Kulbit
The "Kulbit"(also known as the"Frolov chakra") is anaerial maneuverdeveloped byRussianpilots in which the aircraft performs an extremely tight loop, often not much wider than the length of the aircraft itself. It differs from the traditionalinside loopas it usespost-stallmaneuvering capabilities,[1] a type ofsupermaneuverability.[1]Like most post-stall maneuvers, it demonstrates pitch control outside the normal flight envelope wherein pitch control is made possible by having aerodynamic flow over the aircraft'selevatorsorstabilators.
The name "Kulbit" is derived from theRussianКульбит, meaning "somersault".The alternate name," Frolov's Chakra ", refers to Russian test pilot Yevgeni Frolov, the pilot who first carried out the maneuver, while"chakra"is ayogicterm, meaning "vortex" or "whirlpool".
The Kulbit drastically decreases the aircraft's speed 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.
Aircraft known to be able to execute the "Kulbit"
[edit]The following aircraft are currently known to be able to execute the "Kulbit":
- F-22 Raptor[2][3]
- MiG-29OVT[4]
- Sukhoi Su-30
- Sukhoi Su-35[5]
- Sukhoi Su-37[6]
- Sukhoi Su-47 Berkut
- Sukhoi Su-57
All have performed the Kulbit in airshow displays in the past.
References
[edit]- ^ab"Fighter Technology of the Future".Archived fromthe originalon 2012-02-07.Retrieved2007-08-22.
- ^Archived atGhostarchiveand theWayback Machine:"F-22 Raptor Performs Somersault (Kulbit)".YouTube.
- ^F-22 Raptor Kulbit video
- ^Double Kulbit by MiG-29OVT
- ^"Летчики ВВО проверили новейшие истребители Су-35 на сверхманевренность".4 March 2015.
- ^Kulbit by SU-37
