F‑35A and SU‑35: The aerial standoff in Alaskan skies
Footage from the cockpit of an American F-35A fighter jet, showing a close encounter with a Russian Su-35, has appeared on the Fighterbomber channel on Telegram, reports The War Zone. However, the exact location and time of the incident were not provided. Such manoeuvres and close encounters between fighter jets can be dangerous and, in extreme cases, may result in a collision.
NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) confirmed that on 18 February 2025, Russian aircraft were intercepted near Alaska. Although dangerous, such incidents are not uncommon. Similar situations have occurred between aircraft from the USA, Russia, and China in the past.
Close encounter between F-35A and Su-35
While the authenticity of the footage remains unverified, NORAD has confirmed that the Russian aircraft was intercepted on 18 February 2025. According to NORAD's response to questions from The War Zone, the manoeuvres performed by the Russian aircraft in the video again fall short of the standards expected from professional air forces.
In February, NORAD published photos of F-35As alongside Su-35s and Tu-95s in international airspace over Alaska. Although no dangerous manoeuvres were reported then, such situations can lead to collisions, especially given the increase in the number of close encounters between aircraft from the USA, Russia, and China in recent years. Russian and Chinese air forces are increasingly conducting joint operations in the Pacific region, including around Alaska.
For example, in 2024, Chinese H-6 aircraft flew near Alaska for the first time during joint patrols. In March 2025, a Russian Il-38 patrol aircraft approached the American carrier USS Carl Vinson during exercises with Japan and South Korea.
Su-35 and F-35A aerial machine showdown
The F-35A is the most commonly produced Lightning II fighter family variant, designed for air forces. It was developed as a multi-role stealth fighter capable of carrying out strike missions and engaging in medium-range air combat. Its fuselage is designed to minimise radar signature, and most of its armaments are carried in internal bays. The aircraft has a single Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, reaching up to about Mach 1.6 and an operational range exceeding 1,367 miles without additional fuel tanks.
The pilot's primary tools are the AESA AN/APG-81 radar and the DAS (Distributed Aperture System), which provide complete situational awareness in a 360-degree radius and the advanced EOTS targeting system. Pilots use HMD (Helmet Mounted Display) helmets, which replace traditional displays and allow for target tracking via sight. The F-35A can carry a variety of munitions, including AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, JDAM guided bombs, GBU-39 SDB, or even the B61-12 nuclear bomb.
The Su-35 embodies the Russian approach to air combat – fast, agile, and equipped to carry a wide range of weapons. Although derived from the Su-27 design, its avionics, engines, and weapons systems have been thoroughly modernised. The fighter is powered by two AL-41F1S engines, allowing it to reach speeds up to Mach 2.25. Its range exceeds 2,237 miles without refuelling.
The Irbis-E radar is a powerful PESA station that tracks up to 30 targets and engages eight at once. The Su-35 carries a wide array of armaments, from R-77-1 and R-73 air-to-air missiles to heavy R-37M missiles with a range exceeding 186 miles, as well as air-to-ground munitions like Kh-31 and Kh-59 missiles, guided KAB bombs, and Kh-35 cruise missiles. In contrast to the F-35, the Su-35 lacks internal weapon bays, increasing its detectability but allowing it to carry up to approximately 8 tonnes of combat loads.
