In what would be an important piece of news for Russian aviation, it was recently stated that the first flight of the fifth-generation fighter Sukhoi Su-75 “Checkmate” already has an estimated date, which points to early next year. The announcement was made in statements to local television by Sergei Bogdan, who currently serves as head of the flight department of the Sukhoi design bureau, and who also affirmed that the aircraft is already in the workshop, undergoing the final phase prior to its air tests.
Quoting his own statements: “I believe it will be at the beginning of 2026… the aircraft is already in the workshop, in the final stage of the last details, and there are already specific deadlines. So, God willing, it should happen fairly soon.” If so, the news would represent an important milestone for the platform originally presented in 2021, when it was shown at an exhibition held during the MAKS-2021 Air Show. In that same year, it was also seen at the Dubai Airshow, marking the first time it was presented in a venue outside Russia.
However, it is worth recalling at this point that estimates regarding when the first flight of the Su-75 would occur had already made headlines in 2022, as the then-CEO of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), Yury Slyusar, stated during the 2022 edition of the MAKS Air Show that this should happen in 2024. At that stage, the original schedule established that the aircraft might fly in 2025, but there was confidence that this could be brought forward thanks to the use of advanced computing technologies to substantially reduce the time needed to build prototypes.
Regardless of this, this time the estimates made by the Sukhoi design bureau appear more promising, considering that during October of this year it was indicated that the prototypes of the aircraft were already in the process of being built. As we reported at the time, this information was disclosed by E. Korshikov, deputy general director of the Komsomolsk-on-Amur aircraft production plant, where the Su-35S and Su-57 Felon fighters are also produced.
On the other hand, briefly reviewing the limited known characteristics of the platform, it is important to highlight that the new Su-75 would be the first model to use a single engine for propulsion. The design thus breaks with more than three decades of a trend in which the Russian aerospace industry relied on twin-engine models to equip the Aerospace Forces, the last single-engine design being that of the MiG-23 Flogger fighter. In addition, according to what was announced by Russian designers in earlier stages of development, it would be a fighter with an unmanned variant that would complement the conventional single-seat version.
Other technical qualities reported at that time include the ability to reach speeds of up to Mach 1.8 thanks to the Izdeliye 30 engines, with an operational range of around 3,000 kilometers. Furthermore, the aircraft would incorporate aspects derived from lessons learned during the design and construction process of the Su-57, incorporating a similar array of weapons in its internal bays and two hardpoints under the wings, as well as a low radar signature.
Finally, it is important to note that even if the Su-75 platform ends up conducting its first flights early next year, Moscow will face a difficult scenario in achieving serial production, and later, in exporting it. In this regard, it is useful to consider that with what is today its only stealth fighter, Russia has not managed to incorporate it in large numbers into its combat fleets; while the only international customer looking ahead would currently be the Algerian Air Force. In addition, China has already advanced in building its new J-35 fighters, which constitute a direct competitor to the Sukhoi-designed platform in international markets. An illustrative example of this can be found in Pakistan, which will add around 40 units.
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Looks like Boeings submission in the original fifth gen competition. Many thought it was a better option than the F35. Exception was the vertical takeoff system which it was felt the F35 version was superior. Who know for sure. With cyber thief, maybe Russia got its hands on the Boeing submission. That would make it a strong contender.
It looks nothing like the x-32 aside from the intake, this resembles the Lockheed f35 with wing design elements reminiscent of MiG-29 and tail design of J-20 series. It looks like a promising delta but only time will tell
Russia technology is always beating US inspite all the huge gap between the 2 economies.