Russia concluded flight testing of its new Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile, reported Voice of America. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Tuesday the new three-staged system is now ready to enter service in the country’s strategic nuclear forces after the successful salvo launch of two Bulava missiles on Dec. 23 from the Borey-class submarine Yuri Dolguruky. That test was the 18th and 19th firing of the Bulava, which had a mixed record of success in flight testing, reported RIA Novosti news agency.
A newly-released Air Force plan to replace the C-5 and C-17 airlifters with a single airplane type called the Next-Generation Air Lifter (NGAL) will keep those fleets in service another 20 and 50 years, respectively. The plan will likely require a service life extension for the C-17 fleet.
