The 5th Generation Checkmate Revealed

Russian state manufacturer Rostec has unveiled its new unmanned fighter, currently called the Checkmate, at the Dubai Airshow.

The introduction was made in a short trailer featuring a gravelly narrator promising technology to "turn the board over", and scenes of cinematic CGI shots of the fighter taking off and cruising. The Sukhoi Checkmate has been billed as a 5th generation light tactical aircraft, the first of its kind in Russia, though commentators argue its size pushes it closer to the medium role, being only marginally smaller than the full size Su-57 Felon. With all the makings of a single engine, low visibility, low cost aircraft, the unmanned aircraft could be the start of a new branch in the Sukhoi family tree. 

With preliminary performance figures published by Russian media outfit TASS, the fighter appears to offer a 1,700 mile range, a top speed just under 1,400 mph, and 5 internal hardpoints. Like other similar low-vis aircraft, the design will likely negate a portion of its stealth cross section with arms and external fuel tanks, with mission capability determined by the range and level of visibility desired. The compromise was not unforeseen, being common to most 5th-gen fighters. The Checkmate is stated to be capable of more than 16,000 pounds of payload, with considerable crossover to a future manned fighter variant expected. With most design cues and features similar, it can be reasonably assumed that a production fighter will share as much as possible to minimize part variation and flight development. 

Some noted with interest the carryover from the Su-57 Felon fighter, with TASS reporting that on-board systems, cockpit, and Checkmate elements were unified with the project with significant combat experience gathered while operating in Syria. The Russian air campaign in the area has been a who's-who of their air force, bringing out nearly everything in the fleet for even the briefest of appearances. 

Yuri Slyusar, General Director of UAC, shared the development process with TASS in an interview, saying "The aircraft was originally created as a platform for a whole family of aviation complexes. We are planning to create an optionally manned and unmanned aircraft modification," confirming assumptions about the project. But, he said, it's not chasing fads. 

"Unmanned modification is not just a tribute to fashion. Already at an early stage of the project, we lay in it ample opportunities for use in network-centric military operations. The aircraft will be able to exchange information and direct other aviation complexes and unmanned aerial vehicles to targets. The use of unmanned versions of the machine will allow, among other things, to implement new tactical techniques."

Slyusar believes 300 aircraft could be sold and shipped within the next 15 years, market willing. "When I say 300, it is not just a dream. It is a figure calculated by countries and regions. We analyzed the clientele. When we cite these figures, we do it responsibly," he said. If all goes well, the aircraft could be tested in 2023, and available to customers in 2026.

FMI: www.rostec.ru