A video of the first ever "personal date" of the F-35A stealth fighter and the Russian Su-30SM has appeared on the Internet.
The video footage shows the rapid approach of the "drying". After that, the Italian pilot on the F-35A begins to maneuver. For some time, the fighters fly in pairs at a distance of several meters from each other. After the exchange of pleasantries, the Russian plane begins to enter the tail of the F-35A, which is forced to pick up speed.
Although the F-35 has been in service since 2015, it is still very far from full combat readiness and is not capable of conducting maneuverable air battles, according to Military Watch. The fighter has more than 300 known unresolved flaws, new ones continue to be discovered.
In turn, the Su-30SM, as the publication notes, has greater thrust and speed, and also has much higher flight characteristics. The Russian aircraft also carries longer-range missiles and is better prepared for air combat. The two-seat configuration of the Su-30 allows you to place weapons systems in the operator's cabin, which can be a significant advantage, especially when simultaneously hitting targets both on land and in the air
We will remind, earlier it became known that in May, the Italian F-35A fighter intercepted the Russian An-12 transport aircraft.
Nikolay Grishchenko