National Interest’s Dave Majumdar has written an
excellent analysis of how the two aircraft would fare in aerial clash. He concluded that regardless of their differences, the two aircraft were more or less closely matched. As a result, supporting assets and pilot skill are more likely to determine the outcomes of an engagement between the two rather than any technological gap.
Here, I’d like to break down the strengths and weaknesses of the two aircraft, and how those will inform their ability to perform various mission.
Sensors and Stealth
The Su-35S has a powerful Irbis-E passive electronically scanned array radar with a range of up to 400 kilometers; it is also effective against ground targets. However, the F-15’s APG-63 V3 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar is superior harder to jam, higher resolution and harder to track.
Here, I’d like to break down the strengths and weaknesses of the two aircraft.
Here s What You Need To Remember: The biggest difference, perhaps, is in numbers; many hundreds of F-15s continue to serve around the world, while there are fewer than a hundred Su-35s.
I have been asked to compare the venerable American F-15 Eagle fighter to Russia’s new competitor for the crown of best Fourth Generation fighter, the Su-35S “Flanker E.”
The former is the airplane that in many ways
defined what a Fourth Generation fighter can do. Introduced in the 1970s, it has been extensively updated to keep with the times and hundreds will remain in service for decades to come.