Fighter Jet War:  Advanced Russian Su-35 vs US F-22

by Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization

(Washington DC) 

All all-out air war between the F-22 and Russian Su-35 would be an interesting and complex match-up for many key reasons, as both planes are very similar when it comes to performance parameters in critical areas such as thrust-to-weight ratio and speed. This means an ability to vector, quickly maneuver and “get-into-position” to attack might be comparable to some extent, as the upgraded Su-35 is a modern variant of the extremely fast Russian Su-27. 

However, even if both aircraft were similar in some vital categories, the F-22 is 5th generation and the advanced Su-35 is considered 4th-generation ++++++. How stealthy is the Su-35? Its configuration bears some resemblance to the F-22, and it does look somewhat stealthy, raising the question as to whether the Su-35 could truly challenge the F-22.

Piloting and experience would of course be critical when it comes to a determination about which aircraft might prevail, yet stealth and other technical attributes are a huge part of the equation.  The Su-35s maximum speed is listed at Mach 2.25 and the aircraft is reported to have a 1.13 thrust-to-weight ratio.  The F-22 is listed as having an identical speed with the Su-35 at Mach 2.25, yet the Raptor has a slightly superior thrust-to-weight-ratio of 1.25. 

Yet another measurement from World Defense lists both the Su-35 and F-22 has having the highest and most competitive thrust-to-weight ratios in the world. The Su-35 is listed on the site as having an thrust-to-weight ration of 1.30, and the F-22 is cited at slightly higher at 1.37 with round nozzles.  Given these similarities, it seems pilot abilities would factor significantly, yet there are other key parameters likely to impact an outcome such as stealth properties, sensing and weapons guidance and precision. Is the F-22 stealthier as a 5th-generation aircraft? Have software driven weapons upgrades to the F-22 given it an advantage over the Su-35? 

Russian Su-35 — 4th-Generation ++++++++

The Russian Su-35 could almost be viewed as a quasi-stealthy hybrid mix of advanced fourth-generation fighter jet technology and the early boundaries of what is called the 5th-generation.