Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 443 Young Eagle Spreads Wings
He Yuzhu hung up the phone, looked at the few pieces of equipment that had just been discovered in the warehouse, and instructed Li Chengru: "Before Director Song and the others arrive, isolate this area and take precautions against dust."

"Understood, boss, I'll keep an eye on it personally." Li Chengru quickly went to make the arrangements.

In the following days, tensions quietly rose at the Tianjin warehouse.

Li Chengru brought in the group's internal security personnel to temporarily fence off the area where those critical pieces of equipment were stored and put up eye-catching signs.

Master Zhang and Master Wang, along with three other experienced workers who had undergone rigorous screening and signed confidentiality agreements, dressed in clean work clothes, began to conduct preliminary external cleaning and static testing on the equipment.

They carefully brushed away years of accumulated dust, inspected the nameplate, interfaces, and wiring appearance, and recorded the model and serial number. They dared not power it on, much less disassemble it in any way.

He Yuzhu didn't wait in Tianjin; he turned around and went back to Beijing. If his subordinates couldn't even handle this simple task, then they shouldn't be doing it at all.

Three days later, Director Song personally led a five-person team consisting of senior equipment engineers from Xi'an Aircraft Industry Group and representatives from relevant assembly units to Tianjin.

Upon arriving at the warehouse, without much small talk, Director Song led his men directly inside.

When the engineers from Xi'an Aircraft Industry Group saw the few pieces of equipment that had been cleared out, their eyes widened immediately.

“Old Song, look at this base structure and this transmission method. That’s it! We’ve searched all over the country and couldn’t find it!” an elderly engineer with gray hair said to Factory Director Song in a trembling voice.

“Although the nameplate is worn, these letters and the numbering format match the ones I’ve seen before!” added another engineer who was focused on the welding machine.

Factory Director Song took a deep breath, forced himself to calm down, and walked aside to make a phone call to He Yuzhu.

"Old He, why didn't you say so earlier that you had these things in your warehouse? These things have been in the warehouse for years, do you know how crazy we've been looking for these devices?"

He Yuzhu said, "I didn't even know there was this thing buried in the corner of the warehouse. If you hadn't come to complain about being poor a few days ago, I would have just decided to see if these old things could still be put to good use, and they would still be gathering dust here."

"Well, your staff is really unprofessional," Factory Director Song could only change the subject.

"My men aren't professional? Then give them all back!" He Yuzhu said, feigning anger.

"No, I misspoke. You should find a more professional person to handle border trade."

"Ha, you make it sound so easy. Things were chaotic back then, and a lot of things were packed up and shipped back without being inspected closely. They were just piled up here as ordinary second-hand equipment and spare parts. If it weren't for this inventory check, who would have known there was a gold nugget buried here? Instead of arguing with me about this, you should just move the stuff out and transfer the money to me."

"Okay, okay, I'll talk to you later, I have to go!" Director Song quickly ended the conversation and hung up the phone.

The equipment was not tested directly in Tianjin, but was repackaged, loaded onto trucks, and sent to Xi'an Aircraft Industry Group. For this purpose, Director Song borrowed a platoon of soldiers from Tianjin to escort the equipment.

As for Baofei, since Xi'an Aircraft Industry Group can increase its own production capacity, other factories should wait and see.

A few days later, Director Song called He Yuzhu's study.

"Old He, the equipment has all arrived safely and is in the factory warehouse!" Factory Director Song's voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement, and there seemed to be a faint hum of machinery in the background. "Preliminary inspection shows that the main structure is intact and the core components have no obvious damage. It's like a windfall! You've done a great job!"

He Yuzhu held the microphone, his tone slightly teasing: "Meritorious service? I wouldn't dare accept that. Old Song, you're quick on your feet, getting the stuff and immediately bringing it back to your Xi'an Aircraft Industry Group. What, are you afraid I'll change my mind? Or are you planning to keep it all to yourself, not even sharing a drop with the other units?"

On the other end of the phone, Factory Director Song's laughter abruptly stopped. After a pause, he explained with a hint of embarrassment, "Old He, what are you saying! Do you think I, Song, am that kind of person? It's just that these pieces of equipment are too critical and too sensitive! I don't feel comfortable leaving them anywhere else. Only by bringing them back here, with the existing supporting environment, experienced workers familiar with the processes, and strict security, can we put them into use as quickly as possible and form combat capability. This is called concentrating resources to accomplish great things, achieving the highest efficiency!"

"Most efficient?" He Yuzhu scoffed. "Then let me ask you, what about Shenfei in the north? Don't they need it over there?"

After a few seconds of silence, Director Song spoke again, his voice lowered and carrying a hint of meaning: "Old He, Shen Fei has his own mission, and it's not easy. The higher-ups have their overall plans, and resource allocation always has priorities. There are some things I can't say more about."

"Their own mission?" He Yuzhu keenly sensed something. "I heard they seem to be messing with those old Eighth Masters? Is it related to what that ship brought back?"

He was naturally referring to the Sukhoi carrier-based aircraft technology that had been obtained through special channels.

"Oh, my dear He, don't make wild guesses!" Factory Director Song immediately denied it, but his tone seemed somewhat like he was trying to cover something up. "It has nothing to do with that, it's completely different! It's just that Eighth Master's stockpile is too large, and the army still has a lot of equipment. We can't just leave it all to rust. It's necessary to find ways to tap its potential, make some targeted improvements, and enhance its combat effectiveness. Every little bit helps!"

