F-16 won the first air duel: experts told about the missile that hit the Su-34

Compared to other modern fighters, the Russian Su-35 and MiG- 31, the F-16 has higher maneuverability and EW capabilities. The Su-35 also has excellent long-range radars and missile systems.

A number of sources on social networks reported on October 13 that an F-16 of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was shot down by a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber. Such a victory was achieved with the help of the AIM-9X Sidewinder missile with infrared guidance and high maneuverability. Analysts of the Army Recognition portal write about this.

AIM-9X is known for its high lethality and gives an advantage in aerial duels, it can attack enemy targets from high angles and in close scenarios.

The F-16 Fighting Falcon of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is known for its wide combat capabilities: advanced avionics, radar systems and various precision-guided missiles. One of its distinctive features — the AN/APG-66(V2) radar, which tracks multiple targets simultaneously with high precision.

The F-16 can carry a range of air-to-air missiles, including the AIM-120 AMRAAM for combat beyond lines of sight and AIM-9X Sidewinder — for close air combat. The AIM-9X's ability to engage a target outside of line of sight makes it particularly lethal in close combat. This combination of radar and infrared guidance gives the F-16 an advantage in both long-range and short-range combat.

Compared to other modern fighters, such as the Russian Su-35 and MiG-31, the F-16 has superior maneuverability and EW capabilities. The Su-35 also has excellent long-range radar and missile systems, the authors of the publication note, but the F-16 compensates for this with superior maneuverability and integrated EW systems such as the Pylon Integrated Distribution System (PIDS). This system applies countermeasures to evade radar-guided threats.

This, combined with advanced helmet-mounted targeting systems, allows pilots to engage targets simply by looking at them, which is important in close combat.

AIM-9X Sidewinder Missile

AIM-9X Sidewinder — a modern air-to-air weapon that has revolutionized modern air combat. The infrared homing system enables it to detect and capture the heat signature of enemy aircraft, typically from the engines, making it highly effective against fast-moving targets. AIM-9X differs from previous versions in the ability of “high deviation from the line of sight”. Thus, the pilot does not need to be directly facing the enemy to fire; the missile can target and hit the aircraft even at extreme angles to the aircraft's flight path.

All this is complemented by a helmet sight system and allows the pilot to simply look at the target and direct the missile. Such a function radically reduces the reaction time required in close air combat — a critical advantage when pilots are maneuvering at high speeds and in high-threat environments. The AIM-9X is known for its ability to perform sharp turns.