Chapter 1478 My eldest brother-in-law is my father’s younger brother

"This weapon is still in the design stage," Wang Wei continued. "We need to collect more data... On the one hand, it is for ourselves, especially the parameters of the carrier platform adaptability, and on the other hand, it is also to provide feedback to the research and development unit. For this reason, the superiors have specially applied for a training bomb with highly restored size and weight, and even the ability to simulate the ignition of a subsonic ramjet engine."

The screen switched to the next picture, showing a simulation of the J-15 carrying the missile. "Our mission is to carry this model missile for a series of test flights to test the load spectrum of the aircraft under heavy load conditions, and at the same time collect as much aerodynamic and structural data as possible under external mounting conditions."

Lin Shuyan frowned:

"Commander, given the J-15's current takeoff capability under ski-jump takeoff conditions, will carrying a missile of this size affect the safety margin?"

"Good question." Wang Wei switched to a data table. "According to calculations, under the current conditions, after mounting training bombs and loading fuel, the J-15's takeoff weight will exceed 22 tons, close to the upper limit of ski-jump takeoff, but this is not the most critical point-"

He paused and looked around at everyone:

"The most critical challenge lies in the launch conditions. In order to reduce the volume as much as possible while ensuring the range and improve the platform versatility, this missile is not equipped with a large booster rocket like the X-51A, but optimizes the working range of the ramjet engine. However, it still requires an initial velocity of about Mach 1.5 from the carrier aircraft to complete ignition."

Zheng Hui quickly calculated in his mind.

Mach 1.5 means that the J-15 needs to reach a speed of about 1800 km/h at medium altitude - this is close to the J-15's maximum level flight speed under heavy load conditions.

"This means," Wang Wei's voice turned serious, "the carrier aircraft needs to maintain stable flight under extreme conditions to provide an ideal launch environment for the missile...any slight deviation in attitude may cause data distortion."

Bi Fengchun, director of the base operations center, took over the topic:

"Although the new ammunition is limited by its excessive size and weight, and its deployment on the 16th is of little practical significance, we can only test it on a ski-jump takeoff simulator with a catapult-type aircraft due to current conditions."

"Of course, we still have to try to stay close to the actual situation... Although we don't have a catapult for the time being, our superiors asked us to use a catapult-type aircraft for testing."

He pulled up a fleet status chart:

"There are currently eight J-8s at the Xingcheng base, of which only two are full-state prototypes with enhanced front landing gear and fuselage bulkhead structure and catapult take-off capability - aircraft No. 15 and aircraft No. 7."

Zheng Hui felt a surge of electric stimulation running up his spine.

When there are more planes than pilots, it is not like a combat unit where a certain person strictly corresponds to a certain plane.

But he did fly plane No. 7 the most, while plane No. 8 was piloted by Lin Shuyan most of the time.

"Considering that both of them have about 10 years of flying experience and have passed all the carrier-based aircraft training courses so far, the superiors decided not to temporarily replace the pilots."

Bi Fengchun's eyes moved between Zheng Hui and Lin Shuyan:

"Major Zheng Hui is responsible for the mounting test, and Major Lin Shuyan is responsible for backup and accompanying flight. The mission is tentatively scheduled to be carried out next week, and the specific time will depend on weather conditions..."

"..."

……

For the People's Liberation Army, fixed-wing carrier-based aviation is a brand-new branch of the military, and the various mission details related to it need to be specially formulated.

Therefore, the meeting lasted until ten o'clock at night.

Zheng Hui walked towards the pilot dormitory alone.

The night sky was dotted with stars, and the sound of waves could be faintly heard in the distance. But his mind could not calm down - hypersonic missiles, a launch velocity of Mach 1.5, a takeoff weight close to the limit... Each one was an unprecedented challenge.

Thirteen years ago, his father Zheng Liangqun launched two PL-13 missiles at a speed close to Mach 2.3, achieving the first air combat victory for the Chinese Air Force in more than 11 years.

