The Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan. NATO troops have been fighting in Afghanistan for seven years now. But progress has been slow and in recent years, the Islamist Taliban has enjoyed a resurgence.

US troops patrolling an area with reported Taliban presence in mid-February. The US would like to see greater troop commitments from its European allies.

US troops on patrol in the remote Shemgal Valley. US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates on Wednesday said “I think the likelihood of getting the allies to commit to significant numbers of additional troops is not very great.”

US troops calibrating an M198 Howitzer in Kala Gush, Afghanistan. US President Barack Obama has pledged to send an additional 17,000 troops to Afghanistan, consistent with his concern that the country represents the central front in the fight against terrorism.

French and US patrol vehicles in the Kapisa Province. According to a survey released in February, just over half of Afghans think that NATO’s presence is a part of the country’s security problem.

A US soldier destroying opium poppies. One of the greatest challenges facing NATO allies in Afghanistan is the drug trade, which helps finance Taliban activities.

The ruins of old Soviet tanks, remnants of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan which ended in 1989 after a decade-long war. Many worry that Afghanistan could become NATO’s Vietnam.

Largest “swan”: the length of 54 m; the equipped mass of 267 tons, maximum takeoff weight – 275 tons Wingspan with the minimum sweepback (20 degrees) – 57,7 m, with the intermediate (35 degrees) – 50,7 m, with the maximum (65 degrees) – 35,6 m

Largest supersonic aircraft in the world. Most terrible bomber, capable of bearing cruise missiles. And the most graceful weapon. We examine Tu-160 from all sides. According to the classification of NATO, these strategic bombers bear name “black Jack” (but on American slang – “bludgeon”). However, our pilots baptized them “white swans” – and this greater it is similar to the truth. In spite of terrible armament and staggering power, supersonic Tu-160 is surprisingly elegant.

Each of them – piece and very expensive product. During entire history were built only 35 such aircraft, and in their soundness it remained that less. But they – the present pride of Russia and the thunderstorm of its enemies.

Bomber became “our answer” to the American program AMSA (Advanced Of manned Of strategic Of aircraft – “developed manned strategic aircraft”), within the framework which was developed  B -1 Of lancer, and by the answer to remarkable. Practically according to all characteristics Tu-160 they substantially anticipate their basic competitors – American Lancer’ OV. The speed “of swans” is higher 1,5 times, so is more a combat radius and maximum flying distance. The engine thrust is more powerful almost doubly. And are already in no way maintained comparison with them much less successful “the invisible” B -2 Of spirit, with construction of which in the favor of low observability was brought it seems everything, which is only possible, including load capacity, the stability of flight and its distance.

After the collapse of the USSR those locating in the presence Tu-160 were divided between the republics. 19 of them, that were being been based on the air base 84- GO of guard bomber air regiment in Prilukakh, were reached to the Ukraine. Eight of them transmitted to Russia on account debts for the gas, and rest were simply sawn (last Ukrainian “swan” it was converted into the museum, and it is possible to visit in Poltava).