PAKFA and Silent Eagle comparison

I considered posting this on the PAKFA thread but then given what’s happened to the Rafale thread… its probably better to have a dedicated thread.

Since the flight of the first PAKFA prototype I have been hoping to hear about/see considerable modification of the airframe with a view to making it more stealthy, which some had alluded to, back then. The fourth prototype is in the air and I think its time for my castles to come down.

While the avionics and various sub-systems will continue to evolve, as perhaps will the powerplant, it appears this is it as far as the airframe is concerned. I think we can all agree that it isn’t nearly as stealthy as the F-35 and likely will never be. Its suggested that the PAKFA follows a different design philosophy relying to its greater brute force to prevail i.e. it will fly high, fly faster, maneuver better and look further than its opponent. Well clearly the F-35 isn’t going to fly higher, faster, or otherwise outfly its peers; it has a different set of strengths and that comparison has been done before albeit inconclusively.

I have a different question; how does the PAKFA compare to the F-15SE Silent Eagle? The similarities between the PAKFA and the Su-27 family are noticeable (even though it is very much distinct overall) which is why it is interesting to see how it compares to a stealthy evolution of the venerable F-15 (good basic performance but stealth is again of the ‘affordable’ variety).

Also when I say compare, I don’t mean who would win in a fight; I think we can all agree that the PAKFA is superior. Question is, by what extent is it so. Like the F-22 and Eurofighter, the F-15SE and PAKFA have airframes designed to excel in the high altitude/high speed (transonic/supersonic) regime. Avionics are likely better on the PAKFA; comparably sized radar AESA radar array (possibly not as well developed), secondary conformal arrays, L-band on wing leading edge, high level of sensor fusion aimed for. But lets restrict that comparison for now, since unlike the airframe avionics can be significantly upgraded.

Also how do the LO characteristics of both compare? The PAKFA has those chines on the forward fuselage, what else?