US F-22s came face to face with Russia's top fighter over Alaska and were at a major disadvantage

pulse 16:51 - 13 September 2018

If a fight were to start during an intercept like the one this week, the Russian pilot would start with the huge advantage of having the F-22 in sight. What's more, the Russian Su-35 can actually maneuver better than the F-22.

The top US and Russian fighter jets ran into each other in the skies above Alaska, and the incident favored the Russian jet if combat were to break out.
The US's F-22 doesn't visibly store weapons, and it relies on stealth, so coming face to face with an advanced Russian fighter puts it at a disadvantage.
Most incidents in the skies involving the US are communicated in advance and handled professionally, but the rules of engagement leave the US vulnerable to a first strike.