Page 28 - ADT AUGUST 2021 Online Magazine

design bureau and appears to draw heavily
on the Su-57. Unlike the F-35 or the Chinese
FC-31, the new Russian fighter uses a chin-
mounted intake. A single thrust vectored engine
powers the new Russian light fighter providing
it with super-cruise capability (ability to attain
Mach 1 without afterburners) as also reducing [ AIR SYSTEMS ]
its take-off and landing distances.

The aircraft features stealth shaping for radar
stealth and also has a multiband passive detec-
tion system. An AESA radar allows Checkmate
to simultaneously attack 6 targets. The aircraft
can also act as command post to manned and
unmanned aircraft. The Checkmate also fea-
tures an automated logistics support system
‘Matreshka’ with predictive analytics for main-
Sweeping tenance support. An Artificial Intelligence (AI)
system will perform aircraft diagnostics before
take-off, reducing pilot workload. Images of the
aircraft show the cockpit featuring a large area
display. A round-the-clock electro-optical sight-
Move ing system KOEPS-75 is also being developed
for Checkmate by Shvabe Holding.

Checkmate can attain a speed of Mach 1.8
and is 8G capable. Range is claimed to be
2,800km without additional fuel tanks. Sukhoi
has announced a weapons payload capability
RUSSIA MARKS ENTRY INTO 5TH GEN SINGLE- of 7.4 tonne and claims that the aircraft has
ENGINE FIGHTER CATEGORY WITH SUKHOI the largest internal weapons bays in its class.
CHECKMATE
Gunning for Glory
The Checkmate is heavily armed with an inter-
Atul Chandra esting addition being Rostec announcing that

The recently concluded MAKS-2021 International Aviation and gun containers can be carried in the internal
Space airshow held in Zhukovsky in Russia saw the unveil by United weapons bay. This will allow for a cheaper
Aircraft Corporation (part of Rostec) of a new Russian single-en- alternative for strafing ground targets instead
gine 5th generation stealth fighter in the Sukhoi Checkmate. The of using expensive precision munitions. The
light tactical fighter ‘Checkmate’ joins the Su-57 to become the 5th gen fighter will also have an internal gun.
2nd Russian 5th generation fighter type. The new light fighter While conducting air combat missions in stealth
has certainly caught the attention of the aviation fraternity, joining configuration, the Checkmate can carry five
China’s FC-31 and the American Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Air-to-Air Missiles (AAM) in its internal weap-
Fighter in the single-engine 5th generation stealth fighter category. ons bays.

"Needless to say, Rosoboronexport's partners became interested Missile armament will include the 40km range
in the newest Checkmate light tactical aircraft unveiled by Rostec RVV-MD short-range dogfight missile with
at MAKS-2021. A number of customers were shown its prototype all-aspect passive infrared homing (using a
and even given the opportunity to sit in its cockpit. They praised two-band IR seeker); 110 km range RVV-SD
its characteristics," said Alexander Mikheev, Director General of medium-range AAM; air to surface weapons
Rosoboronexport. The new Russian light fighter is expected to include the KH-35UE, KH-38MLE (MTE),
make its maiden flight in 2023 with series production planned for KH-58USHKE and 120km range GROM-E1,
2026. However, at the moment it is not clear if there is a Russian GROM-E2 glide bomb with 50km range and
air force requirement for the type or whether an export customer KH-31PD. Guided bombs include KAB-250LG-E
is needed to fund further development. midway laser guided bomb, K08BE and
K029BE, while unguided munitions comprise
Fighter for the New Generation of S-8, S-13 rockets and 100,250 and 500kg
The Sukhoi Checkmate is the latest fighter from the famed Russian bombs.

28 | August 2021 WWW .GBP .COM.SG/ ADT