Russian Airshow + new Sukoi
-
One example-when was created the F-4, its purpose was long range missile battle. However, in real life things have turned out differently. And “Phantoms” had to get involved in a lot of maneuverable fights. So I wouldn’t underestimate the practicality of maneuverability of fighters.
-
Modern tactics of air combat based on experience of military operations in Iraq, Yugoslavia and the like, when one side had total quantitative and qualitative superiority over the other. All this is good against small countries with weak air forces and air defense. But in case of war with Russia, the situation will be different. For example - what if AWACS, radars, combat aircraft and other electronic systems will not be able to work because of the powerful electronic warfare? What if the enemy impose his tactics, which both sides have to put aside the “dueling revolvers” and start fist fighting ? SU-35 was created for a total war for survival. And its maneuverability and optical location station is a spare knive in street fight.
-
An F-35 pilot should still have a large advantage in a visual fight over an Su-35 even if all its radars / missiles are all jammed/decoyed etc in Internet fantasy situations and everyone is down to good ol guns……it has been designed based on all lessons from history especially Vietnam…
Doesn’t look as good as the Su-35 in form or at airshows…however that is not relevant to its purpose for being.
-
Also keep in mind, despite all of these advancements in stealth and long range detection and engagement, there is one very important fact that is often overlooked. ROE. The most recent A2A engagements (which have been far and few between) over that last few conflicts have been WVR because of ROE. Take a look at the last A2A between an F-18 and a SU-22. Although this was not a “true” WVR fight the situation ended up with a WVR engagement with an 9X shot attempt from within 1.5 miles (which missed and eventually end up using the more expensive 120 to finish the job). Every time we discount the age of the WVR fight and whats advancements are need for that fight, we do this at our own peril.