Great Power Long Sky

The temperature was lowest the next day when it was just beginning to lighten.

Wang Bicheng and An Min led the maintenance team to conduct pre-flight checks on the two J-6 modified fighter jets that were to carry out the first wave of reconnaissance missions.

Li Lu was still flying the familiar J-6 modified No. 101. Since the technical investigation proved that the aircraft had no potential malfunctions or problems, it met the conditions for continued service.

Xue Shuang was piloting a J-6 modified fighter jet with the serial number 102, which was also its mission call sign. The aircraft serial number and call sign are not identical and do not correspond; their matching is purely coincidental.

Both J-6 modified aircraft were equipped with two external fuel tanks, and at most two. After filling the internal fuel tanks, the maximum range reached 2200 kilometers, and the maximum combat radius exceeded 700 kilometers.

Both auxiliary fuel tanks are 720-liter capacity, with an external fuel capacity of 1440 liters. Adding the internal fuel tank, which holds approximately 2170 liters, the total capacity is around 3610 liters.

In other words, the J-6A consumes approximately 1.64 liters of fuel per kilometer of flight, resulting in a fuel consumption of 164 liters per 100 kilometers...

Generally speaking, the combat radius is equal to the maximum range multiplied by 0.3-0.35. This operation is a reconnaissance mission, not an aerial interception or interception, so the coefficient of 0.35 can be used.

The calculated maximum combat radius is 770 kilometers. After deducting the fuel required for reconnaissance after reaching the target airspace, which is at most 10 minutes, the maximum distance is 600 kilometers.

In reality, the fuel consumption coefficient of an aircraft engine is calculated using a complex method, and the amount of fuel consumed varies depending on the operating conditions. Simply put, it's how much fuel is burned to generate 1 kilonewton of thrust over one hour.

The J-6A has a weight of approximately 0.95 kg.

Unlike ordinary aircraft engines, fighter jet engines have military thrust, meaning they operate with afterburner. In this mode, the engine burns fuel as easily as drinking water.

Fighter jets encounter various unforeseen situations during combat, and obviously cannot fly in a step-by-step manner according to the predetermined route of ordinary aircraft. Therefore, not only is it necessary to reserve about 15% of fuel, but pilots are also required to make calculations based on the actual situation during flight.

Some advanced aircraft use a system to share this task with the pilots, automatically calculating the latest return fuel amount and even the return time.

For Li Lu and his team, they still need to rely on themselves.

Wang Bicheng focused on inspecting the shortwave radio installed in the cockpit of J-6 Modified No. 101, and conducted several rounds of communication tests with the other side to ensure that it could be used normally.

Anmin, the engine expert, conducted a thorough inspection of the engines of the two fighter jets to ensure they could withstand the long journey.

Peng Fei was the one who made the final check.

It's fair to say that this maintenance crew has a rather luxurious setup.

At 7:00 AM, Li Lu and Xue Shuang attended the final pre-flight preparation meeting, received the mission chart, and arrived at the parking position in a 212 jeep.

They conducted a visual inspection of the aircraft according to procedure, signed the release order, and then boarded the aircraft to inspect the cockpit instruments, flaps, hydraulics, and radio.

After a routine check, it was 7:20 a.m.

Standing on the boarding stairs, Peng Fei said to Li Lu, "The key is the remaining fuel. Avoid using afterburner if possible. We are the station closest to the sea."

"I understand, old squad leader, you can rest assured." Li Lu nodded solemnly.

Peng Fei patted Li Lu on the shoulder and then gave Xue Shuang some more instructions.

At 7:23 a.m., Li Lu reported to the control tower that he had completed the pre-flight checks and requested to taxi out.

Xu Hailiang, who was directing operations from the control tower, issued the taxiing command.

The weather wasn't great; there was a thin layer of clouds at low altitudes, followed by a thin layer of fog that enveloped the entire mountainous area.

People have gotten used to it; the thin mist will gradually disappear once the sun rises.

Li Lu took off first, using a long takeoff run to gain enough lift, and then slowly pulled back on the stick to increase the pitch angle. Only after the aircraft reached a certain altitude did he retract the landing gear.

This maneuver was completely different from his previous rough afterburner takeoff method, and its purpose was naturally to save fuel.

The fighter jets took off from south to north, and after passing through the low-altitude fog, the view on both sides opened up. Looking out, the fog floating above the endless hills was like a river that had stopped flowing.

After climbing to an altitude of 1,200 meters, Li Lu turned right and set his course at 30 degrees, which is due east, and flew level at cruising speed.

Xue Shuang, who was behind, could not see the lead aircraft. After climbing to an altitude of 1,200 meters, he turned right under the guidance of the control tower, increased his speed slightly, and then spotted the lead aircraft and formed a formation.

After the two aircraft climbed to an altitude of 6,000 meters, they maintained the altitude and cruised at a speed, strictly following the planned route.

This entire process was done in a very methodical way, just like operating a transport plane.

Li Lu contacted the Eastern Commander en route to confirm his location.

Without satellite systems, combat intelligence data systems, or navigational aids below, pilots could only rely on ground command posts to constantly confirm their location.

During this time, he also contacted Fang Dong to ensure that he could contact him directly at any time without having to go through Dong Zhi's intermediary.

Unfortunately, the tactical test team has been established for two months, and the "pilot + radar operator" combat intelligence communication mode is currently in the actual testing phase.

Hundreds of kilometers away in the sea, the USS Kitty Hawk slowly accelerated against the wind. From high above, this behemoth was surrounded by seven or eight cruisers and destroyers, making it a very large vessel.

There must be escort vessels responsible for vigilance in the unseen distance and underwater.

A Ticonderoga-class cruiser, which was responsible for early warning a dozen nautical miles away, detected a target more than 300 kilometers away with its air detection radar. The intelligence was quickly reported to the combat intelligence command center of the USS Kitty Hawk.

The USS Kitty Hawk immediately went into emergency catapult mode and then accelerated to turn and sail into the wind.

First, an E-2 Hawkeye carrier-based early warning aircraft was launched. Then, two F-14 carrier-based fighter jets on combat duty were launched and took off. Finally, two more of the same type of aircraft were ready to be launched for emergency support at any time.

The Americans have been operating aircraft carriers for half a century, and they are extremely familiar with this process. From target detection to the catapult launch of the on-duty fighter jet, the entire process took only five minutes, which is incredibly fast.

The F-14 carrier-based fighter jet, nicknamed "Tomcat," is the mainstay fighter jet of the U.S. Navy. It is a variable-sweep wing, two-seat, twin-engine heavy fighter jet. It was initially developed to intercept the Soviet Tu-22M Backfire supersonic strategic bomber and is used in conjunction with the AIM-54 Phoenix long-range air-to-air missile, forming a golden combination.

Of the two F-14 fighter jets that took off, one crew member was Cruise and Max, the former called Lone Ranger and the latter called Goose, while the wingman was Iceman and Glider.

Both crews were ace pilots from the 51st Squadron of the 15th Wing, who had participated in the Gulf War.

Facing outdated first- and second-generation aircraft, they held an absolute advantage. At this moment, they were as relaxed and at ease as ever...