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The Pugachev's Cobra (or Pugachev Cobra) is an aircraft cobra maneuver. 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 (i.e. supermaneuverability[1]). The maneuver allows for very quick turns which can make an attack fail or put the pilot in a position to execute an attack. It is an example of air combat maneuvering (ACM), specifically poststall maneuvering[2]. 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 in 1989 at the Paris Le Bourget air show.
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Description
The maneuver consists of the pilot pulling the aircraft to a 90°–120° angle of attack, then back down to zero. In a properly performed Pugachev's Cobra, the plane maintains a straight and level flight throughout the maneuver. 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 results in the aircraft effectively stopping while the enemy overshoots, leaving the aircraft in a position for a straightforward missile attack on the enemy aircraft.[3]
Aircraft known to be able to make the Cobra maneuver
Aircraft known to be able to make the Cobra maneuver are:
- The Su-27 'Flanker' family (from horizontal flight);
- The MiG-29 'Fulcrum' (from a 30 degree up angle);
- The SAAB J-35 Draken; and
- The F/A-18E/F (from horizontal flight).
Thrust vectoring aircraft, such as:
- The F-22 Raptor;
- The Su-30 'Flanker';
- The Su-37 'Flanker-F';
- The Su-47 'Berkut';
- The MiG 1.42;
- The F-15 ACTIVE;
- The F-16 MATV/VISTA; and
- The NASA Rockwell-MBB X-31
should be able to perform this maneuver more easily, though note that the air intake still needs to be able to handle the air inflow.
- Russian fighters, designed for high maneuverability, are known for performing this maneuver at air shows for dramatic effect.
- Until recently, the German Luftwaffe have performed the maneuver with Cold-War era MiG-29s (for example at the air show for the Royal Dutch Air Force at Gilze-Rijen Airforce Base, in 2002).
- The Eurofighter Typhoon should be able to perform this maneuver, as long as the engines stay lit.
- Some rumors also say that the F-35 Lightning II can also perform this maneuver, but there are no confirmed reports.
Maneuvers that are related to the Cobra include the Cobra Turn and the Kulbit.
