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Russian Stealth Aircraft to Appear in 2007
Russia will launch its first fifth-generation aircraft, which would be invisible to air-defense systems, in 2007, the commander of the country’s air force said Thursday. “Several experimental models will take to the skies as early as 2007, but for now they will be equipped with intermediary engines,” Vladimir Mikhailov is quoted by RIA Novosti news agency as saying. “In the future they will get fifth-generation engines, development of which is ongoing.” He said fifth-generation engines would be created by 2010, but that: “If everything goes well, we will be able to complete work earlier.”

Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said June 14 that Russia’s first fifth-generation plane could make its maiden flight in 2009. He said the air force’s financing would be increased in 2007, but did not name the exact figure.
Russians have always had superb aircraft designers, their problems have been a shortage of high tech materials and cash. This poses an interesting question. When both sides of an airbattle are equipped with stealthy fighters, with low radar and infra-red signature, are we returning to an age when pilots go eyeball to eyeball using guns or directed energy weapons?

Posted by: Steve 2006-06-15
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=156223