Artist's commentary
F-22 "Raptor".
What does a "partnership" mean to you? Personally, whether in the air or in bed, it implies that someone is screwing someone else. However, while in bed this might imply at least a friendly rapport, in the air, it is something entirely different.
Any "partnership" essentially amounts to an agreement not to shoot at your "partner"—specifically, not to fire live ordnance. That said, they will use every possible method to hinder you from completing a combat mission if it doesn't suit their interests. There are a million ways to do this. The most mundane is jamming radio communications and navigation systems; that is actually the most peaceful and humane approach. They might cut across your flight path at dangerously close range, using engine wake turbulence to knock you off course. They might douse you with a fuel dump or pepper you with flares. They might lock their targeting systems onto you and simulate attacks, breaking off at the last second. They might launch a couple of drones head-on at your altitude. And you can bet your radar warning receiver will be screaming constantly. While air-superiority fighters and fighter-bombers can give as good as they get, reconnaissance aircraft, attack planes, and bombers have a rough time of it. That’s why fighters and fighter-bombers provide support; they do everything they can to ensure their charges can complete their missions.
The photo shows an F-22 "Raptor" in the sights of our Su-35S—specifically, the OLS (optical-location system) and thermal imager—locked on. Yes, the "22" was acting aggressively and got punished after a brief dogfight—an engagement for which our "Blue-Chest" pilot was, of course, reprimanded. Business as usual. As you can see, even stealth aircraft can be locked onto perfectly. Yes, we can do it. It doesn't always work out, but if the need arises, we’ll get the job done.
(editor's note: I believe "thermal imager" (ТП) is a mistranslation and is supposed to mean targetting pod instead, still likely thermal. I'm not sure if the view itself is actually from the IRST or if it's from the targetting pod and the mention of the OLS-35 refers just to the raptor being locked.)

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