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

Chapter 257 Over the Plateau, a MiG-25 is Shot Down!

There are two layouts inside the early warning aircraft.

The Russian A-50 uses a linear layout, with a row of control consoles arranged longitudinally along the cabin. Each blue control console has a circular display screen, which looks particularly primitive and full of the rugged industrial aesthetics unique to the Russians. During takeoff, the flight seats can rotate 90 degrees to face forward.

The control panel on the east side resembles a seat on a railway train, while the two sets of control panels are like a dining table between two rows of seats, only larger.

Each row has three seats, creating a space that can accommodate twelve people. Each person has a square 17-inch computer monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse, making it more like... an internet cafe.

Above is a ceiling with soft fluorescent light, and there are wave-shaped lines on the floor to delineate this part of the space. There are even curtains thoughtfully provided. Draw the curtains and watch an adult film from Japan on the screen... cough cough cough, I'm dreaming.

In fact, Gao Jinchuan and the others were not very important. After all, even if he came up to explain, these leaders probably wouldn't understand what was on the plane. They just looked at the control panel and clicked their tongues in praise: "Not bad, not bad, looks really advanced!"

Although I don't understand it, it looks really impressive!

This was Qin Liang's first time stepping inside the early warning aircraft. At this moment, his gaze passed over the control panel and looked towards the equipment room, where the computer that the computer science students had mentioned last time could perform 30 million calculations per second was placed!

It uses one hundred 8086 processors to form the most powerful computer in China at present. It is because of this advanced computer that the KJ-2000 has powerful processing capabilities.

However… this is still just the beginning. In the future, when we have more advanced computers, we will have to develop our own processor chips, and our own chip factories will also need to be upgraded… These projects can't wait any longer; they need to be pushed forward as soon as possible…

At this moment, Qin Liang had put aside his wife and mother-in-law. His most important task after being reborn was to promote the development of the country's aerospace equipment!
Outside, the roar of airplanes filled the air once more. The Y-7 had arrived; the main force behind the development of the early warning aircraft had finally come!
Old Zhou and Old Wang rushed over and asked as soon as they boarded the plane.

"Where is Gao Jinchuan? Where are the students from Northwestern Polytechnical University?"

He's been put in solitary confinement.

"Mr. Lin, can we go and meet them? What flight tests did they conduct along the way, and how were they? We need to know as soon as possible."

"can."

The solitary confinement was just to scare those audacious guys, but it was precisely because of their bravery that the testing of the early warning aircraft began ahead of schedule, laying the foundation for the subsequent operations. After this battle, those people will definitely be on the list of those who made the greatest contributions.

That afternoon, the Y-10 aerial refueling tanker and four twin-engine Q-6 fighter jets also flew over. The twin-engine Q-6 fighter jets were also equipped with the first-generation original data link developed by Northwestern Polytechnical University, and joint debugging was carried out on the ground and on the early warning aircraft.

The atmosphere of preparation for war gradually became tense.

Based on the frequency of their attacks, they should be attacking once every three days. So, they will likely come for the second time in about two days. We have very little time to prepare, but... we must cut off their evil hand!
Looking at the planes, Qin Liang chuckled, "Old Lin, the Air Force has also purchased tandem two-seat aircraft?"

"Yes, the side-by-side two-seat aircraft is still under development. We've tested it, and the tandem two-seat configuration can also meet our needs, so we'll purchase a batch first. Of course, once they develop a side-by-side two-seat model, we'll definitely still prefer the side-by-side two-seat configuration."

In future generations, the air force certainly won't be concerned about this issue. After all, with advanced avionics technology, weapons operators in the rear cockpit can still operate various precision-guided weapons to launch attacks even when visibility is not particularly good.

However, nowadays, many weapons are dropped visually, with the side-by-side weapons operator sitting in front, who can directly visually drop the bombs. Moreover, communication with the pilots is simpler, so the Air Force is looking forward to it.

The reason the Air Force abandoned the JH-7 was because the 603 Institute couldn't figure out the side-by-side two-seat layout.

