Do you think that F-16 pilot had a wingman, or escorting the Russian plane solo?
In either case, it seem to me like the F-16 pilot, either with onboard sensors, or via advisement from ground radar, should have been aware of that SU-35 long before it got close enough to make one shit in ones pants.
And that speaks both to failure of onboard and ground sensors. Looks like ground tracking would have known about the SU-35 before it got anywhere near F-16.
Not just ground tracking but the F-16 has plenty of tracking and other stuff that should have seen the other aircraft long before the pilot could visibly see it.
The F-16 pilot not knowing there was an incoming plane is pure incompetence.
Should have immediately done a missile lock on the other fighter.
Do you think that F-16 pilot had a wingman, or escorting the Russian plane solo?
In either case, it seem to me like the F-16 pilot, either with onboard sensors, or via advisement from ground radar, should have been aware of that SU-35 long before it got close enough to make one shit in ones pants.
I don't think I've ever seen a single fighter respond to a military aircraft violating or coming very close to violating US airspace.
Not saying that it has never happened but from what I've been told by USAF members, it's always at least two that go up.
And if the pilot had bothered to turn on all of their equipment, they would have known that enemy plane was in the area long before they could see it.
And that speaks both to failure of onboard and ground sensors. Looks like ground tracking would have known about the SU-35 before it got anywhere near F-16.
Not just ground tracking but the F-16 has plenty of tracking and other stuff that should have seen the other aircraft long before the pilot could visibly see it.