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.
Supply chain and vanishing vendor issues make supporting old nuclear systems increasingly difficult, Global Strike Command’s logistics and engineering chief Brig. Gen. Kenyon K. Bell said. Additive printing will be a big help but can be hampered by bureaucracy.