There’s nothing inherently wrong with an all-metallic build. ‘Composite’ might sound sexy but it’s not a magic word denoting inherent superiority. Regardless, the Su-27 is not a Russian aircraft, it’s Soviet. Development programs carried on by Russia from the Soviet Union (Su-30MK, Su-35, MiG-29M1/MiG-29M2) do not have poor avionics, poor MMI, or low engine life.
Furthermore, it ain’t like any Western aircraft besides the F-22, F-117, and B-2 can seriously claim to not have a ‘huge RCS’. In other news, the Russians recently reduced the RCS of an Su-35 by half through application of RAM.
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China is exponentially improving, while Russia/west linearly, I’d say with in 10 years there will almost be a parity.
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It’s easy to exponentiallly expand in comparison with more developed players, because you had nothing special to begin with, anything you do is an improvement. Regardless, in 10 years time the USAF will have the F-22 in established service, with the PAK FA probably in flight tests (the Russians are hoping to have it ready sooner, but really, let’s be realistic). To think that China can reach that technology level in a decade is *way* too optimisitic (it also presupposes that China’s economic honeymoon will continue indefinitely which is not guaranteed, though I’d say it was a guarantee until at least 2008, for obvious reasons).
First of all, I have personally great respect for Russians, however denying obvious facts is no good.
Composites may have their problems, but then west is using it, and not with out good reasons, what ever can reduce the weight ought to be used. Mastery of composites is must for superpower. PAK-FA will also use it. But then west again has a lead here.
Radars: The passive-phase array antenna is a really good achievement however it is teamed with poor cpus and signal processors, denying the phase array antenna to show it’s true glory. I may be wrong, but I read some where that Indians are planning to replace the cpu/processor of Bars radar.
SAR feature is also notably poor on Russian radar.
ECM/ECCM: Su-30 MKI is using Israeli equipment, not russian.
Poor MMI: Notable achievements have been made in MMI department recently. However compared to west, there is still something lacking. Compare the cockpit of rafale with su-xx to see what I mean. Also the pilot seat is upright.
Engine life: A really big issue. India and China can attest to that. Also please note that in commercial aviation, western engines are hughely superior to Russian ones.
You are right that new players can expand exponentially, the point is that where will be China 10 years from now compared to Russia. My idea is that in a world increasingly dominated by electronics, Russia is increasingly looking backward. One big edge that west had always over USSR was electronics.
In terms of ideas, Russia is super power in the league of US, in terms of implementing technology it is even behind some small european countries.
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