The successful test flight of the T-40 Celestial Wrath strategic bomber means that in half a year, this aircraft will be able to start production at a rate of 10 planes per month, and increase in production until the speed of mass production can meet the needs of using it in a global war.

However, Zhang Shusheng was not in a hurry to leave the Shangzhou military airport. As a testing ground for the new weapons of the domestic air force, it gathers almost all types of aircraft in China, from the oldest J-1 fighter to the latest Tenjinfury bomber, as well as the Tianlong jet fighter, which is still in a top-secret state.

Since the first jet fighter of the Republic was tested in early 1941, after three years of development and accumulation, this jet fighter, both in terms of monthly production and the number of equipment in service, has reached a certain scale.

On the second day, he got up early in the morning, and Zhang Shusheng, accompanied by Major General Zhang Chaomin, who was in charge of the Shangzhou Airport Base, inspected the planes at the airport.

Three years ago, Zhang Chaomin was only a senior colonel in the Air Force, in charge of X-machine engineering, but last year because of his excellent management experience in engineering project management and aircraft test flight missions, he was promoted to major general of the Air Force, responsible for managing this new air force weapons test base located deep in the mountains of Shangzhou.

Zhang Chaomin gave Zhang Shusheng a general introduction to the overall situation of the current domestic air force in service and the equipment under development.

"Chairman, at present, the active equipment of the Air Force of the Republic is mainly composed of third-generation aircraft and jet fighters.

The first-generation aircraft, the J-1 and H-1, as well as the prototypes of this series, were all retired from active service. In addition to some of the equipment air force academies and pilot schools, a considerable part of the aircraft entered the pilots' clubs throughout the country. Although the surname of these aircraft is backward in China, from an international point of view, except for the Americans, who have deep pockets, other countries have the same type of aircraft in service, or even much worse. Therefore, putting them into training is enough to ensure that our pilots do not start worse than others.

The Air Force has developed a relatively large number of aircraft types based on the Jian-2 fighter and the H-2 fighter model. For example, in naval aviation, the HJ-2 carrier-based fighter and HH-2 carrier-based bombers are equipped with a relatively large number of equipment. Taking these two types of aircraft as prototypes, the A-2 attack plane, the Ha-2 torpedo attack plane, and the Y-2 reconnaissance plane, all of which have appeared in the light of these two types of aircraft, all account for a considerable number of them.

In terms of third-generation aircraft, due to the basic use of all-metal structure, the number of equipment of third-generation aircraft is getting larger and larger, and there are also many models that can be modified. The prototype has the potential of a universal model.

In the Air Force, J-3 fighters, H-3 Jinwu medium-range bombers, FH-3 dive bombers, Y-3 front-line reconnaissance planes, D-3 electronic jamming planes, Sea Hawk high-altitude and high-speed reconnaissance planes, and Sky Falcon radar early warning planes.

In addition, the T-32/35 Thor bomber, which was developed from the specialized transport aircraft 'moving mountain' transport plane, and the newly designed T-40 Tenjinfury strategic bomber, are also important members. Of course, there are also some small aircraft, such as the H-1 and 2 bombers converted into water patrol/anti-submarine aircraft. ”

Speaking of this, Zhang Chaomin paused slightly, pointed to the parking stand in the distance, and said to an aircraft covered with a rain canvas, "In addition to traditional propeller aircraft, our trump card is the Tianlong jet fighter that began to be gradually mass-produced three years ago. ”

"Let's go, let's see."

Zhang Shusheng pointed to the covered plane and said, the republic's Tianlong jet fighters, since the finalization began mass production, he has not seen them much.

For the sake of secrecy, this latest jet fighter is only used for flight training in the skies over the savannah, desert, and sparsely populated mountains.

Over the course of three years, batch after batch of jet fighter pilots were selected and trained in secret. To this day, both the number of Denon fighters and the number of jet fighter pilots are very impressive.

