Originally posted by WestPoint23

Originally posted by JFrazier
The F-22 demonstrated a 120 degree Cobra a few months ago in an airshow.

It also demonstrated the "Kulbit", and if I may add both of these were done with a full internal weapons and fuel load.

Why was an F-22 carrying a full weapons load at an airshow

Originally posted by BlackWidow23
Why was an F-22 carrying a full weapons load at an airshow

According to the pilot who flew the Raptor during those maneuvers it's SOP, almost every time the Raptor flies in public, other than for testing purposes, it always has a full internal load. It may sound strange but this is so the Raptor's true maneuvering capabilities aren't demonstrated and because there is less risk since they are carried internally.

USAF leaders don't want pilots showing the public just how maneuverable the Raptor is. These demonstrations were not scripted, the pilot was part of a larger air show and was 'burning fuel' in the back while he awaited his turn, not surprisingly his maneuvers became the highlights of the show. Once it was noted by the brass the word was put out and you will likely never see such maneuvers done in public again by the F-22, not even the official 2008 demo team will not repeat them

[edit on 4-1-2007 by WestPoint23]

the first video link wasn't to bad but i must say westpoint that its hard to see whats going on in the 2nd one. I think i got a good idea what happened but its hard to visualize the area that the 22 did the high alpha loop in since the camera is so shaky.

as for the whole sustained high AOA flight im sure they can do it at +60 but to sustain the angle that the 22 goes to in the cobra would be rediculous it like... +120? I'm not sure someone who has the facts can correct me. keep in mind sustained +60 is darn good

very well.......

The supermaneuverability does not mean you can avoid attack or shoot away from enemy fighter several ten nm, but means you will have the omnidirectional attack capability when you were fallen into besiegers.

The first Cobra manuvers was as it's probably stated elswere in this tread, by the sweedes, in a Saab Draken.

Why the russian Mig29 and Sukhoi can do this is mainly due to the wing design, the wing is the wing that has been tested for the longest time in the world, this is what even the allies call, "the perfect wing".

And the latest Sukhoi, only need about 50 km/h for forward momentum after the summersault manuver, witch is, EXTREMLY low speed, and also means that at a lower turn in speed, the Sukhoi is most likly the winner in all gun vs gun close combat's.

the US's Raptor, just aint good enough, and will most liky crash and burn due to the wing been a composite wing.

Originally posted by Phoebus
the US's Raptor, just aint good enough, and will most liky crash and burn due to the wing been a composite wing.

Why?