Let's have a discussion about air-to-air combat tactics. All that below is my own opinion, except what has been quoted for background information.
Since it was first publicly performed at the Paris Air Show 20 years ago, the maneuver known as "The Cobra" has raised eyebrows among those who understand the physics involved in such a maneuver. It has been touted as being capable of giving the pilot performing it a significant advantage in air-to-air combat because it's supposed to cause an opponent in a superior tactical position to overshoot the target performing "The Cobra" and pass by, putting what was the trailing aircraft into position in front of the aircraft which was in a targeted position.
Personally, I believe this would only be the case in a tiny fraction of air-to-air combat situations and if the opposing aircraft was in a position to see such a maneuver beginning to be attempted he could easily fire his shot with a close-range missile or cannon at that time and score a quick kill, if he/she hadn't already done so. I think it's nothing more than an airshow stunt, meant to intimidate those who fly aircraft incapable of performing such a maneuver.
For those who are not familiar with Pugachev's Cobra, here's some background information...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pugachev%27s_Cobra
The Pugachev's Cobra (or Pugachev Cobra) is an example of supermaneuverability in air combat maneuvering (ACM), specifically poststall maneuvering. 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. The maneuver allows for very quick turns which can make an attack fail, or put the pilot in a position to execute an attack. 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 officially in 1989 at the Paris Le Bourget air show.
Description
Initially the pilot has to disengage the angle of attack limiter of the plane. This action also disengages the g limiter. After that the pilot must pull the stick hard. The aircraft reaches 90°–120° angle of attack with a slight gain of altitude and a significant loss of speed. When the elevator is centered, the drag at the rear of the plane causes torque, thus making the aircraft pitch forward. At that time the pilot must add power to compensate the speed loss. In a properly performed Pugachev's Cobra, the plane maintains an almost straight flight throughout the maneuver; the plane does not roll or yaw on either direction. Proper entry speed is significant because if entering too slow, the pilot might not be able to accomplish the maneuver; entering too fast might exceed the g-force limit of the plane and the pilot may suffer loss of consciousness.
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.
Aircraft known to be able to make the Cobra maneuver are:
* Chengdu J-10
* Shenyang J-11B
* Sukhoi Su-27 and variants (Su-30 to Su-37)
* Mikoyan MiG-29
* Mikoyan MiG-35
* Saab Draken
* F-22 Raptor
* Dassault Rafale
Thrust vectoring aircraft, which should theoretically be able to perform this maneuver more easily (though note that the air intake still needs to be able to handle the air inflow) include:
* Sukhoi Su-27 'Flanker' family is often equipped with TVC
* Mikoyan MiG-29OVT and Mikoyan MiG-35 'Fulcrum' versions with TVC
* Sukhoi Su-47 was to be equipped with TVC
* F-15 ACTIVE
* F/A-18 HARV
* F-22 Raptor
Maneuvers that are related to the Cobra include the Cobra Turn and the Kulbit.
Slider... <sniff, sniff>... you stink.
