Cobra Turn

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The Cobra Turn is a fighter aircraft maneuver. It is a variation on the Pugachev's Cobra where the aircraft performs the pull-up, but instead of returning to level flight applies rudder or thrust vectoring and turns downward. Many experts[Who?] consider the Pugachev's Cobra to have little use in air combat maneuvering, but the Cobra Turn is likely to be of some value. The main argument against the traditional cobra is the lack of velocity after the maneuver is finished, but the Cobra Turn would most likely avoid this problem as it gains velocity in its brief near vertical dive. The Cobra Turn first gained widespread attention after it was performed by the Sukhoi Su-27, Su-35 and Su-37 at various European airshows. The Su-37 was also the first aircraft to demonstrate the Super-cobra. Since then the F-22A Raptor has also demonstrated the capability to perform the Cobra Turn (from level flight).

  • Gordon, Y. Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker: Air Superiority Fighter. Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-84037-029-7. 


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