Must have a large RCS with those vertical twin tails. They make great corner reflectors.
I mostly agree with the author of the article. We are finally in an AWACS, airborne net, BVR world. Missile technology is far better than it was a half century ago when it was discovered in Vietnam that fighters still desperately needed close-in cannons.
Stealth, sensors and good BVR weapons are more important now than raw maneuverability. I also suspect the F-35 may be the last manned fighter we ever build. AI and remote pilots are the future.
Agree with you about manned aircraft, but still have to appreciate the aerial magic of the Su-35 even though the F-35 would likely kill it many times over in a real life combat scenario. The 5th generation of tactical aircraft represent a quantum leap in technology and tactics and very few of us have a basis to render an opinion because the capabilities are new and a radical shift from what we know to be true.
Despite all of that, it is undeniable that the Russians build beautiful aircraft.