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F-16 Fighting Falcon vs Su-35 Flanker-E Fighter Jet

General Information

Name F-16 Fighting Falcon Su-35 Flanker-E
Manufacturer General Dynamics / Lockheed Martin Sukhoi (United Aircraft Corporation)
Country of Origin United States Russia
Type / Role Multirole Fighter Multirole Air Superiority Fighter
Generation 4th 4++
Status Active / In Service Active Service
First Flight January 20, 1974 February 19, 2008
Introduction / In Service Since 1978 2014
Number Built Over 4,600 120+
Operators USA, Israel, Turkey, Greece, South Korea, etc. Russia, China, Egypt, Indonesia (pending)

Dimensions & Structure

Length 49 ft 5 in (15.06 m) 21.9 m
Wingspan 32 ft 8 in (9.96 m) 15.3 m
Height 16 ft 8 in (5.09 m) 5.9 m
Wing Area 300 sq ft (27.87 m²) 62 m²
Empty Weight 18,900 lb (8,573 kg) 18,400 kg
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) 42,300 lb (19,187 kg) 34,500 kg
Internal Weapons Bay None None
External Hardpoints 9 12

Performance

Maximum Speed Mach 2.0 Mach 2.25 (2,400 km/h)
Range 2,620 mi (4,220 km) with drop tanks 3,600 km (ferry)
Combat Radius ~500 mi (800 km) 1,500 km
Service Ceiling 50,000 ft (15,240 m) 18,000 m
Rate of Climb 50,000 ft/min 280 m/s
Thrust-to-Weight Ratio 1.095 1.15
G Limits +9 / -3 +9

Powerplant

Engine Type Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 / GE F110-GE-129 Saturn AL-41F1S (117S)
No. of Engines 1 2
Thrust (each) 29,000 lbf (afterburner) 142 kN with afterburner
Thrust Vectoring No Yes (3D TVC)
Fuel Capacity 7,000 lb internal ~11,500 kg internal

Armament

Gun 1× M61A1 20mm Vulcan 1× 30mm GSh-30-1 cannon
Missiles (Air-to-Air) AIM-9, AIM-120 R-77, R-27, R-73
Missiles (Air-to-Ground) AGM-65, AGM-88 Kh-31, Kh-29, Kh-59
Bombs JDAM, Paveway, Cluster bombs FAB series, KAB precision-guided bombs
Hardpoints 9 12
Payload Capacity 17,000 lb (7,700 kg) 8,000 kg

Avionics & Systems

Radar AN/APG-68 / AN/APG-83 AESA Irbis-E PESA radar
Radar Range ~160 km 400 km (air targets)
Electronic Warfare (EW) System AN/ALQ-213, ALQ-131 Khibiny-M
Targeting System Sniper XR / LANTIRN OLS-35 IRST
Helmet Display JHMCS Yes
Navigation GPS/INS GLONASS/INS
Autopilot / AI Assistance Digital Fly-by-Wire Digital flight control
Communication Link 16, Secure UHF/VHF Secure data link, VHF/UHF radio

Stealth & Technology

Radar Cross Section (RCS) ~1.2 m² ~1–3 m²
Stealth Features Limited shaping, radar-absorbent coatings Radar-absorbent coatings, composite materials
Infrared Signature Reduction Moderate Moderate (engine shielding)
Sensor Fusion Partial (F-16V upgrade) Limited
Networking Capabilities Link 16, Joint operations compatible Tactical data link

Variants

Special Export Versions F-16I (Israel), KF-16 (South Korea) Su-35SK (China), Su-35E (Egypt)

Operational History

Major Conflicts / Deployments Gulf War, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan Syria, Ukraine (limited combat use)
Notable Operators USAF, Israel, Turkey, Taiwan, UAE Russia, China, Egypt
Combat Proven? Yes Yes
Mission Types Air superiority, strike, SEAD, CAS Air superiority, interception, strike, escort

Cost & Program

Unit Cost ~$35 million (Block 70) ~$85 million (export)
Development Cost ~$8 billion (program total) Estimated $1.5 billion
Program Name Lightweight Fighter (LWF) Su-35 Development Program
Funding Countries United States, NATO partners Russia

Additional Information

Upgrades Planned AESA radar, datalink, EW suite Radar and cockpit modernization
Future Replacement F-35A Lightning II Su-57 Felon
Export Restrictions Controlled under ITAR Russian arms control regulations
Notable Achievements Most exported Western fighter High agility and radar performance
Competitors JAS 39 Gripen, MiG-29, Mirage 2000 F-15EX, Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon
  F-16 Fighting Falcon Su-35 Flanker-E Fighter Jet

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