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu's lips twitched slightly, but he did not press the matter further.

He understood what Director Song meant.

The J-8 series fighter jets have been the mainstay of China's air force for a long time and have a huge number in service. Even with the continuous introduction of new aircraft, how to make these "veterans" continue to contribute is an important issue.

Modernizing and upgrading its radar, avionics, and weapon systems to adapt to the new battlefield environment is indeed a logical choice.

As for carrier-based aircraft technology, they are definitely working on it, but that's beyond his control; he was just asking casually.

"Alright, I understand." He Yuzhu didn't delve any further. "Since the equipment is useful to you, then make good use of it."

"Definitely, definitely!" Director Song hurriedly assured him, feeling relieved that he had finally managed to fool Old He.

Old He's intuition is too sharp. There are some things that, it's not that we don't trust him, but rather that discipline dictates that the fewer people who know, the better.

What they didn't know was that the improved J-8II had already achieved success along the southeast coast.

One day in April, at a field airfield on the eastern coast, the atmosphere in the control tower was heavy.

On the radar screen, a dot of light was moving slowly northward from the southeast, close to the outer edge of the exclusive economic zone, its trajectory arrogant.

Its flight altitude and speed characteristics are unknown, suggesting it may be an enemy reconnaissance aircraft.

"Here we go again!" a young radar operator muttered through gritted teeth.

"Order, 'Falcon' Squadron, two-plane formation, take off immediately to intercept!" The commander's voice was transmitted to the ears of the pilots who had been waiting for a long time through the communication channel.

"Falcon understands!"

At the airport, the roar of engines instantly shattered the tranquility of the early morning.

Two modernized J-8II fighter jets taxied out of the hangar, accelerated, and roared into the sky.

Compared to the prototype, the noses of these two J-8IIs have been redesigned, new radars have been installed inside, and the cockpit instruments have undergone some digital upgrades, giving them preliminary beyond-visual-range detection capabilities and better downward-looking capabilities.

External fuel tanks and electronic countermeasures pods were mounted under the fuselage.

These represent the maximum extent that Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) could achieve in utilizing the limited resources, including some technical support from Xi'an Aircraft Industry Group (XAC) and its own capabilities, to develop these "Old Master Eight" aircraft.

The lead pilot, codenamed "Mountain Eagle," was a veteran with thousands of hours of flight experience.

He gripped the control stick tightly, feeling the slight vibrations transmitted through the fuselage. The J-8II's high-altitude, high-speed performance was its forte, but its low-speed handling and situational awareness capabilities lagged behind its adversaries.

"Falcon reports, both aircraft have taken off and are climbing, heading XXX."

"Target altitude XXXXX, speed XXX, maintain course. Note that the target may be equipped with a powerful electronic jamming system. Maintain radar silence and approach according to the pre-arranged plan." Ground command guidance.

"clear."

Two silver-gray warplanes pierced through the clouds and fog, quickly climbing to their designated altitude. Outside the cockpit, the sunlight was blinding, and the sky was a clear blue.

"Mountain Eagle, target spotted! Bearing XXX, distance XXX!" came the voice of the wingman 'Falcon', tinged with tension.

The new radar detected that tiny point of light at its maximum range.

"Maintain surveillance and continue approaching. Prepare to activate the data link and receive integrated ground information," Mountain Eagle commanded, his voice steady.

The distance is gradually closing.

The other side had obviously spotted the interceptor heading in, but maintained its original course and speed, seemingly unfazed.

"Falcon, the target aircraft has not changed course and continues to approach our airspace. Issue a warning!" the ground command came through.

The Mountain Eagle throttled its engine, accelerating forward to form a escort posture with the target aircraft.

He adjusted the communication frequency and issued a stern warning using an internationally recognized channel: "This is the Chinese Air Force. Your aircraft has approached our airspace. Change course immediately and leave immediately! Otherwise, you will bear all the serious consequences!"

A loud, arrogant English reply came through the radio headset, roughly punctuated by noise, saying, "International airspace, freedom of flight."

Instead of turning around, the other aircraft seemed to be provoking them by slightly adjusting its posture, its wings reflecting a cold light in the sunlight.

"Warning repeated! Change course and leave immediately!" the mountain eagle called out again, its tone even more stern.

The other party ignored the warning and its flight path even shifted slightly inwards from the airspace boundary.

"Mountain Eagle, don't get any closer!" the wingman warned urgently.

Mountain Eagle looked at the strangely shaped reconnaissance plane that exuded a high-tech, cold aura to his side, and then glanced at the improved but still antique-looking display units on his instrument panel. A surge of excitement rushed to his head, but he forced himself to calm down.

"Falcon, follow me! Press it down, force it out!"

He slammed the control stick, and the fighter jet roared as it cut towards the opponent's side at an extremely aggressive angle! The wingman followed closely behind.

The two J-8II fighters, like falcons pouncing on a giant beast, were no less imposing in terms of size and technology than the others.

Suddenly, the radar warning system in the cockpit emitted a piercing shriek! The other side had activated powerful electronic jamming; the screen was filled with static, and the data link signal became extremely unstable.

"Damn it, it's interfering with us!" the falcon cursed.

"Maintain eye contact! Get close to it!" the mountain eagle roared, relying on the muscle memory and tenacious will formed from thousands of daily drills to bite its opponent tightly.

