154: J-16: I am invincible among the fifth generation fighters!

Although the J-16 originated from the Su-27 fighter in terms of aerodynamic layout, in Peng Lin's previous life, this fighter had already been modified by the Dragon Country Air Force to a degree that even Soviet Union aerospace engineers admired and envied!

The slogan, 'I am invincible below fifth-generation, and a one-for-one trade above fifth-generation,' was not just empty words!

In Peng Lin's previous life, the latest fifth-generation fighter, the J-35, could be exported, but the J-16 was an absolute non-exportable item for a major power!

Because it was the Dragon Country Air Force's true 'strategic fangs'!

With a combat radius of 2000 kilometers and a 12-ton payload, coupled with its 'all-rounder' gene and 12 external hardpoints, its single-aircraft firepower density could absolutely crush the F-15!

Furthermore, the advantage of a twin-engine heavy fighter could allow its radar detection range to reach the level of a 'small airborne early warning aircraft'!

'Accelerate the upgrade of the WS-10B turbofan aero engine and develop the J-16 fighter as soon as possible!'

Peng Lin planned silently.

At the same time, he opened the panel of the Military-Industrial Scientific Research Assistance System:

Project Name: J-10 'Vigorous Dragon' Fighter

Difficulty Assessment: S

Task Progress: 100%

Task Reward: 10000 Research Points

Remaining Research Points: 15621

Currently, the J-10 project has been completely developed.

And through the development experience and accumulation of the J-10, Dragon Country's aviation industry has initially formed a mature R&D team of designers and aerospace engineers.

Peng Lin was very confident in the development of the J-16!

Subsequently, he created a task in the system panel:

Project Name: J-16 Heavy Twin-Engine Fighter

Difficulty Assessment: S

Task Progress: 37.63%

Task Reward: 10000 Research Points

In addition to the J-16, Peng Lin also considered simultaneously developing a strategic transport aircraft.

Dragon Country's aviation industry started too late, and its air force developed too slowly.

Strategic transport aircraft are core equipment for a country's 'strategic projection capability,' with importance spanning military, political, economic, and technological dimensions, making them the 'aerial lifeline' in the great power game.

USA's C-5 'Galaxy' transport fleet could project an entire armored division, including 300 heavy tanks, anywhere in the world within 48 hours!

And the Soviet Union's An-22 fleet once airlifted three mechanized infantry divisions to Afghanistan within a week!

When the Afghanistan War broke out, under the 'strategic planning' of Dragon Country's Ministry of National Defense's guerrilla tactics, the Soviet Union army's ground logistics network was clearly cut off.

However, the scene where the Soviet Union Air Force, relying on strategic transport aircraft like the An-22, air-supplied tens of thousands of armored 'steel torrents' still left Peng Lin deeply shocked!

In contrast, Dragon Country's existing Yun-8 medium transport aircraft could not even transport one-third of the equipment for a light combined arms brigade in one go, let alone a heavy combined arms brigade!

Without strategic transport aircraft, even the strongest heavy combined arms brigade is merely a homeland defense force!

But with strategic transport aircraft, Dragon Country will possess 'global strategic projection capability'!

This means that Dragon Country's heavy combined arms brigades can not only operate domestically but also possess global projection and deterrence capabilities!

This is the true embodiment of a country's conventional military power's global deterrence!

Wherever Dragon Country's interests are involved globally, with its 'global strategic projection capability' and the powerful deterrence of its 'heavy combined arms brigades,' Dragon Country will have ample say!

If strategic transport aircraft are lacking, the military can only rely on sea or land transport for heavy equipment, taking weeks or even months, while the 'time window' of modern warfare is often measured in hours!

Although strategic transport aircraft do not directly carry nuclear weapons, their transport capability can support the rapid transfer of nuclear forces, such as deploying intercontinental missile launchers to forward positions, thereby indirectly enhancing the flexibility of nuclear deterrence!

Therefore, strategic transport aircraft are absolutely 'aerial behemoths' that can change the rules of war!

Furthermore, based on them, aerial refueling aircraft and airborne early warning aircraft can also be modified, and the Dragon Country Air Force will truly enter an era of comprehensive systematic development!

Previously, the Dragon Country Air Force didn't even have the J-8, only J-7 interceptors, and even defending its territorial airspace was incredibly difficult, so Peng Lin naturally wouldn't consider something like strategic transport aircraft.

After all, without air superiority, such large aerial equipment as strategic transport aircraft are just sitting ducks!

But now, Dragon Country already possesses the J-10 'Vigorous Dragon' fighter, and the J-16 heavy twin-engine fighter is also on its way to development, so air superiority will be firmly held in hand!

Therefore, at this time, the development of strategic transport aircraft, aerial refueling aircraft, and airborne early warning aircraft must naturally also be put on the agenda!

As the Chief Designer for Air Force Equipment Development, Peng Lin, after making his decision, immediately began writing feasibility and planning reports to the Ministry of National Defense and the Air Force Command!

...September 10th.

Ministry of National Defense, Minister's Office.

Marshal Xu Yong'an has been in high spirits recently, as good things have been happening.

Since the Dragon Country Aviation Industry delegation made a splash at the Paris Air Show, delegations from various countries around the world visiting the Dragon Country military have not stopped.

Especially with the global coverage networking of the 'Beidou Satellite Positioning System' imminent, many countries outside the Asia-Pacific region have been even more actively negotiating with the Dragon Country military.

'If the Dongfeng-6 intercontinental missile gave Dragon Country an entry ticket to the club of strategic nuclear powers, then the appearance of the J-10 truly allowed the Dragon Country military's power to cover all of East Asia!'

Marshal Xu Yong'an said with great emotion.

Currently, Dragon Country's military influence is continuously expanding in the Asia-Pacific region.

After meeting with the Air Force delegation from South America, Marshal Xu Yong'an returned to his office to handle related affairs.

'USA's Pentagon sent additional E-2 early warning aircraft and F-15 fighters to its military base in the island nation to counter our Air Force's J-10 fighters?'

Looking at the report from the Air Force, Marshal Xu Yong'an's brows furrowed tightly.

He didn't expect that less than a week after the Paris International Air Show, the Pentagon had reacted so quickly!

To maintain military balance in the Asia-Pacific region and simultaneously curb the spread of Dragon Country's military influence to neighboring countries.

USA actually transferred early warning aircraft and F-15s from the front line in Western Europe, where they countered the Soviet Union, to deal with the rise of the Dragon Country Air Force.

'The J-10 fighter is sufficient for national airspace defense, but it is still somewhat struggling against USA's early warning aircraft plus F-15 and F-16 'Golden Twins'!'

Marshal Xu Yong'an murmured to himself.

This move by the Pentagon was like hitting a pressure point on the Dragon Country Air Force, leaving it feeling powerless!

It wasn't that the J-10 'Vigorous Dragon' fighter wasn't strong enough, but rather that USA's system combination of early warning aircraft + electronic warfare aircraft + aerial refueling aircraft + third-generation light multi-role fighters + heavy air superiority fighters was simply too perfect!

No matter how strong a single J-10 aircraft was, it couldn't contend with a complete air force formation system!

However, just as Marshal Xu Yong'an continued to flip to the next document, a special Air Force planning report appeared before him:

"Feasibility Analysis and Strategic Planning for Accelerating the Development of the J-16 Heavy Fighter and Yun-20 Strategic Transport Aircraft"