The first Russian single-engine tactical fighter of the fifth generation, the model of which Sukhoi presented at the International Aviation and Space Salon of 2021 (MAKS-2021), is a copy of the unsuccessful competitor of the American Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, [...] Defense Express claims.
According to the Ukrainian information and consulting agency, the new aircraft, called Checkmate ("Checkmate"), resembles, in particular, the Boeing X-32, which participated in the tender for the American multi-purpose fighter of the fifth generation, but lost to the F-35 Lightning II.
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| Boeing X-32. |
| Source: Military Review |
The publication claims that the Russian single-engine aircraft was "written off from the dvoechnik". The disadvantages of the latter are recognized, in particular, the V-shaped tail, which complicates the control of the aircraft, and the too large air intake under the cabin, which reduces radar stealth.
In July, a model of a single-engine tactical fighter of the fifth generation developed by Sukhoi, the head of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), Yuri Slyusar, was shown to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In the same month, the corresponding video with this fighter was published by Rostec.
As [...] the American edition of The Drive suggested at the same time, the prospects of the new aircraft will be determined by the possibility of obtaining foreign funding.
Ivan Potapov