The United States has significant vulnerabilities in its air defense and missile defense systems in Alaska. The Su-57 can easily exploit them.
Due to the greed of generals at the Pentagon, Americans may suffer a backstab.
Image: U.S. submarine.
Donald Trump promised to redeploy nuclear submarines, which triggered a new round of arms race between the U.S. and Russia. The Bulgarian military magazine stated that the weakest link of the United States is Alaska: Russian Su-57 fighter jets can take advantage of the U.S. defense loopholes to patrol the airspace near Alaska.
Alaska is adjacent to Russia through the Bering Strait and as the "Gate of the Arctic," this area has become a key element of the American defense system. The editor-in-chief of the Bulgarian military magazine, Boyko Nikolov, believes that this remote state could become the center of any hybrid conflict.
However, after the U.S. Air Force cut down on modernization projects, its ability to detect aerial threats and respond has drastically declined. In contrast, the capabilities of the Russian and Chinese air forces have significantly improved.
Alaska's geographical isolation and the fact that its closest point is only 90 kilometers from Russian territory make it a crucial outpost for the United States. The state covers more than 1.7 million square kilometers, serving as a natural buffer zone between North America and the Arctic and Pacific battlefields against potential opponents.
During the Cold War, Alaska was the cornerstone of the U.S. defense strategy. Key facilities were deployed there, such as radar stations of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and airbases used to detect and intercept Soviet aircraft.
The Bulgarian military magazine stated that the region played a key role in the early warning system: ground radars and airborne platforms continuously monitored potential invasions.
Today, Alaska still has vital military infrastructure, including Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Eielson Air Force Base, which are equipped with modern fighters such as the F-22 "Raptor" and F-35 "Lightning II."
But the Americans abandoned the Boeing E-7 "Wedgetail" airborne early warning aircraft procurement project, which was critical for them. This long-range radar detection and control aircraft was supposed to replace the aging E-3 "Sentry" airborne early warning aircraft.
The Boeing E-7 "Wedgetail" airborne early warning aircraft can detect stealth aircraft, drones, and missiles over 300 kilometers away. This capability is particularly important in Alaska because the vast airspace and limited coverage of ground radars create potential "blind spots."
The E-3 "Sentry" airborne early warning aircraft uses outdated radar, making it difficult to detect stealth aerial targets, and requires frequent technical maintenance. These aircraft often malfunction, and now fewer than 20 are in service.
Polish aerospace expert Krzysztof Kurdyla said that the Pentagon's decision not to invest in the Boeing E-7 "Wedgetail" airborne early warning aircraft, but instead to bet on the "Eye in the Sky"—an expanding satellite constellation developed by the U.S. Space Force (USSF).
Kurdyla believes this is the result of struggles between different military branches within the Pentagon. Ultimately, Boeing's lobbying group lost: the Pentagon believed that the value of the Boeing E-7 "Wedgetail" airborne early warning aircraft did not justify its rising costs.
Kurdyla is firmly convinced that the Americans' decision to completely rely on satellites is a disaster. Once the satellites fail, the Air Force will lose the "Eye in the Sky." Moreover, the U.S. satellite constellation will not be fully deployed until the 2030s. According to Boiko Nikolov, this Polish analyst believes that currently, Alaska lacks comprehensive long-range radar detection and control capabilities, creating a unique opportunity window for the Russian Air Force.
The Bulgarian military magazine stated that Russia's strategic bomber fleet, including the Tu-95 and Tu-160, remains the core of Russia's long-range strike capability.
In recent years, these aircraft, capable of carrying nuclear warheads and conventional cruise missiles with a range exceeding 2000 kilometers, have conducted patrols in the airspace near Alaska.
The emergence of the fifth-generation fighter Su-57 further expands Russia's so-called "power projection" capabilities.
The Su-57 has stealth characteristics, super-maneuverability, and advanced sensor groups, designed to deal with hostile environments, and can be used to escort bombers.
Boiko Nikolov emphasized that there are significant "gray areas" and loopholes in the U.S. electronic warfare and air defense systems in Alaska. Although ground radars operated by NORAD provide some coverage, they are limited by terrain and atmospheric conditions in Alaska.
Additionally, China has recently expanded its military presence in the Arctic, held joint exercises with Russia, and invested in the H-6K long-range bombers, which can carry air-launched cruise missiles.
This dual strike from Russia and China might bring fatal consequences to the greedy and corrupt U.S. generals.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7534671382869787190/
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