Well they signed a contract for the first batch, and apparently used two aircraft in Syria. They will likely go ahead with the signed serial contract for the first 12 aircraft squadron, and it will undoubtedly have problems (even the much simpler Su-34 had plenty going into service) but it's only a matter of time until they work out the issues.
According to several sources like this one First Tu-160M2 takes flight, production contract for ten aircraft signed - Blog - Russian strategic nuclear forces , the upgrading of the existing 16 Tu-160 to Tu-160M2 is in progress. Besides that 10 brandnew Tu-160s are on order.
Not new for Tu-160M2 first flight 25 january but yes 10
Thanks for that, so it looks like that they could be increasing the size of their strategic bomber fleet.
Several things. The military index with the letter E at the end, means Export in this case. So the Orion-E is by definition meant for export only. The domestic version would be called just Orion, or Orion-S, or after upgrades the Orion-M. Case in point, the domestic Iskander missile complex is called the Iskander-M, the export version Iskander-E. Also, this is a prototype aircraft in trials. It has not been fielded by the Russian military. So currently the Russian armed forces are definitely NOT operating it. This doesn't mean they won't in the near future, or that they don't want it. Then again, there is a far along project of Russifying and upgrading the Israeli Searcher Mk 2 under it's Russian name. The Forpost-M and Forpost-M2 are both being developed, at least one of them with strike capabilities. It's possible that Russia will go for the proven foreign platform (assuming it can be suitable localized), rather then risk on a domestic newcomer. Israel has proven itself to be awfully reliable, continuing to supply Russia with the type, and participate in development of follow-on models in Russia, despite sanctions, and their questionable use in Ukraine.Russian Kronstadt Group details Orion-E UAV
Read: 388 15:52 22 November 2018
Russia`s Kronstadt Group, a subsidiary of Joint-Stock Financial Corporation Sistema, has developed a combat variant of the Orion-E medium-altitude long endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a source from the company said.
Complete article at Russian Kronstadt Group details Orion-E UAV
It seems that Russia will export the Orion-E to Jordania.
Russia announces Orion UAV sale to Middle East country | Jane's 360
According to More About Russia’s MALE UAV Orion-E – UAS VISION the Orion-E is intended for the export market, so that means the Russian armed forces are not operating it?
@Palivanov copying and pasting without a commentary is not acceptable. Please do not do it again. Also you are required to post sources for any such material. This protects both you and the forum from allegations of plagiarism.
$hit happens sometimes and US military aviation have not been having a good record recently either. It's the old adage about the military - if you can't take a joke you shouldn't have joined. I'm not being blase about it, just being realistic. Military aviation and military life in general isn't for those who don't have a sense of adventure and consider their personal safety and welfare as being paramount above all else.
