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Su-75 vs. F-35: Can Russia’s ‘Budget Stealth Fighter’ Compete?

Su-75 mockup image. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Su-75 mockup image. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Key Points and Summary: The Su-75 Checkmate, Russia’s response to high-cost 5th-generation jets like the F-35, aims to deliver advanced stealth and combat capability for just $30 million per unit.

-Built by Sukhoi, the single-engine fighter features a range of 3,000km, Mach 1.8 speeds, and a 16,000-pound payload.

-However, production hurdles and sanctions related to Russia’s war in Ukraine cast doubt on its prospects.

-While the Checkmate boasts a sleek design and features inspired by the Su-57, questions linger about its stealth effectiveness, scalability, and advanced technology integration.

-Can Sukhoi’s low-cost approach succeed in the competitive world of 5th-gen fighter jets?

Su-75 Checkmate: Russia’s Low-Cost Answer to the F-35?

A lesser-known light, tactical stealth fighter is quietly lurking underneath the noise generated by the world’s most advanced 5th and 6th-generation fighter jets, such as the F-35, J-20, and Su-57. It’s called the Su-75 Checkmate. 

Built by Russia’s Sukhoi, the Su-75 is intended to support the Russian Air Force and serve as a lower-cost stealth fighter available. Russia intends to offer the fighter to the international market. It is a single-engine, multi-role fighter designed in one and two-person crew configurations.

Sukhoi says the intention is to build a 5th-gen stealth aircraft for a much more reasonable $30 million cost compared with most fighters in its class, something accomplished in part by using some parts and technologies from the Su-57. The idea is to develop and sell a lower-cost 5th-gen aircraft to countries less able to afford expensive 5th-gen aircraft such as the F-35.

Prospects for the Su-75 look rather bleak, given that sanctions related to Ukraine have further crippled Russia’s already “taxed” production capacity. 

Su-75 vs F-35

Sukhoi says the Checkmate is built to fly 3,000km, travel with a payload of up to 16,314 pounds, and hit speeds up to Mach 1.8. If accurate, this Mach 1.8 speed would make the Checkmate faster than an F-35, which reports state the craft can reach Mach 1.6. However, the Checkmate does not appear to be as fast as the F-22, which is capable of reaching speeds of Mach 2.25. 

The goal of $30 million per plane, while ambitious, does raise some pertinent questions, such as whether the new jet can successfully be mass-produced and distributed across a broad international base of customers.

F-22 Raptor Fighter

F-22 Raptor 4006 makes its second flight July 18 following an extensive refurbishment to get it back in the air. (Courtesy photo by Christopher Higgins/Lockheed Martin)

Russia’s technologies may be exquisite and reasonably competitive in many respects, yet the country seems to, at times, lack the internal production capacity to “scale” high-tech weapons systems.  

Therefore, despite Sukhoi’s ambitious goal, it looks unrealistic that Russia would have the industrial capacity to surge large numbers of Su-75s for international customers. Should this be possible, quickly mass-producing a new, less-expensive fleet of 5th-gen stealth aircraft could allow a customer to successfully “bulk buy” or “mass” a sizable fleet of aircraft. 

In terms of its external configuration, the Su-75 looks quite similar to an F-35 and F-22 bend or combination to a certain extent, with a rounded single engine and blended wing-body fuselage and wings, similar to an F-22.

The Su-75 also has a “diverterless supersonic inlet” designed to streamline direct airflow into and away from the engine to ensure a smooth air-boundary layer. A smooth or laminar airflow surrounding the aircraft enables a smoother, less turbulent, and more stable airflow surrounding the plane, increasing flight stability. 

Cost & Capability

While some might be inclined to think there is a clear, linear relationship between cost and performance, meaning the more you spend, the better the aircraft is, yet there are also many notable exceptions to this rule.

However, the cost is likely to play a prominent role in developing and producing those elements of the aircraft most responsible for advanced performance. It might be possible to design and build a sleek, stealthy-looking design and external configuration.

F-35

U.S. Air Force Maj. Kristin “BEO” Wolfe, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team pilot and commander, flies during the 2021 Reno Air Races, Reno, Nev., Sept. 18, 2021. The 2021 Reno Air Races featured performances from the U.S. Air Force F-35A Demo Team and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Kip Sumner)

However, what determines air superiority in a fighter jet is likely less visible characteristics such as computing, sensing, fire control synergy, avionics, and weapons applications

Stealth encompasses more than mere external configuration; several additional variables, such as radar absorbent materials and thermal management or heat signature reduction, also determine it. 

The closer an aircraft’s temperature is to its surrounding atmosphere, the less likely it is to be detected by infrared, heat-seeking sensors. 

About the Author: Kris Osborn 

Kris Osborn is the Military Technology Editor of 19FortyFive and President of Warrior Maven – Center for Military Modernization. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a highly qualified expert in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University.

Written By

Kris Osborn is the Military Affairs Editor of 19 FortyFive and President of Warrior Maven - Center for Military Modernization. Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a Highly Qualified Expert with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University.

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Jason M

    January 14, 2025 at 1:09 pm

    Good article, thanks for the read.

    Mr. Osborn, I really do question the price tag invested into these next gen manned aircraft.

    I understand the viability and advantages such system might provide in the next 25 years of global posturing and combat, but will they really be dominant components in 2040?

    I’m not so sure. Computing power and cost reduction improvements are occurring rapidly, and even a small warlord could get their hands on sophisticated modern technology cheaply.

    Imagine electronic warfare for under 10 million $ that could take out these jets from Russia China or NATO. 2040 is a long time away and a lot happens in 15 years. Especially in computing.

    Terrorism in the future will be increasingly targeting technology infrastructure too, these jets have no value on these war fronts.

    In fact if the USA just cut 1 squadron of f-35s or just 1 b-2 raider from it’s order, they would be able to build a new govt department or end 90% of homelessness or cure a disease or build a new city with future tech.

    A billion $ can be made to go far. As it is with all these pork barrel waste expenditures and short sighted viewpoints, Id have to say all 6th gen manned fighters are already obsolete money pits.

    If I was in charge I’d start ramping down all these 20th century relics and phase it all out by 2050.

    You know a satellite is one relic worth spending on. Satellites are very high altitude drones. There’s probably even weapons in space and it’s classified. Tons of plans from the 1960s-1970s they could have secretly used, both sides US and USSR.

    We could have used all this money to develop better space defense… You could put solar panels on every house with that cash.

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