Back in 1978, I was admitted to Northwestern Polytechnical University.

Chapter 230 The MiG-25 is returned!
David Country, Raphael Company.

"You shouldn't have cooperated with the East in the field of air-to-air missiles! It was precisely because of the Python-3 missile that the East's missile technology developed so rapidly!"

The people from Raphael were completely bewildered by Chiralk's gloomy face.

Is it our fault?

The missile that shot down the MiG-25 was definitely a long-range radar-guided air-to-air missile! The seeker of an infrared missile needs to be made into a hemispherical shape, which results in great air resistance, thus limiting its flight range and making it impossible for it to fly to an altitude of more than 25,000 meters.

You General Dynamics are clearly trying to use this as an excuse to lose the F-16 order and then blame it on us!

"Mr. Chiralk, you may not know that our Python-3 missile is not capable of shooting down a MiG-25."

"They certainly don't have the Python-3 missile, but what about the products improved using the Python-3 missile technology? The East doesn't have any advanced air-to-air missiles at all. You exported the Python-3 and also included the technology! The East made such advanced weapons by using your technology!"

"Mr. Chiralk, our missile technology has only been exported for a few months. So far, it's already quite good that the Easterners have been able to digest and absorb our technology and assemble the first batch of qualified Python-3 missiles. How could the East possibly develop a new air-to-air missile that can hit the MiG-25 based on our technology?"

Daniel, of course, wasn't going to let the mud be thrown at him, and said, "If that's the case, then the development of aviation technology in the East is terrifying!"

"What, are you questioning me?"

I'm the leader of the fighter jet mafia, the chief engineer of the F-16, can you say I'm wrong?
“Mr. Chiralk, we understand your meaning. We will issue an official document to formally warn the East that any missiles containing our Python-3 technology cannot be exported to Pakistan!” Yuval, the head of Rafael Corporation, said.

Chiralk nodded: "Yes, you must strictly monitor the Easterners and prevent the missiles they produce from falling into the hands of the Pakistanis!"

Previously, they did not have a high opinion of the Pakistani market. For a long time, Pakistan could only purchase fighter jets from France or the East. But now it's different. The technology of Eastern fighter jets has advanced by leaps and bounds and has reached the world's first-class level. The key is that the price of the fighter jets is not expensive, making them the most suitable for Pakistan!

Arms procurement is never a simple transaction; it also involves political factors. Now, the United States needs Pakistan and must keep it under its control while maintaining a facade of harmony. This leaves no choice but to involve a third party.

First, we'll use Rafael to put pressure on the East. Next, we'll have to go to Britain. We can't continue selling Skyflash missiles to Pakistan!
So what if they're from the East? Without missiles, they're just firewood!
East, capital, Princess Tomb, airplane building.

Many people's faces darkened; this David was going too far!

For the military industry in the East to develop, it cannot rely entirely on the domestic market, because the military is still holding back and ordering limited quantities, so exports are very important!

The planes had just started to perform well, and now they're stopping the sale of missiles?

"It seems it's time to show off our air-to-air missiles. What are the Great Davids? Our missiles don't even use their technology!" Old Lin couldn't help but swear.

"Yes, we can showcase the Lightning-20, but once it's shown, the outside world will easily guess that we have a partnership with Langtuo," Leader Duan said, shaking his head helplessly.

This kind of thing can be done in secret, but it can't be said in public. After all... Lang Tuo is a rat crossing the street right now, and everyone is shouting to kill him!

"Let's call Qin Liang over; he'll definitely have a solution."

"Report! Factory 202 has sent a telegram requesting the public release of the latest Lightning-20 missile and a detailed analysis of its differences from the Phoenix missile!"

Everyone was shocked. Was Factory 202 so decisive and efficient?
“Great! Let’s go over and listen!” Old Lin immediately became interested.

Chang'an, Factory 202.