As for now, will the twin-engine Q-6 be released as a side-by-side two-seat configuration? If not, then the Air Force will just have to make do with a tandem two-seat configuration.

Two days later, at a certain base.

Talipati donned all his flight gear, climbed into his cockpit, took a few deep breaths, and gazed into the distance at the snow-covered landscape—the area he was to fly over!

The MiG-25's reconnaissance mission over Pakistani airspace has failed miserably, leaving the Indians disheartened for a long time. They thought that the expensive fighter jets they bought were going to be wasted, and they couldn't even return them!
The Russians were already furious when they received Iran's cancellation of the order. After all, Iran could still buy planes from the East, but India couldn't!

I was so embarrassed last time that I had to change planes to go home. I bought all new ones, just the same models they sell... but they won't sell them!
The Indians were feeling aggrieved, so they kept holding back until they came up with a big surprise.

To their north lies the vast plateau, where the sky is undefended. Although they cannot fly over to Pakistan, they can fly to the northern plateau, where the sky is high and birds can fly freely!

Their first flight was a success; they weren't detected by the enemy. On their second flight, they reached the vicinity of Chengdu. This time, they were going to continue along the same route...

The distinctive roar of two engines came from the tail, and Talipati shouted into the radio, "Migratory bird, requesting takeoff."

"Takeoff is possible, migratory bird, all is well!"

Talipati said nothing, maneuvered his fighter jet, and took to the sky, beginning another solitary flight.

Five hundred kilometers away, over the plateau, a plane with a large disc on its roof cruises at an altitude of ten thousand meters.

"At the target airport, an aircraft is taxiing onto the runway and taking off at a high speed. Judging from its climb rate, it matches the characteristics of a MiG-25!"

Gao Jinchuan's eyes were glued to the screen, his face filled with excitement. It was like being able to see right into the other person's house—it was so cool!

"Use computers to compare the data!"

"understand!"

The sound of rapid, clattering keyboard clicks filled the air.

"Data comparison complete, it is a MiG-25!"

"The target has climbed to 20,000 meters and entered the airspace above the plateau! It is still climbing! Engineer Zhou, should we call for fighter jets to be scrambled from the rear base to intercept it?"

"No rush, let's wait and see. Once they establish a stable flight path, we'll design the optimal interception route!"

"understand!"

Inside the early warning aircraft, the atmosphere was tense yet exciting.

This aircraft still has many imperfections and requires various meticulous adjustments. The subsequent test flight work may continue for another year or two, but for now, it is still no problem to target a high-altitude, high-speed MiG-25!
"The target has reached an altitude of 25,000 meters, and its flight path is aimed at Chengdu!"

"Calling base, take off fighter jets!"

Chengdu, Air Force Base.

Pilot He Maosheng, carrying his flight helmet, led his radar officer and two wingmen to the aircraft and strode towards it.

On the tarmac, Elder Lin and the others stood there with serious expressions.

"Report: The 3rd Squadron of the 18th Attack Fighter Group of the Air Force is ready for combat. Please provide instructions!"

"I wish you a resounding victory; you must annihilate the invading enemy!"

"Yes, please rest assured, leader. Even if we have to crash into it, we will bring the enemy plane down!" He Maosheng replied loudly.

Back when the air force only had J-6 fighters along the coast, they used the power leap tactic to climb to higher altitudes and shoot down those high-flying aircraft. Now they do the same thing. Now that they have aircraft with better performance, if necessary, they will even ram them to bring them down!
"No need. We now have superior weapons and equipment. I believe in you, and I'm sure you'll return victorious!"

"Yes!"

"set off!"

Four pilots boarded the aircraft, closed the canopy, and with the roar of the engine, they taxied, took off, and completed the entire process in one smooth motion.

Under the fuselage, four Lightning-20 air-to-air missiles were mounted. The Air Force had not originally planned to use these long-range export-oriented air-to-air missiles, but this time, for safety reasons, it decided to mount them anyway.