In the air, the three planes were locked in a high-speed chase.

The pilots of the J-8II took full advantage of the aircraft's performance, using its excellent high-altitude maneuverability to make small-radius turns, climbs, and dives in an attempt to force the enemy to change direction.

The adversary clearly did not expect the Chinese pilot to be so aggressive. Under intense close-range interference, the reconnaissance aircraft's massive fuselage began to wobble slightly.

"It's starting to panic! Give it your all!" The mountain eagle noticed this detail and closed in again.

They were so close they could almost see the outline of the other pilot's helmet.

Perhaps realizing that continuing the standoff was too risky, or perhaps annoyed by the relentless close pursuit, the reconnaissance plane finally began to slowly and reluctantly veer away from the airspace.

"It's turning!" the wingman reported excitedly.

"Keep a close watch on it! Until it's gone!" Mountain Eagle dared not relax, piloting its fighter jet to follow closely like a shadow.

A dozen minutes later, the reconnaissance plane completely left the contact range and disappeared into the distant horizon.

"Falcon reports, target has been driven away."

"Received, mission complete, can return now."

Two J-8II fighter jets adjusted their course, carrying their weariness and the sweet scent of fuel, and flew towards the base.

After landing, the ground crew surrounded them. Mountain Eagle and Falcon climbed down the gangway, took off their heavy helmets, their faces flushed and sweaty from the intense battle.

"Well done!" The captain patted the mountain eagle on the shoulder forcefully. "We have to stand up to them like this! We can't let them get too cocky!"

Mountain Eagle wiped his sweat, looked at the heavily modified but still undeniably outdated fighter jet in front of him, and let out a long sigh: "The plane is still a bit old. Once electronic warfare kicks in, we're practically blind. If only our J-10s could be equipped with it."

The captain's smile faded slightly, and he sighed, "Yes, everyone knows the new equipment is good, but production capacity is limited, so we have to prioritize key areas. It's already quite an achievement that we were able to make the J-8 fly like this and force them to retreat! Once more improved equipment arrives, things will get better."

Mountain Eagle nodded and said nothing more.

He looked up at the azure sky, his gaze resolute.

One month later in the southwestern border region.

Above the towering mountains, the sky was a clear, deep blue.

Inside a forward radar station, the duty officer stared intently at a slowly moving dot of light that suddenly appeared on the screen, his brow furrowed.

"Report: Low-altitude, slow-moving small target detected, altitude xxx, speed xxx, bearing xxx, moving towards our territory!"

The intelligence was quickly reported.

"Confirmed not to be a civil aircraft or a known general aviation aircraft. The trajectory is abnormal, suspected of illegal entry."

The order was quickly issued to an air force division responsible for air defense in the area.

"Duty squad, two aircraft take off, verify and intercept!"

A piercing battle alarm sounded at the mountain airfield.

Two J-8II fighter jets belonging to the division taxied out of the hardened aircraft shelter, with the pilots being a wingman duo codenamed 'Plateau' and 'Snow Leopard'.

Their aircraft were also an improved model, with enhanced low-altitude performance and takeoff and landing capabilities to adapt to the complex mountainous environment of the southwest.

"The plateau understands; it's sliding out."

"Snow leopard, follow."

The two aircraft took off with afterburners, leaving long trails of flame, and quickly disappeared into the clouds, heading towards the target airspace as guided by ground forces.

"The target is at an extremely low altitude, using valley echoes to evade radar, and is traveling at a very slow speed, approximately xxx kilometers per hour." This is the latest update from the ground.

"Understood," the lead aircraft 'Gaoyuan' replied, while simultaneously pushing the control stick to begin descending.

The J-8II, a fighter jet designed for high-altitude, high-speed interception, is not well-suited for low-altitude, low-speed environments, where engine response and handling sensitivity will decrease.

But they are the only jet fighter unit stationed here.

Piercing through thick clouds, below stretched undulating, dark green mountain ridges. The pilots strained their eyes, searching for the small target amidst the complex terrain.

"Highland, valley to the left front, target spotted!" Wingman 'Snow Leopard' spotted first.

Following the sound, 'Gaoyuan' saw a small white dot slowly moving in the narrow valley between two mountain ridges.

As the distance closed, it became clear that it was a single-engine, high-wing ultralight aircraft with a simple design, resembling a privately assembled or converted agricultural aircraft.

"Target confirmed, ultralight aircraft," 'Gaoyuan' reported to the ground, while simultaneously taking up a favorable position to its side and rear with its wingman.

"Issue a warning to force it to land or turn back."

'Gaoyuan' changed its channel and repeatedly called in both Chinese and English: "Unidentified aircraft, you have illegally entered our airspace. Immediately follow our instructions to turn and leave, or find a safe place to land! Obey our instructions immediately!"

The ultralight aircraft seemed to have received the call, its fuselage swaying slightly, but it did not change course. Instead, it tried to use the valley terrain to fly left and right, attempting to shake off the enemy.

"It's playing hide-and-seek with us," said 'Snow Leopard'. In such a low-altitude and narrow valley, the high-speed J-8II must be very careful in controlling its speed and attitude, as the slightest mistake could result in a crash into the mountain.

