Yes - we lost one of our CF-188s practicing for this...
Seriously - this, the cobra and basic TVC turns are not really worth debating. Draken's can do cobras, the F-22 can do TVC turns (in pitch/roll at least)...
What can be debated:
- Sustained high AOA turns, stability in them
- The possible advantage of TVC in yaw
- Purely aerodynamic maneuverability and controllability of super-maneuverable turns (or recovery from them)
- The fact that all of the control surfaces can operate separately in the Pak-FA (e.g. the Levcons can be used a drag rudders in yaw), and what advantages may come from such advanced programming.
- High speed maneuverability (important for BVR combat)
- Use of advanced parts of the flight envelop to maximise stealth in a known direction
This last one is interesting - once a target is acquired can the computer pick the ideal angle for defeating radar lock (and use the complex aerodynamic controls to position the aircraft without completely changing flight direction)?
