Chapter 1192: Birds of Prey Over Kadena

Chapter 1192: Birds of Prey Over Kadena

Chen Zhiwei's proposal was obviously a bit too bold.

Detonation engines were indeed too far away for humans at that time point in 2005.

However, detonation waves are one of the main factors that cause combustion instability in rockets and ramjet engines.

Effectively controlling the detonation phenomenon has immeasurable significance for many current research and development tasks.

The Sixth Academy itself, in addition to the power for the superb project, also has a liquid oxygen-kerosene engine and a liquid oxygen-liquid hydrogen engine that are just at the critical juncture. These are the two most core power sources in the next generation of launch vehicle spectrum.

Not to mention, combustion instability issues aren’t limited to liquid rocket engines…

Chen Zhiwei couldn't help but feel a little ashamed of his careless thoughts a few hours ago -

I thought Academician Chang did not bring any resources this time, he just wanted to put pressure on them.

It turns out that just bringing a brain is the most valuable resource...

Thinking of this, Chen Zhiwei suddenly had an idea:

It would be best if Mr. Chang could lead us directly...

So he immediately performed a light-speed face change, revealing a slightly naive smile:

"That... Academician Chang."

He rubbed his hands eagerly as he spoke, not realizing that his image was moving in a strange direction:

"The proposal just now is very valuable... Would you mind giving us some direct guidance on our work? That way, we can quantify your contribution and reflect it directly on paper..."

After saying this, he added an extra sentence:

"Of course, this also includes several other projects in our institute..."

Although the other party's turn of events was a bit abrupt, Chang Haonan could still understand the meaning behind it.

Give up a portion of the project resources and the title of the main implementer in exchange for systematic guidance of the work.

This is not uncommon in research circles.

Generally speaking, each takes what he needs.

However, Chang Haonan himself is the person in charge of the research and development of hypersonic weapons. All the results of this project will eventually be attributed to him.

Moreover, he has now climbed to the top of the pyramid of China's academic system. The only two major titles left to be obtained are senior academician and the highest science and technology award. However, both are lifetime achievements. He just hasn't had time to get them, not that he can't get them.

At this stage, there is really no need to care about that little bit of fame.

So, Chang Haonan wanted to refuse at first.

But then he thought about it and felt that this seemed like a good opportunity to learn more about rocket engines, which he had not studied much in the past.

What if it comes in handy in the future?

So, I swallowed back the words that were about to come out of my mouth:

"Forget about the guidance... I don't really know much about rocket engines."

At this point, he noticed that Chen Zhiwei and the others beside him all had the same look on their faces, as if to say, "Are you kidding me?" So he had to explain a little:

"I just learned about some detonation and combustion instability phenomena when I was studying the combustion problems of stamping machines before..."

"..."

But obviously, the explanation didn't work very well.

Chang Haonan had no choice but to pretend to be thirsty and drink some water, then quickly changed the subject:

"Anyway, we'll talk about guidance later. First, change the frequency of submitting progress reports from once a month to once every two weeks, and then add some more detailed technical content to the report so that I can understand the specific situation..."

……

Later in the day.

Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.

The sunlight filtered through the clouds, slanting down onto the newly paved asphalt runway, turning the neatly trimmed grass on both sides into a glittering golden color.

Two fighter jets with smooth and round shapes, which even looked like flying saucers from certain angles, had just landed and were heading towards the apron on the taxiway.

The surface of the fuselage was also shining brightly under the setting sun, reflecting the golden light.

Even from a long distance, you can see the two huge letters "TY" sprayed on the side of the vertical tail with a huge camber angle.

325th Fighter Wing, 43rd Squadron.

It was also the first unit to receive F2003 fighter jets and take on the task of pilot training starting in 22.

Although the world's only fourth-generation fighter has not yet been officially declared in service, the U.S. Air Force has actually trained about 30-40 qualified pilots.

After the 27th Squadron and the 94th Squadron have completed their equipment acceptance in a few weeks, they can officially announce the formation of initial operational capability (IOC).

This is more than half a year ahead of schedule compared to the end of 2005.

For a post-Cold War equipment program, it is simply a miracle.

You have to know that at this time in 2005, the U.S. Air Force still had relatively high moral principles and would not do something like forcing certification by modifying the standards.

Therefore, the F22's IOC is a truly combat-capable IOC.

You can even go on duty directly...

On the tarmac, two planes slowly drove into the parking space under the guidance of the tower. Soon, ground crew arrived in a car and helped set up the boarding stairs.

At the same time, the fully integrated canopy slowly opened, and the two pilots took off their oxygen masks and flight helmets and climbed out of the cabin.

One of them had gray hair and seemed a little too old to be a fighter pilot.

So much so that after his feet touched the ground again, his first reaction was to hold on to the aircraft tractor beside him and take a few deep breaths.

At this moment, the pilot of another plane came over and saluted solemnly:

"General John Jiangpo, congratulations! You have completed all the driving training courses for the F22 fighter jet and are now qualified to fly!"

Jiang Po, the current Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, slowly raised his head:

"Thank you for your guidance during this period, Colonel Evan Robinson..."

He stood up and walked side by side with the other person towards the tower. It is a tradition of the US military to some extent for the highest commander of the Air Force to receive training on how to fly combat aircraft.

Of course, it is impossible for the second-in-command of the empire to really send a sixty-year-old man to fight in the sky.

So it is more symbolic.

Just a few flights will be enough.

