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.
U.S. Southern Command recently announced its first lethal strike on a suspected narco-trafficking vessel in two months, and the first under a newly formed permanent counter-cartel task force. The U.S. is also reportedly planning to transfer MQ-9 drones to Colombia to bolster its counter-cartel efforts.