The Lightning-20 was a resounding success, and the factory was overjoyed. They received the full payment for the 100 orders placed by Mr. Ba, and now all that's left is to get to production as quickly as possible!
When the group of air force leaders arrived, they were greeted by a bustling production scene. Mr. Jin happily led everyone to the end of the production line.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is the long-range air-to-air missile produced by our factory, codenamed Lightning-20. It is four meters long and 380 millimeters in diameter. It adopts the common shape design of first-generation missiles. There are four fixed triangular fins in the middle of the missile body, which extend to the tail, and four rectangular control surfaces at the rear."

Is there a difference in appearance? It's just that the projectile body is four centimeters longer, or the bullet tip is slightly more pointed!

"Come on, look here again. This is a separate seeker. We used all-solid-state circuitry on this seeker, which generates very little heat. Therefore, our missile does not require coolant from the carrier aircraft."

Everyone's eyes widened.

Missiles need coolant. They know that early infrared air-to-air missiles required liquid nitrogen from the carrier aircraft to cool the seeker when activated, otherwise they couldn't see anything. This radar-guided air-to-air missile also needs coolant.

"The early American AIM-54A air-to-air missile used many vacuum tube components, which resulted in very high heat generation. If coolant wasn't used to dissipate the heat generated inside the missile, it could even burn out. Our missiles, however, don't have this problem at all. Hughes' improved AIM-54C, which began development in 77, is still under testing..."

Everyone suddenly realized.

The Phoenix missiles in Lang Tuo's hands were all AIM-54A, which were early models. Our current Lightning-20 missiles are far superior in performance, and are even more advanced than Hughes' products!
So how could we possibly get the Phoenix from Lang Tuo and then copy it?
As for its appearance...

It's not a big deal that they look alike; the world's first generation of anti-aircraft missiles and air-to-air missiles all looked like this!
Our Y-10 is similar to the Boeing 707, so who dares to say it's a copy now?
Hughes won't say anything, and might even come to ask for technical advice.

"Our missiles are also being upgraded with data link capabilities to further enhance their ability to counter electromagnetic interference..."

After Mr. Jin finished his introduction, everyone nodded in satisfaction: "Not bad, not bad. This kind of missile can be made public. Anyway, it's meant to be sold to make money. How can we not make it public? Speaking of which, our air force's own long-range missiles... we have them too, right?"

"Okay, everyone, come this way." Old Jin led the group toward the end of another production line.

"The design of the Lightning-20 is still too outdated. Its diameter is too large, its weight is too heavy, and its maneuverability is too poor. This kind of missile is not suitable for the Air Force. The missiles we provide to the Air Force are still the PL-10. We have changed the internal propellant to a propellant produced with technology imported from Israel. Combined with our dual-pulse technology, the theoretical range of this missile is about 100 kilometers."

Mr. Jin paused here: "This is the range of a direct launch, not the range of a high-altitude traverse."

With a more advanced propellant, it's not surprising that the range is increased by 30 kilometers compared to the previous model. Even if the actual range is halved, it's still 50 kilometers!
Elder Lin and the others stared wide-eyed: "That's fantastic! With this kind of missile, our air force won't have to worry about threats for the next twenty years!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, we've only discussed the missile body. We believe that the semi-active seeker technology of the Skyflash missile is still too inadequate. Therefore, we are currently developing a new generation of active seeker, which should be ready for testing soon. This seeker has multiple modes, using semi-active guidance at long range and switching to active guidance upon closer approach. Oh, and Qin Liang also proposed the idea of ​​a data link, which we can also install in the future..."

This missile will also lead an entire era!

This is all thanks to Northwestern Polytechnical University!
"Therefore, the original Skyflash missile can be exported in large quantities," Jin said. "Anyway, the original technology is too poor, and the Air Force doesn't even want it. Next, let's take a look at short-range air-to-air missiles."

"Wait a minute!" Old Lin frowned. "You're not speculating that, besides the Davids, the British will also make a move, are you?"

