Russia shows uncrewed Su-75 Checkmate derivative at Dubai Airshow
November 18, 2025
Russia has unveiled a small mock-up of its Light Tactical Aircraft as a cockpitless autonomous aircraft. This marks a new development in the industry-led effort for Sukhoi to produce a light combat aircraft.
Sukhoi displays loyal wingman version of its Light Tactical Aircraft
Russia has displayed what appears to be an unmanned version of its Light Tactical Aircraft (LTA), also known as the Sukhoi Su-75 ‘Checkmate’, at the Dubai Airshow 2025.
The aircraft appeared as a small mock-up with no cockpit and the number 750. AGN asked the Russian staff at the display, but they stated they had no information about it.
Other model mock-ups included the MC-21-310 commercial airliner and the Su-57.
Real Russian aircraft flown in for the show include the Su-57E stealth jet, the Kamov Ka-32 medium transport helicopter, the Ilyushin Il-76MD-90A military transport aircraft, and a Yakovlev Y-130 trainer. Russian Helicopters also displayed a light utility helicopter.
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Russia is developing autonomous combat aircraft
In some rather fantastic advertising, Sukhoi has previously shown animations of the LTA defeating the F-35 in air-to-air combat. The LTA is intended to be a replacement for ageing Soviet-era fighters like the MiG-21 in markets like Africa. There is no indication that the Russian Air Force is interested in purchasing the jet.
However, making the LTA into an uncrewed loyal wingman drone would be interesting. Like other countries, Russia is known to be working on developing loyal wingman drones.
In 2024, a Russian Su-57 was forced to shoot down its own malfunctioning experimental Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B loyal wingman drone over Ukraine. Another Russian autonomous combat aircraft in development is the Kronshtadt Grom.
The news is currently dominated by the United States and China racing to develop autonomous combat aircraft, with European countries and Turkey having their own programs.
So, this looks like Russians downing their newest Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik heavy drone near Chasiv Yar. pic.twitter.com/haVf4aU6y4
— Illia Ponomarenko 🇺🇦 (@IAPonomarenko) October 5, 2024
While most loyal wingman drones are being designed from the ground up as autonomous combat aircraft, China is known to be retrofitting some of its obsolete fighter jets as expendable autonomous combat aircraft.
Sukhoi’s Light Tactical Aircraft program
In its brochure, Sukhoi says the LTA is “designed to destroy air and ground (sea surface) targets day and night.” It is intended to work both individually and as part of a group. Sukhoi claims it is able to operate in a complex jamming environment and use a wide range of aviation weapons.
The aircraft is advertised with 13 external hard points and five internal hardpoints and a maximum payload of 6,000 to 7,400 kg. The aircraft would be powered by a single Saturn AL-51 derivative engine.
Previously, independent analysts, like defence economics expert Perun, have said the Su-75 looked less like an actual program in development, and more like a pitch by Sukhoi to attract international investment to develop it. Russian fighter jet sales have been mostly cut off since 2017 due to the passing of the US CAASTA Act.
Wait and see!
— Chris Bolton (@CcibChris) November 14, 2021
Sukhoi Su-75 "Checkmate" LTS, short for Light Tactical Aircraft in Russian single-engine, 5th generation stealth fighter aircraft under development by Sukhoi for export and for Russian Aerospace Forces. First flight planned 2023. pic.twitter.com/clxj7TVL8T
Since the war in Ukraine, it is unclear if the Russian government has allocated any money to develop the aircraft.
Currently, it seems Russia is focusing its limited resources on producing proven weapons to use in the current war and not weapons for a future war. It is also investing in ‘wunderwaffe’ like the nuclear-powered 9M730 Burevestnik missile. The Burevestnik is seen by analysts as having more propaganda value than practical value.
In 2023, the Ukrainian news outlet Militaryni reported Russia was planning to produce the prototype in 2025. The programme’s status remains unclear.
Four years after the Su-75 was first unveiled with great fanfare, the lack of a manned mockup of the jet at the Dubai Airshow 2025 could be an indication that the programme has failed to gain traction.
Featured Image: Joanna Bailey/AGN
