28.12.2004, 20:41
Zitat:Russian Air Force Plans Future BomberQuelle: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=563738&C=airwar">http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=563738&C=airwar</a><!-- m -->
By LYUBOV PRONINA, MOSCOW
The Russian Air Force’s Strategic Aviation branch is looking into 10 proposals for a new-generation strategic bomber to replace the Tu-160 aircraft, an Air Force commander said.
“At present, we have about 10 drafts under consideration,” Lt. Gen. Igor Khvorov, commander of the 37th Army of the Supreme High Command (Strategic) of the Russian Air Force, told reporters at a Dec. 20 briefing.
Khvorov would not go into details but said that a number of defense companies are working on the new bomber concept, including manufacturers of fighter jets.
“The decision has not been taken yet, but for cost efficiency reasons, we are leaning towards creating a new craft on the basis of the Tu-160,” he said. “Given current financing ... we don’t see the need to create a principally new aircraft. What Tu-160 does today is only 60 percent of its [potential] capability.”