"Yes, that's for sure. Their goal is to cripple Pakistan's combat capabilities. Pakistan's Super 7 is still using the original Skyflash missiles, and there will probably be a sales ban soon. When that happens, we can switch to our products."

"Your speculation?"

"Qin Liang said it."

Qin Liang is amazing!
"Let's go. For short-range missiles, we also need to differentiate them from the original Python-3. Therefore, we used the appearance of the PL-5. Old Dong was in charge of all of this. Currently, the integration of the missile body has been completed, but the guidance head may take a few more months."

"The seeker head hasn't been copied yet?"

"Of course not! Following Qin Liang's idea of ​​a focal plane array, our plan is to integrate four guidance heads first. This will greatly improve our ability to deal with infrared decoy flares and allow us to predict the movements of enemy aircraft in advance. The control circuit will also need to be significantly modified..."

"What's the name of this missile?" "It doesn't have a designation yet. If it's exported, it'll probably be called Lightning-9, and used by our air force..."

"Then let's go with Thunderbolt-9!" Old Lin said.

Short-range and medium-range missiles, now they're all complete! Old Lin felt like he'd wake up laughing in his dreams.

"By the way, where's Qin Liang?"

"He should still be at Northwestern Polytechnical University, after all, the most important project right now is the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet..."

"Yes, we have to go take a look!" Old Lin said. "I heard that the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet is just a smaller version of the F-16."

It was already noon in the east, but Yi Tuo's day had only just begun.

South of Itau, near Basra, Shobia Air Base.

The morning sun shone on the huge fighter jet, casting a long shadow.

Twin engines and twin vertical tails, with the massive air intake at the nose alone large enough to fit an adult! This is the MiG-25 fighter jet that the Russians are most proud of!

In 1979, an Izvestia Air Force delegation visited the Soviet Union. After touring various aircraft manufacturing plants, they decided to purchase MiG-25s, along with other aircraft, a total of 240!
The Soviet Union agreed to the request, but with an additional condition: considering the quality of Ilyushin pilots, the Soviets needed to send a number of technical advisors to help Ilyushin maintain this large fleet of Soviet-made aircraft, and even the pilots!
As for the number of people, it's not many, only 1.8!

Keep in mind that the Iraqi Air Force only has 2.4 personnel!

The Russians' additional condition was practically to turn the Iraqi Air Force into a branch of the Soviet Air Force! Surprisingly, Iraq actually agreed!
So, just a month ago, a huge Soviet Air Force delegation arrived with the most advanced MiG-25 fighter jets! To welcome them, Izvestia even built a new airbase called Shobiak.

At that moment, right in front of the fighter jets, stood a row of Izvestia pilots, the sunlight shining on them and bathing them in a glow.

In front of them stood a tall Soviet instructor.

"Today's training mission is high-altitude, high-speed flight. You will be allowed to use afterburner 5 for one minute, which will allow our MiG-25 to fly at Mach 2.8! You will experience the fastest flight speed, and you will be the fastest men in the world!"

"Hmph, what's the use of flying fast?" Just then, a complaint came from below.

"Tianjun, do you have anything to say?" Soviet advisor Nikolai asked with a serious expression.

Muhammad Reyel was among the first pilots to fly the MiG-25, and anyone who could fly that aircraft was considered one of the best pilots! Moreover, this guy was born into an upper-class family in Iraq, and his family had a very good relationship with Saddam Hussein.

Only someone with such a background would dare to complain.

"Report! In Pakistan, a MiG-25 flying at high altitude and high speed was easily shot down by a J-8 fighter jet produced in the East! I would like to ask, if we encounter a J-8 fighter jet, how should we deal with it!"

Nikolai's face darkened.

It’s really hard to pick up any pot!
"Of course, we'll use our mobility to outmaneuver the missiles!"

"At high altitude and high speed, can our MiG-25 outmaneuver missiles launched by the J-8 fighter jet?"

Nikolai's face darkened further: "Skyhawk, if you question our fighter jet like this, then you have no right to fly it anymore! The most taboo thing for a pilot is a lack of confidence in his own aircraft! I hereby announce that Skyhawk is grounded for one week!"

