The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II and the Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker-E are two advanced fighter jets with distinct design philosophies, capabilities, and roles.
1. Overview and Design Philosophy
- F-35 Lightning II:
- Origin: United States
- Generation: Fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter
- Developer: Lockheed Martin, with partners Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems
- Purpose: Designed for air superiority, strike missions, electronic warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Emphasizes stealth, sensor fusion, and network-centric warfare.
- Variants: Three variants—F-35A (conventional takeoff/landing), F-35B (short takeoff/vertical landing), and F-35C (carrier-based with catapult-assisted takeoff).
- First Flight: 2006
- Combat Use: First used in combat by Israel in 2018 against Iranian targets in Syria.
- Key Features: Low radar cross-section, advanced avionics, and data-sharing capabilities make it a "force multiplier" in joint operations.
- Su-35 Flanker-E (Su-35S):
- Origin: Russia
- Generation: 4.5-generation air superiority/multirole fighter
- Developer: Sukhoi Design Bureau
- Purpose: Primarily an air superiority fighter with multirole capabilities, evolved from the Su-27 Flanker. Focuses on maneuverability, speed, and long-range engagement.
- First Flight: 1988 (Su-27M prototype); modern Su-35S first flew in 2008
- Combat Use: Deployed by Russia in Syria (2016) for ground strikes and intercepts, and in Ukraine, with confirmed kills and losses.
- Key Features: Supermaneuverability with thrust-vectoring engines, powerful radar, and robust electronic warfare suite.
2. Stealth
- F-35:
- Designed with stealth as a core feature, featuring a low-observable shape and radar-absorbent materials. Its radar cross-section is significantly smaller than non-stealth aircraft, though less optimized than the F-22 Raptor.
- Limitations: Aft sector stealth is less effective due to nozzle design.
- Advantage: Can penetrate hostile airspace with reduced detection risk, ideal for first-strike or contested environments.
- Su-35:
- Lacks stealth features, as it is a 4.5-generation fighter with no low-observable design. Its larger radar cross-section makes it more detectable by modern radars.
- Compensates with a potent electronic warfare suite, including digital radio frequency memory jamming, which can disrupt enemy missile locks, such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM.
3. Radar and Sensors
- F-35:
- Equipped with the AN/APG-81 AESA radar (1,200 transmit/receive modules), capable of tracking a 1m² target at 150 km.
- Features an advanced Electro-Optical Distributed Aperture System (EODAS), providing 360-degree situational awareness and detecting hot targets (e.g., jet engines) at over 100 km.
- Sensor fusion integrates radar, infrared, and other data, giving pilots unparalleled battlespace awareness.
- Includes electronic warfare systems tailored for specific operators (e.g., Israel’s F-35I Adir).
- Su-35:
- Uses the Irbis-E passive electronically scanned array radar, which can track a 1m² target at 260–300 km, outranging the F-35’s radar.
- Equipped with an infrared search and track (IRST) system for passive detection, giving it an edge in detecting stealth aircraft at shorter ranges.
- Avionics are less integrated than the F-35’s but support long-range engagements and multirole missions.
4. Performance
- Speed:
- F-35: Top speed of Mach 1.6 (1,728 km/h). Slower due to stealth-optimized design, which prioritizes low observability over raw performance.
- Su-35: Top speed of Mach 2.3 (2,400 km/h). Can maintain supersonic speeds without afterburners when lightly loaded, thanks to its twin Saturn 117S engines (31,900 lbs thrust each).
- Note: External weapons on the Su-35 create drag, reducing its speed advantage in combat configurations.
5. Armament
- F-35:
- Internal weapons bay for stealth missions, carrying up to 5,700 lbs (F-35A) of ordnance, including AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9X Sidewinder, and precision-guided munitions like JDAMs.
- External hardpoints (up to 22,000 lbs total) for non-stealth missions, supporting JASSM and LRASM missiles.
- 25mm GAU-22/A cannon (F-35A) with 180 rounds.
- Armament rating: 8.6/10.
- Su-35:
- 12 external hardpoints, carrying up to 17,600 lbs of ordnance, including R-77 and R-73 missiles, anti-ship missiles, and guided bombs. No internal weapons bay, impacting stealth.
- 30mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds.
- Armament rating: 8.4/10.
- Can engage multiple targets simultaneously due to its radar and missile loadout.
6. Avionics and Technology
- F-35:
- Technology rating: 9.5/10.
- Advanced sensor fusion, distributed aperture system, and helmet-mounted display provide superior situational awareness.
- Integrates with networked platforms (air, land, sea, space, cyber), acting as a “quarterback” for joint forces.
- Drawback: High development costs and early reliability issues, though foreign operators report fewer problems.
- Su-35:
- Technology rating: 8.2/10.
- Features a modernized cockpit, digital flight control system, and integrated information management system.
- Thrust-vectoring and robust electronic countermeasures enhance survivability in contested environments.
7. Combat Effectiveness
- F-35:
- Excels in beyond-visual-range (BVR) combat due to stealth and sensor fusion (BVR rating: 94%).
- Less effective in close-range dogfights due to lower maneuverability and speed.
- Combat record: Successfully used by Israel in Syria (2018, 2021) with no losses reported.
- Strategy: Leverages stealth and data-sharing to engage targets before detection, avoiding dogfights.
- Su-35:
- Strong in both BVR and within-visual-range (WVR) combat due to its radar range, maneuverability, and electronic warfare capabilities (BVR rating: 80%).
- Combat record: Used in Syria and Ukraine, with confirmed kills (e.g., Ukrainian Mi-14 helicopter) but at least five losses, including one to friendly fire.
- Strategy: Uses high-altitude, high-speed tactics and long-range missiles to dictate engagement terms.
8. Cost and Availability
- F-35:
- Unit cost: ~$110 million (F-35A, 2023 estimate). High maintenance costs due to complex systems.
- Widely exported to 17 countries, including the US, UK, Israel, and Japan, with over 1,000 units produced.
- Criticized for high development costs but benefits from economies of scale.
- Su-35:
- Unit cost: ~$40–65 million (estimated, varies by contract). More cost-effective but less advanced.
- Limited export: Only Russia and China (24 units) operate it. Egypt ordered ~24 units in 2018.
- Maintenance challenges in some export markets due to reliability issues and spare parts shortages.
9. Operational Context
- F-35:
- Designed for networked warfare, integrating with NATO and allied forces. Ideal for coalition operations and complex battlespaces.
- Challenges: Early reliability issues (e.g., F-35B cracking, F-35C arrestor hook problems) have been largely addressed.
- Global reach: Operated by multiple air forces, with ongoing production and upgrades.
- Su-35:
- Primarily used by Russia and China, with limited integration into allied networks. Suited for standalone or regional operations.
- Challenges: Russian jets face reliability issues in export markets, exacerbated by poor maintenance and training.
- Combat exposure: Proven in Syria and Ukraine but vulnerable to advanced air defenses like the Patriot missile.
