The Rafale performed a very elegant roll, only to be quickly "shot down."
During the China-Egypt joint air exercise "Hawks of Civilizations-2026," the Chinese J-16 heavy fighter engaged in one-on-one dogfighting drills against Egypt's Rafale fighter jet. CCTV has released rare footage capturing these intense moments.
In close-range combat (dogfight), the lighter and more agile Rafale attempted to use its high roll rate for maneuvering to evade, employing a negative-energy tactic by trying to force the J-16 to overshoot through rolling maneuvers. However, the J-16—possessing vastly superior energy advantage—swiftly secured an attacking position, pinning the Rafale in its rear hemisphere, instantly placing it at a tactical disadvantage, even appearing to be "shot down" in the frame.
Rolling is a battle of energy and angle—a typical defensive maneuver for the Rafale fighter. As a medium-sized aircraft with a canard layout, the Rafale boasts excellent instantaneous turn capability and roll rate (yes, the J-10C fighter shares this trait). In aerial combat, pilots attempt to rapidly roll to reorient the nose, seeking counterattack opportunities or breaking free from lock-on.
However, such maneuvers carry high risks when facing heavier, energy-focused fighters like the J-16. Thanks to its twin-engine, high-thrust propulsion system providing ample residual energy, the J-16 can easily keep pace with and sustain high-speed maneuvers. Leveraging the principles of "energy-maneuverability theory," it can rapidly gain positional advantage by diving to accelerate or climbing to store energy in the vertical plane, swiftly securing an attack window behind the Rafale (the six o'clock position). Once the J-16 locks onto the tail, the Rafale’s attempts to escape via rolling often prove futile.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1874544798267408/
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