The authority of Soviet instructors was absolutely not to be questioned!

"No need. I'll just permanently ground myself. I've decided to leave the First Fighter Reconnaissance Squadron! I'm going to fly the Super-7. I've heard that aircraft has excellent maneuverability, advanced electronics, and very good missiles."

After saying that, Reyer strode away from the pilots.

"Damn it!" Nikolai's face darkened; this was going to demoralize them!

Just then, a luxury car drove into the base and drove directly to the plane.

"Mr. Hamid, you've arrived!" Nikolai greeted the man as he stepped out of the car. "Skyhawk Reyer is a good pilot. If he continues training, he will be among the first MiG-25 pilots to be able to solo. Right now, he's throwing a tantrum and wants to leave our base to fly the Super-7. That crappy plane is just an improved version of our MiG-21; its performance is terrible..."

“Mr. Nikolai, I’m here to tell you that we believe the MiG-25 no longer meets our needs, so we would like to cancel our subsequent orders…”

Nikolai's expression changed instantly: "What are you thinking? The MiG-25 is the only fighter jet in the world that can fly double-triple-range!"

“Yes, what’s the use of being able to fly at double-third speed? It’ll still get shot down by missiles from the East,” Hamid said. “We’ve conducted assessments and concluded that the MiG-25’s high-altitude, high-speed capabilities are outdated. Third-generation fighters prioritize maneuverability. Without excellent maneuverability, they won’t survive in future air combat…”

"Damn it, how could you think of such things? High altitude and high speed will never be outdated! At least in reconnaissance operations, our aircraft are still very useful."

"Yes, so we will still take delivery of the first batch of fighter jets for which we have already paid the deposit, and they will form our air reconnaissance squadron to undertake future reconnaissance missions. However, we won't take delivery of the subsequent aircraft; there's no need for large-scale procurement. We will use the funds saved to continue purchasing..."

Hamid smiled but didn't continue.

"You want maneuverability? We Soviets have that too. Our MiG-29 is an advanced third-generation fighter jet—no, a fourth-generation fighter jet. Our aircraft's performance is a generation ahead of other countries' third-generation fighter jets!"

Nikolai was getting anxious.

In 1977, the MiG-29 made its maiden flight, but the test flight mission was lengthy, and it was not until 1982 that it entered mass production.

The only aircraft they can export now are the MiG-25 and the like. Unexpectedly, their reputation has been ruined by those damned Indians, and now they don't even want Iraq anymore!

Yituo ordered one hundred Super-7 fighter jets, and after receiving them, he was surprised to find that their performance was excellent. So he wanted to continue to purchase fighter jets from the East, and was even willing to give up advanced Soviet fighter jets!
The MiG-25 order has been cancelled!

At this point, the Mikoyan Design Bureau had no choice but to send over the more advanced MiG-29, even though the aircraft was not yet finalized, they had to fool the Iraqi Air Force first!

"Okay, then we need to conduct tests. Only after proving that this aircraft does have sufficient performance will we make the purchase."

"Our Soviet fighter jets are, of course, the most advanced!" Nikolai's face was dark. "What are you still hesitating for? Just order our planes, you can't go wrong!"

"Well... that's not necessarily true! We've heard that the East and Pakistan are cooperating on the development of a fighter jet to rival the F-16. This kind of highly maneuverable aircraft is exactly what we need."

"Damn it, how could you not believe us! Our MiG-29 is also a highly maneuverable fighter jet! It features the most advanced blended wing-body configuration provided by the Central Institute of Fluid Mechanics in Moscow, and its maneuverability is beyond your imagination! Next, you'll go to Moscow and watch our MiG-29's flight demonstration and you'll see!"

"Oh, what about the avionics? Does it have a planar slotted radar antenna?"

In Nikolai's mind, countless alpacas raced through his mind.

　PS: Image of a MiG-25.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)