SU-57 deployed to Syria

[botsing]

So what is the alternative... hide here in your F-16.net/CNN echo chamber? In an environment where those who know know and everyone else is a spy, wild speculation is the only fun that is left.

The difference between wild speculation and an educated guess is that one of them sounds like a fairy tale and the other is supported with a solid hypothesis.

At F-16.net you can always make an educated guess that forms into a healthy discussion.

[viper12]

I guarantee that no f-35 will ever pull 9g's, achieve mach 1.6, carry 18,000lbs of weapons, and be carrier capable simultaneously.

In APA world Su-27 derivatives can fly at Mach 1.8+, 50,000ft+ and carry 12 AAMs while simultaneously doing Cobras and Kulbits, so why not F-35...

TOVERIIIIIIIIIII !!!!!

You forgot that in APA's world, they can dodge the F-35's AMRAAMs, while simultaneously engage the F-35s from significant range, and then close in for superior WVR kills.

[vilters]

Russians went home after they saw that the US was actually USING the F-22.

"Damm, the thing exists, and it does exactly what it says in the folder?"
"Damm.........."

[mixelflick]

Russians went home after they saw that the US was actually USING the F-22.

"Damm, the thing exists, and it does exactly what it says in the folder?"
"Damm.........."

Honestly, I think there has to be lots of Russian 5th gen envy. Most obvious is the U.S., with small numbers of a deployed superfighter that puts everything else to shame. They're crowing a lot about their shiny new SU-35's, but they have to be realists too. It won't last long against the F-22. And now there are F-35's in theatre, which puts their vaunted S-300/400 SAM systems at risk. That too, poses an extreme risk to their SU-30's and 35's.

On their border, the Chinese have declared their J-20 IOC. While this may not be a truly combat capable bird yet, it's apparently a lot further along than their SU-57. The J-31 isn't far behind, and if it turns out to be even LO (if not VLO) and affordable, doesn't bode well for their Flanker exports. Even if the SU-57 became a mature design, how many countries could afford it? The Indians might be able to, but by all accounts they're panning it.

So I think they have a lot of 5th gen envy, and someone in Russia with the benefit of hindsight is probably kicking themselves for not running with a cheaper, more capable LO/VLO design vs. the SU-57. MIG is supposed to be working on one, but seems all but incapable. Sukhoi could start over with a clean sheet design from scratch, but that's unlikely. It will be at least another 5 years before the SU-57 bugs are ironed out, perhaps 10.

At which point F-35 costs will be circa 80 million, the aircraft will have matured and at least a half dozen countries will be flying and fighting with a 5th gen mentality. It isn't looking very pretty for them...

[swiss]

In APA world Su-27 derivatives can fly at Mach 1.8+, 50,000ft+ and carry 12 AAMs while simultaneously doing Cobras and Kulbits, so why not F-35...

Ironically, the A/A combat load in Syria for the Su-30/35 is only 6 AAM.

[milosh]

I guarantee that no f-35 will ever pull 9g's, achieve mach 1.6, carry 18,000lbs of weapons, and be carrier capable simultaneously.

In APA world Su-27 derivatives can fly at Mach 1.8+, 50,000ft+ and carry 12 AAMs while simultaneously doing Cobras and Kulbits, so why not F-35...

I don't know what is old Su-27M top speed in this configuration but Cobra isn't problem with heavy missile load:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsyMUAfh6fg

Su-35S would do that easier.

[hornetfinn]

I guarantee that no f-35 will ever pull 9g's, achieve mach 1.6, carry 18,000lbs of weapons, and be carrier capable simultaneously.

In APA world Su-27 derivatives can fly at Mach 1.8+, 50,000ft+ and carry 12 AAMs while simultaneously doing Cobras and Kulbits, so why not F-35...

I don't know what is old Su-27M top speed in this configuration but Cobra isn't problem with heavy missile load:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsyMUAfh6fg

Su-35S would do that easier.

Sure, but they are not doing those while flying at high supersonic speed at high altitude. Even heavy air-to-air missile load doesn't affect slow speed maneuverability that much. Super Hornet has also shown very nice airshow maneuvers in pretty heavy missile loads.

[mixelflick]

So now that the SU-57 is back home, what have they gained?

Such a brief publicity stunt fooled no one, least of which India? I rather doubt 2 days is/was long enough to evaluate her radar and other systems. I mean ok, you flew it there and back. Is 2 days enough of a window to accomplish... anything?

[sprstdlyscottsmn]

You could see whether or not your systems can detect any of the F-22s flying around. Just a checkbox item.

[madrat]

Since it has Su-35's radar, why not just do it with them?

[citanon]

Since it has Su-35's radar, why not just do it with them?

Maybe its testing for a response from the US side.

EG: if we move towards AWACS A, how close can we get before interceptors to react?

It's also possible that the answer they got was: oh crap that was Hellas fast! Better retreat to the motherland!

[element1loop]

maybe just a deployment to test if the nav system crashes when they change time zones...

Su57 has a nav system? ... Garmin BushWalker?

[project458]

Since it has Su-35's radar, why not just do it with them?

No it does not, Su-57 prototypes are flying around with N036 Byelka AESA.

[hythelday]

Since it has Su-35's radar, why not just do it with them?

No it does not, Su-57 prototypes are flying around with N036 Byelka AESA.

But is it 3D ROFAR?

[wrightwing]

Since it has Su-35's radar, why not just do it with them?

No it does not, Su-57 prototypes are flying around with N036 Byelka AESA.

But is it 3D ROFAR?

No.