But it was just a lightweight air-to-air bomb after all, which was completely different from the two-and-a-half-ton behemoth.

After taking two deep breaths, he decided to go to the hangar to take a look at the mysterious missile.

As the mission pilot, he had permission to enter the hangar for pre-checks.

The hangar was dimly lit, with only a few emergency lights on.

The guard verified his identity and let him go.

Several J-15s were neatly arranged, and in the innermost special area, the unloaded missile model was lying quietly on a special bracket, and the camouflage tarpaulin had been removed.

Zheng Hui approached the missile and was amazed at its craftsmanship.

Although it was a model bullet, every detail was made extremely fine, even the grille inside the air intake was meticulous. He reached out and touched the surface of the bullet, feeling a special composite material texture - neither metal nor ordinary plastic, but a material he had never touched before.

"Very pretty, isn't it?"

A voice suddenly came from behind.

Zheng Hui turned around suddenly and saw the chief of staff standing in the shadows with a steaming cup of tea in his hand.

"Hello, Chief!" Zheng Hui immediately stood at attention and saluted.

"Relax." The other person approached, his eyes falling on the missile. "Why didn't you go back to the dormitory and ran to the hangar... Are you too excited to sleep?"

"Yes, Commander. I want to familiarize myself with the mission equipment in advance."

The other party took a sip of tea and said, "I remember you used to fly the J-11?"

"Yes, sir, I have flown both the J-8C and the J-11B for seven years."

Seeing this, Zheng Hui also relaxed a little:

"You... aren't here to inspect the work?"

"Don't you see what time it is? There is no work for me to check..."

Wang Wei replied helplessly, his voice echoing in the empty hangar.

"You know, more than a decade ago, our naval aviation only had one decent anti-ship missile, the Eagle Strike-8K, with a range of less than 100 kilometers, which was not even as good as the opponent's air defense missiles."

He walked to the missile and patted it gently. "At that time, we could only use the stupid method of low-altitude penetration, taking the huge risk of being discovered by radar to approach the target. But now..." He shook his head, with a complicated expression on his face, "a missile can launch an attack from 1000 kilometers away, and it is hypersonic."

Zheng Hui heard the emotion in his leader's words.

This veteran, who has experienced the most difficult period of naval aviation, is now standing at the threshold of technological leap, witnessing the advent of a new era.

"Commander, do you think we can really master this technology in a short period of time?" Zheng Hui couldn't help asking, "The Americans' X-51A failed in two test launches..."

Wang Wei smiled. "The Americans are taking a different technical route, but we are more focused on practicality and reliability in our design concept." He turned to Zheng Hui, his eyes sharpening. "But that's not what you really want to ask, right? You are worried about the test flight in three days."

Zheng Hui, whose thoughts were seen through, frankly admitted: "Mach 1.5 is close to the limit performance of the J-15 under heavy load conditions. If there is any abnormality..."

"That's why we chose you." Wang Wei interrupted him. "I've seen your flight records. You once successfully handled a special situation in the air when you were in military school. This mission is indeed risky, but compared to the real battlefield you may face in the future, it's nothing."

Zheng Hui didn't answer, just nodded.

"Don't worry too much... Before the official test next week, the person in charge of the development will come over and introduce the technical features of this model to us. If you have any questions or concerns, you can ask the technicians then."

After hearing Wang Wei talk about this, he suddenly came to his senses:

"The technicians didn't come with the equipment this time?"

The former rolled his eyes:

"Academician Chang is so busy, how can he have the time to come here so early to spend time with us?"

"what?"

Zheng Hui's body suddenly froze.

"Ah what?"

Wang Wei turned his head curiously and found that the expression of the young man in front of him was quite strange.

"When you say Academician Chang, do you mean Academician Chang... Academician Chang Haonan?"

Zheng Hui sought confirmation.

He almost blurted out the name he usually used to address Chang Haonan when talking to Chang Jiayao at home.

"Who else could it be?"