A retired Russian Air Force pilot has lauded the Russian Su-35S fighter pilot who flew dangerously close to a US F-16 during an intercept near Alaska, calling the maneuver a display of extreme courage.
The incident, which happened last week, has sparked widespread debate and garnered attention in both Russia and the United States.
The retired pilot, who operates the Fighterbomber channel on Telegram, emphasized the bravery of the Russian pilot. The Su-35S was part of an escort for a Russian Tu-95MS strategic bomber, and it sought to drive away a US F-16 that had come too close.
“It’s not so much about professionalism as the extreme courage of our fighter jet pilot who, being hundreds of kilometers from our coast and over the open ocean, boldly and audaciously shows who rules the roost,” the pilot stated in an interview with Russian news agency TASS.
A video of the encounter, which began circulating on social media on September 30, captures the moment the Russian fighter jet turned aggressively toward the US aircraft.
According to TASS, the maneuver created a “vow effect” at the Pentagon, leaving officials astonished by the boldness of the Su-35S pilot’s actions.
Meanwhile, a former US Naval aviator remarked that it’s likely for the best that he is no longer on active duty. He noted that they dedicated extensive hours to studying Rules of Engagement (ROE), as well as the definitions of “hostile act” and “hostile intent.”
“On Sept 23, 2024, NORAD aircraft flew a safe and disciplined intercept of Russian Military Aircraft in the Alaska ADIZ. The conduct of one Russian Su-35 was unsafe, unprofessional, and endangered all – not what you’d see in a professional air force.” – Gen. Gregory Guillot pic.twitter.com/gXZj3Ndkag
— North American Aerospace Defense Command (@NORADCommand) September 30, 2024
He added that in a critical moment, the briefest interval could have been the time it took for his hand to reach the master arm switch and launch an AMRAAM missile from his wing.
On the other hand, Retd. Indian Air Force pilot Vijainder K. Thakur told the EurAsian Times, “The Russian pilot, flying a Su-35S, scared the hell out of the US F-16 pilots who were smugly intercepting the Russian aircraft. The Russian pilot beautifully executed a difficult maneuver, exhibiting good piloting skills.”
He added, “He [the Russian pilot] may have broken the rules, but that was the whole idea. He sent a message to the Americans—you cannot take safety in your rules. The F-16 pilot will remember the interception for the rest of his life.”
This is not the first time Russian intercepts have drawn sharp criticism from Western military officials. Over the years, similar incidents involving close and aggressive maneuvers by Russian or Chinese jets have been labeled “unprofessional” and “unsafe.”
These encounters often involve US surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, including the MQ-9 Reaper drones, flying in contested airspaces like the Black Sea.
In 2023, a Russian Su-27 fighter jet intercepted and inflicted damage on a US MQ-9 Reaper drone, leading to its crash into the Black Sea.
These maneuvers were common during the Cold War, but their occurrence dropped considerably in the subsequent years.
However, in recent times, they have started to reappear regularly in certain areas, underscoring a revival of geopolitical tensions and the strategic positioning of military forces.
A former commander of the US RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft previously noted that what is now labeled as “provocative” was once considered standard behavior for reconnaissance crews.
F-16 vs. Su-35
The Russian Su-35 and the American F-16 fighter jet represent two of the best fighter aircraft in their respective categories. While both are formidable in their own right, the F-16 is often considered a more combat-tested and battle-ready platform.
The F-16 has a storied history dating back to its entry into service in the late 1970s. It was designed alongside legendary aircraft like the F-15 Eagle, the Soviet Su-27, and the MiG-29.
In contrast, the Su-35 made its combat debut during Russia’s intervention in Syria in 2016. However, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine truly marks the Su-35’s major engagement against modern opponents equipped with advanced fighters and anti-aircraft systems.
When comparing the two aircraft, it’s essential to note their generational classifications. The F-16 is a fourth-generation fighter, whereas the Su-35 is categorized as a 4.5-generation aircraft, which includes enhanced versions of fourth-generation fighters introduced in the late 1990s.
The Su-35 easily surpasses the F-16 in size. The F-16 is approximately 50 feet long with a wingspan of 33 feet and weighs around 10 tons. It can fly at speeds of Mach 2 and is highly maneuverable. It is armed with a 20-mm cannon and 11 hardpoints for carrying weapons, drop tanks, and various pods for radar jamming and precision-guided munitions.
On the other hand, the Su-35 is approximately 72 feet long and boasts a wingspan of 50 feet, making it around 50% larger than the F-16. Weighing over 18 tons, the Su-35 nearly doubles the Viper’s mass.
It is equipped with a 30-mm cannon and boasts a dozen hardpoints capable of launching an extensive array of air-to-air and air-to-ground ordnance.
Although smaller vehicles tend to be more agile, jet fighters operate under more complex technical factors, such as wing loading and thrust-to-weight ratio. The F-16 has an advantage in wing loading, enhancing its maneuverability. However, the Su-35 shines in its thrust-to-weight ratio, allowing for rapid acceleration.
A standout feature of the Su-35 is its “supermaneuverability,” achieved through thrust-vectoring technology. This enables the aircraft to perform extraordinary maneuvers, such as the “Cobra Maneuver,” where the jet abruptly slows and stands on its tail, compelling an enemy aircraft to overshoot.
In terms of radar systems, the Su-35 employs the Irbis radar, a passive electronically scanned array (PESA) system. The radar uses a single transmitter/receiver to emit a beam on a single frequency through multiple antennas, allowing for electronic aiming without mechanical rotation.
While effective, this system is not as advanced as the active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars utilized by many Western fighters, including the latest F-16 Block 70 and Block 72 models. AESA radars can track multiple targets simultaneously and are less vulnerable to jamming.
In summary, the Su-35 and F-16 each have distinct strengths and weaknesses. The F-16 is a highly proven and agile fighter with a long history of operational success. The Su-35, in comparison, offers enhanced capabilities, a greater arsenal, and unique maneuverability features.
- Contact the author at ashishmichel(at)gmail.com
- Follow EurAsian Times on Google News
