Checkmate: Russia's New Fifth-Generation Fighter Jet
Checkmate is the name of the most recent fifth-generation fighter jet unveiled by Russia, which can reach speeds of up to Mach 1.8, or 2200 km/h.
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Russia unveils its new fighter jet, the "Checkmate."
Russian State aerospace and military giant, Rostec, unveiled Russia's new fifth-generation fighter jet on Tuesday.
The conglomerate's President, Sergei Chemezov, said the new fighter can be armed with guided and unguided weapons, can reach speeds of up to 2200 km/h, and has a flight range of 3000 km. He also said that it would cost $25 million to $30 million, which is substantially lower than its foreign counterparts, whose prices range between $60-$90 million.
The Checkmate will reportedly be produced in three versions: a one-seater, a two-seater, and an unmanned aircraft. There are plans to deliver them to clients in 5 years.
On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin had inspected a prototype of the jet at the opening ceremony of the MAKS-2021 air show in Zhukovsky, outside Moscow.