The Sukhoi 30 goes into reverse
April 15, 2010
Watch the video
The Russian Sukhoi 30 defies the understanding of an aeronautical engineer like myself. One recalls that the Russians were the first to surprise the aeronautical world with their fighters capable of performing the "Cobra maneuver." The secret lay in the implementation of a "corner-cracking nozzle," also known as a "vectoring nozzle." In the case of this Cobra maneuver, the vectoring apparently occurred in the up-down direction. The nozzles of the first jet aircraft of the 1940s, such as the Thunderjet, were fixed nozzles with a "constant expansion ratio."
The Thunderjet 8-84 (here in the colors of the French Air Force patrol). Image source: link above
They were thus designed to operate optimally only at altitude, when the expelled gases were at ambient pressure at that altitude. On the runway, these gases were "overexpanded," which led to a decrease in performance. The first improvement was therefore to develop variable-section nozzles:
"Petal" of a variable-section nozzle, here at ground level with minimal expansion ratio
The petals are driven by actuators.
Now, aircraft manufacturers have succeeded in creating nozzles that can not only have variable exit sections, but also direct their jet in a given direction.
Vectoring nozzle: directionally adjustable
This vectoring can reach 90°. Example, the American vertical takeoff fighter F-35 B:
Videos of the aircraft's maneuvers:
Hovering flight:
Takeoff with simple afterburning:
Complete cycle of maneuvers:
From the deck of an aircraft carrier:
Detail of the vectoring nozzle of the F-35 B, tilted downward at 90°
The F-35 B performing a perfectly stabilized vertical takeoff
The same aircraft, viewed from the rear
Fans of the Largo Winch comic albums (number 15, page 25) will note the hero's mention of "the secret weapon of the aeronautics division of the W Group": the Mowgli III business jet, with vertical takeoff capability.
The video of the Russian aircraft now suggests complete mastery of vectoring, combined with the action of aerodynamic control surfaces, including "whiskers" clearly visible in the photo above. Control surfaces that, as the maneuvers progress, move in all directions.
The aircraft transforms into... an iron, then goes into a spin, and exits like a cat, with a sudden twist. Indeed, despite the severe crisis caused by the collapse of the former Soviet Union, the Russians remain remarkable engineers. One can find an equivalent in highly maneuverable aircraft in this video showing the maneuvers of the American F-22 "Raptor," which also exploits the possibilities offered by vectoring thrust.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GW2Hvu_mUdU&feature=related
In the following PowerPoint presentation, one will find a presentation of another "made in Russia" product, a cargo aircraft landing on a train composed of 28 wheels (the spare wheels are visible in the fuselage). Appreciate the ruggedness and lack of design that continues in the tradition of these products.
The Antonov 225, the largest aircraft in the world
Wingspan 85 meters (73 for the Airbus 380). Length 90 meters (80 for the French aircraft)
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