Great Power Fighting Falcon

At Li Zhan's strong request, his radio call sign was finally changed - Angry Old Leopard.

The level of radio call signs obtained by the intelligence and communications department is really shocking. Security Number 1 and Security Number 2 are so stupid. They are really not as good as the call signs that the soldiers give themselves. However, the communication plans for the exercises were all formulated and implemented uniformly, and the soldiers could not change them.

The reason why Li Zhan asked to change his call sign was that he had to perform several unrelated tasks such as testing new reconnaissance pods, attacking islands, and recording exercises, so he should have a distinctive call sign. The exercise command agreed.

The old flying leopard came over, and so did the new reconnaissance pod.

Let’s look at Lao Feibao first.

Dai Wenming took Li Zhan to get familiar with Lao Feibao. The former had been driving Lao Feibao for the first five years after joining the army, so he had rich experience.

The most obvious difference in appearance between the old Feibao and the new Feibao is the front glass of the cockpit. The old Feibao is still a classic three-piece type, while the new Feibao is a one-piece one that is much more pleasing to the eye. The overall appearance of the new Feibao is much neater than the old Feibao, and the aerodynamic shape has slightly changed.

Of course, after driving a third-generation phone for so long, Li Zhan also misses the old phone with a three-piece front glass. The No. 037 J-7EGGH turned out to have such a front gear, as well as the No. 101 J-8FR that fell apart when he drove it.

Then there is the classic high-wing aerodynamic layout. The thick fuselage is square in shape, with large air inlets on both sides. The air inlets gradually retract into the fuselage and are connected to the two Spey engines. It looks quite harmonious. However, the single vertical tail layout makes this fighter less domineering.

If it has twin vertical tails, the wings will be straightened to both sides, and the air inlet will be cut into a diamond shape. It will look like a MiG-25!

Li Zhan once believed that Mikoyan's design ideas were referenced when designing Feibao. However, the Flying Leopard and the MiG-25 are two completely different fighters. The former is a fighter-bomber and the latter is a high-speed, high-altitude interceptor. However, the Flying Leopard's high-speed performance is not weak. It can reach Mach 1.7, which is not weaker than many third-generation fighter jets.

Of course, even if the design ideas are borrowed, it is normal. If the Soviet Tu-160 and the American B-1 are parked next to each other with the same paint, it may take some time for senior military fans to tell them apart.

"This old flying leopard is old. It is one of the first batch. It will need an overhaul after flying for a few hundred hours. It is very solid, but its appearance is a bit rough." Dai Wenming patted the nose landing gear with obvious scars. Those scars were not injuries. What is left behind is year-round wind, rain and corrosion from sea salt. Even with meticulous maintenance, it will inevitably leave indelible marks.

Just like human skin, no matter how well you take care of it, wrinkles will appear as you age.

Li Zhan climbed into the cockpit and stretched his head to look at the instrument panel. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Commander, this cabin has caught up with the original J-7. It won't be broken like this, right?"

"When it comes to overhaul, we will send it back to the manufacturer to make improvements directly. For now, just use it and drive it if you can." Dai Wenming stood on the other side and looked at it, a little embarrassed. He shook his head and said, "The Ninth Division is too unscrupulous, really. I’ll send you some rags.”

Li Zhan said, "Let's break it down. The question is, can this thing be connected to the reconnaissance pod?"

"Don't worry, it's absolutely no problem." Dai Wenming said, "Let's wait for the technical staff to arrive for the specific operations. They should arrive tomorrow. Let's go up and fly around."

With that said, he got into the back cabin, and Li Zhan entered the front cabin. The Feibao only has a flight control system in the front cabin, and the weapons operator sits in the rear cabin. There is no way to control the fighter when the front cabin is disabled. This has also become a source of criticism among military fans.

But one thing everyone admits is that in those days when the streets were dominated by J-7s, J-8s and even J-6s, the emergence of a completely independently developed new fighter aircraft with some of the functions of third-generation aircraft has a great impact on the troops and the Chinese people. is of great significance.

At that time, the Air Force looked down upon the Feibao. Don’t think that the Air Force would lower its index requirements in such a poor era. In the 1970s, the Air Force dared to propose the development of the J-9, and its index performance is considered to be the same today. Advanced, it shows how unswervingly the Air Force is determined to be the world's strongest air force.

Therefore, the Flying Leopard project was in danger of dying at that time. At the critical moment, the Navy, which lacked long-range air-to-sea strike capabilities, placed the order, which launched the Flying Leopard into service and provided the Navy with the only long-range air strike capability for more than ten years. Ability Responsibility.

