F-35 vs. Su-75: A Stealth Fighter Comparison
Story by Brent M. Eastwood • Sunday
Russia has been obsessed with chess for generations, but does this interest transfer over to warplanes? Russia’s new Su-75 fighter plane is nicknamed “Checkmate,” building on the board game’s appeal. Russia hopes to export what it claims to be a fifth-generation warplane to subsidize further acquisition by its air force. The Su-75 Checkmate is thought to be built on the Su-57 airframe and be an improvement over competing fourth-generation fighters on the export market. Should the F-35 program be worried about the Su-75? To find out, I will compare and contrast the procurement status of both fighters.
Su-75: It Is Not Flying Yet
The Su-75 is not ready for serial production and will not even fly until 2024 at the earliest. Manufacturing in numbers is not expected until at least 2025. The Su-75 is not a priority at this time for Russia as Moscow is focused on the ground war in Ukraine in which newly produced missiles are more of a priority over building future fighters.
But Su-75 prototypes are on the way and mockups have been displayed at air shows. Russia hopes this initial production will be quicker because the Su-75 has parts and components used by its stealth Su-57 program. Some of the research and development will not be needed because of technological advances in the Su-57.
Can It Compete With the F-35 in Price?
Su-75’s manufacturer, United Aircraft Corporation, and its subsidiary Sukhoi Aircraft Company believe their stealth fighter will be cheaper than the F-35 ($30 million compared to around $80 million for the F-35). Like the F-35, the Checkmate will also be a single-engine airplane that will help reduce maintenance costs and increase fuel efficiency. The Su-75’s Saturn AL-41 engine puts out 24,000 pounds of thrust without the afterburner and 39,000 pounds with an afterburner.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/f-35-vs-su-75-a-stealth-fighter-comparison/ar-AA15pNoI?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=e2a2476f86cc44f48c5c213110afd0c9
