Komsomolsk-on-Amur. July 28. INTERFAX - The branch of the Sukhoi company "Komsomolsk - on-Amur Aviation Plant named after Gagarin" has started work on the creation of the first prototype of the new fighter "Checkmate".
"Work is underway to create the first sample of an aircraft for static tests," says the materials for the visit of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin to the enterprise. On Wednesday, the Prime minister inspected the KnAAZ workshops.
The materials mention that in 2021 it was at KNAAZ that the first full-size technology demonstrator aircraft of the promising single-engine fighter "Shekmate" was assembled, which became the main novelty of the MAKS air show held in Zhukovsky.
It is planned that the new aircraft will take off in 2023, and serial deliveries will begin in 2026. In the future, two-seat and unmanned versions will be created on the basis of the LTS.
According to the developers, Checkmate is able to overcome up to 3 thousand km, accelerate to two speeds of sound and carry 7,400 kg of combat load. It will be able to simultaneously attack up to six air, sea and ground targets, including attack drones and fifth-generation foreign aircraft.
The head of Rostec, Sergey Chemezov, estimated the cost of the new aircraft at $25-30 million. To reduce the cost, Checkmate will be unified with Su-35 and Su-57 fighters, said Denis Manturov, head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.
The volume of deliveries of the fighter for the next 15 years is estimated at 300 machines. It will compete with the American F-35 Lightning II and the Swedish JAS-39 Gripen.
