The latest episode of the popular defence podcast has been released and includes a discussion on the new Russian ‘Checkmate’ jet.
The podcast is hosted by @Osinttechnical, @skywatcherintel, @air_intel and @DefenceGeek.
The below links enable you to listen on Spotify or YouTube.
You can access previous episodes here or by visiting them on Twitter.
You can also visit our dedicated ‘The OSINT Bunker’ page here.
Seem a proper heir to F-16…
A little more info on the new Russian aircraft:( But it is from RT)
https://twitter.com/RT_com/status/1418873596793933824?s=20
well ye RT will make any subject into propaganda so it’s info would be greatly exeserated .
It’s an interesting difference that western nations always seem to be very shy and understate a lot of capability where as authoritarian states always big things up. Interesting psychological differences in how nations lead their populations and motivate them.
Very true.
Difference is the west usually build them
I hope it performs better than its big promotional launch count down did … on second thoughts I hope it performs equally as poorly I guess. Looks good mind despite that double chin.
Looks good at first glance, but the radome looks to be on the small size compared to Tempest and the air intake also looks a bit small. If you want power in either case size still matters and in the case of the radar size also gives accuracy.
So not entirely convinced this isn’t another pie in the sky publicity stunt along the lines of the aircraft carrier they built a model of a year or so ago.
That’s not to say Russia doesn’t build some impressive aircraft, they certainly do but this doesn’t look quite right.
Cheers CR
I would agree, $25 million a piece, oh please, get real.
‘If’ this makes it to production, expect it to top $65million (at least) and still be an easy target for the F35 / Thypoon etc.
The complexity of structural design and systems capability needed to be a true 5th gen competitor to F35 will require a price tag far higher than admitted, typical Russian puff and bluster……
well it was said that tempest will relay on composite materials for stealth which seems cheaper (and lighter) compared to other designs for example apparently the japs will use super conducting hyper speed thingy ma jigies for stealth.
I could a basic aerodynamic analysis of the aircraft if needed? Think of it as a modernish equivalent to a Mirage 2000.
That aircraft suspiciously looks like a f-22 and a f-35 just got smashed together…
I suspect it is a long way from being an in service fighter, but there are a lot of countries that have Mig 21/23/29 in service that could never afford or need SU-57, so checkmate makes sense as an export fighter.
Super small radome, no internal weapons bay? – so it’s stealth compromised with external weapons fit? I mentioned on another post that is’s somewhat amusing that for years the Russians were telling everyone how stealth was useless and a waste of money. The Americans must be enjoying the confirmation by the Russians that they (Russia) was wrong all along.
What makes it worse, is that a Russian (Soviet) mathematician worked out the fundamentals of radar cross section analysis. Which was then published for the World to see. So they have known about radar reduction measures for the last 60 years. The “Checkmate” has 3 internal weapons bays, 2 small ones either side of the intakes for an AA-11 (R73) size missile, plus one larger bay underneath the centre fuselage. This can house 3 AA10 (R27) sized missiles or guided air to surface weapons. Yet to see an any imagery that shows under wing hardpoints, but I’d imagine it will… Read more »
Thanks for the information. I assumed that the intakes were direct and laminar and that would have led to no internal weapon space. As I understand, an ‘s’ intake will reduce performance but reduce radar CSA due to a non-visible compressor rotor? It looks small to me like a short ranged interceptor et al lighting 1 (UK) mentality which fits in with Russian defensive doctrine from the Soviet era.
The Checkmate’s air intake is quite clever. With a fighter aircraft you need an engine intake that can supply more air than is needed. This is due to aircraft maneuvering and causing disruption to the intake’s airflow. However, if you have a massive intake ala F16, to block the view to the engine’s 1st stage compressor, you’ll need a S bend. The S bend has to be very carefully designed so the airflow is not made too turbulent through the aircraft’s speed envelope, as turbulence can cause the engine to flutter or surge. The Checkmate’s has a similar cross sectional… Read more »