Russia could deploy unmanned bomber after 2040
August 3rd, 2012 - 12:00 am ICT by IANSMoscow, Aug 2 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia could deploy a sixth-generation” pilotless strategic bomber aircraft after 2040, Lt. Gen. Anatoly Zhikharev, chief of the Long-Range Aviation Command, said Thursday.
“That could be around 2040-2050,” Zhikharev said.
Russia’s Tupolev design bureau is currently developing a new-generation strategic bomber aircraft - PAK DA - due to be in service around 2025. The new aircraft will replace the existing fleet of Tu-160, Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3 bombers.
The future development of Russia’s long-range aviation in Russia has been the subject of some debate in recent months.
At present only Russia and the US operate intercontinental range bombers. Most other nuclear-capable nations rely solely on intercontinental ballistic missiles based on submarines or in land-based silos, or cruise missiles.
Russia’s strategic air forces operate a total of 63 Tu-95MS and 13 Tu-160 bombers.
–IANS/RIA Novosti
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Tags: air forces, aug 2, bomber aircraft, bombers, cruise missiles, fleet, future development, intercontinental ballistic missiles, moscow, new aircraft, new generation, nuclear capable nations, ria novosti russia, silos, sixth generation, submarines, tu 160, tu 95ms, tupolev design bureau, vm