Is Interception of an American F-16AM by an S-400 SAM Possible After Targeting by a Su-35S Fighter: Technical Analysis

The fighter is capable of intercepting a missile with an active X-band radar homing head

A combination of a fourth-generation Su-35 multirole fighter and an S-400 anti-aircraft missile system (SAM) is capable of destroying an American F-16AM combat aircraft. This was stated by military expert Evgeny Damantsev.

Су-35С
Су-35С

According to him, a Su-35S pilot loitering at an altitude of about 8-10 km could easily detect a low-altitude F-16AM using the Irbis-E airborne radar station (BRLS) at a distance of up to 230 km.

The analyst suggested that at such a distance, the Su-35S would not use the R-37M missile, since the 8-Mach 40N6 anti-aircraft missile of the S-400 complex would have a much better chance of intercepting a maneuvering F-16AM at low altitude. Especially if the S-400 is deployed 100 km closer to the detected coordinates than the Su-35S.

F-16AM
F-16AM
As a result, having tied the track to escort the F-16AM using the Irbis-E, the Su-35S pilot, using the secure network-centric data exchange channel KDL-I of the S-108 communication station, can issue target designation either to the automated control system mixed Polyana-D4M1 with retransmission to the combat control center 55K6 of the S-400 complex, or directly to the combat control center 55K6.
Evgeny Damantsev, military expert

Thanks to this, the launch of a long-range 40N6 anti-aircraft missile with loaded F-16AM coordinates can be carried out in an over-the-horizon mode, and radio correction will be carried out by the Irbis-E airborne radar.

Thus, at a distance of about 35-40 km, the F-16AM can be captured by the active X-band radar homing head of the 40N6 anti-aircraft missile, which will ensure the autonomous exit of the anti-aircraft missile into the rear hemisphere of the F-16AM with the initiation of a radar fuse.

Taking into account the amplitude compatibility in the X-band, the Irbis-E radar can illuminate the F-16AM even with a standard 48N6DM anti-aircraft missile with a semi-active radar homing head.
Evgeny Damantsev, military expert
ЗРК С-400 "Триумф" 
ЗРК С-400 "Триумф"

About Su-35S

The Su-35S is a multi-purpose super-maneuverable fighter with a controlled thrust vector of the "4++" generation. The aircraft is designed to gain air superiority by destroying unmanned and manned aircraft with guided missiles, as well as destroying ground infrastructure facilities.

About S-400 "Triumph" SAM

The S-400 is capable of hitting aerodynamic targets at a distance of 2.5 to 380 km and an altitude of 10 m to 30 km. It includes a combat control center, a radar complex, a transport-launching unit, a radar station and other optional means.

Earlier www1.ru reported that specialists turned a kamikaze drone into a missile, accelerating it to 280 km/h.

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