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

Chapter 344 Britain, Don't Cry for Me

East, the capital, Princess Tomb.

"A single-day ace! Even the Crying Nation has such a remarkable pilot!" Old Lin exclaimed. "In the jet age, ace like this is extremely rare!"

"Yes, besides the pilots' superb skills, it's also inseparable from the excellent performance of our aircraft." Air Force Leader Zhang remarked from the side, "Beyond visual range air combat, it can even take on multiple opponents at once, and in close-range dogfights, it has helmet-mounted sights. In short, the myth of single-day ace wins is also created by advanced fighter jets. However, we didn't expect our Super-7 to be developed into a carrier-based aircraft so quickly."

Qin Liang smiled and said, "Yes, I didn't expect it to be so fast either. The work done by Factory 132 has far exceeded my expectations. Their carrier-based aircraft program is a natural progression. After all, they had already done preliminary research on carrier-based aircraft when the J-7 was being developed..."

The first aircraft carrier in the East in later generations was the Varyag purchased from Russia. In fact, before that, there were many preliminary research projects for aircraft carriers in the East, such as Project 707 and Project 891. During the preliminary research, the types of carrier-based aircraft to be used were naturally studied.

The J-7 also has plans to be deployed on carriers, including folding wings, strengthening landing gear, and installing carrier hooks, among other things.

The technology research and development were all done; what was lacking was funding and demand. The country had this demand, and with the technical strength of Factory 132 and Northwestern Polytechnical University, they quickly developed it. Both the materials and the processing were able to meet the requirements.

"For small aircraft carriers, the Super-7 is the most suitable, but for our great Eastern power, the Super-7 is far from enough. Light fighter jets have short range and weak payload capacity. The fact that a single-day ace was produced in this air battle still has a large element of luck in it."

A total of six missiles were launched, and only one missed the target, while the rest hit the target. This is nothing short of a miracle. You can compare it to the hit rate of air-to-air missiles in the Vietnam War a few years ago, which was less than 10%!

"We still have to wait for the J-9 to complete its test flights and be finalized for deployment to the troops. That aircraft is the best choice for the Air Force. It can carry more than a dozen missiles in one takeoff. When our aircraft take off, it won't just be a single-day ace, but a single-day double ace."

"Yes, the J-9's test flights have been transferred from Factory 132 to the Flight Test Institute. Next, intensive test flights will continue. We are also looking forward to the J-9 completing all test flight subjects as soon as possible and being finalized and equipped by the troops. According to the assessment, the J-9's combat capability will be twice that of the Super-7, which is also our best choice. Apart from the engine, it has no shortcomings."

The J-9 project is progressing smoothly, thanks to the maturity and reliability of the engine. However, using an old turbojet engine as the power source for a third-generation fighter jet is destined to be only temporary.

"Mr. Lin, there's no need to rush. In a few more years, we'll definitely have our chance..."

In 82, it was still a bit early. Relations between our side and the Soviet Union had not yet fully eased. Cooperation between the two sides was limited to planar slotted radar. Moreover, for various reasons, Qin Liang did not ask for the Third Aunt's engine. As far as I remember, this engine seemed to have matured in 85.

American-made engines are difficult to imitate, so we still have to follow the path of the WS-12 turbofan engine. As for domestically developed projects... we can't rush them; they will take more than ten years.

Thump, thump, thump... Just then, footsteps sounded outside.

"Old Ye, what brings you here?"

Navy leader Ye's expression was complicated: "We sent people to pick up Comrade Qin Liang this morning, but you beat us to it. Our people were even stopped at the door and not allowed to come in. We had no choice but to come in person!"

The naval leaders were, of course, there for the naval battles that were taking place around Asunción Island. Although there were air battles, the main focus was still on naval warfare.

"Come on, Lao Wang, move aside. Liangzi, this supersonic/subsonic hybrid anti-ship missile is just too powerful, isn't it?"

Leader Wang, who was sitting next to Qin Liang, had no choice but to give up his seat so that Leader Ye from the Navy could sit down. As he sat down, he began to get down to business.

“Leader Wang, there was too much luck involved in this naval battle,” Qin Liang said. “The British Navy chose Asunción Island as the battlefield because it was the most relaxed time of the year. They didn’t expect to be attacked there, just like the US military didn’t expect Pearl Harbor to be bombed during World War II. If they had been prepared, the victory would not have been so easy.”

We need to tell the navy not to assume that supersonic and subsonic anti-ship missiles are invincible. There were many lucky escapes in this naval battle.

"No matter when, being careless will always lead to losses," Old Lin sighed.

"Yes, that's the most important premise. Secondly, the Y-10 maritime surveillance aircraft flies along civilian routes to monitor the entire process. It only takes action after the other side's carrier-based aircraft have returned to land. This way, it's almost like facing an unarmed carrier strike group. After all, the most powerful weapon on an aircraft carrier is its carrier-based aircraft."

It was said that they were fighting a carrier strike group, but in reality, the carrier-based aircraft did not participate in the battle at all. If they had participated, the situation would definitely not have been like this!

In short, it's like bullying the weak.

Everyone nodded.