"Okay, Chairman." Zhang Chaomin said as he walked, "Within three years, our Tianlong jet fighter has basically achieved mass rapid production capacity, although I don't know how large the number and scale of production of this aircraft are, but the chairman of the committee should have been reported, hehe." ”

"It's enough to fight." Zhang Shusheng nodded.

He recalled the air force development report he had seen not long ago, saying that the current Tianlong jet fighters that can be lifted into the air normally are about 400 planes, while the number of training/combat dual-purpose Tianlong planes is about 200, and the total number is about 600.

It is mainly stationed in Shaanxi, Southwest China, Hanjing, Guangdong and other places.

This number does not seem to be much, compared with the number of warring countries today, which often have thousands or even tens of thousands of aircraft, it is a completely small number, after all, the number of standing aircraft of each country needs to subtract the war losses.

However, jet fighters are much more difficult and expensive to produce than propeller aircraft for the same combat purpose. In the case of the currently domestically produced Tianlong jet fighter, the cost of a single aircraft is about 80,000-90,000 Singapore dollars, or about 120,000-140,000 US dollars.

According to Zhang Shusheng's estimation and the analysis above the report, in the large-scale mass production, the cost of the aircraft should be able to drop slightly, and even if the Soviets, Americans, and Germans put their jet fighters into production, among the fighters of the four countries, the surname price ratio is the highest, and the lowest cost of a single aircraft is still China. Even if the Soviets were produced by the state and the other two countries were wartime production, there would still be great advantages in China's model of aircraft manufacturing produced by similar countries.

At the current rate of production, the monthly output of engines is about 300 units, and if it is immediately put into wartime production, it can be increased to 500 to even 800 units within two months. The output of jet fighters is naturally limited by the output of engines, excluding the number of engines that are often maintained, and the number of new aircraft will be lower than this figure.

"If we join World War II later next year, then we have at least 1,500 Denon jets." Zhang Shusheng secretly estimated the progress of the jet fighter projects of the four or five countries of the United States, Germany, and the Soviet Union, and Britain, because the intensity of the war in World War II was much stronger than the original history, and all kinds of new weapons also appeared on the stage one after another, especially the two sides led by Germany and the United States, which began to exert their efforts in an all-round way, and many new weapons also appeared on the stage of war earlier than the original history.

By later next year, he estimates that the Americans will have about 300 to 500 F-80 Marauders of the more mature jet type, the Germans will be equipped with about 200 ME265 storm jets, and the first planes may be produced in early 1944 with his own 'Sakura,' the Soviets' 'Iron Scythe,' and the British's 'Northern Lights' fighters.

Comparatively speaking, except for China, which has the earliest development of jet fighter programs, the earliest finalized test flights, the earliest mass production, and the earliest training and accumulation of pilots, the Americans have developed the fastest, and the Germans have a tendency to catch up.

The technology of the British was supported by the Americans, and the Soviets themselves developed the MiG-9 "Iron Sickle" fighter behind closed doors, and they themselves began to obtain technology from the Germans.

Zhang Chaomin introduced while leading Zhang Shusheng to the side of the Tianlong fighter.

The ground crew, who had been waiting next to him, quickly removed the rain canvas, revealing a silver-white fuselage of the Denon jet fighter - 'TL011'.

Zhang Shusheng walked to the side of the plane and touched the Tianlong fighter full of metallic texture, on the whole, although this plane is very similar to the prototype he saw three years ago, the details are already more perfect.

For example, the aviation machine guns and cannons under the wings and belly are no longer the old models of three years ago, but newly developed, and they are much stronger in terms of shooting stability, rate of fire, and reliability.

"The Rocket Nest is finally loaded."

Next to the cannon, Zhang Shusheng saw a rocket nest.

"Yes, Chairman of the Committee, in order to strengthen the ground attack firepower of the Tianlong fighter, the scientists of the Tianlong fighter have put rockets on the Tianlong, and it will not affect the overall combat ability of the aircraft."

