VIFF.

This is coolbert:

The Russians have it. The Chinese have it. The English had it. The Americans do not have it?

VIFF = thrust vector in forward flight.

"Thrust vectoring, also thrust vector control or TVC, is the ability of an aircraft, rocket, or other vehicle to manipulate the direction of the thrust from its engine(s) or motor(s) in order to control the attitude or angular velocity of the vehicle."

Modern Russian and Chinese warplanes having TVC and the "one-up" game-changer? TVC allowing for aerial combat maneuvers that cannot be matched. Russian and Chinese combat aviators now possessing an undisputed advantage?

1. "Harriers Could Gain the Upper Hand in a Dogfight by Literally Stopping Midair"

2. "China's New Upgrade Makes Its Fighter Jets Wildly Maneuverable"

 The J-10 fighter plane gets thrust vector control, a technology that allows for wild acrobatic aerial maneuvers.

3.  "Sukhoi SU-57 Russian Super Stealth fighter jets Amazing maneuver"

Thrust vectoring the proverbial game-changer? Russian and Chinese combat pilots will possess an overwhelming advantage in technology for which the opposition will have no answer? Is that what this is?

From a conversation with an acknowledged aviation authority regarding this matter:

"Those capabilities can be countered if an opponent is aware and expecting them. Many Russian planes have long had the thrust vectoring abilities, so this is now not unique in ACM [Air combat maneuvering]. The Western allies have been training with these characteristics in mind, and their tactics and strategies are developed to deal with them. These can include certain maneuvers, different tactics and even strategies. It is an enhanced capability for those new Chinese fighter planes, but it is no longer a game changer."

Forewarned is forearmed. 

Thrust vectoring impressive YES but hardly the "game changer" as many might assume.

coolbert.