T. Belman. Russian SU-35 jets will be delivered to Iran in March.
In this analysis, we will delve into the specifications, strengths, and weaknesses of both the F-35 and Su-35, exploring how their characteristics might influence the potential outcome of a battle. However, it’s essential to note that any theoretical engagement between these fighter jets would be influenced by a wide range of variables, making it challenging to definitively predict a winner.
US F-35, Russian Su-35 ‘Clash’ Over Syria
Deputy head of the Russian Center for the Reconciliation of the Warring Parties (CPVS) in Syria, Rear Admiral Vadim Kulit, alleged on August 15 that the incident occurred in the Al-Tanf area.
“On August 14, from 12:35 to 12:50, in the Al-Tanf area at an altitude of about 9,100 meters, there was a dangerous rapprochement between two coalition F-35 fighters and two Su-35 aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces, which were making a planned flight along the southern border of Syria. Russian pilots, demonstrating high professionalism, took the necessary measures promptly to prevent a collision with coalition fighters,” he said.
F-35 vs Su-35 Detailed Comparison
Let’s delve into a more detailed comparison between the F-35 and the Su-35 across various aspects:
Design and Technology:
F-35:
- Fifth-generation stealth fighter with emphasis on low observability (radar cross-section reduction) to evade enemy radar.
- Integrated sensor fusion system that combines data from radar, infrared sensors, and other sources to provide a comprehensive situational awareness.
- Three main variants: F-35A (conventional takeoff and landing), F-35B (short takeoff and vertical landing), and F-35C (carrier-based).
- Multirole capabilities: air-to-air combat, ground attack, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare.
Su-35:
- Fourth-generation heavy-class fighter with advanced avionics and maneuverability.
- Thrust-vectoring engines for enhanced agility and maneuverability, allowing for complex aerobatic maneuvers.
- Equipped with a powerful radar (Irbis-E) that offers long-range detection and tracking of multiple targets.
- Primarily focused on air superiority and aerial combat missions.
Stealth and Survivability:
The F-35 has a significant advantage in stealth technology, reducing its radar cross-section and making it harder for enemy radars to detect and track. This gives the F-35 the edge in maintaining situational awareness and potentially launching the first strike.
Maneuverability:
The Su-35’s thrust-vectoring engines provide exceptional maneuverability, allowing it to perform tight turns, post-stall maneuvers, and other acrobatics. This gives the Su-35 an advantage in close-range dogfights and dynamic engagements.
Sensor and Avionics:
The F-35’s sensor fusion system is a standout feature, providing pilots with a comprehensive picture of the battlespace. This enhances target identification, tracking, and engagement capabilities.
The Su-35’s Irbis-E radar offers long-range detection and tracking, improving its ability to engage targets at a distance. However, its avionics suite may not be as integrated as that of the F-35.
Weapon Systems:
The F-35’s weapon bays are designed to maintain its stealth profile, carrying a variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions internally. It also has the capacity to carry external weapons on pylons.
The Su-35 can carry a wide array of air-to-air missiles and air-to-ground munitions on external hardpoints, which could provide more versatility in loadouts but may compromise its radar cross-section.
Range and Endurance:
The F-35 generally has a longer combat radius and endurance due to its efficient design and internal fuel storage. This can be a strategic advantage in longer engagements and extended missions.
Operational Cost:
The F-35’s advanced technology and capabilities come with a higher operational cost compared to the Su-35. This could influence the number of sorties that can be conducted over a sustained period.
F-35 vs Su-35 Data Table
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Here’s a data table summarizing some key specifications of the F-35 and the Su-35 for comparison:
If both jets are in a fight, which one will win?
In a scenario of close-quarters, direct combat between the F-35 and the Su-35, the Russian jet could potentially hold the advantage due to its higher speed and superior maneuverability. However, if the engagement were to commence at a significant distance, the F-35 might have an improved opportunity for success. This advantage would arise from the F-35’s stealth capabilities and its advanced radar system, which could enable it to launch stealthy missiles and achieve a favorable outcome.
Presently, if such a battle were to transpire, the Su-35 might possess a marginal upper hand over the F-35 due to its attributes of speed and maneuverability. Nonetheless, if this hypothetical encounter were to unfold in the future, the F-35 could emerge as the more advantageous contender. This shift in favor could be attributed to the forthcoming upgrades and advancements anticipated for the F-35, which, based on available information, would enhance its overall performance and effectiveness.
In essence, the outcome of such a battle hinges on the circumstances surrounding the engagement, the starting distance between the aircraft, and the evolving technological developments of both the F-35 and the Su-35.
Similarity Between F-35 and Sukhoi Su-35
While the F-35 and Sukhoi Su-35 are distinct aircraft designed by different manufacturers for different purposes, there are a few areas where they share some similarities:
- Multirole Capabilities: Both the F-35 and Su-35 possess multirole capabilities, meaning they can perform a variety of missions. While the Su-35 leans more towards air superiority and combat roles, and the F-35 emphasizes versatility across air-to-air, air-to-ground, and reconnaissance missions, both aircraft are equipped to handle multiple types of tasks.
- Advanced Avionics: Both aircraft feature advanced avionics systems. The Su-35’s Irbis-E radar and the F-35’s AN/APG-81 radar are high-performance radar systems that offer enhanced detection, tracking, and engagement capabilities.
- Modern Cockpit Displays: Both the F-35 and Su-35 incorporate advanced cockpit displays that provide pilots with crucial information and enhance situational awareness. These displays help pilots manage complex missions effectively.
