The US F-35 threatens Russia's S-300 air defense system

US Lockheed Martin said it has designed a new F-35 stealth fighter to destroy Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems.

Lockheed Martin Executive Vice President for the F-35 manufacturing program Tom Burbage said, with the reception of new F-35 fighters, Israel will no longer worry about dealing with systems. S-300 in Iran and Syria too. The computer simulation proved that the F-35 could defeat the S-300.

The F-35 is a new generation of stealth fighters.Photo: network54.com

The specifications of the F-35 show that this is an outstanding stealth aircraft, with a length of 15.37 m and a wingspan of 10.65 m. 5.28 m height, 42.7m² wing area, 12,000kg unloaded weight and 20,100 kg load weight.

The biggest speed of the F35 is 1.8 Mach (1,930 km per hour), the maximum range is 2,200 km and the combat radius is 1,100 km.

The original engine of F35 was Pratt & Whitney F135, thrust 128 kN, repulsion force after the combustion was 191 kN. In addition, Lockheed Martin Group is developing the next-generation engine, which is the General Electric / Rolls-Royce F136 engine with afterburner, thrust above 178 kN.

The specifications of the F-35C, one of the three versions of the F-35.Photo: strategypage.com.

The weapon that the F-35 is equipped with is also very advanced, including a 25 mm GAU-12 / U cannon, mounted in the F-35A body with 180 bullets or mounted outside the wing. The F-35B and F-35C versions are equipped with 220 shells.

By exchanging more easily detectable features with radar, the F35 is equipped with missiles, more bombs and an extra fuel tank. In the fuselage, there are at most 4 AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, AIM-9X Sidewinder or AIM-132 ASRAAM or 2 air-to-air missiles and 2 surface-to-air missiles.

There are a maximum of 4 weapon units for each compartment: Brimstone anti-tank missiles, Cluster Munitions (WCMD) and High Speed ​​Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM). MBDA Meteor air-to-air missiles are being modified to fit inside and can equip the F-35. Non-carryable weapons (both inside and outside) include 12 AIM-120 missiles and 2 AIM-9 missiles; or 6 900kg bombs, 2 AIM-120 missiles and 2 AIM-9 missiles.

Meanwhile, the Russian S-300 system (SA-10 Grumble, SA-12 Giant / Gladiator, SA-20 Gargoyle) is considered one of the most modern air defense missile systems in the world. .

This long-range surface-to-air missile system can defend against aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. The S-300's radar can track 100 targets and destroy 12 targets at a distance of 200km and 27km altitude.

Russian S-300 air defense missile system.Photo: defencetalk.com.

Although Russia's information will sell S-300 systems to Iran so far has not been verified, but if it does, the deal will change the face of the Middle East. There are many reasons for Iran to equip Russia's S-300 system.

First of all, Tehran could threaten US and allied troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, if they deploy these systems along the Iranian border. Second, these systems will enhance the defense of nuclear reactors at Bushehr, which Russia has built. Finally, Tehran could also use S-300 systems to protect the Natanz uranium enrichment plant.

An Iranian possessing nuclear weapons could trigger a regional arms race, as Israel, Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia will not stand still when Tehran builds warehouses. nuclear weapons.

With the S-300 system, Iran could block Israeli attacks, if Israel was not equipped with new F-35s or did not perform a pre-emptive strike on S-300 systems first. when they are fully operational.

Experts predict that, if transferred, Iran will take 1 year to install and operate S-300 systems, while defense industry predicts, F-35 can hardly be equipped. Israel before the period 2011 - 2013.