In a series of simulated close-range air combat encounters, reportedly occurring over Syria, the American F-22A Raptor consistently outperformed Russian Su-35S and Su-30SM fighter jets, according to a military blogger known as Fighterbomber, who claims ties to the Russian Air Force.
US sends F-22s to Crete for joint missions with Greek Air Force
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The engagements, described as realistic yet constrained by safety protocols, pitted the advanced U.S. stealth fighter against two of Russia’s most capable aircraft in what the source characterized as uneven and unpredictable scenarios.
The blogger noted that the F-22 emerged victorious in every instance, a result attributed to its superior design and capabilities, though specifics about the encounters remain limited.
In a recent post about mock one-on-one WVR engagements that involved U.S. F-22As and Russian Su-35Ss & Su-30SMs (presumably over Syria), milblogger Fighterbomber notes that "In all cases, the F-22 smashed our fighters. Just like that, very confidently & without breaking a sweat." pic.twitter.com/t4UmWmjTBh
— Guy Plopsky (@GuyPlopsky) March 22, 2025
These claims, shared through a recent online post and echoed by an Arabic-language source, have sparked discussions about the comparative strengths of these modern warplanes and their roles in contemporary aerial warfare.
Fighterbomber’s account provides a rare glimpse into real-world interactions between these aircraft, emphasizing that the engagements were not conducted under controlled or equitable conditions.
The Russian pilots, operating Su-35S and Su-30SM jets, faced the F-22 in situations where factors such as altitude, speed, and payload varied widely. The blogger described the encounters as akin to wartime conditions—unfair and chaotic—yet underscored that the American jet dominated with apparent ease.
While the aircraft were armed, the engagements were conducted with “blunted blades,” meaning live fire was only a remote possibility under extreme circumstances. This setup allowed the pilots to test their skills and machines in a high-stakes environment without escalating to actual combat.
The F-22’s success in these simulated dogfights aligns with its reputation as a premier air superiority platform. Developed by Lockheed Martin, the Raptor entered service with the U.S. Air Force in 2005 and is renowned for its stealth capabilities, advanced avionics, and exceptional maneuverability.
Its thrust-to-weight ratio, coupled with thrust-vectoring nozzles, enables it to execute sharp turns and maintain energy during close-range engagements, known in military parlance as within-visual-range [WVR] combat.
Analysts have long praised the jet’s ability to operate undetected by radar and its sophisticated flight control systems, which allow it to outmaneuver adversaries even in the tight confines of a dogfight.
By contrast, the Su-35S and Su-30SM, both produced by Russia’s Sukhoi design bureau, are formidable opponents in their own right. The Su-35S, an advanced derivative of the Su-27 family, boasts thrust-vectoring engines that enhance its agility, along with a powerful radar and a robust weapons suite.
The Su-30SM, a two-seat multirole fighter, shares similar attributes and is designed for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. These aircraft have been deployed extensively by Russian forces, including in Syria, where they have supported government operations since 2015.
Their capabilities in close-range combat are well-documented, yet Fighterbomber’s account suggests they were unable to match the F-22’s performance in these particular encounters.
The blogger’s post, while candid, leaves several questions unanswered. The experience levels of the pilots involved were not disclosed, nor were the exact parameters of the engagements, such as the distance at which the aircraft first detected one another or the specific tactics employed.
In aerial combat, such variables can significantly influence outcomes. For instance, a pilot with superior training might exploit an opponent’s hesitation, while a heavier payload could hamper an aircraft’s agility.
Fighterbomber acknowledged these disparities, noting that the fights were “one-on-one” but far from fair, a point that underscores the complexity of drawing broad conclusions from these incidents.
Aviation experts have weighed in on the reported encounters, offering context for the F-22’s apparent edge. John Venable, a former F-16 pilot and senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, explained that the Raptor’s stealth and situational awareness give it a critical advantage, even in close-range scenarios where radar evasion is less relevant.
“The F-22’s ability to process data from its sensors and present it to the pilot in real-time is unmatched,” Venable said. “That, combined with its aerodynamic design, makes it a tough target to beat.”
However, he cautioned that simulated engagements often come with restrictions that may not fully reflect wartime conditions, where electronic warfare and missile systems could shift the balance.
Russian analysts, meanwhile, have pointed to the strengths of their own platforms. Viktor Murakhovsky, a retired colonel and editor of the military journal Arsenal of the Fatherland, argued that the Su-35S excels in maneuverability and could hold its own in a dogfight under the right circumstances.
“The Sukhoi jets are built for agility and resilience,” he said. “Their performance depends heavily on the pilot and the mission profile,” Murakhovsky suggested that the encounters described by Fighterbomber might have favored the F-22 due to specific tactical setups, though he did not dispute the outcome.
The possibility that these engagements took place over Syria adds a geopolitical layer to the story. Since the U.S. and Russia began operating in the region—Washington backing coalition forces against ISIS and Moscow supporting the Assad regime—their air forces have navigated a crowded and tense airspace.
Deconfliction agreements, mediated through military hotlines, have prevented direct clashes, but close encounters between U.S. and Russian jets have been reported periodically.
The Pentagon has confirmed that F-22s were deployed to Syria as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, while Russia’s Su-35S and Su-30SM jets have been fixtures in the conflict since their arrival nearly a decade ago.
If Fighterbomber’s account is accurate, these simulated battles likely occurred within the framework of such operations, testing the limits of both sides’ capabilities without crossing into open hostility.
Fighterbomber speculated on how the results might differ with other aircraft in the mix. The blogger mentioned Russia’s Su-57, a fifth-generation stealth fighter still in development, as a potential contender that could challenge the F-22.
However, the Su-57 has not been deployed in significant numbers—Fighterbomber noted that Russia lacks even a single combat regiment equipped with the jet—and its performance remains unproven in operational settings. In one instance, the blogger claimed that when a Su-57 did appear, Su-35s were tasked with protecting it, suggesting a limited role in these encounters.
The MiG-31, a high-speed interceptor, was also referenced as a possible game-changer, though its design prioritizes long-range engagements over dogfighting.
Data from open sources supports the notion of the F-22’s dominance in air-to-air scenarios. A 2017 report by the U.S. Air Force highlighted the Raptor’s performance in exercises like Red Flag, where it reportedly achieved kill ratios exceeding 100-to-1 against simulated adversaries.
While such figures come from controlled environments, they underscore the jet’s engineering prowess. Russia’s Ministry of Defense, for its part, has touted the Su-35S’s success in Syria, claiming it has downed drones and conducted precision strikes, though it rarely discusses direct comparisons with Western aircraft.
The broader implications of these encounters remain a matter of debate. For the U.S., the F-22’s reported success reinforces its status as a cornerstone of American air power, even as the jet approaches two decades in service with no direct successor in production.
For Russia, the results may highlight gaps in its current fleet, particularly as it works to field the Su-57 amid budget constraints and technological hurdles. Fighterbomber’s closing remark—that the situation could shift with time and new developments—reflects an awareness of the evolving nature of aerial warfare.
As both nations continue to refine their air forces, the skies over conflict zones like Syria serve as a testing ground for tactics and technology. The encounters described by Fighterbomber, while anecdotal, offer a snapshot of this ongoing competition, where innovation, training, and split-second decisions determine the outcome.
Whether these simulated battles signal a lasting advantage for the F-22 or a temporary edge in specific conditions, they underscore the relentless pursuit of supremacy in the air—a contest that shows no sign of abating.
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