ORIGINAL: cyclops2
I can see where conventional jet fighter pilots could get suckered by the super Russian fighters with vector thrusting and follow them into a stall in thin air.
They would have to find a quick way to recover before the vector plane reverses and kills them.
Many big twin engined fighters with vectored thrust look like slobby targets to nimble fighters till it becomes a vertical horsepower fight.
Never go vertical and slow down if your enemy can rapidly accelerate straight up.
I have talked with many F16 pilots in my career. According to them, zooming vertical in a fight only presents a fantastic heat signature for a missile to lock on to. It has little or no tactical value once in a fight. They climb vertically to gain height quickly
before engaging.
The Russian cobra thingy looks great at airshows but it has little value in a fight as well. The plane is nearly stationary for a long time compared to its opponents -- long enough to get shot down. They would have to be very lucky to score a kill that way. Remember, fighters rarely travel alone. Speed continues to be life to a fighter pilot from what they tell me.