Ya, i dont think F-22 have much in common with F-117 regarding to stealth technologies. The coat and material used is certainly completely different. F-22 aerodinamics, avionic, electronic and weapon have 100 times more in common with F-15 than F-117.
I will not argue if F-117 as whole crap or not. This is completely different matter. Reread what i wrote. I said F-117 without stealth is crap. And i dont think anyone would argue that. Without stealth F-117 is greatly inferior to any contemporary aircraft, being 20x times more expensive on top of that.
Nothing can be cut really. But a lot could be added. Every, every military branch is underfunded. Thats said - there is a huge corruption within russian military, and this is generally THE main, single most important problem.
You seem to be placing the blame on Russia's shortcomings with the government and the military. Granted, they are the end users and the source of funding, however, what about private (and public) industry? educational institutions? acquisition process? etc. These are factors which drive defense industries in the western world. Without infrastructure, skilled workers and technicians, RDT&E programs and so forth, you can not remain competitive in today's world. I have no doubt there are some brilliant designers and engineers in Russia, but unless they are operating in a proper business model with proper resources and management, I doubt their projects will get further than the drafting table. Blaming the government and military is obvious, but the problems go much deeper.
As you undoubtly know, government and military folks are not coming to Russia from Mars. They are peoples just like everyone in Russia. As such, they share all common current russians problems. I.e. corruption, lies, incompetence, etc. The other side of such proposition is what private sector industry ALSO share exactly same problems - i.e. they are corrupt, incompetent, etc. I would even go as far i agreeing - private sector is much worse.
Exactly. Thats why russian military do not plan to aquire Su-35 or T-90 in higher numbers. Money is spend on development, upgrading, training and purchasing really modern equipment - like f.e. BMP-3, BMPT, Su-34, SSBN's. etc.
The whole idea of the hi-Low mix is starting to fade away into the past, since the F-35 can't be called a light fighter anymore(Its weighs 60,000lbs, more than the F-15 which weighs around 58,000lbs) and its not cheap like the F-16 ether costing a total of $1 trillion.
We obviously speak about the new Su-35 here, don't we? And that is the history of the new Su-35 (T-10BM) aka Su-35BM...
Oh sorry about that. Here is another article about the Su-35BM: http://www.defencetalk.com/forums/e...lsecurity.org/military/world/russia/su-35.htmWe obviously speak about the new Su-35 here, don't we? And that is the history of the new Su-35 (T-10BM) aka Su-35BM...
This is an article about the old Su-35 (Su-27M/T-10M) and not even a good one. I suggest we keep on topic with the new Su-35 about which the thread is.
Well there is a link to the new SU-35BM on the old Su-35 article but for some reason it has the same URL, just go to it and click were it says Big Modernization in the first paragraph, thats the one I was trying to give you.
Cool sources those are much better , the only question now is how many is Russia going to build for their air force? I will guess somewhere around 120 but I don't know.
Well the number hasn't been disclosed, but as the procurement is stated to be within the states armament programme 2007-2015 and first aircraft won't be delivered before 2011 and given the fact that according official sources about 116 new aircraft will be procured by that time, I don't think they will buy much of them at all. Russias economy is bettering, but still not in the best condition and that even more applies to the Russian military itself. I think this also depends on when the PAK FA becomes finally available. But I would not even wonder if this isn't going to happen, wouldn't be the first time in Russia.
Well 116 aircraft is not bad, it still can't compete with the F-22 and F-35 but its still better than using 15-20 year old Su-27s.
This 116 aircraft include all new aircraft procured by the RuAF, don't misunderstand that as the RuAF geting 116 Su-35, that's not the case. The Su-35 are part of the 116 aircraft which include at least 58 Su-34 or more and other types.
No. It is new, upgraded version of Su-27 with fairly large changes in airframe and completely new avionic set. It is export version in the sense what its development is mainly geared towards export costumers. RuAF do not plan (and never wanted) to acquire Su-35. Small quantities (12-20 likely) will be surely bought by RuAF for testing and marketing purposes - but thats all.
Its a heavilly upgraded SU-27 intended for domestic and export users. Its basicaly a totaly different beast, with a whole new avionic suite, includeing a hybrid IBRIS-E PESA radar in the 20kw peak power range, new engines, less weight, more fuel & significantly reduced RCS. Basically it would eat a baseline Su-27, its far more capable.
