American F‑35A and Russian Su‑35 face-off near Alaska triggers safety concerns
The recording from the cockpit of an American F-35A fighter jet, which shows a close encounter with a Russian Su-35, appeared on the Fighterbomber channel on Telegram, as reported by The War Zone. However, the exact location and time of the incident were not provided. Such maneuvers 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 Russian aircraft were intercepted near Alaska on February 18, 2025. While these incidents are dangerous, they are not uncommon. Similar situations have happened in the past between U.S., Russian, and Chinese aircraft.
Close encounter between F-35A and Su-35
While the authenticity of the recording remains uncertain, NORAD has confirmed that a Russian aircraft was intercepted on February 18, 2025. In response to inquiries from The War Zone, NORAD remarked that the Russian aircraft's maneuvers in the footage again do not reflect the standards expected of professional air forces.
In February, NORAD published photos of the F-35A accompanied by the Su-35 and Tu-95 in international airspace over Alaska. While no dangerous maneuvers were reported then, such situations can lead to collisions, particularly since the number of close encounters between U.S., Russian, and Chinese aircraft has increased recently. 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 as part of 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 clash
The F-35A is the most frequently produced Lightning II fighter family variant, designed for air forces. It was developed as a stealth, multirole fighter capable of performing both strike missions and medium-range air combat. Its fuselage is designed to minimize radar cross-section, with most of its armaments carried in internal bays. The aircraft is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, allowing it to reach speeds of up to Mach 1.6 and an operational range exceeding 1,367 miles without additional tanks.
The pilot's eyes consist of the AN/APG-81 AESA radar and the DAS (Distributed Aperture System), which provide full situational awareness within a 360-degree range and the advanced EOTS targeting system. Pilots use HMDs (Helmet-Mounted Displays) that replace traditional displays and allow target tracking by sight. The F-35A can carry weapons such as 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, on the other hand, exemplifies the Russian approach to air combat—fast, maneuverable, and capable of carrying a wide range of weaponry. Although derived from the Su-27 design, its avionics, engines, and weapons systems have been thoroughly modernized. 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 refueling.
The Irbis-E radar is a powerful PESA-type station capable of tracking up to 30 targets simultaneously and engaging eight at once. The Su-35 carries a wide array of weaponry—from R-77-1 and R-73 air-to-air missiles, to heavy R-37M missiles with a range of over 186 miles, to air-to-ground weapons such as Kh-31 and Kh-59 missiles, KAB guided bombs, and Kh-35 cruise missiles. Unlike the F-35, the Su-35 does not have internal weapon bays, which increases its detectability but allows it to carry up to 17,637 pounds of diverse combat payloads.
