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• Rare Russian electronic warfare system destroyed by Ukraine

Ukrainian officials confirmed on August 29 that an F-16 fighter jet crashed while responding to a Russian attack, killing the pilot. This is the first Ukrainian F-16 destroyed since the country received a batch of fighters donated by Western allies earlier this month.

This event not only caused Ukraine to lose its top pilot Oleksiy Mes and an F-16, but also affected the morale of the Ukrainian army as they were facing a lot of pressure.

Immediately, the cause of this tragedy in Ukraine was dissected by all sides. Some said that the F-16AMs delivered were old because they were manufactured in the 1980s and were not properly maintained, which caused the incident. However, there were also sources saying that it was the lack of coordination that caused the Patriot system to shoot down this aircraft.

Specifically, Ms. Mariana Bezugla, vice chairwoman of the Ukrainian Parliament’s Defense Committee, wrote on social media on August 29 that “the F-16 fighter piloted by pilot Oleksiy Mes was shot down by a Patriot anti-aircraft missile due to lack of coordination between units”, but did not provide evidence…

However, Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleschuk later criticized MP Bezugla, affirming that the force was investigating the cause of the F-16 crash and “was not hiding anything”.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Avia website reported that an F-16 fighter jet that had just arrived in Kiev may have been shot down by a missile from the Ukrainian armed forces’ Patriot air defense system. The New York Times reported this, citing a Western official. Neither Ukraine nor Washington has commented on this information.

Patriot system and F-16 fighter jet

The F-16 fighter jet is considered the most successful 4th generation fighter jet in the world, with 24 countries using it. It is estimated that nearly 5,000 aircraft have been produced in many versions.

The F-16 Block 70/72 is the latest and most powerful version of the F-16 fighter family. At the core of this version is the advanced Northrop Grumman AN/APG-80 active electronically scanned array radar, which is based on technology taken from the F-22 and F-35.

In addition, the aircraft is also equipped with a state-of-the-art electronic warfare system, a cockpit equipped with a high-resolution screen, the latest generation JHMCS II pilot helmet… The power of this version is said to be enough to compete with the Russian export version of the Su-35S.

Analysts say the radar on the F-16 Block 70/72 is more sensitive and has a better scanning range than the Su-35. In terms of weapons, although the F-16 Block 70/72 has one engine, it can carry up to 7.9 tons of weapons, while the Su-35S, although equipped with two engines and larger, can only carry 8 tons of weapons. Another advantage is that the operating cost of the single-engine F-16 is always cheaper than the twin-engine Su-35.

Currently, the F-16 Block 70/72 is being offered by the US for about 80 million USD/unit, while the Su-35S Russia sells to China for up to over 100 million USD/unit.

Read more at: https://avia.pro/news/v-ssha-podtverdili-chto-f-16-byl-sbit-iz-zrk-patriot