- High-Speed Performance: While their top speeds differ, both aircraft are designed for high-speed performance. The Su-35 is known for its impressive top speed, while the F-35 features supersonic capabilities.
- Advanced Materials: Both aircraft utilize advanced materials in their construction to enhance performance and reduce radar cross-section. The F-35 heavily emphasizes stealth technology, while the Su-35 incorporates radar-absorbing materials and coatings.
- Air Superiority Focus: While the F-35 is designed as a multirole fighter, one of its variants, the F-35C, is tailored for aircraft carrier operations and air superiority. The Su-35, on the other hand, is primarily focused on air superiority missions.
Conclusion
Both the F-35 and Su-35 have unique strengths and weaknesses that make them formidable in their own right. The outcome of a battle between these two fighter jets would depend on a complex interplay of factors including tactics, pilot skill, mission objectives, and support infrastructure. The F-35’s stealth and sensor fusion capabilities could provide an edge in situational awareness and the ability to engage from beyond visual range. On the other hand, the Su-35’s agility and powerful radar could prove advantageous in close-range engagements. Ultimately, the result of such a battle would be difficult to predict with certainty.
https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a60141719/f35-certified-to-carry-a-nuke/
Something to note regarding the F35 program is that the F35 Joint Program Office was commanded by alternating members of the Navy and Air Force, with the Deputy Program Executive Officer of the program routinely advancing to become the Program Executive Officer of the program. This changed in 2022 when the Naval officer serving as Deputy Program Executive Officer of the program was skipped over to place another Air Force officer in the role. Notably, the Naval officer in question had been the Deputy appointed under Trump. Just a point of curiosity I thought I would share.
@Sebastien
I would suggest that politics is always involved in such decisions as this, but I would argue that this decision was even more politically relevant under Trump due to the Trump Doctrine pivot. The Trump doctrine moved from the US having a finger in ever pie, so to speak, towards a more delegating policy whereby the US empowered strong regional allies which could enforce US policies without the need of the US being hampered with needless military interventions. This delegative policy change would have allowed the US to focus upon the threat from China, something which only the US could hope to accomplish.
Recognizing this, Trump’s Israel policy required Israel to be as strong as possible so as to be as responsive as possible to any regional threat as needed. This would make the overly intrusive need of Israel shipping its planes back to the US for repair both counter intuitive and an outright liability with the frequency of repairs needed with the F35.
With all of this in mind, I can’t help but be led to believe that Trump would have been very much involved in the calculus involved in making the decision. Notably, it was in the first month of Trump’s presidency that public statement were leaked to the press predicting that the exemption would take take place.
@Peloni Thank you. Would Trump have been involved in the decision to make an exception for Israel?
@Sebastien
I recall reading something similar to what you describe, but the F35 program required all nations to make such repairs in the US as part of the conditions of being part of the program. Israel did not actually take possession of the F35s til literally the last month of Obama’s reign, and received only 2 planes at that time. Hence the role played by Obama’s administration in delaying the delivery of the F35 to Israel made his opposition to Israel’s autonomy over their F35s irrelevant. The agency responsible for the program is the F-35 Joint Program Office, which did agree to provide Israel with the only exemption of the in-US repair requirement, as you describe. This of course came after the plane was in operational use in Israel which came about during Trump’s administration.
@Peloni I could swear I read that Obama refused to allow Israel to fix the seriously defective F-35 but Trump not only allowed it but purchased the fix from Israel for $2 million. Now I can’t find it. Censorship or my memory?
Lapid and Bennett have not shown great political abilities or leadership when they became PM!
So, who will replace Bibi!
Not a general!!!
I don’t think Bibi has anything to lose at this point by defying all of them. It’s likely he will be done as PM for good from what I’m hearing.
@Laura
Quite true. Well past time. It was over a decade ago when the combined support of Benny Begin, Dan Meridor, Eli Yishai, Ya’alon, Steinitz, the heads of Mossad, Shin Bet and most of the entire top echelon of the IDF and Military Intelligence stood shoulder to shoulder to block Bibi from doing exactly this. Now, here we are, 13yrs later, with precision missiles in Lebanon, thousands of rockets reigning down from Gaza, the Red Sea being closed by the Houthis, and Iran emerging as a nuclear break out state. It was trembling knees in the face of American opposition which forestalled Israel from doing what was needed 13yrs ago, just as it remains trembling knees in the face of American opposition today which would do so again today. Hopefully Bibi has the means to override the objections from America’s allies in Israel’s govt and military, as we all know what will come from failing to act on this topic again.
@Laura That’s what “Top Gun:Maverick” (2022) was about, starring Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer.
” F/A 18E/18F Super Hornet
The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is Top Gun: Maverick’s primary fighter jet. In a move that brings a modern feel to a nostalgic film, Maverick will now be (co-)piloting the F/A-18F Super Hornet jet which is a far newer model than the F-14 Tomcat used in the original.”
https://www.morson.com/top-gun-jets-make-movie
It’s way past time to take out Iran and its nukes. The longer we and or Israel waits, the more difficult it becomes.
I’m reminded of “Firefox” (1982). A retired American ace with PTSD but whose mother was Russian is recruited to steal a Soviet plane that operates by thought control in Russian with the help of enslaved Russian Jewish scientists. Great dogfight scene at the end with the Russian pilot in the other protype. Starring, directed, and produced by Clint Eastwood and based on a novel. See Wikipedia.
An important piece of information is missing. The cost ratio.
My guess would be that it is 4:1 for F35 : Su35.
If Russia were to cooperate with Israel, they could rapidly improve the electronics and take the market away from Lockheed Martin.
Another way to look at it is a battle of twenty-five F35 against hundred Su35.