Zhang Chaomin explained: "At present, there are two main types of jet aircraft: fighter aircraft and reconnaissance aircraft. ”

Zhang Shusheng nodded, this is true, at present, bombers can completely use propeller aircraft, and what bombers are used for limited jet fighters, attack aircraft are wasted. After all, the production and cost of jet aircraft and propeller aircraft are very different. As long as one side of the war has gained high air supremacy, even the oldest propeller wooden fighter can bully the other side.

"Chairman of the Committee, this plane has been equipped with the latest airborne radar, although the range is not very ideal, but for propeller aircraft, or future jet fighters of the United States, Germany, the Soviet Union and other countries, it still has a strong ability to detect in advance."

"Yes, the single machine on the radar is the trend. The Americans are also beginning to put radar on planes, and their jet fighter project, which is later in need of improvement, mentions airborne radar. ”

Of course, Zhang Shusheng knew that the important surname of airborne radar, discovering the enemy in advance, and occupying a superior height, was one of the important helpers in future air battles.

When he was in Hanjing, Zhang Shusheng occasionally had spare time, and he would also play a full-simulation game of piloting a jet fighter, and he often flew the TL-1 jet fighter in front of him.

However, he would not rashly propose to fly the plane himself, after all, safety considerations, not just say yes, which will bring a lot of trouble to the security department.

But taking a ride on this kind of plane was one of his thoughts on the trip.

"That special test pilot named Xu Binggang is still at the base, right?" Zhang Shusheng asked, remembering that three years ago, when he saw this super-level test pilot hero, his first impression was very good, he had a good character and surname, filial piety, and superb flying skills.

"Chairman of the NPC Committee, Comrade Xu Binggang is now the captain of the test flight team of our base, and he is responsible for the test flight of new fighters and the training of elite test pilots. Does the chairman want to meet him? Zhang Chaomin asked.

"Well, call him here, I'll test him, hehe." Zhang Shusheng smiled, but didn't say what he thought.

A few minutes later, a 'gecko' combat vehicle drove over, and a 'heavily armed' pilot jumped out of the combat vehicle, walked over, and saluted: "Report to the chairman of the committee, the captain of the test flight group of the new weapon test base of the Shangzhou Air Force, and Air Force Colonel Xu Binggang report to you." ”

"Take a break, stand upright." Zhang Shusheng nodded with satisfaction, this person has a trump card aura, and his eyes are like a goshawk in Izumo, with a sharp aura. Judging from the face, it is just a little more mature than three years ago, and it has not changed much.

"Well, as one of the best pilots in our army and the best ace test pilot, Comrade Xu Binggang, your flying skills are very high." Zhang Shusheng exclaimed, and then without waiting for him to reply, he continued, "Now, I will give you a task. ”

"Chairman of the committee, please instruct and ensure the completion of the task." Xu Binggang saluted and said, the task personally ordered by the chairman of the committee is rare in the world, and it is absolutely extremely honorable. As for his flying skills, he asked himself that among the ace pilots in the whole army, whether it was actual combat or simulated air combat, there were no more than ten people who could defeat him. Although the ace test pilot is not necessarily an ace in air combat, Xu Binggang is an all-round pilot.

Zhang Shusheng: "This task is very simple. As I saw just now, this TL-1 jet fighter is a two-seat training fighter, and I will give you a day, and tomorrow, you will fly it to take off, and I will sit in the rear cabin. ”

Yes? Xu Binggang was dumbfounded for a while, if this was another task, even if it was to go to the battlefield immediately, he was not afraid, and he was completely confident that he would complete it. However, if you fly an airplane and take the chairman into the sky, it is not a trivial matter, but a political event.

How dare he agree to this kind of thing. But I have just promised the chairman, how can I change my words?

Xu Binggang was speechless, so he had to look at Zhang Chaomin on the side.