Below the air intakes, there is an external fuel tank on each side; after all, this flight will have a long range. On the composite pylons below the wing boxes, there is one medium-range missile and one short-range missile—this is truly armed to the teeth!
After the two aircraft disappeared from sight, the Y-10 aerial refueling tanker also taxied onto the runway. This tanker was scheduled to take off later to provide aerial refueling for the two aircraft on their return journey after completing their mission, so it did not need to take off in advance.

With a roar, the aerial refueling tanker left the runway.

This tactic is quite different from the air patrol that Qin Liang had mentioned before, because... the addition of airborne early warning aircraft!
"The KJ-2000 airborne early warning and control aircraft played a crucial role in this operation," Old Lin remarked. "This thing is truly indispensable for us!"

"That's for sure. With airborne early warning aircraft, the air combat landscape has changed dramatically," Qin Liang said. "We can detect enemy aircraft while they are still on the runway, whereas we only find out when they are right in front of us. This makes the response completely different."

Everyone nodded.

"In particular, our early warning aircraft has a search range of 500 kilometers, so as long as it flies over our land, it can see the air force training on the other side of the river."

Everyone was shocked. Homeland air defense was just a side effect. For the Air Force, the greatest need was to fulfill that great historical mission!

With an airborne early warning aircraft, even when the enemy is still on the runway, we know that the efficiency is absolutely high!
"This KJ-2000 will continue to undergo intensive test flights to complete all test flight projects as soon as possible. The Air Force's first batch of four should be equipped as soon as possible!" said Elder Lin.

In the sky.

The two twin-engine Q-6 fighters have climbed to an altitude of 18,000 meters and are increasing their speed.

Mach 1.2, Mach 1.4, Mach 1.5...

The speed can't be increased!

He Maosheng glanced at the airspeed indicator, and his left hand repeatedly placed on the afterburner button, then released it several times.

No, we can't use afterburner, or we might miss the aerial refueling tankers on the way back! Stay calm, we have to stay calm!

If it were only equipped with air superiority gear, it could fly at Mach 1.8. However, due to the external fuel tanks, the speed could only be reduced to Mach 1.5. In fact, for the J-6 that had flown before, this speed was already very fast. It just wanted to get to the battlefield urgently.

On the head-up display in front of them, target information sent by the early warning aircraft was constantly being shown. The distance between them was rapidly closing: 1,500 kilometers, 1,000 kilometers, 800 kilometers...

"KJ-2000 calling Q-6 formation, you have appeared on the radar screen. Note that you are adjusting your heading five degrees to the right!"

"receive."

More data appeared on the display screen in front of us. With this data link, combat became much easier, as if we had been given a pair of eyes in advance.

He Maosheng thought to himself, some veteran pilots still find this head-up display annoying, completely unaware that it is an important means for the Air Force to achieve digitalization!
If it weren't for the data link, how could I know that I was still 800 kilometers away from the target and have such a precise heading?
The furthest search range of airborne radar is only three hundred kilometers!

At this moment, the formation continued to fly, and the distance between the two sides continued to close.

Five hundred, three hundred...

In the rear cabin, the radar officer skillfully activated the onboard radar.

"Target intercepted!"

"Activate Lightning-20!"

As orders were issued one after another, the atmosphere in the rear base became tense. Everyone no longer had to rely solely on radio calls; they could see their own interception formation rapidly approaching the target on the screen.

Close, closer!

"Distance of 100, locking on!"

"Distance 80, launch missile!"

"it is good!"

Once the missile has been launched, the target has absolutely no chance of escaping!
The altitude is 25,300 meters.

Talipati, who was idly gazing at the curvature of the Earth in the distance, suddenly heard the sound of a radar alarm receiver.

Meow, meow! The sound was like a cat meowing, only much more urgent. Talipati was instantly startled. What the hell was going on? Had he been locked on?

Who cares if it is or isn't, just run!

He pressed the stick and applied the rudder, and the MiG-25 fighter jet began to turn slowly.

