Completely dubious because you have no real data to work with. That’s why…

Making up fantasy numbers about how close an F-35 can get to a modern Russian radar is a lame game.

Russian PDS systems cannot elevate their guns straight up nor can they tilt engagement radars straight up. The Pantsir S1 has a limitation of 82 degrees for the tracking radar and 85 degrees for the gun.

This is why a plunging attack has the best chance of success. In order to protect the S-XXX the PDS units have to be spread out, but doing that means that the guns will engage from the side instead of a merging engagement. This also means that the leading PDS units cannot defend (with guns) against a plunging attack that is aimed at the PDS itself. It will have to use missiles, of which it has a very limited supply, and will have to rely on target data from other units in the area. If network jamming is in affect the PDS CANNOT defend itself against a plunging attack from a PGM or HARM as not even it’s radar can see beyond 82 degrees.

http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-96K6-Pantsir-2K22-Tunguska.html

Getting in to actually do a plunging attack is a good way to kill yourself in a hurry.

Why? He is entitled to an opinion as you are. At least his was contained to the subject matter…..

Eyeball streamlining, RCS-estimation, etc – can remain with one self. Please and thanks. I don’t want to read through meaningless garbage.

Maybe this was for Bulava, but I was pretty sure most reports pointed to the warheads having the capability to make terminal maneuvers – like the one for the Iskander-M complex.

Yuri Dolgorukiy testing Bulava? 😉

I am not so optimistic. I used Navsource along with Balancer’s forum (the very best place for Russian Navy info, phenomenal source) to compile this general picture:

Sovremmeny (Project 956):

Boyevoi: In reserve/needs repairs/return to service extremely unlikely

Burny: Inactive/Undergoing repairs?/soon to decommission?

Bystry: Active

Bezboyazenny: Inactive/Undergoing repairs?

Gremyshyi: Active?/In reserve?

Bespokoiny: Active?/In reserve?

Nastoychivi: Active

Admiral Ushakov: Active

Rastoropny: In reserve/Overhaul?

Split that up by fleet 😉

Russia can always slap on PS-90A aviadvigatels onto their A-50s. Turbojet vs turbofan problem solved.

Wishful thinking on defense spending?

http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20101012/160919044.html

Yeah, Russia is completely bankrupt. Back to T-55s and MiG-21s. . . :rolleyes:

On a slightly more serious note, those numbers are a load of crap?

$38.8 billion defense budget for 2013? ~$15 billion lower than this year?