Great Power Long Sky

"The superiors have ordered us to start with Project No. 10 and explore a joint production model between the military and manufacturers."

"Previously, manufacturers produced according to the military's specifications and requirements. Once the products were produced and passed testing, they were delivered to the military. After the military used them, they found areas that needed improvement, so improvements were made in the next batch or a new model was produced."

"This process is not only slow, but also causes unnecessary waste of resources. At the same time, it will affect the combat effectiveness of the troops and prolong the time it takes for the troops to achieve combat readiness."

Chief Chen slowly announced some good news: "In view of this, the higher authorities have decided to intervene during the research and development stage. Without affecting the manufacturer's normal research and development work, suitable personnel will be selected to be stationed at the manufacturer to participate in the prototype testing of weapons and equipment and to provide suggestions for improvement."

"The Air Force intends to select a few people from the 3rd Air Division and send them to the Chengdu Lockheed Martin factory to participate in the test flights of the J-10 fighter jet prototype. I have been entrusted by the Air Force leadership to inquire about your personal thoughts on this matter."

"The higher-level leadership has decided to assign you the task of selecting personnel for the live-fire test flight team, provided that you are willing to accept this mission."

After talking so much, Chief Chen's mouth was dry, so he picked up his water glass and slowly drank it.

Li Lu was conflicted.

When Wang Yong came to inspect the factory, he proposed the idea of ​​stationing himself at the factory to participate in test flights, promoting the integration of the tactical test group and the domestic third-generation fighter jet project to achieve mutual promotion.

Unfortunately, it was not approved.

Li Lu was not told by his superiors why his application was rejected.

Li Lu could roughly guess.

Because combining tactical testing with test flights of fighter jets under development was too radical, what would be routine operations or changes twenty or thirty years later were like throwing a boulder into a calm lake in the late 1990s.

Whether the pond can withstand the impact, and what effects the waves will have, all these aspects need to be considered comprehensively.

Now, the higher-ups not only adopted Li Lu's previous suggestions, but also took the initiative to consult him and gave him the power to select personnel for the combat test flight team.

This huge turning point was caused by the "Joint 96" large-scale live-fire military exercise.

The series of situations encountered during the exercise, marked by the powerful approach of the USS Kitty Hawk and USS Nimitz carrier strike groups, completely shattered some people's illusions and dispelled many people's wishful thinking.

This has also made more people realize the huge gap between us and our powerful enemies.

The U.S. Navy’s superior combat capabilities are not only reflected in its massive aircraft carrier fleet and advanced equipment, which are unparalleled in the world, but also in the combat quality of its officers and soldiers.

Even under low weather and high sea state conditions, its carrier battle group still possesses full combat capabilities, a level that the People's Liberation Army can only dream of.

Before the exercise was even over, all the previous concerns and worries had already disappeared, and the whole country and the whole army were in a state of high unity of thought—there was no other way but to accelerate the development of their own armed forces!

If we don't break free from the shackles of traditional thinking now, and instead set our sights on our goals and forge ahead, we will only fall further behind our powerful adversaries, and the timetable for the reunification of our motherland will remain forever blank.

The air force is the fist of the people's army. If it has a strong body but short arms and weak fists, it will be unable to defend the country from the enemy, let alone protect the homeland and reunify the motherland.

If it were before the conversion to a Su-27, Li Lu would have agreed without hesitation.

He was conflicted because of this.

As both are units of the 3rd Air Division, the 7th Air Regiment will soon be equipped with Su-27s.

Li Lu had privately inquired and learned that the second batch of fully imported Su-27s would be delivered next month, in April.

The 8th Air Regiment was equipped with J-8B fighters only a few years ago, and it was a fully equipped and manned J-8B. The 9th Air Regiment's Su-27s were also fully equipped and manned.

The 7th Air Regiment is the only exception. Currently, it is composed of a mix of J-7E and J-6 modified fighters. Those J-6 modified fighters have been in service for a long time. The second batch of Su-27s will definitely be assigned to the 7th Air Regiment to form a high-low mix with the J-7E.

No matter how fast the J-10 progresses, it will be difficult to deliver it to the troops within four or five years. Even if it is delivered, it may not be given priority to the 7th Air Regiment.

