I've read this as well but it started as some forum member simply claiming it with conviction. Doesn't mean it is true. But L-band radars are not difficult technology and China's got experience with them as well. What the Russian's MAY have is software sophisticated enough to make use of those L-bands to identify and target stealth fighters with any meaningful effectiveness. Either way, those claims of Sukhoi fighters being able to see and shoot at US 5th gens (mostly coming from propaganda channels that have a track record of deception and exaggeration) are most likely untrue otherwise RuAF would order thousands of these fighters and upgrade older ones with similar technologies (a TINY price to pay if they can do as claimed) to counter the thousands of F-35s that will proliferate around the world. Likewise, PRC intelligence will have more detailed information on these sorts of technologies and do everything it takes to purchase them, develop them, or reverse engineer them. None of this has been true and while it is possible there are already decent ground based methods of eroding stealth advantages, China is still pouring vast funds into developing stealth fighters, drones, and bomber. Russia is too as far as we can tell for now.
Chinese purchase of Su-35
- Thread starter flyzies
- Start date
I've read this as well but it started as some forum member simply claiming it with conviction. Doesn't mean it is true. But L-band radars are not difficult technology and China's got experience with them as well. What the Russian's MAY have is software sophisticated enough to make use of those L-bands to identify and target stealth fighters with any meaningful effectiveness. Either way, those claims of Sukhoi fighters being able to see and shoot at US 5th gens (mostly coming from propaganda channels that have a track record of deception and exaggeration) are most likely untrue otherwise RuAF would order thousands of these fighters and upgrade older ones with similar technologies (a TINY price to pay if they can do as claimed) to counter the thousands of F-35s that will proliferate around the world. Likewise, PRC intelligence will have more detailed information on these sorts of technologies and do everything it takes to purchase them, develop them, or reverse engineer them. None of this has been true and while it is possible there are already decent ground based methods of eroding stealth advantages, China is still pouring vast funds into developing stealth fighters, drones, and bomber. Russia is too as far as we can tell for now.
plawolf
Lieutenant General
From an operational standpoint, 2 dozen Su35s makes very little difference in terms of China’s strategic picture.
There are many reasons for purchasing the Su35, but pressing operational need isn’t one of them.
I think the main way the PLAAF will put those Su35s to work will be as aggressors and to intercept foreign aircraft.
For both roles, a foreign radar that works differently compared to Chinese domestic radars have many important advantages.
During training, the Chinese can test both their defensive and offensive EW capabilities against some of the best systems in the world to assess how well Chinese systems might actually perform in wartime conditions.
During intercepts, Chinese Su35 pilots have the option of using wartime radar and EW modes if foreign fighters gets particularly aggressive, as Japanese fighters have done when they locked fire control radars on Chinese fighters in the past.
Well I'm late here, but very logical well reasoned post, and a very astute conclusion,, should have been the Sino Defense Post of the Day on Aug 9, 2018! Very good work here Sir!
So all 24 SU-35's were delivered by May?? that's very interesting and timely, so guys does this end here, or are we going to see a 2nd batch??
kwaigonegin
Colonel
Yes good post, but minus half a point for zero paragraphing... and as stated in the post L-Band radars are not some secret alien tech! the trick is to 'parse' the low frequencies using software or computing power to isolate the clutter AND more importantly ability to target and lock at a decent distance which L/S bands lack.
If someone can somehow manipulate the laws of frequency physics and created an L-band with X-band type of effectiveness in targeting and ranging then we will surely have a winner!
The fact they've gone to this trouble does however indicate some usefulness or planned usefulness. Maybe it's not enough for a firing solution but even if these L-bands can provide accurate indication of presence at long enough ranges to be useful, that is quite a lot better than having no idea. Who knows if the Su-35s even have this installed and if the PLAAF su-35s have this, despite the rumour.
Absolutely, and he's quite right, if anyone was able to nail the "VLO Aircraft" with the L Band consistently, production of L/O aircraft would begin to dry up tomorrow, and it hasn't, so the lad is onto something here 2+2=4.