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Old 28th Aug 2015, 15:16
  #7471 (permalink)  
KenV
 
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As for the T-50 video.... Apparently not everyone got the "air combat maneuvering is dead" memo.
Indeed. The T-50's high AOA and slow speed handling is nothing short of eye-wateringly spectacular. Those canted vectored thrust nozzles really work exceptionally well, as apparently do the leading edge vortex controllers, both features unique to the T-50. There are clearly some compromises made in stealth, but none in maneuverability. F-35 went the opposite direction, compromising maneuverability in favor of stealth. We'll have to wait and see which compromise direction turns out to be the better choice.

On the other hand.....

according to the article linked on another thread ( How To Win In A Dogfight: Stories From A Pilot Who Flew F-16s And MiGs ) LtCol Spanky Clifton is not enamored with thrust vectoring nor such slow speed maneuvering in combat. According to him, once you get in a close-in visual fight the old rules still apply and rule #1 is that speed is life (and more is better).

Since India is co-developing the fighter the T-50 will become, it'll be interesting to see what happens when IAF sends its fighters to operate in joint exercises with/against Typhoon, F-22, and F-35.

Last edited by KenV; 28th Aug 2015 at 15:29.
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