The early Feibao used the original Spey engine, while the later production models used the domestically produced version of the Spey engine, the turbofan-9. The biggest feature of this engine is fuel efficiency, so Feibao has the same powerful combat radius and maximum range as the Su-27 series fighters.

The combat radius of up to 1,700 kilometers is simply an irresistible temptation for naval aviation. If J-11 fighters cannot be obtained in the short term, the Flying Leopard is the only and best choice.

The Spey engine used by Feibao is not as good as the AL-31F, but it is more fuel-efficient and has a low failure rate. It is suitable for use in a fighter mainly used for ground and sea strikes. Of course, despite so many years of propaganda saying that the Flying Leopard is a fighter-bomber, and the troops often use the Flying Leopard for air combat training, this cannot change the fact that the Flying Leopard is weak in air combat capabilities.

After the J-16 enters service in the future, the Feibao will be gradually replaced. The breakthrough progress of the J-16 combat bomber project directly led to the Feibao C type being shelved. Li Zhan had a debate at the Changfei Factory in this regard.

When taking off, Li Zhan clearly felt that there was a big gap between the Feibao's thrust and the J-15's. The rolling distance was longer and the maneuverability was very weak. He flew above the home field in an orderly manner for more than half an hour to familiarize himself with the controls, and then turned to sea and performed a series of standard flying maneuvers over the Bohai Sea.

After two hours of flying, I found the feeling. Only then did Li Zhan gain some confidence. Next, we have to carry the reconnaissance pod for a second flight in order to be more comfortable.

When Li Zhan taxied back to the hangar, he saw a familiar figure in the distance. After getting off the plane and taking a closer look, I was extremely surprised - that beautiful figure was actually Niu Jun.

"Brother!" Niu Jun, wearing a desert camouflage training uniform and a headquarters armband, came over with long legs on camouflage rubber shoes and saluted Li Zhan with a smile.

Li Zhan quickly returned the salute, and while taking off his flight helmet, he asked in surprise, "Why are you here? Are you a technician from the manufacturer?"

"Of course not, but I am a technician at the headquarters and responsible for the acceptance testing of the new reconnaissance pod." Niu Jun smiled proudly and pointed to the new reconnaissance pod placed on the cart over there.

Li Zhan smiled helplessly and said to himself, "You are so haunting."

"What did you say?" Niu Jun asked.

Li Zhan said, "I said we were destined to come thousands of miles to meet each other. We are really destined."

"Yeah, I almost jumped up when I received the order. Why do I follow you wherever you go, haha!" Niu Jun laughed.

Li Zhan quickly introduced, "Oh, this is Colonel Dai Wenming, the commander of our army."

"Hello." Niu Jun saluted Dai Wenming.

Dai Wenming quickly returned the gift and said, "Do you know each other?"

"It turns out that she is from a school. She is a specially recruited technical officer." Li Zhan said, pointing to Niu Jun's collar badge, "What's wrong with your rank?"

Niu Jun wears a colonel's collar badge. For such a young colonel, it is not surprising to see him. Back then, I was only a major in the Beikuku Niu Army, and it was impossible to become a colonel so quickly.

"Hehe." Niu Jun said proudly, "I got my doctorate."

Li Zhan was taken aback again, and then he gave a thumbs up and said in admiration, "Awesome! It's much faster to get promoted to the academic rank than we are to fight. The colonel can be achieved in one step."

According to regulations, young people with a doctorate degree who join the army can be directly awarded the rank of major. If they obtain a master's degree in military school, they can also be awarded the rank of major after graduation. If they obtain a doctorate, they can be directly awarded the rank of lieutenant colonel after graduation.

Niu Jun was originally a major, almost a lieutenant colonel in terms of years of experience. Now that he has a doctorate, it has been superimposed by one level. It is logical that he was transferred to a lieutenant colonel and directly awarded the title of colonel.

Of course, her rank is still deputy regimental level, so she has the rare situation of being a colonel deputy regiment.

It is estimated that the Beikou Tactical Intelligence Interaction Center established in Beikou gave Niu Jun a lot of points, because even if you get a doctorate, it is still difficult to advance to two levels.

"What should we do?" Li Zhan smiled bitterly and shook his head.

Dai Wenming asked confused, "What should I do?"

Li Zhan pointed at Niu Jun and said, "My junior sisters are now colonels and I'm still carrying two cents. Where can I go to reason with you?"

"Hahaha!" Niu Jun couldn't help laughing.

Li Zhan became serious, "Colonel Niu, please explain how to operate the new reconnaissance pod. We will conduct the installation test immediately."

"Okay, Teacher Li." Niu Jun also put away his smile and replied seriously.

