F-22 and F-35 outperformed by 4th gen fighters?

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A very simple answer. If the Russians and the Chinese thought stealth and datasharing wasn't important, they would be ignoring reasearch and development in that area and frantically producing as many Sukhois as possible.

Whereas in real life, they are only producing just enough Sukhois to fill in the slots in their squardrons, and frantically researching stealth and data sharing.

Case closed.
 

Well put
 

You have a point - but IR missiles "see" the infrared bands, so if they can acquire the heat source they will awlays be a threat. There is also new missile technology that is making its way on the scene as well.
 
...where is Russia going to get the money to produce/buy all these 4th gen "wonder" fighters? From what I understand the economic crisis has hit them harder then us.

Could be wrong though, as my wife likes to point out.
 
PAK-FA is 20 years behind. Surely it will have some surprises, but still 20+yrs behind. Hells bells the F-22 is an early 1990s airplane!!!

Russia doesn't have the $$$. And as much as it might be counter-claimed, Russia is increasingly leery of sharing technology with the ChiComs, since everytime Russia gives them technology they steal it and then compete on the world market against the Russian defense economy for the very same market niche.

There is no comparable 5th generation fighter to the F-22/F-35. Now, nor planned.
 
As long as the PAK-FA and Russia are dependent on stealing technology and/or copying other aircraft and technologies then they will always be at least 11/2 generations behind the USA and other western nations. Russia doesn't have the money or the people, China doesn't have the technology or people and they both have significant internal issues.

When the next Microsoft, Google, NASA type probe, Boeing or Aerospatiale Type Company, innovative microwave communication device or other new technology, comes from Russia or China, then and only then, will there be a cause for concern. I cannot see that happening as to develop an F22 type aircraft you need to blend a lot of technology with one aim. Having one piece of the puzzle is of little benefit.
 

apart from where you have foolhardy pilots
 
There is no comparable 5th generation fighter to the F-22/F-35. Now, nor planned.

I'm sure there are some planned (India?), but they're a good 10-20 years out, minimum; there's nothing to compete with the F-22/35 now, or for the forseeable future.
 

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