CHAPTER 439: CHAPTER 437: UNFATHOMABLE

It’s still the same runway No. 1 used for testing the Y-9 before, but this time standing at the end of the runway is the prototype of a new fighter jet designed and manufactured by Chen Xin.

At this moment, the aircraft looks different from when Chen Xin last saw it. Not only have the avionics and the nose’s magnetic railgun been installed, but the entire aircraft is also painted.

Now it stands quietly at the end of the airport runway, looking like a silent ghost, completely melting into the darkness, with only the lights from the navigation lamps confirming its existence.

The cockpit of this aircraft is completely different from the traditional transparent canopies. The canopy is a metal outer layer integrated with the nose’s avionics fairing, with interior displays made up of several high-definition LCD screens, fed by multiple high-definition cameras outside.

The pilot, sitting in the cockpit, looks at the surrounding displays, feeling rather unaccustomed.

As an experienced pilot and a test pilot, having flown many aircraft, it’s not easy to change the habits brought about by traditional transparent cockpits.

Although not very accustomed to it, the pilot quickly finds the benefits brought by the LCD screens.

If it were a traditional transparent cockpit, during night flights, the cockpit would have no light, only very weak night-light displays on the dashboard to ensure the readings are visible.

Moreover, the field of vision would mostly be darkness, and most operations would depend on night-vision devices or electronic system guidance, unable to be confirmed with the naked eye.

This is a very technical challenge for the pilot because once airborne, the sky above and below are all black, making it easy to lose judgment and cause the plane to stray off course.

But now, the extensive auxiliary displays on the LCD screen not only help judge situations but also provide intelligent high-resolution images, significantly clearer than the past when visual judgment and night-vision images were relied upon.

If necessary, the entire screen can even be switched to daylight mode, which renders night into day artificially.

Of course, this mode consumes substantial resources of the onboard computer, and pilots won’t turn it on unless necessary.

After manually checking each system and confirming no issues, the pilot signals the tower, ready to start this test flight.

Though much time was spent learning how to operate this new plane and understanding the new equipment on it, this new aircraft is entirely different from the ones flown before, making the pilot a bit nervous, hands sweaty.

"Chao Feng, this is the control tower, the runway is cleared, you are clear to take off." Just as the pilot nervously grips the control stick waiting, the tower’s voice comes through the headset.

"Chao Feng acknowledges, preparing to take off!" The pilot takes a deep breath, grasps the control stick, and begins maneuvering the plane to taxi forward.

The new aircraft is named Chao Feng, after the third son of the dragon in Chinese mythology, embodying the spirit of loving risks.

According to Chen Xin’s design, the three ion thrusters can provide vertical lift by rotating the nozzles, enabling vertical takeoffs and landings.

But for this first test flight, everyone unanimously chose the safer ski-jump takeoff instead of a vertical one.

As the pilot maneuvers, the aircraft starts taxiing forward, gaining speed rapidly, the strong back-thrust pressing the pilot into the seat.

However, with the new anti-G suit, the pilot doesn’t feel any pressure.

As the aircraft accelerates, the pilot pulls the nose up, and the plane gracefully lifts into the air, light as a swallow despite weighing over twenty tons.

"It’s absolutely beautiful!" Inside the control tower, watching the plane take off smoothly, everyone bursts into applause.

Though similar cheers accompanied the Y-9 test before, this time they still applauded Chen Xin.

The quick transition of a new fighter from design to test flight showcases Chen Xin’s "ability and skill," deeply impressing these people.

Yet Chen Xin only modestly shakes his head, not getting lost in the compliments, and turns to ask the air traffic control officer beside him: "Have the two J20s for the exercise taken off?"

"The two simulated enemy J20s have taken off from Jin City’s airport, expected to reach the designated combat airspace in 30 minutes." The officer checks the display in front of him and reports to Chen Xin.

Chen Xin nods and tells the officer: "Instruct Chao Feng to retract its radar reflectors to test the stealth effect."

"Chao Feng, this is the control tower, ordered to retract radar reflectors, entering stealth mode," the officer conveys Chen Xin’s orders to Chao Feng’s pilot.

To test the new fighter’s performance, Chen Xin, against many objections, requested two J20s for simulated aerial combat against it even before the test flight.

After considerable discussion, the military approved Chen Xin’s request, providing him with two J20s and making temporary modifications to ensure the planes could take off.

However, to protect the aircraft, the three fighters did not fly to high altitudes but stayed below 8,000 meters.

According to predetermined settings, Chao Feng would approach the J20’s airspace in stealth mode, attempting to break through the two J20s’ interception, including the option of "shooting down" the two J20s.

Although as a test model, Chao Feng carries no ammunition, and the J20s carry no live rounds, in this exercise, as long as radar locks onto a target, it signifies the aircraft is shot down.

After all, in modern air combat, being locked on generally means ineffable escape.

However, before the exercise begins, Chao Feng experiences a minor issue.

Once Chao Feng’s pilot retracts the radar reflectors as instructed, the entire plane disappears from all radar screens.

This causes a minor stir in the control tower, with the officer switching radar bands but unable to locate Chao Feng, nearly leading to the assumption that the new fighter had crashed, if not for continuous communication.

But this result is exciting since if all friendly radars can’t detect Chao Feng, it undoubtedly indicates excellent stealth performance.

"Mr. Chen, is Chao Feng’s stealth performance really this strong?" an air force officer, observing the exercise, asks Chen Xin.

"The shape and special coating lead to this outcome, which doesn’t surprise me," Chen Xin responds with a profound smile.