Soviet Su-35 doing some crazy maneuvers
 

WTF? For a while I was thinking that this might be radio controlled, but I odn't think it is.

This is some crazy stuff.

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Looks like you still have power.

That's good.

That's actually old video. Upgraded versions are even more agile.

Those Russian aircraft are always impressive in close tight quarters.

Those are called "Crazy Ivans"!

It is what you do in combat that counts. I will admit it is a good show.

Yep, we were without power this morning for about 2 hours, a little after 730 until around 945. Otherwise, we are doing really well, knock on wood. I haven't heard a fat lady beltin' one out yet so I don't want to tempt fate.

I'm somewhat familiar with a Crazy Ivan, but I'm not used to seeing fighters do some of those maneuvers. It seems like I mostly see them in high power to weight acrobatic prop planes.

In some of those, it looks like the thing hovers or goes backwards. Do those things have the moveable nozzles, what is that, thrust vectoring? I know that stuff can make jets dance.

Yep, thrust vectoring...been around for a long time. They have come along way since that vid, and even 3D vectoring nozzles aren't really considered new-tech these days. Still cool (even if somewhat "combat" irrelevant).

I think that term/maneuver pertains to submarines for the aggressive turn(s) used to check the sonar blind spots in their wake.

I think what I was thinking of was a hammerhead or maybe a tailslide.

Yeah, those maneuvers are really interesting, but I also aqlways wonder how that translates into advantages in combat situations. I'm sure vector nozzles come in very handy at 1K+ mph. I hear it's common knowledge the PAK50 is more maneuverable than the F22, but I'm guessing there are many more variables that ultimately come into play.

The cobra

The X31 from back in the 90s.

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Cool stuff.

Overheard from the tower:

Well done yakoff, there will be an extra spoonful of porridge for you tonight. :D

Our's too go up and down, right, left, upside down and land safely. No big deal here at all.

Sure, a plane's a plane, they all perform exactly the same....

Unless trying to break Doppler there's no reason for cobra. Wide-aspect AIM9 does same thing without loss of power curve and SU35 is not a good candidate for AN2 radar evasion. That said I wouldn't want to get into a VR furball with a SU35.

HOBS missiles, especially with a HMS, negate the need for such maneuvers in a real dogfight. All these do is reduce your energy. Our F22s have 2D thrust vectoring but when you use thrust to maneuver you are taking away thrust to accelerate. Think of a FWD car in the corners. The Eurofighter Typhoon gives our Raptors fits WVR because of it.

The US has a few planes that can hit 90* alpha without thrust vectoring but with little control. The F-14 test pilots could do it. The F/A-18 also off the top of my head. The X29 could reach nearly 60* alpha and still maintain control, but again the high off bore sight missiles render that ability moot.

It does make an impressive air show.

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