Russia’s 4th-Gen “Plus” Su-35 vs US F-22

By Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization

(Washington D.C.) 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 5th-generation.

Su-35 vs US F-22

Its blended wing-body configuration and horizontal fuselage makes it look stealthier than an F-18 Super Hornet with an almost F-22-like rounded wing-body and dual engine. The Russian Su-35 configuration looks stealthy enough to have potentially inspired designs for the emerging Russian Su-57, a 5th-generation stealth aircraft.

The Russian 4th-generation Su-35 aircraft came to life as a result of years of upgrades to the Su-27 air defense fighter. With high speeds of Mach 2.25, the Su-35 looks well-positioned to dogfight and vector in the air as a air-to-air supremacy fighter, yet it would seem unlikely that the aircraft would rival an F-22. However, the configuration of the Su-35 appears to the observer’s eye to contain similarities to the F-22 and some of the listed weapons specs are comparable. 

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Available specs on the two aircraft suggest they are comparable in terms of speed, as both the F-22 and Su-35 are listed as capable of flying Mach 2.25 at altitude. Also, while this may not be verifiable to a certain extent, a Russian-language newspaper called Hoboctn BNK claims the Su-35 has an F-22-like “supercruise” ability to maintain Mach-speeds without needing afterburner. 

The F-22 is well known for its supercruise as this extends dwell time and lethality while lengthening attack missions without needing an aerial refueler. This ability can of course massively improve survivability should an F-22 be locked in a dogfight and need to sustain maneuvers.