A Lockheed Martin Corp's F-35C Joint Strike Fighter
A Lockheed Martin Corp's F-35C Joint Strike Fighter is shown on the deck of the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier after making the plane's first ever carrier landing using its tailhook system, off the coast of California, November 3, 2014. Two Lockheed Martin Corp F-35C fighter jets landed successfully on the USS Nimitz on Monday, marking the new warplane's first landing on an aircraft carrier using its tailhook system. Reuters/Mike Blake

As Russia reportedly builds up its military capabilities and beefs up on its nuclear tactical edge over the United States, America is working silently to upgrade its fleet of combat and bomber planes amidst fears that a new Cold War between the two superpowers will take effect soon.

New generation warplanes

According to Reuters, the U.S. is working closely with its long-time contractor Lockheed Martin for the long-delayed improvements that the former's air force requires.

Lockheed Martin's weapons division Skunk Works has lined up projects that would see the delivery of fresh batch of bomber and fighter planes plus next generation of missiles to the U.S., all of which will boast of hypersonic capability for added lethal effect.

Of particular note is Lockheed's revelation that it currently works on the hypersonic and unmanned SR-72 plane that will replace the Cold War-era SR-71 Blackbird. The SR-72 is expected to exceed the achievements of its predecessor, most notable of which is its ability to cover the East and West coasts of America in just an hour.

While chiefly designed as a spy plane, the SR-72 is likely ready for necessary reconfigures that will push its use beyond reconnaissance mission. The unmanned aircraft could serve as the bigger counterpart of U.S. drones that are in use to neutralise specific targets.

Projecting air superiority

Skunk Works is also contracted to supply the U.S. Air Force with long-range bombers and a new variant of unmanned naval jet fighters that will both make use of hypersonic missiles and stealth features. Lockheed is collaborating with the likes of Boeing and Aerojet Rocketdyne to realise these deliverables, Reuters said.

No timetable for project completion, however, was provided in the same report.

New Cold War preparations?

Though the military upgrades moves, in which the U.S. Pentagon is said to earmark around $1 trillion over the next decade, are seen as Washington's preparation for the further deterioration of an already soured relationship with Moscow.

In a new comment, former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev observed that the relationship between the Kremlin and White House is best described as "icy." Gorbachev expressed fears that if Russia's Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama refuse to defrost on their respective stance over Ukraine then the East and West could again engage in a Cold War.

"Judging by the recent declarations, diplomats of both sides are preparing for many long years of confrontation. This is extremely dangerous," Gorbachev warned and as reported by UK-based The Daily Mail.