The B-1B Lancer, once part of the US nuclear deterrent force, finally made an appearance in Russian airspace. It was taking part in the 2005 Moscow International Air Show and Space Salon held last week. “It’s an honor to fly the first B-1s into Russia,” was the somewhat quirky comment from Capt. Steve Jones, a B-1B pilot from Ellsworth AFB, S.D. Jones also noted that his aircraft was parked about 300 feet away from weapons systems designed to shoot down the B-1. “It’s pretty cool,” he remarked.
Members of the House Armed Services Committee say the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile program has been set back three months due to the ongoing government shutdown. The comment is noteworthy because the JATM's status has been kept tightly under wraps.
