Seeing the two planes alongside each
other provides our best view so far of
the enigmatic checkmate fighter project
and evidence that this is really more of
a medium fighter than a true light
combat jet.
The comparison between the single engine
checkmate and the twin engine Su-57
reveals a lot about the new project. Especially in terms of the features that
are similar most remarkable perhaps is the
relationship in size between the Su-57 always seen as a heavyweight potential
successor to the suhoy flanker family
and the checkmate. That's officially
described as a light tactical aircraft.
Published data indicate that the
checkmate is approximately 57 feet long
with a wingspan of 39 feet, compared to
equivalent figures of 66 feet and 46
feet for the felon.
Clearly both suhoy designs are optimized
for a balanced degree of low visibility. You can read all about what that
actually means here. Both aircraft incorporate blended body
configurations with a lift generating
fuselage and wing leading edge root
extensions Lurk C's.
Aalthough those on
the Su-57 are much larger incorporating
large moving flaps. The wing profile of the new fighter is
also very similar to that of the felon, at least when seen from outboard of the
lurk seas.
