Photo: A frame from the video
The National Interest magazine published a material in which it tried to analyze a hypothetical battle between Russian and American fighters-the Su-35 and F-35, F-15 and F-16. “Who will win?”, the analyst asks.
The article notes that the Russian Su-35 fighter made a splash in the military media of the West. The author writes that Russia is now making great efforts to modernize its military equipment and the Su-35 is a good example.
“How will the four F-35s behave when faced with the four Su-35s? Most likely, it will change course and cause the F-22 (Raptor)and F-15C, ” the author notes, explaining that it is the latter aircraft that are designed to establish and maintain air superiority.
But at the same time, in the conditions of real combat operations, it is not always possible to choose the optimal solution. It may happen that the F-35 will have to make do on its own.
The analyst advises in this case, the F-35 pilots, using the stealth of their aircraft, as well as on-board detection devices, to fight out of sight, avoiding closer contact. Otherwise, the F-35 will become vulnerable to the Su-35.
The fact is that the Raptor was originally developed for air combat, and the F-35 is not intended for this.
The author emphasizes that the F-35 does not have the maneuverability of the Raptor — and even the F-16 or F/A-18, and when meeting with the Su-35, only the superiority of the pilot can save the plane.
However, the US has few Raptors, and the F-15C is getting smaller. In a real war, the commanders will have to use the F-35 to gain air superiority.
The article notes that the Su—35 fighter was purchased by Indonesia, Russia is also going to supply these aircraft to China and this is a “really dangerous combat vehicle”, which in many respects is not inferior to the latest versions of the F—15 or even surpasses them.
If the Su-35 loses a little in the maximum speed of the F—15, then it surpasses in acceleration, and with a small load, the aircraft is able to maintain supersonic speed without resorting to the use of afterburners.
At low speeds, the Su-35 has an insurmountable advantage. It has a thrust vector controlled in three dimensions and incredible maneuverability.