Russian officials told journalists Thursday that experimental models of the country’s fifth-generation fighter likely will fly in 2007. They will not have true fifth-gen engines, which are still under development, reports the Russian News & Information Agency. Officials do expect to have the first production model fighter in the air in 2009. The Russian Air Force commander, Vladimir Mikhailov, also confirmed that a modernized Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bomber would go into service with the air force early next month.
A Defense Department team is on the ground in Ukraine assessing what the country needs to protect itself from air, naval, electronic, and cyber warfare threats as Russian troops gather on multiple fronts, a senior Ukrainian defense official told Air Force Magazine, describing an emphasis on what assistance can be…