"Get close, apply pressure, don't let it go any deeper!" 'Gaoyuan' ordered. He pushed the throttle, the fighter jet roared, and cut into the enemy's side at a precise angle. The massive fuselage and the roar of the jet engines created a powerful deterrent.

The pilot of the ultralight aircraft was clearly startled by the fighter jet that appeared at close range, and the aircraft swayed noticeably.

“Repeated warning! Turn around immediately! Otherwise we will take further action!” 'Gaoyuan's' tone was stern and iron-like.

Perhaps realizing it had no chance against the fighter jets, or perhaps running out of fuel, the ultralight aircraft finally began to slowly turn and fly towards the boundary line.

"Keep an eye on it, and escort it out."

Two J-8II fighter jets, like sheepdogs herding sheep, followed closely on the left and right of the slow-moving small plane, "escorting" it all the way to the border.

Watching the small plane disappear into the foreign horizon, 'Gaoyuan' reported to the base: "The target has been driven out of the country."

"Received, mission complete, return to base."

Turning their noses around, the two fighter jets climbed to a higher altitude and flew towards the base. Below the cockpit, the mountains and rivers of the motherland lay peacefully like a painting under the sunlight.

Back at the division headquarters, when reporting the situation, "Gaoyuan" said to his superiors who came to inquire about the situation: "The plane is a bit old, and it was quite difficult to follow it at low altitude and low speed, but the mission was accomplished. It just feels like it dares to venture into anything."

The superior's expression was grave: "These low, slow, and small targets are difficult to detect with radar, and even more difficult to intercept. This one wasn't a significant threat, but if it were, our air defenses still have many vulnerabilities. The new radar and command system are already on their way; let's hold on a little longer."

"clear."

This happened several times, and each time the enemy planes were different.

The mission reports were then compiled and archived, and circulated and analyzed within relevant military units and factories as typical cases.

On the surface, this is a victory, a successful interception by the national air defense network.

However, at the internal debriefing meeting, neither the pilots, commanders, nor the technical experts in the rear were in a relaxed mood.

During the incident on the eastern coast, facing the opponent's superior electronic jamming system, the radar on the J-8II, which was supposedly improved, became almost useless at the critical moment, and the data link was also severely suppressed.

Pilots rely entirely on their superb flying skills and fearless courage to conduct dangerous visual contacts and close-range expulsions; the risks involved are self-evident.

The problem was exposed on another frontier during the incident in the southwest. When dealing with low-altitude, slow-moving, small-section targets, the J-8II's proud high-altitude, high-speed advantage could not be utilized. Instead, its shortcomings in maneuverability under complex airflow at low altitudes and stability during sustained low-speed flight were magnified.

Radar is also inadequate in looking downwards and filtering ground clutter, making detection and tracking quite passive.

“The J-8’s design is ultimately too outdated.” In a small meeting room at Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, Liu Guodong, the deputy chief engineer in charge of the J-8 series improvement project, frowned deeply as he looked at the detailed mission reports and pilot feedback sent back from the front lines. “High-altitude, high-speed interception was its original design purpose. Now, asking it to perform low-to-medium altitude dogfights, anti-jamming, and low-speed, small-sized attacks is simply asking the impossible.”

An aerodynamics expert next to him sighed: "Airframe structure, flight control system, engine response characteristics, these are all tough nuts to crack. The improvements we've made to avionics and radar are like giving a veteran long-distance runner better running shoes and binoculars, but he's ultimately not good at short-distance sprints and close combat."

“The problem is, the enemy won’t stay away just because we’re not good at it,” another engineer in charge of electronic systems explained. “When conventional high-altitude, high-speed reconnaissance aircraft ran into trouble, they started playing these low-altitude, slow-speed, electronic warfare ‘gray area’ tactics. Our air defense system must be able to cope with this diverse range of threats.”

Liu Guodong tapped his finger on the pilot's slightly complaining summary in the report: "'It feels like anything can come in here.' It sounds harsh, but it reflects reality. Our air defense still has blind spots in perception and shortcomings in response. As a model currently in large-scale deployment, the J-8II must find ways to tap its greater potential and plug these loopholes."

He stood up and walked to the charts on the wall of the conference room, which showed the performance parameters of various improved versions of the J-8II and the technical problems that urgently needed to be solved.

"Compile the problems exposed in these missions, as well as the technical bottlenecks we identified earlier, into a detailed report, along with our preliminary improvement plans," Liu Guodong instructed his assistant. "Focus on the following aspects: First, improve the radar's anti-jamming capabilities and data link stability in complex electromagnetic environments; second, optimize low-altitude, low-speed flight characteristics and study the feasibility of adding lift-enhancing devices such as leading-edge maneuvering flaps; third, strengthen the detection, identification, and tracking capabilities for low, slow, and small targets; and fourth, assess the possibility of replacing the engine with an improved version that has greater thrust and faster response."

The assistant quickly took notes.

Liu Guodong paused for a moment, then added, "The report should also clearly define our technological boundaries. Some problems may not be fundamentally solved by minor repairs to existing platforms. We need new equipment to mature and be deployed on a large scale as soon as possible."

He spoke subtly, but everyone present understood that he was referring to the J-10, which was still in rapid production, and potentially more advanced models in the future.

The improvements to the J-8II are a "shield" to address the current urgent needs, while new fighter jets are the "spear" to seize air superiority in the future.

The report was quickly compiled and submitted to Shenyang Aircraft Corporation's senior management and relevant authorities as an urgent document.

