72: Consult Xia Keyuan; Are you interested in the F35 fighter?

Chapter 72: Consulting the Xia Academy of Sciences; Are You Interested in F35 Fighter Jets?

Gazing at the 'mysterious surprise' quietly parked in place, it looked even miniature and cute next to the F22.

Lu Ze's first reaction was not surprise, but intense doubt and shock.

'Why is it here?' His mind was full of question marks.

This thing actually appeared in the LLNL Laboratory's maintenance center?

For a moment, he thought he had transmigrated again. Was it 2019 now, not 2009?

The key was, had it already been officially developed at this point in time? How did he remember that the first model of this aircraft wouldn't officially enter service for another two years? Was his memory playing tricks on him?

"You might not be very familiar with this weapon equipment, let me introduce it to you."

Lucy noticed the confusion on Lu Ze's face, thinking he didn't recognize this new weapon equipment: "This is a new generation fighter jet currently under development..."

Before she could finish, Lu Ze interrupted her directly: "I know it. In our Da Xia's words, I've long 'admired its reputation.'"

"This is the fifth-generation fighter jet F35 - Lightning."

Isn't this the F35? How could Lu Ze not recognize this fighter jet?

It's one of the few fighter jets in the world capable of vertical takeoff and landing. As the main multi-purpose fighter jet for Eagle Country in the future, the F35 has even been exported to several countries for use. Its appearance rate is much higher than that of other fifth-generation aircraft like the F22 or J-20.

'And it looks like this is the F35-C model?' Lu Ze glanced at the black mesh nozzle at its tail and its huge folding flaps.

Undoubtedly, this was not just an F35 fighter jet, but also the carrier-based version, the F-35C.

His brows were deeply furrowed with doubt: 'How could it be at the LLNL Laboratory at this time?'

Something's not right, this is too damn wrong!

If it were the F35-A, he wouldn't be so surprised. That thing had its maiden flight and finalized design in late 06, and was currently in mass development and production. It would officially enter Air Force service in another two years, so its appearance at the LLNL Laboratory wouldn't be too out of place.

But this was the carrier-based version, the F35-C model, which hadn't even been developed at this point.

If he remembered correctly, it wouldn't officially roll out of the factory until July or August of this year, and its first flight wouldn't be until mid-next year. As for its service entry, that would be several years later.

It could be said that the thing in front of him was the first F35-C prototype.

"Lucy, this should be the F35 under development, right?"

Lu Ze pointed at it, asking with confusion: "How did it get here?"

Whether it was the A, B, or C model of the F35, they were all fighter jets that had not yet officially entered service. How could they suddenly be sent here?

"They said some components were delayed in delivery, so it was brought here for completion and supplementation."

Lucy recalled the reason someone had told her: "And also to check if there are any errors in the aerodynamic layout and other design aspects."

She had already asked Lu Ze's question before.

The main reason this F35-C prototype was brought to the laboratory was for a new round of testing while waiting for components, to prepare for its maiden flight at the end of the year or next year.

"I see."

Lu Ze nodded.

In that case, it wasn't too strange, after all, the LLNL National Laboratory itself had rich experience in the development of aircraft and other weapon equipment.

"We need to hurry with the tour. We have to leave after ten o'clock, there are only ten minutes left."

Lucy thought of something.

After speaking, she also leaned in beside the F35 fighter jet, observing it carefully.

After ten o'clock, the maintenance center would become busy, making it difficult to get close.

The two had rushed over from the main laboratory building, and it was now 9:50.

"That's enough."

Lu Ze's lips curved slightly as he slowly walked up.

Gazing at this fighter jet capable of vertical takeoff and landing, which would also be the only medium multi-role fifth-generation aircraft even twenty years later.

Although in his personal perception, the F35's performance data was definitely far inferior to heavy air superiority aircraft like the F22 and J-20, which focused on air supremacy.

But undoubtedly, due to its smaller size, the F35 was designed to be more compact and exquisite. In many aerodynamic layouts, it looked more like an upgraded and improved version of the F22, with relatively small main wings and mid-wings paired with large-swept vertical tails, appearing to possess a strong visual impact outlined by simple lines.

This was completely different from the layered beauty of the J-20's complex aerodynamic layout. As for the Su-57 (T50) fifth-generation aircraft, it was not worth mentioning.

'I wonder how many achievement points a fighter jet that hasn't even had its maiden flight can provide?' Lu Ze thought to himself.

This was his first time replicating such a high-level technological item that hadn't been fully developed. Could it be successfully replicated? Or would the achievement points be discounted? Everything was unknown.

However, he wouldn't know until he tried. With something like this delivered to his doorstep, was there any reason not to replicate it?

Thinking of this, Lu Ze placed his hand on its slightly cool stealth coating.

'543.' He silently counted down five numbers.

Instantly, a piece of information popped up on the light screen in his eyeball.

['Current technological item: Fifth-generation fighter jet F35-C carrier-based model.']

['Value achievement points: 30,000.']

['Please choose whether to replicate.']

'Is it really as much as 30,000? That's unexpectedly high.' Lu Ze was delighted.

