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F-35 Lightning II Fighter Jet vs Su-35 Flanker-E Fighter Jet

	F-35 Lightning II Fighter Jet Su-35 Flanker-E Fighter Jet Select Product

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Our Rating	8.8 7.6
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin Sukhoi
Category	Fighter Jets Fighter Jets

General Information

Name	F-35 Lightning II Su-35 Flanker-E
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin Sukhoi (United Aircraft Corporation)
Country of Origin	United States Russia
Type / Role	Multirole Stealth Fighter Multirole Air Superiority Fighter
Generation	5th 4++
Status	In Service Active Service
First Flight	December 15, 2006 February 19, 2008
Introduction / In Service Since	2015 2014
Number Built	1,200+ (as of 2025) 120+
Operators	USA, UK, Japan, Israel, Italy, Australia, and others Russia, China, Egypt, Indonesia (pending)

Dimensions & Structure

Length	51.2 ft (15.6 m) 21.9 m
Wingspan	35 ft (10.7 m) 15.3 m
Height	14.4 ft (4.38 m) 5.9 m
Wing Area	460 sq ft (42.7 m²) 62 m²
Empty Weight	29,300 lb (13,300 kg) 18,400 kg
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW)	70,000 lb (31,800 kg) 34,500 kg
Internal Weapons Bay	2 (up to 5,700 lb payload) None
External Hardpoints	6–10 (up to 18,000 lb total) 12

Performance

Maximum Speed	Mach 1.6 Mach 2.25 (2,400 km/h)
Range	1,380 mi (2,220 km) 3,600 km (ferry)
Combat Radius	~670 mi (1,080 km) 1,500 km
Service Ceiling	50,000 ft (15,240 m) 18,000 m
Rate of Climb	45,000 ft/min 280 m/s
Thrust-to-Weight Ratio	0.87 1.15
G Limits	+9 +9

Powerplant

Engine Type	Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 Saturn AL-41F1S (117S)
No. of Engines	1 2
Thrust (each)	43,000 lbf 142 kN with afterburner
Thrust Vectoring	Yes (on F-35B variant) Yes (3D TVC)
Fuel Capacity	~18,500 lb internal ~11,500 kg internal

Armament

Gun	GAU-22/A 25mm cannon (F-35A) 1× 30mm GSh-30-1 cannon
Missiles (Air-to-Air)	AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9X R-77, R-27, R-73
Missiles (Air-to-Ground)	AGM-154 JSOW, AGM-158 JASSM Kh-31, Kh-29, Kh-59
Bombs	JDAM, Paveway II/III, SDB I/II FAB series, KAB precision-guided bombs
Hardpoints	6 external + 2 internal 12
Payload Capacity	~18,000 lb 8,000 kg

Avionics & Systems

Radar	AN/APG-81 AESA Irbis-E PESA radar
Radar Range	~150+ km 400 km (air targets)
Electronic Warfare (EW) System	AN/ASQ-239 suite Khibiny-M
Targeting System	EOTS (Electro-Optical Targeting System) OLS-35 IRST
Helmet Display	HMDS Gen III Yes
Navigation	GPS/INS with terrain-following GLONASS/INS
Autopilot / AI Assistance	Advanced flight management Digital flight control
Communication	MADL & Link 16 secure data links Secure data link, VHF/UHF radio

Stealth & Technology

Radar Cross Section (RCS)	~0.001 m² ~1–3 m²
Stealth Features	RAM coating, internal weapons bay, edge alignment Radar-absorbent coatings, composite materials
Infrared Signature Reduction	Yes Moderate (engine shielding)
Sensor Fusion	Full 360° data integration Limited
Networking Capabilities	Distributed data-sharing with allied units Tactical data link

Variants

Special Export Versions

F-35I (Israel), F-35A (Japan), etc. Su-35SK (China), Su-35E (Egypt)

Operational History

Major Conflicts / Deployments	Middle East operations (Iraq, Syria) Syria, Ukraine (limited combat use)
Notable Operators	USAF, USN, USMC, RAF, IDF Russia, China, Egypt
Combat Proven?	Yes Yes
Mission Types	Air superiority, strike, SEAD, ISR Air superiority, interception, strike, escort

Cost & Program

Unit Cost	$80–100 million (variant-dependent) ~$85 million (export)
Development Cost	~$400 billion (program total) Estimated $1.5 billion
Program Name	Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Su-35 Development Program
Funding Countries	USA, UK, Italy, Netherlands, Canada, Australia, etc. Russia

Additional Information

Upgrades Planned	Block 4, Tech Refresh 3 Radar and cockpit modernization
Future Replacement	NGAD (2035+) Su-57 Felon
Export Restrictions	U.S. FMS approval required Russian arms control regulations
Notable Achievements	Widest global fighter program in history High agility and radar performance
Competitors	Su-57, J-20, Tempest, KF-21 F-15EX, Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon

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