US intelligence officials have concluded that Russia is further ahead in the development of the PAK DA stealth bomber than China is with its Xi'an H-20, according to national security expert Harrison Kass, writes Bulgarian Military.
The PAK DA prototype is nearing completion, allowing Russia to become the second country to possess a stealth bomber. Although Russia excels in aerospace engineering, it still lags behind the US in stealth technology.
The PAK DA is a modern stealth bomber being developed by PJSC Tupolev as part of the PAK (Prospective Aviation Complexes) program. The aircraft will replace the aging Tu-95 and Tu-160 strategic bombers.
With advanced avionics and stealth, the aircraft is expected to perform a variety of missions from nuclear deterrence to strike operations.
In the West, it is believed that the development of the PAK DA demonstrates Russia's commitment to modernizing its armed forces and strengthening its strategic power.
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