Russia: New Stealth Aircraft a Challenge to US Air Superiority

Russia is planning to start performance testing next year on a prototype of a new fighter jet that is intended to be Russia’s counterweight to America’s F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, both built by Lockheed Martin (LMT). The T-50, a prototype for the Sukhoi PAK FA, is the first new combat aircraft Russia has built since the fall of the Soviet Union and is evidence that Russia’s military is experiencing a reemergence. It is also evidence that U.S. efforts to “reset” its relationship with Russia have been unsuccessful. It’s clear, Russia still sees the United States as its rival and competitor.

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