Zhang Chaomin was slightly stunned, and then whispered, "Chairman, this, this is not good." The safety of the chairman is the most important thing, but jet fighters are different from propeller planes after all, they are too fast, and they have only been equipped for two or three years, and they will only be a few years ......."

"You, hehe, the chairman is also a human being, and if the pilot can sit on it, I can naturally do it. If airplanes aren't safe enough, then pilots shouldn't simply be allowed to take risks every day. After Zhang Shusheng finished speaking, he called an adjutant from the security department and asked him to assess the matter.

From time to time, the adjutant came back and saluted, "Chairman of the committee, I just discussed with two safety experts and scientists at the base, judging from the aircraft's surname Neng, the regular flight data, and Comrade Xu Binggang's personal flight status, flight safety can be guaranteed, and this plane is equipped with a new generation of parachute escape system. However, for the sake of absolute safety, the chairman of the committee still has to think twice. ”

"That's good. This matter is decided, and tomorrow, I will be a passenger of a jet fighter. Zhang Shusheng waved his hand and signaled that this matter was settled.

Of course, what he can't tell them is that there is no reason for you to worry, with his current martial arts skills, although he can't fly into the sky, if there is a parachute, even if the plane has an accident at an altitude of several thousand meters, he has absolute reaction time and uses a parachute to jump down.

Even in case the parachute fails, he also has a belt-type emergency escape system that the Dreamer kid redeemed for him, this kind of inexpensive escape system is suitable for land, sea and air, and is easy to carry in ordinary times, and when used, it can be used according to people's nerves, body temperature and other data drastic changes, and it will take effect immediately.

It was a big deal that the chairman of the committee was going to take a jet fighter to the sky in person, and in the afternoon of the same day, an emergency working group was set up at the base, and the security experts, together with the scientists at the base, made a more detailed assessment of the flight. The ground mechanics also conducted a comprehensive inspection of the aircraft, which was carried out overnight, and a total of three repeated inspections were carried out. Everything from a screw to an engine is checked to make sure there are no problems.

Xu Binggang was also audited by safety experts to inquire about whether he met the flight conditions.

The next day, early in the morning, Xu Binggang piloted the plane, conducted a short test flight and landed, the plane was finally inspected by safety experts, aircraft experts and mechanics, and then Zhang Shusheng was told that the flight could be carried out in the afternoon.

With the help of the staff, Zhang Shusheng put on a flight cadet costume and was arranged to the rear cockpit of the two-seater training plane for a short safety training.

The whole process is very simple, it is to tell him how to ensure his own safety and what to do if the plane fails. Although it is simple, the experts repeat it over and over again.

However, several experts also know that the chairman of the committee is known for his high IQ and has performed very important in many scientific fields. Even if it was the escape emergency measures of these pilots, he already knew that even in the early days, he had participated in some missions to break through the core technology of the Tianlong fighter.

At noon, before lunch, Zhang Shusheng, who took a small rest, accompanied by several flight experts, carried out a simple simulated ride and simulated emergency treatment in an emergency.

At 3:10 p.m., Zhang Shusheng came to the airport and, under the worry of many personnel, boarded the Tianlong two-seater training plane.

"Xiao Xu, the chairman of the committee is in the back cockpit, this responsibility is as big as the sky, even if you are ......" Zhang Chaomin said this, but he paused, but Xu Binggang himself said, "Don't worry, General Zhang, I will definitely do it." Even if he is desperate, he will protect the safety of the chairman. ”

After Zhang Shusheng boarded the plane and closed the cockpit canopy, the entire Air Force weapons test base urgently entered a state of imminent combat as if it were facing a great enemy.

After the base informed the Yibin Military Region of the flight, the local air defense department and the garrison air force also reacted together, took over the air traffic control and other work, and the radar station was turned on in a centralized manner, preparing to protect the absolute safety of the flight.

