Rostec presented the concept of an unmanned version of the Checkmate aircraft. Earlier it became known that aircraft manufacturers have started the production of several experimental machines of this type.
The last few days have been rich in news about the promising Russian fighter of the new generation Checkmate. One of the most important events was the first demonstration of the appearance of an unmanned aircraft at its base.
The new version of the aviation complex is presented in a video posted by Rostec State Corporation on the Web. The footage demonstrates the interaction of manned and unmanned vehicles.
This is not just another fifth-generation aircraft. It's Checkmate ♞ pic.twitter.com/zN0g2NClER- Rostec (@rostecrussia) November 15, 2021
Recently it was reported that several experienced Checkmates have begun to be built at the Komsomolsk-on-Amur plant. By 2023, three new aircraft of this type should be created.
The Su-75 demonstrator was officially presented for the first time at the MAKS Air Show this year. The fighter was initially positioned as an export.
According to the developers, it will compete in the market with the JF-17, J-10, F-16 fourth generation. If we compare the Su-75 and the American fifth-generation fighter F-35, then the Russian aircraft is "economically more profitable - both in terms of the cost of the machine and the cost of the flight hour."
Presentation of the new Russian fighter Checkmate at the Dubai Airshow 2021
Image source: Rostec
Checkmate has a single engine, modular design and signs of stealth technology. The fighter can take approximately 7,400 kilograms of combat load. According to open sources, the aircraft is capable of using RVV—SD and RVV-MD air-to—air missiles, as well as air-to-surface weapons: K029BE, KAB-500, K08BE (UPAB-500B-E), KAB-250, KAB-250LG-E, X-38, X-59MK2, X-58USHK(E), Grom-E1 and Grom-E2.
It is known that the aircraft will receive an active phased array radar (AFAR). In a minimal configuration, it will be able to attack six targets at the same time, even if the enemy uses strong electronic interference. Checkmate is scheduled to make its first flight in 2023. They want to start serial production of the fighter in 2026.
Russia is not the only one who wants to create an unmanned fighter. Turkey has previously presented its concept MIUS (Muharip Insansız Uçak Sistemi).
Recently it became known that Baykar Makina, which is developing it, has signed an agreement with the Ukrainian company Ivchenko-Progress for the supply of AI-322F and AI-25TLT engines for the new aircraft. According to the plans, the MIUS demonstrator should make its first flight in 2023.
Project image of MIUS
Image Source: Baykar
They decided to equip the UAV with one engine: at the same time, different MIUS configurations will receive different power plants. The maximum take-off weight of Muharip Insansız Uçak Sistemi is 5500 kilograms.
