178: Chapter 178 Carrier-based Aircraft Testing

"The military just called. The aerospace carrier aircraft will arrive in Yanjing today and be temporarily stationed at the Yanjing Air Force base. Normally, it should have been arranged with the Naval Aviation in a coastal city, but considering that the pilots and you are all in Yanjing, it was simply arranged here."

"The aerospace carrier aircraft was transported by land; the military couldn't bear to have it fly over directly. Accompanying it is a test team and a support team from the aircraft factory."

Academician Chen did not wait for Chu Ge to ask and poured out everything he knew.

"Then when will it arrive?"

"It should be arriving soon, right? The pilots who were training here have already gone to receive the equipment."

Hearing this, Chu Ge prepared to bolt.

"Little Chu, slow down. The military specifically requested your presence; they won't even unveil it until you arrive. Why are you in such a rush..."

Chu Ge had already run far away and didn't hear what Academician Chen said afterward. He wanted to see the aerospace carrier aircraft as soon as possible.

Based on his speculations when writing the progress report, Chu Ge felt that the physical aerospace carrier aircraft would look very cool—the kind of cool that feels like a dream.

When they arrived at the gate of the Research Institute, Captain Gong and the others were already prepared.

After Chu Ge got into the car, the convoy headed straight for the Air Force base.

As he kept hearing the huge roar of fighter jets taking off and landing, Chu Ge knew they had arrived at their destination.

After getting out of the car, Chu Ge looked up at the sky from time to time. The sight of fighter jets taking off and landing at close range was quite imposing, and Chu Ge really liked this feeling.

"Academician Chu, this is your first time visiting our Air Force base, right?"

While Chu Ge was enjoying the moment, a group of soldiers wearing blue Air Force uniforms approached from afar. The one speaking was none other than Commander Li of the Yanjing base.

"Hello, Commander Li!" Chu Ge identified the person based on the shoulder insignia.

"Oh? Academician Chu, good eye. How did you know it was me? If I remember correctly, this is our first time meeting."

"Captain Gong introduced you on the way, and I could tell you held the highest rank here, haha."

"Haha..." Chu Ge's honest admission made Commander Li and the others laugh.

"Let's go, Academician Chu. The pilots can't wait to see what the new aerospace carrier aircraft looks like. We've been keeping it covered, just waiting for you to come and unveil it."

"Great!" Commander Li's words were exactly what Chu Ge wanted. Led by Commander Li, the group walked toward the base's hangar.

"Academician Chu, I haven't seen what the aerospace carrier aircraft looks like either. I asked the engineers at the aircraft factory, but they spoke in riddles—it's quite mysterious. Since you're the designer, could you describe it?"

As he walked, Commander Li turned back to Chu Ge's side and asked directly.

"We're about to see it, Commander Li. You're even more anxious than I am. I have a general outline in my mind, but there's still a difference compared to the physical prototype. I'm also rushing over to take a look."

"Oh, what about the name? This new model must have a name by now, right?"

This question actually stumped Chu Ge. The production schedule for the aerospace carrier aircraft had been accelerated on short notice, and he hadn't thought of a name yet.

"About that, I'll have to report to the leadership later. There's no rush; it's just a prototype that was just produced, isn't it?"

Commander Li nodded, then walked along shaking his head. Chu Ge suspected he was making up names on the spot.

When Chu Ge arrived at the hangar, there were already quite a few people there, many of whom were excellent pilots from the Air Force, including Wang Wei.

The base guards and ground crew technicians saluted one after another when they saw Commander Li. After returning the salute, Commander Li pulled Chu Ge, who was behind him, forward.

"Look who's here today?"

"Academician Chu! No, wait, Colonel Chu!" Wang Wei shouted out first.

"Salute!" The crowd saluted in unison once again.

"It seems you aren't in a rush after all. Are you planning to salute until dark?" Chu Ge said jokingly after returning the salute.

"Haha, open the hangar doors."

"Yes!"

After the hangar doors slowly opened, Chu Ge and the others walked inside. The aerospace carrier aircraft was parked there quietly, though it was still covered with a camouflage net.

"Academician Chu, according to procedure, you need to be the one to unveil it."

Chu Ge nodded and walked over, grabbing one end of the camouflage net. He looked back at everyone; their eyes were wide open. Chu Ge felt that if he dawdled any longer, he might get scolded later.

With a "whoosh," Chu Ge pulled it all the way down, fully revealing the aerospace carrier aircraft with its "Black Warrior" paint job to everyone's view. Commander Li and the others crowded around.

Chu Ge looked at the aerospace carrier aircraft. Indeed, the physical aircraft was much more visually striking. The aircraft was overall flatter, and its rhombic body structure made it look more compact. Coupled with its paint job, Chu Ge felt it definitely looked the part.

Compared to typical fighter jets, the overall layout of the aerospace carrier aircraft was very different. The front half was W-shaped, and the pilot's cockpit in the nose was positioned further back, whereas modern fighter jets usually have it designed in front of the wings, with the radar radome further ahead.

The two flying wings of the aerospace carrier aircraft were equivalent to the two sides of the W, angling forward to embrace the cockpit.

The top ends of the flying wings were the electromagnetic cannon firing ports.

After walking around it a few times, Commander Li stood beside Chu Ge.

"Academician Chu, why do I feel like this aircraft is missing something?"

"Hmm?"

"There are no air intakes."

"Uh, it doesn't run on fuel, so why would it need air intakes?"

Commander Li suddenly realized, slapping his forehead in amazement. "This aerospace carrier aircraft is so different from our modern aircraft. I was still looking at it from the perspective of a traditional fighter jet; I'll need to change my mindset from now on."

"Commander Li, can we begin the testing?" Seeing that everyone had seen enough, Chu Ge turned and asked.

"Right, right. We're short on time. Engineer Yu, follow the previous procedure and enter the testing phase."

"Understood."

An engineer stepped forward and called his assistants to begin the final inspection of the aerospace carrier aircraft.

Another engineer walked up to the pilots.

"Comrade pilots, please come with me. I need to input your personal data into the aerospace carrier aircraft's onboard system so that you can operate it."

"Yes!" Wang Wei and the others replied excitedly. They had been waiting for this moment.

After the factory engineers confirmed that the aerospace carrier aircraft was in good condition, the base's ground crew came in, preparing to tow the aerospace carrier aircraft out.

According to the procedure, the first step was to conduct ground tests of the fighter's engine.

Chu Ge and the others could not be on-site for this phase. In any case, once the ground test was finished, the aircraft would directly enter the test flight stage. Commander Li led Chu Ge and the others straight toward the base's command tower.

On the way, Commander Li showed great interest in the aerospace carrier aircraft and kept asking questions about it.

"Academician Chu, does this aerospace carrier aircraft have a password? Why does it need to be matched with our pilots?"

"No, it's not a password; it's equivalent to identity authentication. How should I explain it... Oh, right, have you seen period films? The legendary swords in them all require a drop of blood to recognize their master. It's pretty much the same concept."

"Only, in our case, it's not a drop of blood, but facial and voice recognition. Once identified, this aerospace carrier aircraft can only be used by that person, unless the previous information is erased and re-entered."

Commander Li nodded to show he understood. While they were talking, they had already arrived at the Air Force base's command tower. It was Chu Ge's first time here, and he was very interested in the facilities.

After looking around, Chu Ge looked through the glass at the distant tarmac, where rows of fighter jets were parked. Chu Ge felt a long-lost surge of excitement rise up in him again.