Jiang Po came here today specifically for "extra practice", naturally he also had other purposes.

Sure enough, after leaving the crowd, the chief of staff went straight to the point and asked Robinson beside him:

"Colonel, from your personal perspective, how much advantage will the F22 have over traditional third-generation fighters...such as the Su-27 or MiG-29?"

Lockheed Martin naturally has its own explanation for the combat effectiveness of the new generation of aircraft, such as being equivalent to a hundred or so times that of the F15.

But Jiang Po himself was a pilot of the early F15A model and was very aware of the tricks in these promotional tactics.

Compared with the manufacturer's publicity, he still trusts the judgment of front-line pilots more.

Robinson hesitated, then shook his head:

"I can't make an intuitive judgment, General."

Jiang Po didn't speak immediately, but just gave a questioning look.

Sure enough, after a few seconds, the colonel continued to explain:

“我们用F22与F15和F16进行过1对2、1对4甚至1对8的模拟训练……只能说就飞机本身而言，第四代战斗机在性能上的提升是存在质变的，即使面对数倍于己的敌人，也至少能够在保全自身的前提下取得一些战果。”

This answer made the Chief of Staff very satisfied:

"So...how much role does the invisibility ability play in this?"

"It is very important, General."

This time, Robinson answered almost without hesitation:

"Opponents without stealth capabilities often only realize it after we occupy an advantageous position and launch an attack. In most cases, we will directly lose 1-2 aircraft... Of course, even if we fight within visual range, the maneuverability of the F22 is far greater than any opponent I have encountered, but it is not as safe as fighting at medium distances."

Jiang Po got the answer he wanted most.

But Robinson wasn't done yet:

"However, the actual use environment is different from the simulation. For example, the enemy with superior numbers will not rush towards us as in the confrontation training, allowing us to maximize our stealth advantage. Instead, they will use tactics, such as pulling back and forth to consume our fuel. You know, the F22 is not an aircraft known for its range..."

"In addition, stealth is not absolute, especially the side and rear of the aircraft can still be detected... Even if it cannot be locked, it will alert the enemy. So if the opponent is too large, or has strong ground-based air defense facilities as a support, it will be very difficult to occupy an advantageous position in advance..."

"In short, the F22 is good, better than any fighter ever produced in human history, but it is still not omnipotent. We need a sufficient number to truly bring out the full advantages of the fourth-generation aircraft..."

In addition to its obvious highlights such as radar stealth and high maneuverability, another huge advantage of the F22 is the IFDL data link used for data transmission between aircraft/within the fleet.

Not only does it have a larger bandwidth and lower latency than link16, it can also share data such as radar detection results in real time. More importantly, it uses a directional narrow beam to achieve extremely high electromagnetic concealment, making it almost impossible for the target position to be intercepted by the opponent due to the use of data link.

The more F22s there are, the greater the advantage in this regard.

Jiang Po could naturally hear that Robinson's implication was that he was dissatisfied with the number of F22s purchased.

In fact, he was not satisfied either.

But there is really no way.

These 187 aircraft have been produced with great difficulty. Even if the final assembly line is retained, it will be impossible for suppliers to continue to supply more parts legally and in compliance with regulations.

So I had to play a word game:

"Believe me, there will be more stealth aircraft in the future..."

Then he quickly changed the topic and asked the most critical question of the day:

"Colonel, do you think the F22 fighter jets are ready for overseas deployment?"

Robinson almost startled the latter to stop in his tracks:

"Overseas deployment?"

He confirmed it with a somewhat incredulous tone.

Due to the United States' special historical and practical reasons, the threshold for deploying its equipment to allied bases is quite low.

But even so, it still seems a bit too hasty to deploy overseas right after entering service.

But as the person in charge of the training unit, it seems difficult for him to just say no...

So I had to answer politely:

"There is certainly no problem with the aircraft and the pilots, but the maintenance and servicing procedures of the F22 are very different from those of the third-generation aircraft. Overseas bases do not have the relevant facilities and equipment, and there is a lack of ground crew with sufficient experience..."

But before he could finish, Jiang Po interrupted him with a wave of his hand:

"It's not a long-term deployment, it will only take one to two weeks at most. Will there be any problems?"

The colonel bowed his head and thought for a moment, then answered cautiously:

"In the short term, normal flight is fine, but the radar-absorbing coating needs to be maintained in a professional hangar every 6-10 flight hours at most. If it exceeds this time, the stealth effect will be compromised... Of course, no matter what, it is definitely much stronger than other models."

"That's nothing."

Jiang Po immediately replied:

"We originally wanted to deter the Chinese, so during the entire deployment period, we would probably only fly 1-2 takeoffs and landings at most... Besides, if they really can't find these planes at all, then the effect will be lost."

When he heard the words “intimidate the Chinese”, a gleam of light flashed in Colonel Robinson’s eyes.

At his current age, he will probably be in a leadership position in a few years, so he really wants to do something exciting at the end of his career instead of staying at this training base.

Although there is nothing wrong with teaching and educating people, the front line is still more open and open for me.jpg

"If that's all, then I think there's no problem."

Robinson finally gave a very straightforward answer:

"It's time to let them feel the real power of suppression..."

Then he asked another question:

"Also... could you please tell me in advance where it will be deployed?"

Jiang Po glanced at the colonel who was full of fighting spirit:

"Nominally, it's a joint exercise with the Air Self-Defense Force...so it's tentatively scheduled to be at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa."