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

Chapter 433 Su-27 Makes a Dazzling Debut
At Northwestern Polytechnical University, Qin Liang, wearing a coat and rubbing his sleepy eyes, looked at the messages on the computer screen in front of him.

Knowing that the situation would be very complicated in the next few days, Qin Liang didn't dare to leave the Beidou control station at all, so as to receive the information as soon as possible.

It seems that the situation is developing in the direction I expected, and at this point, both sides are on the verge of losing control.

What's next?
Is it adding fuel to the fire, or trying to smooth things over?
"Tell Professor Liu to wait and see."

Next, let's just sit back and watch the fight, and not get involved in anything. That way, no matter how far things escalate, it won't concern us. And whatever we do after that will be wrong!
"Yes."

USS Kitty Hawk, in the captain's cabin.

"So, any news?"

"No, there's no sound from the other end." Professor Liu said, handing over an earphone: "Why don't you listen for yourself?"

Ben Richie accepted the headphones without hesitation and put them on.

One minute, two minutes... ten minutes... Sure enough, there was no sound of calling from inside.

"How could this be? Shouldn't this be the time when they make the most frequent radio calls? Under our electromagnetic interference, only frequency-hopping radios can communicate normally."

"Could it be... that their frequency-hopping radio is broken?"

Professor Liu's words didn't shock Ben Richie. What? It's broken?
The Russians' electronic technology was indeed very backward. The sudden appearance of frequency-hopping radios is truly a miracle. However, we don't know what methods were used to achieve frequency-hopping communication, or how reliable it is. Perhaps it has actually broken down?
If the radio station can't pick up any sound, then...

Just then, a voice came from outside: "Mr. Ben Richie, we have located the crash site of the pilot, and the rescue operation is proceeding smoothly!"

Normally, once the pilot ejects, the ejection seat should automatically trigger, sending out a distress signal to call for rescue from the rear.

Such an operation is fine on one's own territory, but it would be a big problem in enemy-occupied territory. After all, both friendly forces and the enemy can hear it, and the pilot might be the first to be found by the enemy!
Experienced pilots, upon landing on enemy territory, will immediately locate the ejection seat, turn off the signal generator, and escape as quickly as possible. Once in a safe location, they will use their portable radio or other means to contact their rear.

Once contact is established, rescue forces will be dispatched quickly.

Ben Ritchie took a deep breath: "Okay, got it, I'm on my way! While we're rescuing them, we also need to destroy the wreckage as soon as possible, so it doesn't fall into the hands of the Russians. By the way, what about the other F-117?"

"They've already returned to base."

Two planes were out on a mission. Greg's plane was shot down, while Fister was luckier. He took advantage of Greg being spotted, turned around and ran away. Mission? Bullshit. At this moment, his life was the most important thing.

Moreover, since the lead plane has been shot down, why doesn't he run away? Is he just waiting to be killed?

Ben Rich breathed a sigh of relief; things weren't as bad as he'd imagined. The F-117 had returned, and after landing, the pilots could give a detailed account of what had happened, to see if it was a problem with the aircraft, the pilot, or... just bad luck.

That's right, luck plays a big part!
Steam filled the deck of the USS Kitty Hawk as more fighter jets were launched in preparation for any unforeseen circumstances.

Meanwhile, in the Far East, on the banks of the Amur River, in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, at the Gagarin aircraft manufacturing plant.

Back then, in order to develop the Far East, the Russians mobilized a lot of people to go there. Some members of the Komsomol came to the banks of the Amur River and built a brand new city, which they named Komsomolskaya Pravda after themselves.

Construction of the 126th Aviation Industry Manufacturing Plant began here in 1932, and the main plant was laid in 1934, which is considered the birth date of the plant.

During the Great Patriotic War, this factory produced a large number of aircraft, including more than 2,700 Il-4 bombers alone. During the Cold War, the factory was transferred to the Sukhoi Design Bureau and has been producing Su-series aircraft ever since the production of the Su-7 began in 1958.

In 1971, after Gagarin's plane crashed, the site was renamed the Gagarin Aircraft Manufacturing Plant in his honor.

Engineers from the Sukhoi Design Bureau often took special planes from Moscow early in the morning to work in the Far East, and then returned in the evening. Planes that could originally seat about twenty people would often be crammed with forty or fifty people. The pilot didn't mind, because he was Sukhoi's most outstanding test pilot.

However, tonight, the engineers from the Sukhoi Design Bureau did not return to Moscow. They were busy working on the T-10S-4. The workers in the factory were a little curious. Now they understand that they want the Su-27 to go up and carry out the mission!

"Mr. Simonov, our aircraft have only just completed their type certification test flights and are not yet combat-ready. Would it be... risky to send them out on a mission now?"

"Sakhalin Island needs us. They're suffering from severe electromagnetic interference. Even our Tu-126 early warning aircraft can only be seen as blurry shadows on the radar screen. It's time for us to take action!"

This is the Su-27's best chance to shine!
The MiG-29 is progressing smoothly because the aircraft was designed to have the old inverted antenna installed. The Su-27 airframe was completely redesigned, and the avionics were delayed. As a result, there are many voices in Moscow saying that the Su-27 project can be abandoned!

They were furious about this, but there was nothing they could do but work harder. Now, the Su-27 has finally been built, and it has powerful performance. At this time, it is necessary to let the Su-27 go out and perform, to demonstrate the powerful performance of this aircraft!

Especially the avionics equipment!
"Yes, I have confidence in this aircraft!" Viktor Pugachev said. "Although I don't do much air combat training, I can still go up and carry out a mission occasionally without any problem!"

By this time, he had already changed into his full flight gear.

Test pilots mainly fly various flight envelopes. The data they generate is distributed to combat units and turned into flight manuals. Their task is to fly the aircraft to its performance limits, while combat units complete combat missions within the flight envelope.

Therefore, test pilots are not familiar with air combat. However... there are exceptions, such as Pugachev, who was an absolute all-rounder!

"Report! A message has arrived from Vladivostok requesting that we immediately dispatch our most advanced fighter jets for support!"

"Okay, let's take off now!"

Pugachev strode toward the runway, where at the end stood a beautifully designed aircraft, fully armed and ready for takeoff.

The aircraft is imposing, with strakes extending from the sides behind the nose radome all the way to the main wings. The nose is slightly drooping, and from the side, it looks like an eagle pouncing on its prey.

Starting from the middle of the fuselage, two rectangular air intakes appear below, forming a layout of two engine nacelles, extending all the way to the rear. Above them are two tall twin vertical tails, and between the two tail nozzles is a tail cone used to tear apart vortices.

The overall design is grand and streamlined. Although both the Su-27 and the MiG-29 share the same exterior layout suggested by the Central Institute of Fluid Mechanics, the Su-27 appears to be more harmonious.

The wings were covered with weapons, including more than a dozen missiles, which made it look even more imposing.

Most of them are R-27 air-to-air missiles, which were developed starting in 62 and underwent many improvements before finally being finalized in 83!
The missile features four large, inverted trapezoidal wings in the middle, making it unique in the world, and four fixed double-delta tail fins at the rear. This distinctive shape makes it instantly recognizable.

However, there are two types of warheads: the cone-shaped one is for semi-active radar, and the hemispherical one is for infrared seekers. This was a temporary alternative due to the limited electronic technology of the Russians.

On the outer side of the wing is the newly developed R-73 missile, which has not yet completed all the finalization tests. However, thanks to its powerful performance, especially its large warhead, all pilots will jettison the old R-60 missiles at the first opportunity.

This is an aircraft armed to the teeth!
With a roar, the two AL-31F engines at the rear started up one after another. A few seconds later, orange flames rose up, indicating that the afterburner had been opened!
The huge fighter jets slid rapidly down the runway, took off, and quickly disappeared into the night.

As everyone stood on the runway, watching the fighter jet disappear into the distance, Ilya, the factory manager of Gagarin's factory, remained somewhat worried.

"Comrade Simonov, our plane... should be able to fly back, right?"

"Of course I can, and I expect the pylons under the wings to be empty when I return," Simonov said confidently.

Actually, during the bidding process, the MiG-29 project was intended for use by the Air Force to gain air superiority on the front lines, while the Su-27 was intended for use by the Air Defense Forces, primarily for patrolling the vast Soviet territory.

Therefore, it has a massive airframe and a massive 9.4 tons of internal fuel, compared to the F-15's 5.3 tons. In various photographs, the F-15 always carries external fuel tanks during takeoff, while the Su-27 doesn't need them at all. Even for routine missions, the Su-27 doesn't need a full tank; half a tank is enough. After all, a full internal fuel tank gives it a maximum range of nearly 4,000 kilometers!
With its long range, the Su-27 is suitable for patrolling the country. However, unlike other interceptors, the Su-27's air combat performance is also top-notch. Now, it's time to let this aircraft shine!

After takeoff, turning eastward, before even reaching Sakhalin Island, Pugachev activated the onboard radar. After a thirty-second warm-up, a clear dot of light appeared on the screen!

At this moment, on Sakhalin Island, both ground radar and the Su-15 interceptors that had taken off were seeing nothing but static on their radar screens. However, the Su-27 was able to clearly locate the target. This is the power of the planar slotted radar!

With a high main lobe power and very narrow side lobes, this type of radar is inherently less susceptible to jamming!
Unfortunately, the radio hadn't been switched to frequency hopping yet, so there was nothing in the headphones. However... the planes from the Sakhalin base had already returned and landed. Any planes in the sky were American!
Most of the targets were loitering outside, but there was a plane stealthily approaching at low altitude!

This is the one!

Pugachev operated the radar and quickly locked on.

On the opposite side, the radar warning receiver on the Seahawk helicopter, which had already taken off onto land, suddenly sounded.

"Oh, damn it, we've been locked on!"

"Quickly, immediately switch to hover!"

At this time, they were flying at extremely low altitudes and under the cover of electronic jamming aircraft. Even so, the other side was still able to detect them, which means that the other side must be using an advanced pulse-Doppler radar.

The only drawback of using the Doppler effect to filter clutter is that it cannot detect targets perpendicular to itself, as they will be filtered out as fixed ground targets. For helicopters, hovering is similar to being a fixed ground target.

Sure enough, after hovering, the radar warning receiver stopped beeping, but...

Their mission is to rescue the pilot! How can they get close to the target if they're just sitting here?

The pilot gently pushed the control stick, slowly moving forward, while the others on board were somewhat apprehensive.

The alarm sounded again as soon as the speed increased.

"Oh, damn it, what's going on? We're completely unable to complete the mission! Where are the escort planes? Where are they?"

Behind them, the Tomcat fighter jets, which were tasked with escorting the aircraft, did not hesitate any longer. The radar officers locked onto the target with practiced ease. Before the missiles were even launched, a bright line could be seen streaking across the dark sky in the distance!
The radar detected the target and directed the R-27T infrared-guided missile. Simonov performed these actions very smoothly, and then launched the missile!
When they saw the bright line appear in the distant sky, everyone on board the Seahawk helicopter was stunned.

"Oh, damn it, run!"

What mission? Bullshit! Survival is the priority. Besides, the ones we're rescuing are from the Air Force!
If there were no real risk, I'd gladly do the rescue and even show off to the Air Force. But risking my life for that isn't worth it! Any clear-headed naval aviator would make the right choice!

A series of flares burst in the sky, successfully deflecting the incoming missile. The Seahawk helicopter accelerated and flew out of the land.

Return to base! Return to base!
Seeing that the Seahawk helicopters had abandoned their mission, the other escort fighters refrained from any aggressive actions and returned to their bases to escort the aircraft carrier. Meanwhile, the carrier had already turned around and was heading east.

The Navy is leaving this mess alone!

The massive Su-27 was still flying over Sakhalin Island. Thanks to its huge internal fuel capacity, it could fly until dawn. The news that it had single-handedly challenged a US naval formation and scared them off with a single missile quickly spread throughout the military.

This night belonged to the Su-27!

In Komsomolskaya Pravda, Simonov smiled with satisfaction.

The Su-27 fighter jet equipped with advanced electronic equipment from the East is the most perfect! Now that it's clear that we can't replicate it domestically, large-scale procurement from the East is a foregone conclusion. Our national air defense forces need advanced equipment!

Under intense electromagnetic interference, only the Su-27's radar could function normally!

With the Navy gone, Greg was in a terrible situation.

He was dressed very warmly before takeoff, but... even the warmest flight jacket couldn't keep out the Siberian cold wave!
He was trembling and shaking. When he received the news that the rescue team had been dispersed, he could no longer hold back his emotions.

Now, the most important thing is to build a campfire, otherwise, he will definitely not see the sun rise tomorrow!

He pulled out a tinderbox from his survival kit and quickly lit a campfire. But... before he could warm himself up, countless soldiers in military overcoats came up with their guns!

"Hey, wait a minute, let me warm up before you go!"

Greg was taken away and put into a car before he could finish speaking.

Almost simultaneously, another group found the wreckage of the F-117. The plane was stuck in a snow crater, and the fuselage was almost intact. Everyone stared wide-eyed at its unique shape.

"Quick, send the message back! We've found the Americans' black technology!"

Moscow.

Ustinov exclaimed excitedly, "Great, great, that's wonderful! The downed plane further proves that the Americans violated our airspace, making it easier to believe those fabricated pieces of evidence!"

"That's right, we need to take reporters there to see America's most advanced stealth aircraft in person, and then bring it back to Moscow for a public display so the whole world can see it. This time, it has to be even more exciting than when we shot down the U-2!"

In 1960, an American U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft was shot down by a Soviet missile while conducting reconnaissance over Soviet airspace. The pilot and Powers were captured alive. The whole incident was a huge embarrassment for the Americans, and they stopped aerial reconnaissance activities afterward until the appearance of the SR-71 Blackbird.

Now that the F-117 has been shot down, it will definitely cause an even bigger sensation, because this aircraft... was the Americans' first stealth fighter!

The Russians were delighted, but Lockheed was in a terrible predicament, facing a barrage of questions.

Just like back then, Boris Johnson accepted a mission from the U.S. Air Force and the CIA, but when he returned, he was not greeted with comfort, flowers, and applause, but with countless questions and curses: Why didn't you destroy the plane? Why didn't you commit suicide? and so on.

At the time, Lockheed supported Boris and even hired him as a test pilot. Until 1977, when Boris's helicopter crashed and he tragically died, the Air Force and the CIA made no comment.
Lockheed is in big trouble now!
On the USS Kitty Hawk, Ben Ritchie's face was filled with anger and resentment.

"Hey Ben Richie, what's wrong with you? You look so gloomy."

Ben Ritchie looked up at Captain William Bollinger, a wry smile on his face. "What's wrong with me? Don't you know? Of course, I'm worried about what's going to happen next."

"This mission is now over. You and your Eastern friends are leaving, aren't you?"

"Yes."

"So, before you leave, could you... do us a favor...? If this works out, then Lockheed will have done the military a favor, and the military will continue to support you."

Ben Richie gave a wry smile: "Is it about convincing the Asians and their equipment to stay?"

"That's right!"

"I'll try my best, but... I can't guarantee anything..."

(End of this chapter)