At low altitudes and low speeds, thanks to its two massive twin vertical tails, the MiG-25 has excellent turning performance, with a minimum turning radius of only 360 meters! However, in the high-altitude and high-speed range, all the MiG-25's maneuvers become sluggish, much like a 100-ton truck, requiring advance prediction for everything, otherwise there is simply no time to react.

Like right now... it would take him several kilometers to make this turn, and the huge resistance from the turn would rapidly reduce his speed!
"001, continue illuminating the target. 002, immediately activate afterburner and accelerate to catch up. The target is trying to escape!"

The voice of the operator in the AWACS aircraft came through the radio.

As soon as Gao Jinchuan saw the opponent turn around, he knew what they were going to do. However... escaping from the attack of two powerful sixth-generation fighters was not so easy!
He Maosheng continued to fly steadily, with the aircraft's radar illuminating the target. During the initial and middle phases of the Lightning-20's attack, it could continue to use passive mode or data link to guide it to fly towards the target more effectively, so as not to fly over the target but find nothing.

Meanwhile, his wingman had already begun to accelerate rapidly. The WP-15 turbojet engine unleashed its powerful thrust. The external fuel tanks had already been jettisoned, and it was lavishly consuming the fuel inside the aircraft. Countless fuel gushed into the afterburner, and the thrust instantly increased to its maximum.

Whoosh!
002 is accelerating! Mach 1.8, Mach 2, Mach 2.3, Mach 2.5...

It can only fly this fast. If it goes any faster, the air friction might melt the plane. This twin-engine Q-6 is like an arrow released from a bow, rushing forward and rapidly closing the distance to its target.

Sixty kilometers, forty kilometers...

However, it was still not as fast as the two Lightning-20s flying high in the sky. Although climbing to an altitude of 32,000 meters consumed a lot of its energy, the remaining energy could still accelerate it to Mach 4!

Next comes inertial flight, the speed gradually decreases, and the distance to the target gets closer and closer: forty kilometers, twenty kilometers, ten kilometers...

At this moment, the MiG-25 had completed a huge turn and was running back, with blazing flames coming out of its tail engine. Talipati also luxuriously turned the afterburner to the maximum, hoping to escape the interception by speed.

The sound of the radar alarm receiver in his earpiece suddenly disappeared, and he felt a sense of relief.

After completing the turn, his speed had decreased to Mach 1.5. Next, he needed to accelerate to Mach 3, as fast as he could!

He gave a rambling report over the radio that he was ending his mission and would never come back!

At this moment, his altitude was 25,000 meters, and at an altitude of 32,000 meters, the two phoenixes had already swooped down!

The speed continued to increase, quickly reaching Mach 4, then Mach 5...

Dual-pulse engine air-to-air missiles use a segmented combustion method to maintain a sufficiently high speed as they approach the target, thereby improving maneuverability. The Phoenix missile flies to a high altitude first and then dives down to attack, which has a similar effect. Speed ​​is exchanged for altitude, and then altitude is exchanged for speed. After diving down from high altitude, it returns to its maximum overload of 17G!
Moreover, after diving down and switching to active seeker mode, the enemy's radar warning receiver actually ignored the missile's radar signal!
The massive projectile was rubbing against the air, and the temperature was getting higher and higher, almost like a meteor, as the distance was rapidly approaching.

Five kilometers, three kilometers, one kilometer...

When they were still a few dozen meters away, boom!
The moment the explosion rang out, Talipati felt a sudden tension. He looked at the fire alarm light and hesitated. The next moment, boom! The second missile exploded, and the plane completely lost control. He could only pull the ejection seat handle.

A blazing fire erupted from beneath his buttocks as his body left the cockpit. Then, he felt a blast of air hitting him, instantly chilling him to the bone.

Although he was ejected, he knew in his heart that he probably... had no chance of survival at all. In that godforsaken place down there, even if he wanted to be a prisoner, the enemy probably wouldn't be able to find him!
　PS: Interior view of domestically produced early warning aircraft, Russian early warning aircraft, and flight envelope diagram of MiG-25.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)