Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has been granted a patent for what appears to be a modular variant of the Su-75 Checkmate (Checkmate) single-engine light** fighter with interchangeable cockpits.
UAC's new patent document describes the concept aircraft design as "a single-engine tactical aircraft with a low radar signature." The patented concept logically divides the aircraft into a fuselage base section and a fuselage head section. The fuselage base part acts as a "basic transport platform". The head of the fuselage is specific to the role that the fighter is configured with. Using different replaceable head parts, the aircraft can be configured as a single-seat, two-seater, or unmanned** fighter. The nose parts can have different aerodynamic designs, retaining the stealth characteristics of the fighter.
The patent documents state that the patented universal platform will allow "to fundamentally change the functionality of the entire aviation complex, while maintaining the same transport capabilities built into the basic platform." ”
The replaceable head parts are connected using units in the transition area of the base part of the fuselage;There are also connectors and fittings for electrical, hydraulic, and other systems that interact with mating connectors and fittings for replaceable parts.
Explaining the rationale for this concept, the patent author stated: "Currently, military aircraft perform a number of tasks. For this, a large number of aircraft of different sizes are used, which requires significant material and labor costs;When all tasks are performed with one aircraft, it is used less efficiently. In order to reduce or eliminate costs, it is necessary to ensure that an aircraft has the possibility of modification in order to solve various problems in the conditions of the technical base of the operational organization. ”
From an aerodynamic point of view, the fuselage section behind the cockpit supports the aircraft's flight capabilities. In general, the engines in the fuselage provide propulsion, the fuel tanks keep the engines running, the wings and control surfaces provide flight and maneuvering capabilities, the landing gear provides take-off and landing capabilities, and the sensors in the fuselage provide situational awareness self-protection kits that ensure that the aircraft is protected from enemy missiles.
In other words, the airframe base provides the capabilities required for all mission configurations – multi-role fighter (single-seat), UAV carrier (two-seater), trainer (two-seater), electronic warfare (dual-single-seater), and penetration sensor (unmanned).
*and sensors need to change with mission configuration. On fighters, mission-specific cabins are installed. The concept is already modular. Sensors (radar, optoelectronics) are mounted in the front of the fuselage. It can carry power generation, communications, and data processing hardware to support tasks such as drone carrier operations in the ** cabin.
If the modular fighter is used purely for reconnaissance, then the nose of the fuselage does not need a cockpit. The space saved can be used to install additional sensors. In addition, the head of the fuselage can be smaller, which reduces weight and increases durability.
The concept of a modular fighter is logical - it will reduce costs in all aspects - procurement costs, operating costs, training costs for pilots and support personnel. This concept will help to use the same hardware to counter a wider range of threats and adversaries, reducing inventory.
This concept is technically feasible due to technological advancements. Flight Control Software (FCS) can easily adapt to changes in aerodynamic configurations. The aerodynamics of modern fighters are unstable. They can only be piloted by the FCS, not by the pilot. The FCS is responsible for piloting the aircraft, and the pilots are only responsible for guiding the aircraft.
If the FCS is able to accommodate the MiG-31K on 72 meters long and weighs 4The external delivery of the 3-ton "Dagger" missile, then, of course, it can handle the head of the fuselage of different shapes or dimensions.
In the Checkmate concept, each cockpit, or more precisely, the fuselage head design, will be equipped with its own FCS. As a result, the change in competence is almost seamless.
With the advent of fly-by-wire control systems, modular fighter designs became feasible, in which the pilot's input was not through a control stick or hydraulic fluid line, but through wires ** to the flight control surfaces on the fuselage.
However, it is only recently that the urgent need for modular fighters has arisen in order to cope with the increasing diversity of ways in which air power is used. Fighter jets are no longer used only to deliver bombs and missiles.
They are used for reconnaissance, SEAD (suppression of enemy air defense systems), EW (electronic warfare) and, more recently, for the control of ** UAVs capable of penetrating highly competitive airspace, providing target information to the mother ship or attacking targets based on the target information provided by the mother ship.
The communications, networking, and data processing hardware required for maritime anti-missile, electronic warfare, reconnaissance, and mothership operations is very different from the supporting hardware requirements for traditional multi-role operations. The modular fighter design will allow the operator to use the same aircraft for completely different tasks depending on the operational requirements.
UAC's patented modular fighter concept is a milestone development in the field of military aviation. The technology is in place to make this concept a reality. At the recently held Dubai Airshow 2023, UAC announced its readiness to start production of the Checkmate fighter.
As a result, the initial version of Checkmate is unlikely to have a modular design. The technology to make it happen is already in place. It is likely that the Joint Aviation Command will surprise and seize the initiative that it had previously lost to the West due to its hesitant adoption of the ** fighter.