Chapter 191 - 191: Aerial Combat tform (Part 2)
Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion
In the initial stages, America’s highly publicized Loyal Wingman program revolved around the 6th generation aircraft.
A single 6th-generation fighter jet, leading a formation of stealth drones, was tasked with executing missions in tandem.
The program’sbat effectiveness was so formidable that it could defeat the air forces of every nation on the, save for those belonging to the Five Great Powers. Any other opponent would be soundly defeated.
However, the situation has now changed.
The Loyal Wingman n outlined in the document did not prioritize the 6th generation aircraft. Instead, it focused on what was referred to as an airbat tform.<div>
<font <="" div="">
But what exactly was this airbat tform?
That detail remained unknown.
The document did not specify, and the special department had no additional intelligence on it.
“How much credibility do we give to the information regarding the airbat tform? Is it a feasible reality or simply a ruse to throw us off?” Big Boss Guo asked with a sense of urgency.
His expertisey in warfare andmand, not in the nuances of technological R&D. Hence, he quickly summoned someone to shed light on this perplexing intelligence.
“There’s a degree of feasibility. The inherent vulnerability of the Loyal Wingman n to electronic information warfare has always been its Achilles’ heel. That said, this isn’t an insurmountable problem. Should we pivot to a strategy where the mother aircraft serves as the core to establish aprehensive anti-jamming zone, then the frailties of the Loyal Wingman could be effectivelypensated,” Chief Instructor Li articted, openly sharing his prior reflections without reservation.
Considering the Air Police-500 as the backbone for a Loyal Wingman configuration?
It appears to be a viable strategy, with significant potential.
The only drawback is the slow deployment speed and the current performance issues with the Air Police-500.
Tang Rui mulled over these considerations, too.
The United States’ so-called airbat tform was surely not some ordinary early warning aircraft—that just wasn’t their style.
“Does the U.S. have any new models ofrge aircraft capable of extended flight times?” Tang Rui questioned. His rationale was that an airbat tform had to possess the capability for long-duration flights.
If itcked this capability, it would be of no significant use.
But he couldn’t recall anytest research projects from the Americans featuring such aircraft. Thergest known was the B-21.
Yet the B-21 was a bomber and not suited for use as an airbat tform. That notion was absurd.
“What duration are we talking about for this long-term flight?” inquired Big Boss Guo.
“Three to five days at the minimum,” Tang Rui replied after some thought.
Big Boss Guo shook his head; such a long-flyingrge aircraft was unheard of in their intelligence.
But the conversation sparked an idea among the other chief instructors.
“The United States hasn’t developed an aircraft that can fly for three to five days, but they have designed a superrge, nuclear-powered aircraft with a continuous flight capacity of 41 days,” Chief Instructor Yang chimed in, sharing this revtion with Tang Rui.
A nuclear-powered aircraft?
Upon hearing this pivotal phrase, Tang Rui’s thoughts raced to an ambitious concept from the Cold War: the PL-1201, the U.S. Air Force’s envisioned “airborne aircraft carrier.”
This “airborne aircraft carrier” was not a conventional aircraft carrier at all but a nuclear-powered airne.
A colossal aircraft with a take-off weight exceeding 5,440 tons and a wingspan surpassing the length of an aircraft carrier deck. Next to this nuclear-powered titan, the An-225 seemed minuscule.
“Surely they wouldn’t pursue something so radical? That nuclear-powered ne isn’t aligned with contemporary airbat doctrines.”
They had the audacity to design such a bold aircraft back then because of the standoff with the Soviets and anti-aircraft missiles back then indeed posed little threat to an aircraft soaring at 30,000 meters.
Today, thendscape is different.
Nowadays, no altitude guarantees safety.
Especially for a target as cumbersome and conspicuous as this—it would be a ring target with no ce to take cover, not even if it flew out to the Karman line.
“However, imagine a stealth aircraft capable of supersonic cruising without any armaments. It would only need to ensure electronic suppression and airmand capabilities, delegating allbat operations to 6th generation fighters and drones. Under those conditions, this airbat tform could be invaluable,” they spected further.
“And let’s not overlook the radar warning functionality. Large aircraft can certainly be fitted with high-power radars, and even more so for nuclear-powered nes.”
“Also, don’t forget, suchrge aircraft could carry an extensive fuel supply, enabling in-air refueling for other aircraft.”
“This kind of aerial unit wouldn’t need to engage in closebat. If we control thebat distance to exceed 300 kilometers, it could render an aircraft carrier battle group powerless.”
“The formidable radar capabilitiesbined with America’stest long-range air-to-air missile, the AIM-260, could ensure beyond visual range saturation strikes that would overwhelm even a flight squadron.”
The group delved into a detailed analysis, one insight building upon another, conjuring the concept of a formidable aerial strike force.
This concept sounded technologically advanced and deeply intimidating.
Yet it left Big Boss Guo with a sense of foreboding.
“What is the likelihood of this bing a reality?” Big Boss Guo queried.
They all shook their heads.
Such a prediction was hard to make. Crafting such an aircraft was not a simple endeavor.
Yet, considering the United States’ vast resources, it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility—challenging, yes, but not unfeasible.
“So, how would we counter such a formidable aerial force if we had to?”
“We have two options: either construct aparable airbat tform or leverage space-based weapons to strike from above,” Tang Rui stated, indicating confidence in their ability to confront such a challenge.
There was nothing insurmountable here.
If it came to it, they would simply build a counterpart—face the challenge head-on.
It was just arge ne, after all.
As if constructing such a machine was beyond anyone else’s capabilities.
Besides…
The armed satellite project he was currently spearheading could be the key to countering the U.S.’s airbat tform.
“Let’s proceed with the rest of the intelligence,” Big Boss Guo decided, choosing to move on from the topic.
The following document discussed the U.S. Navy and its distinct 6th-generation aircraft, which differed from the Air Force’s version.
The Navy’s 6th generation fighters were intended to operate alongside aircraft carriers. Since no matching system had yet been developed, there was no pressing concern, though their stealth capabilities did warrant some attention —not overly so, but caution was advised.
Next up was extensive information on the B-21 supersonic stealth strategic bomber, a tform Eagle Sauce had already widely disclosed.
But this was the least concerning of the details.
The meeting which had stretched over an hour finally wrapped up.
Tang Rui was keen to engage the chief instructors further, but Big Boss Guo beckoned him aside as the meeting dispersed.
“How smoothly is the armed satellite project proceeding? Once research isplete and they are deployed in space, would they effectively counter the airbat tform?”
Big Boss Guo’s mind lingered on the topic of the American airbat tform, his unease palpable.
There really was no need for concern.
Whether such a tform even existed was not confirmed.
But even if it did, what of it?
“Everything is progressing smoothly. As soon as we deploy them, the American aerialbat system will pose no issue whatsoever,” Tang Rui assured with unwavering confidence..</font>