In a high-stakes aerial encounter over the Baltic Sea, an Italian F-35 jet found itself intercepted by a Russian Su-30SM, leading to a gripping display of aerial maneuvers and showcasing the capabilities of both aircraft. This incident, which took place on May 9th during a routine "air policing" mission, unfolded as the F-35 inadvertently approached a Russian military transport aircraft, prompting the Su-30SM to spring into action and assert its presence.
The Italian Pilot's Account:
The Italian pilot, known as Falco, recounts his astonishment at the sudden appearance of the Su-30SM, expressing his surprise at how close the Russian fighter had come. Falco describes the Russian pilot's defiant actions, recounting moments when the F-35's detection and warning systems failed repeatedly, requiring restarts and raising concerns about the effectiveness of the aircraft's targeting instruments.
A Dance of Maneuvers:
As the Italian and Russian jets flew side by side, they engaged in a carefully choreographed dance of subtle maneuvers, creating an illusion of approaching each other without actually doing so. Unlike typical encounters in border areas, where warnings are usually exchanged, this interaction proved to be anything but ordinary.
The Russian Pilot's Tactics:
In a bold move, the Su-30 quickly dropped behind the F-35, momentarily disappearing from view. The Italian pilot lost sight of the Russian fighter and, to his surprise, found the Su-30 right in front of him, narrowly avoiding a collision as it passed dangerously close with its left wing. The suddenness and audacity of the maneuver left Falco frozen with fear, prompting him to initiate a smooth turn while attempting to avoid provoking aggression from the Russian pilot.
Testing the F-35's Limits:
Recognizing that the Russian pilot was testing the capabilities of the American F-35, Falco acknowledges his prior knowledge of the impressive maneuverability exhibited by Russian Flanker fighters. However, he did not anticipate the ease with which the advanced F-35, equipped with state-of-the-art systems and weaponry, could be outmaneuvered by a fourth-generation Su-30SM, albeit an upgraded variant.
Unveiling Khibiny Electronic Warfare System:
The article delves into the Khibiny electronic warfare system, tracing its development from the Soviet era to its current iteration. Initially, the system faced challenges, but joint cooperation between KNIRTI and the Sukhoi airline in the 1980s led to significant improvements. The integration of Khibiny into Russian aircraft, starting with the Su-34 and later the Su-30SM, expanded its influence in military operations.
Capabilities of Khibiny:
The Khibiny system, designed for radio direction finding and signal source radiation, possesses the ability to distort reflected signal parameters. This grants it the power to delay the detection of carrier aircraft and mask objects against false reflections. Activating Khibiny makes it difficult for enemy aircraft in close proximity to the Russian carrier to determine accurate range, especially during high-speed and angular maneuvers. The system also hampers the effectiveness of radar systems by degrading the TWS (Track While Scan) mode, making object capture more challenging during real-time scans.
Conclusion:
The gripping encounter between the Italian F-35 and Russian Su-30SM highlights the dynamic nature of air policing missions and the ever-evolving technology shaping aerial warfare. As countries strive to gain the upper hand in the skies, incidents like this serve as reminders of the importance of continuous advancements in aircraft capabilities and the need for effective countermeasures against advanced electronic warfare systems.