After all, the F22 fighter jet, which far surpassed it in performance, only gave 10,000 achievement points for replication.

He had initially thought the F35 fighter jet would only be one or two tens of thousands of achievement points, or perhaps even less than the F22 fighter jet's reward.

After all, the F35 model of fighter jet had lower manufacturing costs and overall costs than the F22 fighter jet. In the future, it became the most produced fifth-generation aircraft globally, with over a thousand units built, several times more than the total of the other fifth-generation aircraft combined. Eagle Country even planned to produce two to three thousand F35 models in the future.

This was also why Lockheed Martin went to great lengths to halt the F22 production line and fully push the F35 project. This was a massive plan worth hundreds of billions of usd, capable of generating trillions of usd in revenue over the next fifty years.

In the face of such immense profits, everything else was fleeting.

'It must be the scarcity of the prototype that caused the achievement points to increase significantly.'

Lu Ze thought of the only reason.

The achievement point reward should only consider the scarcity of the current technological item, and then apply a certain proportion of achievement point bonus.

And this F35-C prototype, needless to say, was dozens of times scarcer than the previous B-2 'Ghost' Bomber, because there was currently only one such aircraft in the entire world. How many it would produce in the future was not within the replication system's consideration.

If this were set in a game, it would probably be at the level of some 'peerless divine weapon,' so a three or four-fold increase in achievement points was not too surprising.

Lu Ze thought again: 'In this case, I'll have many more options when replicating technological items later on.'

Even if a technological item itself wasn't high-level, with the help of scarcity, it could still reach an astonishing number after replication.

Unless it was a very common item, even if it was a unique item in the world, it might be deemed not to possess 'scarcity' value.

These thoughts flashed quickly through his mind in just over ten seconds.

Putting these thoughts aside.

'Yes, proceed with replication.' Lu Ze's lips curved into a smile as he chose to replicate.

He wouldn't be polite with this F35-C prototype.

['Current technological item, Fifth-generation fighter jet F35-C carrier-based model successfully replicated!']

['Reward: 30,000 achievement points, complete set of F35 fighter jet (A/B/C models) technical design drawings, physical entity (stored in item bar).']

['System space item bar: F35-C carrier-based model, B-2 Strategic Bomber, F22 Fifth-generation Heavy Air Superiority Fighter × 2, Boeing 777-300ER, ...']

Looking at the long string of rewards displayed on the light screen.

Lu Ze mumbled: 'I was thinking of replicating the F35-A model next, but it seems I've been found out.'

Sure enough, this time the rewarded technology directly included the complete set of technologies for all three F35 models.

This also meant that this bug couldn't be exploited. Even if he replicated an F35-A fighter jet next time, the achievement points would be greatly reduced, and it would no longer have the 'scarcity' bonus.

Ten minutes passed in a blink of an eye.

The objective had been achieved, so there was no need to stay here any longer.

"The usual today? Where do you want to eat?"

Lu Ze looked at Lucy.

According to past practice, he would always treat Lucy to a good meal as a token of gratitude.

"Let's just eat something simple this time. I don't want to eat any more strange Korean food."

Lucy said with some lingering fear.

Before, she eagerly went to a newly opened Korean restaurant, but the waiter brought out pot after pot of green vegetables and cold dishes mixed with chili peppers?

She thought they were appetizers, but they turned out to be the main course?

The two ordered over ten dishes, and not a single one was hot. Almost all of them were various kinds of green 'Bubble Vegetables.' No wonder that country was called the Bubble Vegetables Country, do they eat this for all three meals a day?

Anyway, Lucy, this 'carnivore,' absolutely couldn't stand it.

"Then let's go to that Italian restaurant? I think it's pretty good."

Lucy thought for a moment, then said: "It's just that they don't put pineapple on their pizza, it's not 'authentic' enough."

Listening to her 'innocent' words, Lu Ze twitched his lips.

If you said that in Italy, you'd be crucified, a complete heretic.

"Let's go, we'll buy a pineapple later and secretly sprinkle it on."

"Good idea."

Lucy's eyes lit up.

Around eight in the evening.

After eating his fill, Lu Ze slowly returned to the staff dormitory.

"Next time, let's not go to that restaurant."

After washing up, he still felt a little scared recalling the scene just now. Lucy actually bought a pineapple and sprinkled it on her pizza to eat.

The Italian waiter who served them looked at this scene with an incredulous, stunned expression, almost pulling out a Bible to pray.

"It's also time to send an email to the Xia Academy of Sciences."

Lu Ze murmured.

It had been nearly two weeks since he last contacted Da Xia. During that time, Da Xia had sent several emails.

Including the carbon fiber financial war in the futures market, or notification emails about giving a portion of the dividends to the 'Mysterious Organization,' he hadn't replied to any of them.

Thinking of this, Lu Ze immediately projected the email backend onto his eyeball's light screen.

He typed an email, with the title prominently displayed.

['Excuse me, are you interested in the technology of the F35 fighter jet?']

On the other side.

The Xia Academy of Sciences, upon receiving this message, seemed to fall into silence, unable to reply with a single piece of information for a long time.

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