CHAPTER 438: CHAPTER 436: ASSEMBLY COMPLETED

The new aircraft’s design looks more akin to an armed helicopter, with three ion thrusters installed on both its tail and wings, providing powerful propulsion capable of reaching up to Mach 3.

Due to such strong thrust, pilots flying the new aircraft must wear special anti-G suits similar to space suits to withstand the forces. Otherwise, the instantaneous overload acceleration during maneuvers could put the pilots’ lives at risk.

This tri-engine design is rare on fighter jets, appearing for the first time outside of some imaginative prototype aircraft or models from science fiction works.

Thanks to the powerful propulsion, Chen Xin did not overly focus on aerodynamic configuration. However, with systematic optimization, the aircraft, though somewhat square in appearance, still maintains good aerodynamic shape and does not literally end up being a brick in flight.

Moreover, Chen Xin also considered the need for radar stealth in the aircraft’s shape, resulting in angular features over smoothness. Nevertheless, the entire aircraft’s radar cross-section is less than an A4 sheet of paper.

The primary power source of the aircraft is a 25MW micro nuclear reactor, installed in the belly for easier maintenance and, in case of emergencies, to directly discard the reactor.

Since ion thrusters require little working fluid, Chen Xin only opened a row of air intakes along the wings.

The flat-shaped intakes ensure airflow while providing some resistance to dust and particles. They also use airflow to blow away dust trapped by the intake grilles, preventing blockage due to dust accumulation.

The cockpit is a standard single-seat cabin. The highly integrated intelligent control system ensures the pilot can easily maneuver the aircraft during various missions.

Besides the nuclear reactor, the belly is the main weapon accommodation area. Four integrated weapon mounts can carry 16 missiles of various types and can retract them for reloading automatically when not in combat.

This capability is unprecedented among existing fighter jets, which must be loaded with missiles by ground crew before executing missions; no aircraft can reload missiles while airborne.

On one hand, fighter jets are limited by takeoff weight, making it impossible to carry so many missiles. On the other hand, the fuselage’s limited space means the automatic reloading mechanism and the missiles themselves would occupy too much space, not feasible within the confined aircraft.

However, this new aircraft uses ion thrusters which eliminate the need for large fuel tanks or the bulky engines larger than ion thrusters, freeing more payload and space for other installations.

Though this automatic reloading system can only complete one reload, it significantly enhances a fighter jet’s combat capability, more than doubling its effectiveness in aerial combat.

Chen Xin also designed another mode for the new aircraft, replacing the automatic reloading missiles and mechanism with rotary mounts to carry eight bombs for ground assaults, transforming it into a ground combat aircraft.

Additionally, beneath the nose, Chen Xin designed a magnetic railgun for the fighter jet. Relying on the robust electricity supplied by the nuclear reactor, the magnetic railgun’s power far exceeds any current airborne cannon in the Flame Country Air Force, and its ammunition capacity greatly surpasses others as well.

As for another critical avionics system, Chen Xin didn’t create anything innovative but upgraded the current Flame Country Air Force avionics, adjusting it for better integration into the new aircraft.

Nevertheless, the new aircraft’s electronic warfare capabilities remain excellent, capable of easily countering fighter jets from any country in the world.

In essence, this new aircraft is a highly capable all-rounder, superbly suited for aerial combat, ground attack, electronic warfare, and aerial reconnaissance.

After the aircraft design’s completion, manufacturing follows naturally.

As the chief designer of the new aircraft, Chen Xin naturally took charge of related tasks.

He transmitted the design drawings to relevant production facilities, and under detailed schematics and cost-free inputs, various parts were quickly produced and sent to Chen Xin.

Though Chen Xin could personally use nano-armor to transform into processing tools to construct the aircraft himself, considering the aircraft needs mass production, he delegated the component manufacturing to others.

This approach ensures that the production units have relevant experience when the country eventually needs mass production of this aircraft and won’t require time for technological breakthroughs and production line adjustments.

Aircraft assembly is highly complex work. Fortunately, the war readiness airport where Chen Xin is located has aircraft assembly conditions, and the ground technicians are experienced enough to collaborate with Chen Xin. After a week of effort, finally, the bare aircraft was assembled.

The assembled bare aircraft hadn’t even been painted yet; its metal skin exposed in raw metal color, appearing rather rough.

Also, due to the absence of avionics and the magnetic railgun at the nose, it appears like a piece is missing.

However, the aircraft’s distinct robust lines, unique tri-engine design, and elongated body exude a special beauty.

"Academician, the aircraft assembly is complete, but the avionics system and magnetic railgun aren’t delivered from the factory yet, and we can’t do the painting here," a technician reported to Chen Xin, standing beside him, on the aircraft’s assembly status.

Understanding the lack of avionics and the gun, Chen Xin nodded knowingly; this was within his expectation.

"Avionics and the gun can wait; these parts are challenging to manufacture. It’s understandable they take time. First, put on the avionics radome," Chen Xin instructed casually while checking the aircraft’s status, "Where do we plan to finish the painting? Is the test pilot ready? What about the pilot’s anti-G suit?"

"The test pilot has been selected, and they’ll come over for operation and flight training tomorrow. As for the anti-G suit, we’ve asked earlier, and the manufacturer promises completion within three days," the technician responded promptly with answers after flipping through his records, "Regarding painting, we’ve contacted a painting factory in Jin City, and they’ll complete the painting work."