It was so crazy that the whole Berkut/Mig 1.42 uber-image just faded away and i was left wishing i was one of the USAF pilots who would try the Bird of Prey (the one i read and saw drawings of was not an unmanned drone but a manned fighter that had some very 'interesting' features! I will try to find the source and post it as soon as i can). Let me just say i was a trembling mess of salivatory anticipation, guilless glee, and green envy at those USAF fellas who would be trying out that new plane! And as for prior absorption with Russian X-planes let me just say it became tantamount to how a little kid likes a toy, but when next Christmas arrives the toy is discarded! That is what happened to the S-37 Berkut, the Mig-Mapo, and even the Su-37 (which was the source of many a heated argument between us LOL).
In one fell swoop the Bird of Prey took all of that away! In that unless the Russians come up with something straight out of Flash Gordon there is no way they can match what is in the Skunkworks of the US!
Now the only issue is whether Congress will find the spine to approve the projects or whether they will forever remain a wetdream! And i also hope the technology is not too avante-garde for the brass! Remember everything from the helicopter to the assault rifle has met with great resistance from people who think it is too 'new' and too 'unproven.' Up to today i still mourn the fact that the YF-23 BlackWidow will never be in active service (it lost out to the YF-22 Raptor even though the BlackWidow had better stealth aspects and overall a better plane than the Raptor but it still lost ...the reasons given were that the YF-22 had better handling in short ranges although some say the reason was that the BlackWidow was too unorthodox for some of the Brass.
However whatever the case the Bird of Prey (whether it is a drone or the manned version) is one terrific @$$ whooper, and i have to say i am truly envious of the people who will be in its presence!
Ay caramba! I need to get myself a genie and make some wishes!
Seriously i would give a lot to know what is in the works right now! Think about how long the F-117A was in service before the world knew about it! Who knows what has been swooping in the Nevada desert!
Hence VaB my days of defending the Su-37 Terminator, S-37 Berkut and Mig-Mapo are over ...i have now turned to fervent prayer for their pilots! After all if they face one of those new Bird of Preys' they will require all the prayer they can get!
And at least now you will not have the opportunity to tell me 'I told you so!'