Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!apple!rutgers!att!cbnews!military From: paj@gec-mrc.co.uk (paj) Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: The Snakebite/Pougachev's Cobra Message-ID: <1990Oct15.033716.12587@cbnews.att.com> Date: 15 Oct 90 03:37:16 GMT Sender: military-request@att.att.com Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Lines: 15 Approved: military@att.att.com From: paj I saw this manouver done on the Soviet Su-27 Flanker on TV during the Farnborough Airshow. Does it have any practical use, or is it just a neat display exercise (like the Harrier's bow)? I imagine that it would cause rapid deceleration (causing the bogie to fly past into your sights) and might hide the engine well enough to lose any heat-seekers. Even exhaust-seeking IR missiles might nip past under the tail since the exhaust jet no longer has the plane beyond it. Paul.