Dai Wenming explained a few words and then left. The rest was all up to Li Zhan. He couldn't help even if he wanted to, and he was about to have joint training with other participating pilots.

Li Zhan and the maintenance team started learning around the reconnaissance pod. The more advanced the equipment, the easier it is to use it. After some explanations, everyone found that the use and maintenance of the new reconnaissance pod was very simple and much easier to service.

Niu Jun said, "This reconnaissance pod is actually called a comprehensive tactical pod. It is a product derived from the Beiku Tactical Intelligence Interaction System. It has many functions, including electronic combat functions. As you can see, the shortcomings are that it is too big and small. Some aircraft cannot carry it. The institute is conducting miniaturization research. The ultimate goal is to develop a universal tactical pod that can be used by all active fighters. It will even develop multiple models, such as one for helicopters. .”

Li Zhan said, "Since it is a derivative of the Beiku Tactical Intelligence Interaction System, does it mean that it needs the support of this system to exert its full effect?"

"That's right." Niu Jun nodded and said, "However, the integrated tactical pod itself is a movable air relay station and small information processing station. As long as it is within the coverage of the Beidou system, it can play its full role. Of course, Ships, aircraft, etc. need to be equipped with tactical intelligence terminals so that a three-point and one-line network can be formed. The biggest problem at present is that the coverage of the Beidou system is limited, and the accuracy and signal are not ideal enough."

Li Zhan sensed the practical value of this thing and nodded slowly, "You mean that this pod is more of a mobile WiFi to ensure communication between sea, land and air, right?"

"Brother, you are so smart." Niu Jun looked at Li Zhan with admiration and said, "The integrated tactical pod focuses on communication relay, while reconnaissance guidance and electronic warfare are secondary functions."

Obviously, it is impossible to achieve excellent performance in all functions. These functions interfere with each other, so there must be more focus.

"What is the communication relay range?" Li Zhan asked.

"XXX kilometers."

Li Zhijie looked disappointed, "It's a bit small."

Niu Jun said angrily, "This is just a pod. With this range, it is considered to be the world's advanced level. A real communication relay station needs to use medium and large aircraft as a platform, such as the US military's E-6. Further down, in battlefield communications Next, we need aircraft as a platform, such as the US military’s E-11A.”

Smiling awkwardly, Li Zhan said, "I'm wrong. Can this pod solve the problem of data incompatibility on Russian-made aircraft?"

Niu Jun shook his head, "We can't solve it. We only support aircraft using domestic avionics systems."

This means that the imported Su-27SK and Su-30MKK cannot share the data of other models, cannot send or receive it, and commanders can only direct these fighter aircraft to fight through voice communication. Unless the avionics systems of these fighters are replaced with domestic ones.

After fully understanding the comprehensive tactical pod, Li Zhan had an intuitive evaluation of this thing - the communication relay function is very practical, but the electronic jamming function is useless. Even the high-definition camera installed above is more meaningful than the electronic jamming function.

However, it is not easy to achieve this step, especially the battlefield communication relay function, which directly broadens the combat range of the troops without worrying about losing contact.

According to Niu Jun's instructions, the maintenance officers and soldiers hung the comprehensive tactical pod on the heavy-duty pylon in the middle of the belly of the aircraft, and connected the switch in the pylon. Niu Jun then instructed the maintenance officers and soldiers to install two flat-panel pods in the front and rear cockpits. The operation panel is like installing a large color screen central control in an auto parts mall, and it is like hanging a huge full-screen mobile phone on the air outlet. It has a strong taste of copycat.

It was settled very smoothly. Apparently Niu Jun had done many experiments before.

Li Zhan and Niu Jun were in the front cabin and the back cabin. Li Zhan operated the control panel and became familiar with the situation. Niu Jun stood up in the back cabin and watched Li Zhan operate while teaching.

"Yes, if I don't have to bring a reporter up to film the whole process, I will apply to my superiors to let you fly with me, and you will test the combat performance of the pod in the back cabin. Unfortunately, the superiors have already decided that publicity is bigger than the sky ." Li Zhan said helplessly, but his tone was clearly brisk.

Of course he didn't want Niu Jun to follow him. As a married man, he couldn't pay attention to all aspects as before.

What's more, Niu Jun is still his first love and has to avoid suspicion.

Niu Jun said, "Yes, I am also a photojournalist. I am a reporter for our unit. Look, I have brought all the equipment here."

Li Zhan looked back in astonishment, and then looked in the direction Niu Jun was pointing. He saw what a professional camera bag, neatly placed in the corner.

"I'll take off for a test later, and I'll also get familiar with the operation of the aerial camera." Niu Jun said cheerfully.

Li Zhan really wanted to bump his head against the cockpit dashboard.