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.
While NASA and the Defense Department have different remits in space, there are opportunities for the two agencies to collaborate more to avoid duplicative spending and take better advantage of mutually beneficial technology development, according to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.
