cobra maneuver. I recall when it first done in 1989 it looked impressive but the west didn't really see the practicality in it- what's wrong with letting the enemy plane pass you and then your "pop" a rocket at it from behind?
I'm just wondering on why there's a split opinion on the Pugachev/Cobra maneuver. I recall when it first done in 1989 it looked impressive but the west didn't really see the practicality in it- what's wrong with letting the enemy plane pass you and then your "pop" a rocket at it from behind?
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An absolute last ditch manoeuvre, with nowhere to go but a Martin Baker letdown (if you're lucky) if you don't get it right.
I think it breaks the cardinal rule of air combat, doesn't it? Maintaining your energy and having the ability to break away - and get far, far away in minimum time - is just about 90% of the game.
I think it breaks the cardinal rule of air combat, doesn't it? Maintaining your energy and having the ability to break away - and get far, far away in minimum time - is just about 90% of the game.
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How about tearing down a wide valley on Red Flag with an Agressor F5 lining up for a guns...
Bung out high drag airbrake, full power and crank on 70 degrees bank.
To quote the pilot 'suddenly my screen was filled by large delta - had to break away - no kill, had to change my pants!'
The unexpected is a useful tool...
Bung out high drag airbrake, full power and crank on 70 degrees bank.
To quote the pilot 'suddenly my screen was filled by large delta - had to break away - no kill, had to change my pants!'
The unexpected is a useful tool...
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To quote the pilot 'suddenly my screen was filled by large delta - had to break away - no kill, had to change my pants!'
Although the manoevre may have little combat value in itself, as John Farley points out in his book the ability to do it indicates a high degree of engine/intake capability which allows many other changes of direction while maintaining full power - a factor known to be useful since Spitfire/Bf109 combat.
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"Well Boss, I was just demonstrating the aircraft's high degree of engine/intake capability when this unspeakable bloody oik gunned me, most unsporting".
Hopr that this comes out OK (first time trying to post). Ant offers for the camers ship? From memory, Anatoly didn't move all that far rearwards duriong the cobra. http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/u...liet44/001.jpg"
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As Fitter2 said. When we saw that manoeuvre for the first time, we spent a couple of days with pencils and calculators working out what it told us about the engines, inlet design, general flight capabilities, and where else such elements might be used. We went "ooh" a lot. Very capable design indeed.
Flight Tester
The cobra was developed during the closing stages of the Cold War as part of a relatively simple anti-AWACS tactic that exploited the doppler notch and took advantage of the anti-radar Kh-31's long range WEZ (120 miles, according to some reports).
The plan was to have two elements of two Flankers flying in very close formation so as to prevent AWACs breakout of four distinct targets. At the correct point in time/space, the two wingmen would cobra in order to rapidly enter the notch, while the two flight leads would hook turn away from the target. The notching Flankers would then descend, still in the notch, and sneak under the AWACS' coverage (or use ground clutter/terrain masking to mask their approach for as long as possible). Once they were in range for the shot, they would pop-up and engage the target.
The plan did not require them to remain undetected for the entire duration of the tactic, but just long enough that they caught the HVACAP by surprise and were able to get into the Kh-31 WEZ.
I asked some AWACS mates if they thought it would have worked and they were of mixed opinion. There is also some debate about whether the 'AWACS killer' Kh-31 ever existed. Suffice to say, the Russians certainly trained to execute the tactic itself.
Anyway, that is the real story behind the cobra.
The cobra was developed during the closing stages of the Cold War as part of a relatively simple anti-AWACS tactic that exploited the doppler notch and took advantage of the anti-radar Kh-31's long range WEZ (120 miles, according to some reports).
The plan was to have two elements of two Flankers flying in very close formation so as to prevent AWACs breakout of four distinct targets. At the correct point in time/space, the two wingmen would cobra in order to rapidly enter the notch, while the two flight leads would hook turn away from the target. The notching Flankers would then descend, still in the notch, and sneak under the AWACS' coverage (or use ground clutter/terrain masking to mask their approach for as long as possible). Once they were in range for the shot, they would pop-up and engage the target.
The plan did not require them to remain undetected for the entire duration of the tactic, but just long enough that they caught the HVACAP by surprise and were able to get into the Kh-31 WEZ.
I asked some AWACS mates if they thought it would have worked and they were of mixed opinion. There is also some debate about whether the 'AWACS killer' Kh-31 ever existed. Suffice to say, the Russians certainly trained to execute the tactic itself.
Anyway, that is the real story behind the cobra.