This Russian Jet Might Be a Problem For U.S. Stealth Technology The Su-35 is at least equal—if not superior—to the very best Western fourth-generation fighter jets. The big question, is how well can it perform against a fifth-generation stealth airplane such as the F-22 or F-35? Here’s What You Need to Remember: The Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker-E is the top Russian air-superiority fighter in service today, and represents the pinnacle of fourth-generation jet fighter design. It will remain so until Russia succeeds in bringing its fifth-generation PAK-FA stealth fighter into production. Distinguished by its unrivaled maneuverability, most of the Su-35’s electronics and weapons capabilities have caught up with those of Western equivalents, like the F-15 Eagle. But while it may be a deadly adversary to F-15s, Eurofighters and Rafales, the big question mark remains how effectively it can contend with fifth-generation stealth fighters such as the F-22 and F-35.