Originally posted by titus
do they mean flying backwards?
Yes, absolutely.
Су-30МК в airwar.ru:
translation of part of the Su-30MK article:
Aircraft Su-30MK's aerodynamic configuration is unstable in all 3 axes. For increase in lift and maneuverability canards are installed, which rotate automatically to ensure steady flight at all angles of attack. This integral aerodynamic configuration, combined with automatic thrust vectoring, ensures state-of-the-art maneuverability and excellent takeoff and landing performance. Equipped with digital fly-by-wire, Su-30MK can do several unique maneuvers used for anti-missile defense and achievement of advantage (e.g. forcing an overshoot) in close combat. These already-known maneuvers are kolokol "bell", kobra "cobra". Also are some maneuvers which are yet impossible on other aircraft, the kulbit "somersault" - a maneuver in which the aircraft carries out a revolution in the pitching plane of 360 degrees without the loss of height. Also is the upravlenniye ploskii shtopor (positive yaw/roll and angular rate reversal, during post-stall flight). This is when aircraft accomplishes complete horizontal turn with reversal of rotation without having forward motion, falling in one spot.
Example of kulbit to engage helicopter with forward-firing missiles. - scroll all the way to the bottom to see the image. Site does not allow hot linking. Sorry but it's in Slovak too. It was the only pic i could find that shows tactical use of kulbit.
[Edited on 16-5-2004 by Amet Khan]
