---
title: Cobra Maneuver
slug: cobra-maneuver-590e7
url: /detay/cobra-maneuver-590e7
type: article
language: English
entity:
  primary: Cobra Maneuver
  type: article
  disambiguation: Spectacular Cobra maneuver: extreme aircraft agility & pilot skill.  See videos!
  categories:
    - name: Aviation And Space
      slug: havacilik-ve-uzay
      url: /kategori/havacilik-ve-uzay
    - name: Vehicles And Transportation Technologies
      slug: tasitlar-ve-ulasim-teknolojileri
      url: /kategori/tasitlar-ve-ulasim-teknolojileri
    - name: Defense Industry Technologies
      slug: savunma-sanayi-teknolojileri
      url: /kategori/savunma-sanayi-teknolojileri
  tags:
    - Cobra Maneuver
    - Post-stall maneuvers
    - Jet maneuvers
    - Su-27 Flanker
    - Turkish Air Force
    - Thrust Vectoring
    - solotürk
    - F-16
author: Ahsen Güneş
created_at: 2025-08-16T17:41:25.933978+03:00
updated_at: 2025-09-11T12:40:05.690936+03:00
image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/08/16/T2heGZqUteeBIKlil7tcnpP7L7XeYhrn.png
---

# Cobra Maneuver

<!-- CONTEXT: KURE Information Cards for "Cobra Maneuver" -->

## KURE Information Cards

![thumbs_b_c_70ff50cd1ba8f6cd94b455415b4df935 (2).jpg](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/08/16/yciNzpasndpqbyBzQpx08z5suj08L0GW.jpg)
*Cobra Maneuver*

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| First Use(Text) | 1980s |
| Operational Requirements | Advanced Flight Control and Thrust Vectoring Systems |
| Risk Level | High; Especially at Low Speeds and Altitudes |
| Maneuver Phases | Nose Up – Stall/Hold – Rotation – Recovery |
| Turkish Implementation | SOLOTÜRK with F-16, 2022 |
| Applicable Aircraft | Su-27, Su-30, Su-35, Su-57, MiG-29, OVT, F-22, F-16 VISTA |
| Primary Objective | Disrupt Enemy Targeting and Missile Lock |
| First Implementer | Viktor Pugachev (Su-27, USSR) |

<!-- CONTEXT: Article Content for "Cobra Maneuver" -->

## Article Content

The [Cobra maneuver](/en/detay/kobra-manevrasi-59293/llms.txt) is an advanced aerial maneuver in which an aircraft, after reaching a certain speed, suddenly pitches its nose upward to a near-vertical position while its speed drops to a minimum, holds this attitude briefly, and then returns to level flight. During the maneuver, the aircraft reaches a high [angle of attack](/en/detay/angle-of-attack-0aa55/llms.txt), temporarily losing aerodynamic lift. It is commonly known as the **“Pugachev’s Cobra.”**

[YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mN9ZAfadpE)
*Cobra Maneuver (DrMitsos)*

### **Aerodynamic Characteristics**

During the Cobra, the aircraft momentarily loses the effect of conventional control surfaces and relies primarily on fuselage aerodynamics and, if equipped, thrust vectoring. Although the aircraft enters a temporary aerodynamic stall, advanced flight control systems, thrust vectoring, and directed airflow ensure that control is maintained.

![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2025/05/24/TXCYXjTraPeun2NofpHXwerxGIbT3obI.png)
*Kobra Manevrası (Wei Xu, Fu Zhang)*

### **SOLOTÜRK and the Cobra Maneuver**

Türkiye’s Air Force aerobatic team **SOLOTÜRK** performed a Cobra-like maneuver in 2022 at low altitude and low speed with a fixed-nozzle [F-16](/en/detay/f-16-fighting-falcon-7a55b/llms.txt), executing a rapid nose-up movement. This was considered the first such demonstration with a fixed-exhaust F-16 platform globally. Pilots **Major Emre Mert** and **Major Murat Bakıcı** developed the maneuver through extensive training, showcasing new capabilities of the F-16. This maneuver has been included in the [SOLOTÜRK](/en/detay/soloturk-bf02c/llms.txt) demonstration package since 2022.

[YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9akrH-d0rk)
*SOLOTURK Cobra Maneuver (Aviation CZ)*

### **Research Applications**

Academic studies have explored the Cobra maneuver for tail-sitter VTOL UAVs. A 2019 study applied acceleration-based iterative learning control to a small VTOL UAV called **“Hong Hu”**, minimizing vertical displacement while balancing low-speed effects and environmental disturbances. The control strategy relied on direct acceleration measurements, eliminating the need for complex modeling.

![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2026/02/11/cobra-maneuver-590e7-07_2022%2F10_Mayis%2F21%2F20220521_2_53615574_77190609.jpg)
*SOLOTURK Cobra Maneuver (AA)*

### **Purpose of the Maneuver**

Primarily, the Cobra is performed in airshows to display an aircraft’s agility and pilot skill. In UAV applications, the maneuver allows temporary slowing and precise data collection, which is advantageous in reconnaissance missions.

<!-- CONTEXT: Academic Sources and References for "Cobra Maneuver" -->

## Academic Sources and References

1. Anadolu Agency. “SOLOTÜRK Surpasses F-16 Limits with New Maneuver.” AA, May 22, 2022. Accessed May 24, 2025. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/gundem/soloturk-yeni-manevrasiyla-f-16-sinirlarini-asti/2593881
2. Xu, Wei; Haowei Gu; Fu Zhang. “Acceleration Based Iterative Learning Control for Pugachev's Cobra Maneuver with Quadrotor Tail-sitter VTOL UAVs.” IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, preprint February 2020. Accessed May 24, 2025. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333650141\_Acceleration\_Based\_Iterative\_Learning\_Control\_for\_Pugachev's\_Cobra\_Maneuver\_with\_Quadrotor\_Tail-sitter\_VTOL\_UAVs
3. YouTube. “F-16C | COBRA | Solo Türk | SIAF 2022.” Accessed May 24, 2025. https://youtu.be/l9akrH-d0rk
4. YouTube. “Su-33 Unsuccessful cobra landing attempt - Admiral Kuznetsov (RuAF).” Accessed May 24, 2025. https://youtu.be/8mN9ZAfadpE?si=9SaIkKcGElmUb9pa