First flight prototype of new strategic bomber will appear by 2017 - Air Force commander
ZARYA, Moscow region. Dec 23 (Interfax-AVN) - R&D work on a prospective airborne complex of long-range aviation (PAK DA) will be completed in approximately four years, Russian Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Viktor Bondarev has told reporters.
Russian Strategic Aviation marks the 98th anniversary of its establishment on December 23.
"Much work has been done to develop PAK DA. The aircraft is very serious. It will have to guarantee the country's strategic security for many years to come, therefore we cannot make mistakes. I believe that we will complete the development of the new bomber by 2017-2018 and it will be ready for serial production," Bondarev said.
He noted that in developing the prospective aircraft much attention is paid to its stealth qualities and the application of new types of air-borne weaponry. "The aircraft will be assigned additional tasks that were not assigned to Tupolev Tu-95 or Tu-160. In its parameters it will excel all existing foreign analogs," the general said.
He added that Strategic Aviation is now working to extend the service life of Tu-160 strategic bombers.
"The bombers will be upgraded. Presently two Tu-160 bombers are at the plant. We are already accepting one of them after the upgrade, the second should be ready in Q1 next year. The next strategic aircraft are being taken there for the upgrade," Bondarev said.
He announced that Ilyushin Il-78 air tankers are also being upgraded to secure mid-air refueling in Strategic Aviation.