Meanwhile, in the west, Xi'an Aircraft Industry Group (XAC) also felt the pressure.

Factory Director Song received a copy of Shenfei's situation report. He locked himself in his office, staring at the huge production schedule on the wall, remaining silent for a long time.

The J-10 production capacity expansion plan is being pushed forward with full force. The key equipment that He Yuzhu unexpectedly discovered has begun to play a role in the production of some key components after intensive installation and debugging, with a significant improvement in efficiency.

But this is not enough.

The scenario described in Shenyang Aircraft Corporation's report made him feel as if he were seeing a similar complex situation that Xi'an Aircraft Corporation's new fighter jets might face in the near future. The adversary was upgrading, and the threat was evolving.

"Having a spear alone is not enough; the shield must also be strong enough, and the reaction time must be fast enough," Director Song muttered to himself.

He picked up the phone and connected to the office of the chief engineer in charge of F-16 modifications.

"Old Zhou, it's me. Have you seen the situation report from Shenyang Aircraft Corporation? Yes, the pressure is immense. While ensuring our existing production capacity, we must further advance and strengthen the electronic warfare capabilities, multi-target engagement capabilities, and hardware and software solutions for dealing with low, slow, and small targets in subsequent models! We can't wait until the enemy uses new tactics on us before we react passively!"

The chief engineer responded calmly and firmly from the other end of the phone: "Understood, Lao Song. The technical team has been following up. In fact, you can't rely entirely on us, after all, the quantity is limited, and once it's fixed, it's done."

"Shouldn't you make a batch of these too?"

"Old Song, you're asking too much of us. We can make the F-15 because we have the blueprints and technical data, but the F-16 is difficult."

"I don't think there's any difference; after all, they're both aircraft from the same era."

"Okay, we'll try to replicate it."

Factory Director Song put down the phone and rubbed his temples.

Old Zhou understood perfectly well what he was saying. Imitating or even improving the F-16 was far more difficult than simply studying the F-15 data, as it involved subtle differences in materials, processes, and even the entire industrial system.

But the F-15 is a model from decades ago, and who knows what kind of aircraft the US is researching right now.

But the pressure on the front lines was real. Shen Fei's report was right on his desk. After thinking for a moment, he picked up the phone again and this time called his superior directly.

"Sir, I suggest we begin flight training for the J-10 and J-16 before they are commissioned into service."

"Old Song, do you have that many planes?"

"It's barely enough for training purposes!"

"Alright then, it seems we can only select the best from each war zone. The war zone commanders are going to have a headache this time."

A week later, a top-secret document jointly issued by the headquarters and the Air Force Command was distributed to the air forces of various theater commands, relevant aviation divisions, and flight test and training bases.

The core content of the document is only one thing: immediately select a group of top fighter pilots from across the entire Air Force to form a "New Equipment Acceptance Training Brigade" to reserve seed instructors and key aces for the J-10 and subsequent new fighter jets that will soon be mass-produced.

The selection criteria are extremely stringent:

First, applicants must be between 28 and 35 years old, have over 1,500 hours of flight time, and be a Class A pilot.

Second, candidates must possess all-weather operational capabilities under three or more weather conditions, and those with actual experience in intercepting and driving away foreign aircraft will be given priority.

Third, they passed extremely rigorous physiological and psychological endurance tests, demonstrating quick thinking and exceptional adaptability.

Fourth, they have a strong political background, a clean record, and exceptional learning and teaching abilities.

As soon as the order was issued, all units immediately sprang into action.

This is an honor, but even more so, a responsibility.

Every pilot who met the basic requirements was eager to try, while the commanders of each unit were both proud and reluctant to let go, as this was like taking away their most prized talent.

In the conference room of the aviation division in the Eastern Theater Command, which had successfully driven away a high-performance reconnaissance aircraft, smoke filled the air.

"Mountain Eagle, Falcon, you two are the most qualified in our division." The division commander looked at his two trusted subordinates and said sternly, "Headquarters specifically requested experienced officers with outstanding combat records. You did a great job last time and made our division commander proud. This time, you must seize this opportunity!"

The lead pilot, codenamed "Mountain Eagle," whose real name was Zhao Taihang, had a dark face that revealed little expression, but his eyes were sharp: "Commander, don't worry, I guarantee the mission will be completed."

The wingman, 'Falcon,' whose real name is Chen Rui, was more outgoing and said with a smile, 'Commander, if we both get selected, you'll be heartbroken for quite a while.'

The division commander laughed and cursed, "Get lost! I'd love for you all to go! Only by flying the new planes can we better protect this sky! Cheer up, the selection process won't be easy!"

The atmosphere was equally enthusiastic in the air force division responsible for air defense in the complex mountainous terrain of the southwestern border region.

'Plateau' and 'Snow Leopard' were also included in the recommended list.

The squadron leader spoke with them: "Gaoyuan, Xuebao, the higher-ups are taking your report on how you outmaneuvered that crappy plane in low-altitude, low-speed conditions very seriously. The new aircraft needs pilots who can adapt to all kinds of complex environments, not just high-altitude, high-speed ones. This is a good opportunity, but the competition will be fierce."

'Gaoyuan,' whose real name is Li Zhan, is a calm and resolute man. He nodded and said, 'Understood, Captain. We will do our best.'

