Test: F35 v. Russias most modern SAM systems

[wild_Willie2]

Hi there,

As the latest reports from Red Flag stated that the F-35 in its current configuration where taking out the most modern Russian SAM systems with just free fall weapons, I decided to run some tests in Command.

I tested one on one engagements between a Jamming F-35 (although with some extra Growler support) and the most modern Russian SAM systems and the outcome was quite interesting.

Proficiency of both sides: regular. Conditions: daytime, no clouds.

F35 v. Sa-23 Gladiator- F35 jamming, 36k, Growlers jamming at 60 miles, SBD/LJDAM released at 2 miles, Sa-23 destroyed.

F35 v. Sa-26- F35 jamming, 36k, Growlers jamming at 32 miles, SBD/LJDAM released at 2 miles, Sa-26 destroyed.

F35 v. Sa-17 Grizzly- F35 jamming, 36k, Growlers jamming at 31 miles, SBD/LJDAM released at 2 miles, Sa-17 destroyed.

F35 v. Sa-25- F35 jamming, 36k, Growlers jamming at 69 miles, F-35 detected at 8 miles via IR camera, AC and SBD/LJDAM destroyed.

F35 v. Sa-20a Gargoyle- F35 jamming, 36k, Growlers jamming at 81 miles, SBD/LJDAM released at 2 miles, Sa-20a destroyed.

F35 v. Sa-12a Gladiator- F35 jamming, 36k, Growlers jamming at 81 miles, SBD/LJDAM released at 2 miles, Sa-12a destroyed.

F35 v. Sa-10b Grumble- F35 jamming, 36k, Growlers jamming at 42 miles, SBD/LJDAM released at 2 miles, Sa-10b destroyed.

F35 v. Sa-21a Growler- F35 jamming, 36k, Growlers jamming at 116 miles, SBD/LJDAM released at 2 miles, Sa-21a destroyed.

F35 v. Sa-21a/b Growler- F35 jamming, 36k, Growlers jamming at 120 miles, F-35 detected at 36 miles, AC and SBD/LJDAM destroyed.

F35 v. Sa-22 Greyhound- F35 jamming, 36k, Growlers jamming at 15 miles, SBD/LJDAM released at 2 miles, Sa-22 destroyed.

F35 v. Sa-8b Gecko- F35 jamming, 36k, Growlers jamming at 10 miles, SBD/LJDAM released at 2 miles, Sa-8b destroyed.

So we can basically conclude that the in a one v. one situation, a jamming F-35 with some growler support can take out over 80% of the most modern Russian SAM systems with just bombs. Only the systems with the best radars and self-guided radar homing missiles (Sa-21a/b) or with extremely good IR systems (Sa-25) can stand up to it in a one v. one situation.

I personally think this is very useful to know while planning operations.

W.

[Cik]

that's insane. i can't believe jammers are that effective. is there some sort of jammer/stealth synergy that's just brutalizing those poor SAMs, or what?

that seems ludicrously effective. way more effective than i'd ever considered possible, in fact. i would have figured the jammers would be ineffective at best, useless at worst and that the F-35 would have been detected and destroyed at 20-50~ nm, long before entering WEZ on freefall bombs.

[magi]

thats really interesting.... amazing....

[wild_Willie2]

The results of these tests are quite interesting, but the problem is that any decent commander will always create a layered and integrated air deference system instead of just a single system. If you play the Crimean River scenario you can see for yourself how difficult it actually is to break through such a layered system (especially when anchored by an Sa-21a/b Growler system), even with F-22's and F-35's.

The combination of stealth and a powerful jammer makes it extremely difficult for SAM systems to lock on to an F-35 and by releasing JDAM's from such a close range, SAM's simply do not have the time to detect and engage the weapons before they hit.

[giantsquid]

Thanks for the interesting test. About this topic (new russian/chinese SAM) there is a very interesting artcile on Naval Sitrep for Harpoon4 boardgame rules, with many details about capabilities and ranges:
You can see a preview here (large preview): http://www.wargamevault.com/product/165 ... tober-2015
I bought the copy anyway

Francesco

[Sardaukar]

Often systems like SA-21 Growler (S-400) are protected by short-ranges systems like SA-15 Tor or Pantsir-system. That is to give them close-in protection against guided weapons that SA-21 is not that well-suited to engage.

[magi]

this has helped me out....