Fifth-Gen Russian Fighter Test Model to Fly Next Year:

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.