'Snow Leopard,' whose real name is Wang Jinsong, was eager to get started: "I've been wanting to touch the new guy for a long time! Eighth Master is a good buddy, but it's time to let him rest."

The first stop for the selection was the Air Force Physical Training Center located in North China.

Nearly a hundred top pilots from all over the country gathered here. Many of them were well-known to each other, but most were meeting for the first time. There were no excessive pleasantries; a silent sense of competition permeated the air.

Zhao Taihang (Mountain Eagle) ran into Li Zhan (Gaoyuan) in the corridor. The two glanced at each other and saw the same composure and sharpness in each other's eyes. They nodded slightly in greeting.

Chen Rui (Falcon) quickly struck up a conversation with Wang Jinsong (Snow Leopard), exchanging tips on driving away different targets.

The first item is the extreme physical fitness test.

This is not a regular five-kilometer run or parallel bars and horizontal bar exercise, but a comprehensive physical fitness test simulating high overload and hypoxia.

Pilots are required to wear anti-G suits and complete designated cognitive tasks while the centrifuge reaches a specific G value, such as memorizing flashing symbols or solving simple arithmetic problems.

The enormous centrifuge roared as it flung the subjects to their limits.

Inside the cabin, Zhao Taihang (Mountain Eagle) had a flushed face and bulging veins in his neck. His anti-G suit was tightly pressing against his body, but his eyes were fixed on the screen, clearly and accurately reporting each symbol.

Outside the monitoring room, the waiting pilots silently looked at the data, mentally assessing whether they could have done better.

Next is the test of psychological resilience and adaptability in complex environments.

They were placed in a fully enclosed simulated cockpit, facing a series of emergencies: engine stoppage, hydraulic system failure, cabin depressurization, multiple alarm messages flooding the screen, the screen turning into snow due to strong electromagnetic interference, and intermittent ground command. They needed to make the right judgment and take the right action within one or two seconds.

Li Zhan (Gaoyuan) encountered a simulated bird strike incident, with cracks appearing on the canopy, howling winds, and multiple indicator lights on the instrument panel malfunctioning.

He took a deep breath, ignored the piercing alarm, checked each item according to the plan, calmly reported the situation to the simulated control tower, and requested an emergency landing. The whole process was orderly and efficient.

Chen Rui (Falcon) encountered an even more challenging problem of "identification of friend or foe". Under severe interference, friendly aircraft, civilian aircraft and suspicious targets appeared on the radar at the same time. Ground information was blurred, and he needed to make a decision on whether to attack based on comprehensive information in a very short time.

He quickly switched data link channels and, combining visual observation with limited radar echo characteristics, made the judgment of "not attacking for the time being, but continuing to monitor," which later proved to be the optimal choice.

There is also a written test of theoretical knowledge conducted under noisy and fatigued conditions, covering aerodynamics, avionics, weapon systems, foreign languages, and other aspects, which tests the pilots' theoretical foundation and continuous learning ability.

As the selection process continued, people were eliminated because they did not meet certain standards.

Those who remained were all elites whose physical and mental qualities, technical theories, and willpower were nothing short of extraordinary.

Zhao Taihang (Mountain Eagle) and Li Zhan (Highland) have maintained their leading position thanks to their comprehensive skills and superior stability.

Chen Rui (Falcon) and Wang Jinsong (Snow Leopard) also firmly held their positions with their flexible adaptability and excellent situational awareness.

The final stage of the selection process is the interview. A panel of judges, composed of headquarters leaders, Air Force experts, and even senior test pilots from Xi'an Aircraft Industry Group and Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, personally oversees the process.

The issues are no longer limited to technology, but also involve tactical thinking, understanding of future air combat, and teaching ability.

"If you were one of the first pilots of the new aircraft, what do you think would be the biggest challenge?" an air force officer with gray hair asked Zhao Taihang (Mountain Eagle).

After a moment's thought, Zhao Taihang replied, "Reporting to the commander! I believe the biggest challenge is not getting familiar with the new equipment itself, but how to transform its performance advantages into an absolute advantage in system warfare. We need to break away from the mindset formed when flying old equipment and explore new tactics."

When asked how to address the new threat environment of low-altitude, low-speed targets coexisting with high-performance reconnaissance aircraft, Li Zhan (Gao Yuan) proposed, based on his own experience, strengthening low-altitude detection networks and developing specialized patrol vehicles for coordinated operations with fighter jets.

Chen Rui (Falcon) and Wang Jinsong (Snow Leopard) also elaborated on their understanding of information fusion, electronic warfare, and the role of pilots in complex systems.

After the interviews, all the pilots who participated in the final selection lined up on the parade ground, awaiting the announcement of the results. Despite being seasoned and battle-hardened warriors, they couldn't help but feel a little nervous at this moment.

Finally, the head of the judging panel, the Air Force officer, walked to the front of the line with the list in hand, his gaze sweeping over every resolute face.

"After comprehensive evaluation, the following comrades have been selected as the first batch of trainees in the 'New Equipment Acceptance Training Team'!"

Each name he pronounced represented a weighty recognition and responsibility.

"Zhao Taihang!"

"To!"

"Li Zhan!"

"To!"

"Chen Rui!"

"To!"

"Wang Jinsong!"

"To!"

The list is short, with only about twenty people, but it brings together the most elite forces of this age group in the entire Air Force.

