179: Chapter 179 Carrier-based Aircraft Test 2

"The flight test of the aerospace carrier aircraft has a professional team. Academician Chu, I decided to bring you here instead; the view is better, and we can visually monitor our aerospace carrier aircraft."

"I've arranged for the data testing team to be in the base's operations hall. Do you think that's alright?"

Seeing that Chu Ge seemed very interested in this place, Commander Li walked over to his side and said.

"That works. Whatever Commander Li arranges is fine. The two of us are just idlers here to watch, so a place with a good view is perfect for watching. Let's leave the rest to them."

Commander Li nodded with a smile.

After registering their identification information, Wang Wei and his team were taken to a small conference room where the factory engineers were to give them some final instructions.

"I believe that you, being the best of the best, have clearly understood the operating procedures of the aerospace carrier aircraft after this period of training."

"Given that the aerospace carrier aircraft have not yet entered formal mass production, their names haven't been finalized. However, the test requires you to communicate directly with them, so after some discussion, we have tentatively designated these three aerospace carrier aircraft as Feilong No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3."

"Your aircraft numbers are marked in the test manual. Make sure you don't mix them up. If you get on the wrong aircraft, be careful that the Feilong doesn't blast you out, haha."

"Haha..."

Before finishing, the engineer even cracked a joke with the pilots.

"Alright, there's nothing else. Ground testing is still underway, and someone will come to call you later. Finally, I wish you success in your test flight."

After the engineer finished speaking, he left, leaving this group of the pride of heaven staring at each other in the conference room.

"Wang Wei, have you settled the score with that what's-his-name Ichiro from the island nation?"

"Not yet, it's a 2:2 draw."

Speaking of this, Wang Wei got annoyed, especially when he recalled the opponent's provocative face last time; Wang Wei had almost lost control and shot him down.

"Academician Chu's intention is for us to get familiar with it for three days, and three days later, we'll pilot the Feilong and go straight to crush those bastards. You'll be able to toy with him properly then."

"Haha."

The pilots in the conference room burst into laughter after hearing this.

"He's not a woman, but I've already thought it through—treating him to a taste of our new aircraft's exhaust is definitely doable, haha."

The pilots became interested at this point and began discussing some professional aerial tactical maneuvers.

They stayed there for several hours, and just when Wang Wei and the others were about to lose patience, they were finally notified that they could proceed with the test flight.

Wang Wei rushed out first. They arrived at the runway, where the engineers were conducting final pre-flight checks next to the aerospace carrier aircraft.

"All other training operations at the base have been cancelled, and this airspace has been reserved for you. You can perform various maneuvers to your heart's content," the head of the test team nearby introduced.

Wang Wei and the others nodded and began circling the aerospace carrier aircraft; they seemed to have not yet adapted to this strangely shaped fighter jet.

Gradually, many of the base's ground crew and pilots gathered around the experimental area.

"Old Fu, why do they get to have the Navy's naval aviation pilots conduct the maiden flight of the aerospace carrier aircraft? And at our Air Force base, no less. Is this a slap in our face? Or are they doing it on purpose to provoke us?"

Qi Gang is an Air Force golden helmet pilot, the very hotshot who, upon hearing that his counterparts in the Naval Air Force had been sparring with the island nation, got so worked up that he wanted to go find the leadership to argue about it.

"Gangzi, there must be a reason for the higher-ups to arrange it this way. Don't worry, you are a golden helmet pilot, and there will definitely be a place for you in the future aerospace carrier aircraft team."

"That's easy to say, but I still feel uncomfortable. By the way, why does this new fighter jet look like this? It doesn't even have an air intake, and this 'Dark Warrior' color is also quite awkward."

"I think our silver-gray livery looks better. Although this aircraft's shape is quite sci-fi, sometimes chasing technology too much makes it easy to go down the wrong path."

"Oh, ho, when did our Gangzi develop such insights? Give it a rest. This is an aerospace carrier aircraft developed by Academician Chu. Just keep your titanium-alloy dog eyes peeled later and watch. I bet this aircraft will be extraordinary."

Beside Qi Gang, another pilot started roasting him. Qi Gang rolled his eyes at him and ignored him.

"Hmm, I think so too. This fighter jet's aerodynamic layout, aero-engine, and weapons all seem quite different from our current fighter jets, and that's just the external stuff."

"Furthermore, as Xu Yingjie just said, anything produced by Academician Chu is guaranteed to be a masterpiece; that's already a myth in the military. Therefore, I'm casting my vote for Xu Yingjie."

After squinting and carefully observing the aerospace carrier aircraft in the distance for a good while, Fu Lei said leisurely.

"Old Fu, you..."

Over on Wang Wei's side, all inspection work was completed, and they were preparing to board.

"The manned aerospace carrier aircraft can accommodate up to three people, with different crew configurations depending on the mission. Today is just a preliminary test of its most basic parameters: flight speed, flight attitude, super-maneuverability, and overload protection."

"Therefore, each aircraft only needs one pilot. The aerospace carrier aircraft's integrated processing capability is very strong, and one person is more than enough to pilot it. Personally, I think there will be very few occasions where three people are needed."

"Alright, I won't say anything else. You can experience it yourselves in the air. Board!"

At the test lead's command, the ground crew began preparing the pilots for boarding. Wang Wei instantly perked up; he turned around, looked at the onlookers not far away, and then raised his hand.

Qi Gang, who was watching from not far away, instantly jumped up.

"Hey, hey, Old Fu, is that guy provoking us?"

"..."

"What's he being cocky about? He even forgot to put on his G-suit. He'll probably come back after flying a single lap."

"Maybe this aircraft doesn't need any G-suit at all..."

"Huh? Impossible!"

While the onlookers were discussing, Wang Wei had already sat into the cockpit.

"Hello, Feilong No. 1 aerospace carrier aircraft welcomes you. Facial recognition complete. Wang Wei, Captain in the Naval Aviation of the Southeast Theater, please repeat your rank..."

"Wang Wei, Captain in the Naval Aviation of the Southeast Theater." Wang Wei was a bit stunned. Although he had been prepared, he was still a bit surprised when this human-like synthetic voice sounded in his ear.

"Identity verification complete. Please sit up straight. The cockpit canopy is about to close. The life support system is beginning its safety self-check."

As the transparent cockpit canopy closed, Wang Wei felt several currents of air flowing out inside the cockpit, then circling around him.

The elastic tubular seat straps at his legs and waist, which had been open, began to close automatically until he was secured to the seat. Wang Wei tried to move; it was fine—not too tight, not too loose, just right.

Wang Wei knew this was the aerospace carrier aircraft's new type of anti-load device.

That airflow had two functions: one, to maintain breathing; two, to replace the high-altitude compensation suit.

"Comrade Wang Wei, Feilong No. 1 is ready; you may take off for the test. Friendly reminder: the current fuselage livery is black. Would you like to keep the current livery as default?"

"No, change it to China Red!"

"Livery change complete," Feilong No. 1 replied quickly.

"Start main and auxiliary engines! Let's do a vertical takeoff!"

"Yes, Captain Wang Wei!"