Decision to develop new strategic bomber taken--Ivanov.

WASHINGTON, May 18 (Itar-Tass) - A decision to start work with a view
to developing a new strategic bomber for the Russian Air Force -- the
so-called long-range aviation advanced aircraft system -- has been taken
already. This was confirmed during a meeting with Russian journalists here
on Monday night by Russian Vice-Premier Sergei Ivanov in response to a
question from an Itar-Tass correspondent.
"Such a decision has been made.... I am saying this openly, clearly
and in a loud voice," Ivanov said. He pointed out that, officially, this
decision would be sealed in a state armaments program which is adopted for
ten years ahead. "It (program) has not yet been adopted. It is in the
final stage of preparation," Ivanov specified.
In so doing, Ivanov recalled, however, that he referred precisely to
the start of work. "But what does work mean? It means scientific research
at first, then experimental designing work and only after that -- exit to
industrial production", the Vice-Premier said.
Hence, it follows that it is early to say what kind of aircraft the
new bomber will be, subsonic or supersonic. "Only research and
experimental designing will show that in about two to three years' time.
Not earlier than that," Ivanov explained.
During his working visit to the United States, Ivanov visited the
space launch center on Cape Canaveral and the US space flights control
center at Houston, held a series of meetings and talks with the leaders of
the Pentagon, the State Department, the US National Security Council, as
well as the US Senate.