"Thirdly, it was the successful attack of the combined subsonic and supersonic anti-ship missile. This naval battle proved one thing to us: the famous Standard anti-aircraft missile is still very weak in its ability to intercept our supersonic anti-ship missiles."

The Kidd-class destroyers are part of the formation and are tasked with escort duties, but they play a very limited role! They can only intercept single-digit numbers of enemy ships, and cannot reliably intercept any!

Although the Kidd-class destroyers are not Aegis-equipped warships, even if they were equipped with Aegis, as long as the anti-aircraft missiles and software remain the same, their interception effectiveness would not be very high. The Kidd-class destroyers failed to perform their intended function, which was a significant reason for the British carrier strike group's defeat.

Of course, this also solved another problem: with the Kidd-class destroyer sunk, those guys on the other side of the river naturally wouldn't have a chance to get their hands on that warship. In fact, this was the most significant thing for our side.

"The faster a missile flies, the more difficult it is to intercept. The current C802 has a maximum speed of only Mach 3. Once our pulse detonation engine is mass-produced, the maximum speed will reach Mach 5, making the opponent's air defense system just a piece of paper."

The naval officers nodded in agreement; the power of this weapon was truly awe-inspiring!

"Of course, in the subsonic stage, it is still easy to be detected. Therefore, the shape of our own models will be modified to use a stealth appearance to minimize the probability of being detected."

Flying at supersonic speeds throughout is exhilarating, but high speeds result in high drag and limited range. If you want to launch an attack outside the enemy's defense zone, then flying at subsonic speeds in the initial stage is almost an inevitable choice.

In the subsonic phase, it relies on its stealthy shape to avoid detection; in the supersonic phase, it relies on its own speed to break through defenses—perfect!

"Yes, you're right, that's what we were thinking too, but..."

"However, the victory in any naval battle cannot be determined by one or two advanced weapons. Moreover, if we have advanced weapons, our opponents may also develop similar advanced weapons. At that time, we will have to face attacks from such weapons."

Leader Ye nodded. Qin Liang was very clever; he immediately guessed what he wanted to say.

"For our navy, it is essential to have air defense destroyers with four phased array radars, and at the same time, they must be equipped with missiles with a range of over 100 kilometers. Northwestern Polytechnical University has already designed such warships. As long as the navy allocates funds, construction can begin. With the Falklands War as a reality, let's just discard the useless Sea Dart."

“We’ve long since given up on the Sea Javelin,” said Leader Ye. “You’re right. The approval for our navy has been granted, and we plan to start construction on the first two ships. However, the exorbitant cost makes it unlikely that we can equip them in large quantities.”

Where can I find cheap new weapons?

Qin Liang smiled and said, "Leaders, they are expensive now, but they will naturally become cheaper when they mature. Moreover, when our country becomes prosperous and strong, we can mass-produce professional air defense destroyers one after another!"

"Great, let's look forward to that era!" Leader Ye said excitedly.

They came here today for two reasons: one, to summarize the lessons learned from the Falklands War, and two, to discuss naval development. As for why they're discussing this with the Air Force... there's no way around it, the Air Force invited Qin Liang here first!

"Well, let's continue our analysis. Although the British failed in this Falklands War, it doesn't mean that large aircraft carriers are useless. In fact, the Crying Nation's aircraft carriers were too small, preventing them from expanding their gains. They even retreated in disgrace after fighting an air defense battle out of fear of retaliation from British nuclear submarines..."

“Speaking of which, we’ve received some news. Apparently, the British have always suspected that the Russians were behind it…” “Yes, it would be best if they thought that.”

For the East, they were merely spectators in this war, able to offer their opinions and criticisms. But for the British, this war was an absolutely unbearable and enormous loss!

The entire British Isles were disheartened upon hearing the news.

On television, the Iron Lady showed her vulnerable side for the first time in her life.

"This time, the Royal Navy has suffered a defeat. Our personnel and equipment have once again suffered heavy losses. I... my dear Great Britain, why are you so plagued by misfortune..."

After she finished speaking, tears streamed down her face.

Viewers in front of their televisions wept. Their powerful fleet had gone out, and then... they received this news! That once mighty empire, with this defeat, had vanished forever, never to return!
"Of course, we will not give up our efforts to reclaim the Falklands by force, and there are still many mysteries surrounding this naval battle!"

After saying that, the Iron Lady's attitude became firm again.

"We don't know who gave the Crying Nation the audacity to bring the war to Asunción Island! The Crying Nation's navy actually dared to cross thousands of kilometers to launch a surprise attack on our fleet in the waters off Asunción Island. This behavior is just as heinous as the island nation's attack on Pearl Harbor!"

Everyone thought the war was confined to the area around the Falklands. The British even arrogantly drew up no-fly and no-sail zones. In their eyes, how the war was fought was entirely up to them. The Crying Country broke this rule, and the Crying Country was the shameless party!
They seem to have forgotten that war is never decided by one side alone!
"What angers us even more is that the cause of the fleet's destruction was a batch of mysterious supersonic anti-ship missiles! We have initiated an investigation to find out who supplied these missiles to the Crying Nation. Whoever it is, they are Britain's greatest enemy, and we will aim all our nuclear missiles at that country!"

