Article Posted on : - May 26, 2014

The Tu-22M3 bomber. A Tupolev photo

MOSCOW (BNS): A new strategic long-range bomber for the Russian Air Force could be flight tested in 2019 before being inducted into service in 2023, the Air Force Chief has said.

"The maiden flight should be performed in 2019. State tests and supplies will be completed in 2023," the Air Force Commander-in-Chief Lt. Gen. Viktor Bondarev was quoted as saying by the Ria Novosti news agency.

The new generation bomber, named PAK DA, has been in the works for several years but received official approval only in 2012.

Earlier reports stated that the new aircraft would go into production by 2020.

The state-of-the-art strategic bomber is being designed and developed by the United Air Corporation (UAC) in partnership with the Tupolev Design Bureau.

The new bomber will be equipped with advanced electronic warfare systems and armed with new nuclear-capable long-range cruise missiles. It could also feature high-precision weaponry, including hypersonic missiles.

It will be able to penetrate through modern air defence systems and suppress them, the news report said.

The PAK DA will replace the existing fleet of bombers operated by the Russian Air Force, which include the Tu-95MC 'Bear' heavy bombers, Tu-160 'Blackjack' supersonic heavy bombers and Tu-22M3 'Backfire' long-range supersonic bombers.