Aerospace

Russia won't stop development of fifth-generation strategic bomber — defense official

The work on the development of the PAK DA strategic bomber (prospective aviation complex for long-range aviation) continues and it will not be stopped, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said on Friday.

"We certainly are not going to stop the work on the development of PAK DA," Borisov said.

He added that Russia’s Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bomber is currently undergoing in-depth modernization.

"Tu-160M2 - is an aircraft with new capabilities and flight and life characteristics. Its tactical employment level is considerably higher than that of its ancestor. All the innovations appearing at present should be embodied in the next model, which will replace the Tu-160," Borisov said.

Borisov said in early March this year that the upgraded Tupolev-160 would boast fundamentally new parameters as compared with the planes already in service. He added that the manufacturers were proceeding with preparations for the manufacture of upgraded bombers in keeping with schedule.