Those whose names weren't called inevitably showed a hint of disappointment in their eyes, but they quickly straightened their chests and cast congratulatory and expectant glances at their selected comrades.

The selected pilots, filled with excitement and anticipation, were secretly transferred to a heavily guarded new fighter jet test and training base deep in Northwest China, adjacent to the Xi'an Aircraft Industry Group factory.

When the thick camouflage netting covering the hangar was lifted, the scene before them took their breath away, even for these elite pilots who were used to seeing J-7 and J-8 fighters.

The streamlined fuselage, the aerodynamic layout with canards, the gray low-visibility paint, and the modern integrated cockpit canopy of the J-10 are even more impressive than the pictures they saw in internal documents, exuding a sense of power and technology.

"Is this Unit 10?" Chen Rui (Falcon) couldn't help but exclaim softly, his eyes shining, and he subconsciously wanted to go forward and touch the cold skin.

"Line up!" The instructor leading the group, a middle-aged officer with a stern expression and the rank of colonel, shouted in a low voice. His voice was not loud, but it instantly made all the pilots focus and quickly stand in line.

The colonel's gaze swept over the group with lightning speed: "Seeing these new guys, are you itching to get back to work? Let me tell you, from this moment on, you'd better put away all that experience and arrogance you had when you flew the J-7 and J-8! Here, you're just a bunch of greenhorns who've just been given a solo flight! Anyone who brings their old unit habits here, thinks they're the chosen ones, and refuses to be disciplined, can file for resignation right now. The base gate is over there!"

No one moved.

The colonel nodded in satisfaction, his tone softening slightly: "Excitement is a good thing. But you'll have your share of tears coming up. In the first phase, after studying the theoretical curriculum, you'll be assigned to Teaching Building No. 1. For the next month, your main activities will be limited to that building and your dormitories."

The pilots' joy was quickly dampened by the extremely arduous theoretical studies.

The distributed materials piled up to almost half a person's height, all about the J-10's flight control logic, avionics system, fire control radar, weapons management, and emergency procedures. Many of them involved concepts such as digital bus, integrated display, and fly-by-wire control, which they had only heard of before but had never had in-depth contact with.

The instructor team consists of experts from Xi'an Aircraft Industry Group and related research institutes, as well as senior test pilots. The teaching pace is extremely fast and the information density is enormous.

They have eight hours of classes every day, and a lot of self-study and group discussions in the evening, requiring them to digest and absorb the material in a very short time.

“The authority logic of this FCS (Flight Control System) is completely different from mechanical control.” Li Zhan (Gao Yuan) frowned as he stared at the thick schematic diagram. He was used to relying on stick force and pedal feedback to judge the aircraft’s status, but now he needed to understand how the computer processed his commands, how it automatically coordinated the control surfaces, and how it prevented him from making dangerous maneuvers that exceeded the aircraft’s flight envelope.

Zhao Taihang (Mountain Eagle) was relatively calm. He adopted the most rudimentary method, repeatedly copying the key data flow and system interconnection diagrams, trying to build a model of the entire system's operation in his mind.

Even with his resilience, he often felt his head throbbing.

The most troublesome one is Chen Rui (Falcon).

He has a quick mind and a good feel for practical application, but he finds these dry and complicated theories and convoluted system diagrams very troublesome.

During a quiz in class, he got stuck on a question about data link fusion priority and his score was not ideal.

"Falcon, if you can't keep up with the theoretical knowledge, the new plane won't tolerate your unorthodox methods once you're in the air." The instructor called his name in front of everyone.

Chen Rui was a little embarrassed and remained silent, his neck stiff.

After class, Wang Jinsong (Snow Leopard) approached him: "Brother Rui, don't push yourself too hard. You can't just memorize this stuff; you have to understand it. Shall I help you go through it tonight?"

Chen Rui sighed and nodded.

After the theoretical phase, the simulator training begins.

The high-fidelity full-mission simulator replicates the cockpit environment of the J-10 fighter jet almost 1:1. The screen displays a computer-generated, high-precision virtual airspace and landscape.

Upon first sitting inside, the various multi-function displays and HOTAS (Handheld Controllers on Stick) design immediately overwhelmed pilots accustomed to old-fashioned instrument panels and center sticks, leaving them flustered and disoriented.

"The information displayed on the head-up display is too cluttered, and I can't allocate my attention to it all."

"This side stick is too sensitive; the aircraft reacts very strongly to even the slightest movement."

"The alarm tone is also different from before."

Complaints and discomfort are inevitable.

The instructors watched coldly from the sidelines, recording everyone's reactions and operating habits, and providing targeted guidance from time to time in a stern and uncompromising tone.

"Taihang, your linkage is still too large! Remember, it's an electric fly-by-wire system, not a mechanical linkage! You have to fly with your mind!"

"Gaoyuan, focus your attention! Don't just stare at one screen, gather all the information!"

"Falcon! You forgot to check the weapons status again! Are you preparing to use the machine gun to shoot down the AWACS?"

Day after day of simulator training, from the simplest takeoffs and landings and flight paths to complex emergency handling, air combat, and ground attack. Everyone was completely exhausted, and they would often collapse into bed as soon as they got back to their dormitories.

Finally, I passed both the theoretical exam and the simulator evaluation, and the day to use the actual simulator arrived.

On the airport tarmac, several J-10 fighter jets, fully fueled but without any training rounds, were undergoing final checks by ground crew.