She still wanted to salvage the situation, and the only way was to turn her suspicions toward the Soviet Union!

This is also the last resort for many rulers on the verge of losing power: to shift the blame and find a more powerful and terrifying enemy to unify the domestic narrative!
10 Downing Street.

"I told you long ago, that wretched place isn't even worth our time!" John North said angrily. "Let the crying country take it; it'll show our magnanimity. At first, we thought sending troops would restore our dignity, but now? How are we supposed to restore it now?"

"This was a brutal intervention by the Soviets. Without them, we could have won easily. So, this was an accident, and one that we absolutely cannot tolerate. We must stand firm and tell the Soviets that if they don't give us an explanation, we will..."

"So what? Are we really going to plant mushrooms for the Soviet Union? We only have a few mushrooms, how many do the Soviets have? If war really breaks out, the Soviets could flatten the whole of Europe in a week. You saw that exercise last year, didn't you!"

In September 1981, the Soviets held a grand military exercise called West-81, deploying hundreds of thousands of troops and thousands of tanks. Their ferocious momentum terrified the whole of Europe, who trembled in fear that the Soviets would turn the exercise into actual combat and that the rolling armored torrent would flatten the whole of Europe.

Now, if the British want to grow mushrooms, countries like France and Germany will be the first to object. You're safe across the English Channel, but what about us? Do we want another Dunkirk evacuation?
John North looked at the others present: "Gentlemen, let's be rational! You are mature politicians, not those fanatical masses outside!"

Just then, the sound of slogans being shouted came from outside.

"Britain will win!"

"Setting off for the Falklands again!"

"Let the Crying Country taste the power of a mushroom bomb!"

The people were furious. After two consecutive failures, they began to march and vent their dissatisfaction.

"Yes, planting mushrooms directly in the Weeping Country is a good idea." Just then, a voice rang out from the doorway.

The Iron Lady is back.

When she first heard the news of the defeat, the Iron Lady turned pale and fainted on the spot. However, after regaining her composure, she knew that she could not fall down, she could not fall down!

If I fall this time, I'll never be able to get up again!
"So far, we only have suspicions and no concrete evidence. The US side's intention is to protest to the Soviets through diplomatic channels and demand compensation once we find evidence. Our focus remains on the weeping nation..."

Even if there is evidence, the only compensation will be for the losses!
This world is a dog-eat-dog world, where the strong rule. The Soviet Union was powerful, so Britain could only protest. The weak Soviet Union was weak, so Britain had to go and conquer it!

Now, conventional force is no longer effective. After two naval defeats, they have lost their equipment, their men, and their confidence. The only thing that can restore their confidence is the mushroom bomb. Britain, after all, is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and will not allow such a small country to openly humiliate them!

John North's expression was serious: "What if the Weeping Kingdom doesn't agree to return the Falkland Islands? Are we really going to let them grow mushrooms?"

“Yes,” the Iron Lady replied with absolute certainty. “We just need to make a symbolic show of force, detonate one on their ranch, and their beef will be completely unsaleable, and their economy will collapse…”

This is not World War II after all. Targeting cities will draw condemnation from many sides, and the choice of targets is also very important.

"Report! A Soviet diplomat has arrived!"

"Please let him in!" the Iron Lady said sternly.

"Gentlemen, Moscow deeply sympathizes with your fleet's ordeal. However, we reiterate that this attack has absolutely nothing to do with the Red Navy. We acknowledge that we did send a submarine, but it was just a regular attack submarine, definitely not a cruise missile submarine capable of destroying an aircraft carrier battle group..."

"Mr. Nikolai, then tell us, what exactly happened with those supersonic anti-ship missiles that suddenly flew in from the distant sea, especially since there were more than sixty of them!" The Iron Lady gritted her teeth.

Now, the Russians are definitely trying their best to distance themselves from the situation, but the other side is probably secretly delighted!

"We don't know, it really has nothing to do with us."

"Mr. Nikolai, no one else in the world has this capability except you!" The Iron Lady's eyes widened: "You not only sell supersonic anti-ship missiles to the Crying Country, but you also take matters into your own hands! Even if you want to sabotage America's backyard, don't come after us. We will not let this go!"

"Madam, please know that the Soviet Union is the most powerful country in the world! Your fleet suffered huge losses, and you're trying to find an excuse to frame us! We will never admit it, and we will expose your conspiracy to the whole world!"

A conspiracy? The Iron Lady laughed in anger.

"What conspiracy?"

"This defeat should have brought your government to its knees. In order to continue ruling, you actually came up with such a shameless excuse, trying to cover up your failure with war. Only during wartime can democratic elections be suspended so that you can continue to govern, right?"

"Shameless! How dare you slander us like this, and still deny that you did it!"

"Since that's the case, there's no point in continuing this discussion. I'm going to go find the Conservative Party now; they should know how to oust you from power."

Watching Nikolai's departing figure, the Iron Lady's body trembled uncontrollably, and her vision slowly went black...

　PS: This is a model of the J-7 carrier-based fighter jet, originally designed for Project 891. Look at the folding seam in the middle section of the wing.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)