Li Lu was anxious; the tactical tests were happening at breakneck speed, and he couldn't wait for the J-10.

Furthermore, the Su-27 has a clear advantage, with its long range completely outclassing the J-10, which is positioned as a medium-sized single-engine fighter. For the 3rd Air Division, which is mainly responsible for air and sea defense, a twin-engine, long-range fighter is the best choice.

Seeing Li Lu's hesitation, Chief Chen said slowly, "The second batch of Su-27s will be given to the Second Division. You won't be able to wait for this plane in the Seventh Regiment."

Li Lu was suddenly taken aback. "Nan Batian? The second batch is for them?"

Commander Chen nodded slightly. "The Sixth Regiment has been conducting equipment acceptance training in the Far East for three months."

Instantly, Li Lu deflated like a punctured balloon.

Commander Chen said, "Let's conduct actual combat test flights at the factory. We hope to obtain a new domestically produced fighter jet that better meets the requirements of the armed forces."

"Furthermore, as you mentioned before, the J-10's combat test flights should be conducted in various geographical environments to fully test the aircraft's combat performance and reliability in multiple environments."

"This suggestion is already under study by the higher-level leadership."

"Of course, conducting live-fire test flights means leaving combat units. For a long time, your enemy may not be the US military, the puppet army, or the Japanese, but yourself and the new fighter jets in your hands. Think this through."

Li Lu took a deep breath, straightened his back, and his gaze hardened. "Commander, I am willing to accept this mission. I need to take Xue Shuang and Chen Qi with me. The maintenance team needs Peng Fei, An Min, and Zhao Hao, as well as Fang Dong from Yuanling Radar Station."

Chief Chen asked疑惑地, "Fang Dong is a radar operator, right? What's the reason?"

Li Lu said, "I am currently working with him on the cross-detection method, using long-slope radar to conduct cross-detection from multiple angles, to see if we can figure out a way to detect stealth aircraft. This work will have to be stopped once I leave, so I need to take him with me."

"When you get to the factory site, there are no more research facilities. What do you plan to do?" Chief Chen asked.

Li Lu had clearly considered this issue. He said, "We can use a small aircraft with a radar cross-section equivalent to that of the F-22 as a substitute. There are multiple radar stations around the No. 1 Aircraft Factory, so there are conditions for research."

After pondering for a while, Chief Chen nodded slightly, "Alright, the personnel composition is fine. Expedite the handover; they must be in place within three days."

After he finished speaking, he took out three promotion orders and three sets of rank insignia from his briefcase and placed them in front of Li Lu. "Major Li Lu, you can announce the promotion orders for Xue Shuang and Chen Qi when they arrive at the First Aircraft Station."

"Yes!" Li Lu smiled.

Li Lu was a lieutenant officer. He skipped the captain rank and was promoted to major. Obviously, this was a bonus for the "wartime special merit".

Xue Shuang and Chen Qi were both captains, and this time they were promoted to majors as a matter of course.

Suddenly, Li Lu thought of a problem and said, "Sir, Peng Fei's service term expires at the end of this year, but the maintenance department needs him, this veteran sergeant, to oversee things. Can the organization find a way to let him stay and continue working?"

An Min is a technical officer, and Zhao Hao is a young soldier. Even if their service term is up, they can still stay in the army through the promotion of technical sergeant.

Peng Fei's service term is about to end.

Commander Chen frowned and said, "Old Peng, his situation is a bit troublesome..."

Don't underestimate the issue of a regular soldier staying in the army; it's no small matter. Regulations and rules are clearly defined, and every action must be based on those rules. For example, Li Lu's promotion of two ranks was explicitly stipulated in the regulations—it required exceptional promotion.

Peng Fei's maximum service term has expired, and he must retire from active service in accordance with regulations.

After a moment of contemplation, Commander Chen said, "Take him there first. I will report to my superiors and explain the situation. This is a matter that the military region headquarters cannot decide."

"yes!"

Li Lu knew exactly what was going on and how difficult this task was.

Is it possible to extend the maximum service life?

Yes, the Supreme Command has approved it.