Kulbit
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The "Kulbitinscy" (or simply, "Kulbit") is an aerial maneuver developed by Russian pilots, in which the aircraft performs an incredibly tight diametered loop, often not much wider than the length of the aircraft itself. It is an example of post-stall maneuvering[1], a type of supermaneuverability[2]. Like most post-stall maneuvers, it demonstrates pitch control outside of the flight envelope where pitch control would normally be possible by aerodynamic flow over the aircraft's elevators or stabilators.
The Kulbit drastically decelerates the aircraft and could theoretically be used to cause a pursuing aircraft to overshoot its target. The maneuver is closely related to the famous "Pugachev's Cobra" maneuver, but the Kulbit completes the loop that the Cobra almost immediately cuts off.
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[edit] Combat use
Use of the Kulbit maneuver has never been recorded under actual combat conditions, and its practicality in such a situation is still under debate. However, even the most skeptical observers generally acknowledge its effectiveness as an impressive airshow stunt.
[edit] Aircraft known to be able to execute the "Kulbit"
The following aircraft are currently known to be able to execute the "Kulbit":
All have performed the Kulbit in airshow displays in the past.
It is rumored that the Sukhoi Su-27 can also perform the maneuver, though that claim is under dispute. Ultra-modern thrust vectoring aircraft (such as the experimental Russian Sukhoi Su-47 Berkut) should, theoretically, also be able to perform the maneuver. No public record of any other aircraft performing the maneuver has been recorded.
The F-22 Raptor demonstrated the Kulbit maneuver at the 2007 Langley demonstration.[4] Further, the F-15 ACTIVE should be able to perform the Kulbit as well.[citation needed]
[edit] References
- ^ Fighter Technology of the Future
- ^ Fighter Technology of the Future
- ^ SU-37 Kulbit
- ^ 2007 Langley Air demonstration
