kr9
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There was an old video on Youtube about an air exercise that happened after the end of the cold war.the Cobra is said to be only good enough for airshows, and not for actual combat. is the same true for the other manoeuvres as well? if not, any info/juice on whether the IAF practices them or not in that case, even if they take a toll on the airframe?
For anyone interested in searching for the video:--I think it was part of the "Wings of the Red Star" series or one of the related videos that showed up.
The once East German MiG-29s went against the NATO fighters in a simulated fight. The NATO pilots say that the cobra is useful in a circling dogfight were the pilots have only guns / CCMs. By executing this manoeuvre, the MiGs could momentarily achieve upto +108 degree AoA to bring the cross-hair in alignment with the enemy & get off a burst; or get a lock for their heat-seekers.
The disadvantage of the move is that it greatly reduced the speed; so if the shot does not kill or at least make the enemy evade, then you would be a sitting duck till you can get your speed up again.
With HMDs, we don't need this for CCMs but the manoeuvre would still be effective when using guns.
Another use would be as @AnantS has given.
PS: IAF Su-30s used to do the manoeuvre during 26 January, but they haven't done it for the pas 2-3 years.
I also remember one time when the MKI did a tail slide.