The Russians are hard at work building their own fifth-generation tactical fighter aircraft, and it will be ready to field in 2007, according to Russian Air Force Commander in Chief Vladimir Mikhailov. A Russian news agency reports that Mikhailov claims the development is on schedule, despite loss of some funds that were diverted to civilian aircraft programs. He added that the Russian Air Force also plans to modernize its fleet of MiG-29s and MiG-31s and will receive new Su-34 bombers in 2006.
The Space Force awarded Northrop Grumman a $398 million contract to design and build a communications satellite prototype with advanced anti-jam and data processing capabilities. The service announced the contract for the Enhanced Protected Tactical SATCOM-Prototype program, or Enhanced PTS-P, May 15, and said the satellite will launch no sooner than…