"TL011 is ready, request to take off."

When the escort Tianlong jet fighters of the four bases took off, Xu Binggang asked the tower to take off after confirming that the chairman of the rear cabin was ready.

"You can take off."

At the tower, many generals gathered, and Zhang Chaomin personally aimed at the intercom and issued a confirmed notice that he could take off.

"Understood."

Xu Binggang began to start the plane slowly, and the engine of the plane, which had already stopped at the end of the take-off runway, began to ignite.

Zhang Shusheng sat in the rear cabin, first of all, he felt a slight shock from the fuselage, and immediately the hum of the engine starting, which was the same as the feeling he felt when he sat in a jet airliner in his previous life.

There was no shaft sound of propellers, no roaring but not violent engine sounds, but the violent, rapid sound of jet engines.

Huhu ~ The speed of the fighter is getting faster and faster, Zhang Shusheng felt that the reference objects on both sides of the airport were constantly retreating, faster and faster, and then, he felt that the plane slowly left the ground.

In order to be absolutely safe, Xu Binggang was very careful in the process of piloting the plane, and the take-off process also ensured absolute safety, even a little slow, and did not take the usual take-off attitude with a large elevation angle, let alone turn prematurely, but pulled it up smoothly.

A faint sense of change in air pressure and a sense of weightlessness came, Zhang Shusheng looked out the window again, the airport building under his feet was getting smaller, and what came into view under the cockpit was some peaks at the beginning.

Not far away, there were several Draco fighters guarding in the air, and after the 011 plane flew smoothly, several others quickly approached, and finally formed a large-distance flight formation.

"Chairman, how do you feel about the plane now entering level flight?"

In the radio headset, Xu Binggang's greeting was heard.

"Everything works." Zhang Shusheng responded that the whole take-off process was very smooth, and the comfort of the cockpit of the plane was also good, at least this fully enclosed cockpit would not make people feel cold, and from the flight goggles, he could see a Tianlong fighter in the distance.

"Maybe it won't be long before there will be a jumbo jet, maybe it won't be ten years, and ordinary people will have the opportunity to fly the kind of jumbo jet airliner in their previous life." Zhang Shusheng couldn't help but think that when he began to enjoy this kind of flight, he didn't ask the plane to maneuver, it was simply challenging Xu Binggang's psychological limit, in case something went wrong, it was not something he could afford.

Of course, according to the arrangement, the plane will still carry out a more exciting flight plan.

"Chairman, at the moment one plane is ready to break through the speed of sound, please instruct." From time to time, Xu Binggang's voice came from the earphones.

"It's OK to go." Zhang Shusheng replied.

"Yes."

After Xu Binggang received the order, he began to accelerate the plane, and after a relatively slight shock, the plane had already broken through the speed of sound.

"Supersonic flight is really exciting, much stronger than in a full flight simulation game."

Although Zhang Shusheng was wearing a full set of protective clothing as a pilot, the violent engine roar of supersonic flight was still heard through the protective headset.

This kind of excitement is definitely not comparable to propeller aircraft.

Unfortunately, for the sake of safety, after just one minute of supersonic flight, Xu Binggang began to slow down the plane until it flew slowly at a cruising speed of 800 kilometers.

Ten minutes later, the plane began to return and quickly landed on the ground.

As soon as he got off the plane, Zhang Shusheng shook Xu Binggang's hand and praised, "Thank you, Comrade Xu Binggang, it was you who gave me the honor of being the first head of state in the world to board the plane." Haha......"

Xu Binggang, who was still nervous, smiled honestly when he heard this, and saluted, "I also thank Chairman of the Committee, it was you who made me the world's first jet fighter pilot to take off with the Führer." ”

"Haha......"

The people present could not help but burst into laughter, no matter what, the chairman was very satisfied, the surname of the fighter can be very good, and the pilot's skills are very good, and this is enough.

(To be continued)