U.S. Air Force uses Russian fighter lookalikes in key exercise
In the United States, one of the most important military exercises — Red Flag 25-1, organized by the Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, is underway. The event will last until February 14, and its participants are honing their skills in realistic scenarios simulating battlefield conditions. Evidence of this is an unusual photo that has surfaced on the internet. It shows an American F-16 fighter jet painted in the colours of a Russian Su-57 Felon fighter.
The Bulgarian military service highlighted a photo of an F-16 painted in the characteristic Su-57 camouflage shared on the official Nellis Base profile on X. Notably. This is not the first time an American fighter jet has appeared in the sky in such colours.
American F-16 in unusual paint scheme
These colours are part of a training strategy designed to replicate the conditions of a potential conflict closely. The 64th Aggressor Squadron from Nellis Base, responsible for simulating enemy tactics, uses paint schemes similar to Russian aircraft to help pilots become accustomed to seeing a real threat in the sky.
The Bulgarian military explains that this approach helps reduce the effect of so-called "buck fever," a momentary loss of concentration at the sight of the enemy. By regularly training with machines that resemble those of potential adversaries, pilots handle pressure better and react more swiftly in real combat situations.
Interestingly, the choice of a specific camouflage pattern resulted from a contest announced in 2019 by Gen. Rob Novotny on social media of the 57th Fighter Wing, to which the 64th Aggressor Squadron belongs. From several proposals, a design inspired by the Su-57 was selected, showing how modern technologies and community engagement influence military decisions.
Su-57 - Russian fifth-generation fighter jet
Despite the structural differences between the F-16 and the Su-57, the American fighter performs excellently as a simulated adversary. Its agility and combat capabilities allow for realistic reenactments of situations pilots might encounter in a real fight against the Russian fifth-generation fighter.
The Sukhoi Design Bureau designed the Su-57 to dominate the air and carry out complex strike missions. The fighter first flew in 2010, and its development has sparked significant interest in Russia and globally. It was created as a response to the American F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.
The Su-57 is approximately 20 metres long with a wingspan of about 14 metres, and according to the Russians, it uses stealth technology. It is powered by two AL-41F1 engines, which are expected to be replaced by a new unit known as "Product 30". The fighter can reach a maximum speed of around 2,600 km/h and has a supersonic cruise speed without using an afterburner — a key feature for fifth-generation fighters. The combat range of the Su-57 is about 1,500 kilometres, and its total range without air refuelling is nearly 3,500.
The machine is equipped with modern avionics systems, including an AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar, which allows for the simultaneous detection and tracking of multiple targets. These systems support the pilot in managing a complex combat environment and enable simultaneous air combat and strike missions. The Su-57 can carry a wide array of armaments, both in internal weapon bays and on external mounts. The arsenal includes long—and short-range air-to-air missiles, cruise missiles, and precision-guided bombs.
