MOSCOW. Jan 15 (Interfax-AVN) - Tests of a future frontline aviation plane will end in 2004-2005, Air Force Commander Vladimir Mikhailov said on Wednesday.
"A future plane of the Sukhoi design bureau, whose tests will have been completed by 2004-2005, will enter the inventory of the Armed Forces when the modernization program for Air Force armament and hardware is over," Mikhailov told Interfax-Military News Agency.
The modernization program will be implemented until 2005. 20 to 25 percent of frontline aviation aircraft are to be upgraded to the level of "generation four plus" over this period.
"The Russian Air Force will start getting absolutely new planes of generation four plus already this year," the commander said.
"Further development of frontline aviation is connected with creating a future frontline aviation aircraft. Its prototype is to make the maiden flight in 2006-2007, and tests are to be completed and mass production launched before 2010," Mikhailov noted.
Russia is working on new weapons for long-range aviation, and results of their development are "encouraging," the commander said. Service lives of strategic aircraft will be extended, he noted.
Military transport aviation continues upgrading AN-124 Condor planes to the level of AN-124-100. "A small share of IL-76 Candid planes will be fitted with new PS-90A engines. A few IL- 76MF planes necessary for accomplishment of special missions under the president's and the Defense Ministry's plans are to be commissioned in the near future. AN-22 Cock planes are used until the expiration of their service lives," Mikhailov said.