Russian President Vladimir Putin late last week put his nation’s nuclear-equipped bombers back on regular combat patrols, something the country hasn’t done since the early 1990s. Various news reports indicated that the Bush Administration does not consider this move worrying, despite recent cooling of relations between Moscow and Washington. And, Putin in his announcement expects “understanding” from other countries. He noted, too, that Russia’s strategic crews had been grounded too long. The bombers, which may or may not fly with nuclear weapons, are expected to fly over Russian sea routes and economic zones.
The Air Force and Boeing agreed to a nearly $2.4 billion contract for a new lot of KC-46 aerial tankers on Nov. 21. The deal, announced by the Pentagon, is for 15 new aircraft in Lot 11 at a cost of $2.389 billion—some $159 million per tail.