The silver-gray body reflected a cold light under the high-altitude sun.

The pilots, wearing anti-G suits and carrying helmets, stood in formation outside the flight briefing room, listening to the mission briefing given by the lead pilot (usually an instructor or senior test pilot).

Despite their best efforts to restrain themselves, everyone's eyes gleamed with barely suppressed excitement.

"Today is your first flight experience, mainly to familiarize yourself with basic handling characteristics, takeoff and landing procedures, and the airspace environment. Strictly follow the pre-arranged plan; no unnecessary movements are allowed! Do you understand?"

"Understood!" the voice boomed.

Zhao Taihang (Mountain Eagle) was assigned to the first batch.

He calmly inspected the cockpit, switched on the power, and proceeded with the pre-flight preparations step by step according to the procedure. The roar of the engine starting came through the soundproof helmet, carrying a strange sense of power.

Slide out and enter the runway.

He took a deep breath, pushed the accelerator, and the powerful thrust instantly pressed him into the seat. Compared to the J-8II, the J-10's acceleration was even more aggressive.

Lift the wheels off the ground.

Retract the landing gear.

The plane gracefully soared into the blue sky.

The precise feedback from the side stick controls and the automatic attitude stabilization from the flight control system initially took him a while to get used to, but soon he was immersed in the smooth feeling of human-machine integration.

"Mountain Eagle, how are you feeling?" came the voice of the team leader over the radio.

"Report, the controls are very smooth, and the visibility is excellent!" Zhao Taihang tried his best to keep his voice steady.

The first flight was successfully completed.

Subsequent batches of pilots also experienced this generational leap in flight. After landing, everyone excitedly exchanged ideas, comparing various subtle differences.

However, not everyone can strictly adhere to the rules.

During a formation flight training exercise with a tactical background, Chen Rui (Falcon) piloted a fighter jet as a wingman, following the lead aircraft in a simulated interception.

After successfully shooting down the target, on the return flight, he passed through a vast open airspace. Perhaps it was the pent-up frustration of the past few days that was ignited by the blue sky and speed, or perhaps it was the restlessness in his bones that was acting up, or perhaps it was because he had always heard 'Snow Leopard' and 'Highland' talk about flying over the plateau. Looking at the continuous sea of ​​clouds below and the faintly visible mountain range in the distance, an impulse surged into his heart.

He deviated slightly from the planned flight path and asked the lead pilot: "Dongyao, the airspace ahead is open. I request permission to make a small-radius circle to experience the maximum turning rate."

The lead aircraft hesitated for a moment, but considering that the training syllabus did not explicitly prohibit it and that the airspace conditions allowed, it replied: "It's okay, but be careful with your movements and keep in touch."

With permission granted, Chen Rui (Falcon) seemed to have some kind of switch flipped.

He didn't just perform a standard turn. When the overload reached around 7G and his body was under tremendous pressure, he subconsciously made a slight oscillation control input, which is used on the J-8II to quickly change the nose direction.

This minor maneuver, harmless in the era of mechanical control, is amplified in the extremely sensitive fly-by-wire flight control system.

The fighter jet's nose suddenly wobbled violently without command. Although the flight control system quickly intervened to stabilize it, the whole process was quite dangerous and disrupted the smooth flight of the formation.

"Dongliang! What are you doing!" the lead pilot shouted sternly over the radio.

Chen Rui (Falcon) himself broke out in a cold sweat and quickly leveled the plane: "Reporting to Dongyao, it was an operational error, and I have leveled the plane."

The ordeal didn't end after landing. The flight data recorder clearly documented his request, which went beyond the syllabus, and the subsequent non-standard maneuvers.

That evening, all training team members were urgently assembled.

During the day, the cold-faced colonel stood at the front of the line, his face ashen, holding a newly printed flight data report in his hand.

"Tell me!" His voice was as cold as ice. "During this afternoon's formation training, pilot Chen Rui disregarded flight discipline and, without sufficient assessment, requested and executed violent maneuvers exceeding the syllabus. Furthermore, he made serious improper inputs during operation, nearly causing a flight accident!"

His gaze swept across Chen Rui's (Falcon's) face like a knife.

"What do you think this place is? A stage for you to show off your flying skills? This is the seed force for future air combat! Any violation could cost you your life, and could even leak critical performance data of new equipment! Your behavior is extremely irresponsible towards the enormous resources the country has invested and the hard work of countless researchers!"

Chen Rui (Falcon) lowered his head, his cheeks burning.

"After investigation, it has been decided to issue a serious warning to pilot Chen Rui within the squadron! His flight allowance for the month will be deducted! His subsequent flight plans are suspended. He will need to conduct a thorough self-examination, and his return to flight will be determined based on the results of a simulator-specific assessment!"

When the disciplinary decision was announced, the queue fell silent.

Everyone felt an immense pressure.

The colonel surveyed the crowd, his tone somber: "I hope you all remember this lesson. Mastering the nation's most important equipment requires more than just technical skill; it demands absolute discipline, a rigorous work ethic, and a profound reverence for rules and regulations! Dismissed!"

Chen Rui (Falcon) stood still until the team dispersed, then slowly raised his head, looked at the silent warplanes in the hangar in the distance, and clenched his fists tightly.

This demerit was like a bucket of ice water, waking him up from the feverish excitement of working with the new equipment.

(End of this chapter)