Chapter 168: Aerial Test

"Oh, Director Zhang is here." Minister Zhao smiled and walked up to greet him, "I was just about to invite you to come and see our results."

Director Zhang, the Director of the Aerospace Department, was one of the people primarily responsible for domestic aviation technology; he was famous for his explosive temper, but his technical ability was beyond doubt.

"I heard you all had come up with some new aircraft, and I thought it was just a rumor, but then I passed by and heard the sound of the Engine, and it doesn't sound like a normal jet..."

Director Zhang's words suddenly stopped.

He saw the Drone on the test stand, and his whole body froze in place as if struck by lightning; his mouth hung open in an "O" shape, and his eyes were wide with shock.

"This... this... what is this?" He pointed at the Drone, his voice becoming unnatural.

Li Mingyuan walked up: "Hello, Director Zhang. This is the 'Divine Eagle' Unmanned Target Drone we designed, which just finished ground testing."

"Unmanned Target Drone?" Director Zhang repeated the term while walking a circle around the Drone, carefully examining every detail.

"What do you mean by 'unmanned'? Is there no pilot?"

"Yes, Director. It is operated via a Radio Remote Control system and does not require an onboard pilot."

Director Zhang circled it again, then suddenly rushed forward, wrapped his hands around the Drone's fuselage, and gently rocked it as if holding a beloved child:

"Good heavens, you all are really something! This streamlined design, this forward-swept wing layout, this Engine air intake... it's simply perfect!"

Everyone looked at each other; no one had ever seen such a childish side to the usually stern Director Zhang.

"Director Zhang, be careful, don't break it." Minister Zhao kindly reminded him.

Director Zhang finally let go, but his eyes remained fixed on the Drone: "Minister Zhao, what is going on with this thing? When did development start? Why wasn't the Aerospace Department notified?"

Minister Zhao briefly introduced the background and progress of the "Divine Eagle" project.

When he mentioned that this was a target drone mainly used for training air defense troops to counter high-speed targets, Director Zhang's expression changed abruptly.

"What? A target drone?" Director Zhang's voice rose an octave, "You are using such a perfect aircraft as a target to be shot at? This is simply a waste of a heavenly treasure!"

He turned to Li Mingyuan, his tone bordering on reproach: "Chief Engineer Li, I have heard of you; they say you are a genius, but I didn't expect you to make such a decision. Such an advanced aircraft should be used for formal combat, not as cannon fodder!"

Li Mingyuan explained patiently: "Director Zhang, the Unmanned Target Drone is only the first stage. We do indeed plan to develop an Attack Drone later, but we first need to verify basic performance and reliability through target drone testing."

"What testing or not testing!" Director Zhang waved his hands excitedly.

"Just based on this design and this craftsmanship, I can guarantee it will definitely fly, and fly well! Why not just modify it into an attack aircraft and be done with it!"

Minister Zhao tried to mediate: "Director Zhang, please calm down. Target drone testing is a hard requirement from the Military, and we must follow the process..."

"What process or not process!" Director Zhang interrupted him and turned to the surrounding Military Representative.

"Gentlemen, do you have the heart to watch such a beautiful aircraft be shot into a sieve?"

For a moment, the venue was filled with an awkward silence.

Director Zhang's emotional outburst left everyone at a loss; some couldn't help but lower their heads to hide a smile, while most were caught between laughter and tears.

Finally, Zhou walked up and patted Director Zhang on the shoulder:

"Lao Zhang, I understand how you feel. But you must know that Drone technology is a brand-new field for us, and it must be verified through combat testing. Besides, a target drone won't necessarily be hit; it also has the important mission of training air defense troops."

Director Zhang still wanted to argue, but under Zhou's insistence, he could only give up sullenly:

"Alright then, but I have one condition—I want to participate in the target drone testing from start to finish, and you must guarantee that at least two-thirds of the airframes return safely; no senseless sacrifices are allowed!"

Zhou looked helplessly at Minister Zhao, who could only nod in agreement: "Fine, Lao Zhang, you're the boss."

Director Zhang nodded in satisfaction, then couldn't help but turn back to the Drone and gently stroke its wing:

"Good fellow, don't be afraid. Once the testing is over, Daddy will definitely get you a good job."

Hearing this, everyone present couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Even the usually stern Li Mingyuan had the corners of his mouth lift slightly.

Just like that, amidst the laughter, the ground testing of the "Divine Eagle" Unmanned Target Drone concluded successfully, and the maiden flight date was set for one week later.

On the day of the maiden flight test, just as the sky was beginning to brighten, an inconspicuous airfield deep in the Taihang Mountains was already bustling with people.

This was a makeshift airfield specially converted for the "Divine Eagle" project, consisting of a 1,500-meter-long concrete runway and a few simple control rooms.

Surrounded by mountains, it had an open view yet excellent concealment, making it an ideal place for testing high-speed aircraft.

Li Mingyuan stood in front of the control room, watching the technicians push the "Divine Eagle" Unmanned Target Drone onto the runway, feeling both nervous and expectant.

This would be the first flight of the first Drone he had designed; although he was fully confident in the principles, how it would actually perform remained an unknown.

Minister Zhao and Zhou stood beside him, while Director Zhang paced back and forth by the runway, pointing fingers at the technicians from time to time, looking more nervous than anyone else.

"What is the expected test duration?" Zhou asked.

"For the maiden flight, we have a conservative design of 20 minutes," Li Mingyuan replied, "mainly to test basic flight performance, including takeoff, climb, cruise, turns, and landing. If everything goes smoothly, we can test high-speed and maneuverability performance next time."

Zhou nodded: "Safety first, don't take risks."

The technicians completed the final checks and signaled to the control room that they were ready.

Li Mingyuan took a deep breath, walked into the control room, and sat down at the central console. This was a specially made control system consisting of a main display screen and multiple auxiliary control panels.

"Beginning the 'Divine Eagle' Unmanned Target Drone maiden flight test, checking all systems." Li Mingyuan issued the order over the intercom.

"Power system normal."

"Control system normal."

"Communication system normal."

"Engine preheating complete."

Each check passed one by one, and Li Mingyuan pressed the talk button: "Is the runway clear?"

"Cleared, ready for takeoff."

The control room suddenly went quiet, with only the faint humming of electronic equipment running.

Everyone stared at the Drone on the runway.

"Start the Engine."

As the order was transmitted, a low roar came from the distance, blue-white flames sprayed from the tail of the Drone, and the entire fuselage trembled slightly.

"Engine running stably, speed at 6,000 RPM."

Li Mingyuan gripped the control stick and took a deep breath: "Beginning taxi."

The Drone moved forward slowly, its speed gradually increasing.

On both sides of the runway, dozens of observers watched everything nervously; no one spoke, and the entire airfield was strangely quiet, with only the roar of the Engine piercing the Silence.

"Speed 80 kilometers per hour... 100 kilometers per hour... 120 kilometers per hour..."

Li Mingyuan focused his mind and gently pulled back on the control stick: "Rotate."

The Drone's front wheel left the ground, the rear wheels followed suit, and the entire fuselage rose steadily into the air.

"Takeoff successful! Altitude 5 meters... 10 meters... 20 meters..."

A burst of cheers erupted outside the control room, but it quickly returned to Silence.

Everyone understood that this was only the beginning; the real test was still to come.

"Beginning climb, turning north, target altitude 1000 meters."

The nose of the Drone tilted upward slightly, beginning a steady climb while simultaneously turning slowly toward the north.

The entire process was smooth and Nature-like, as if an invisible pair of hands were controlling it with precision.

"Climb normal, speed 250 kilometers per hour, altitude 500 meters... 700 meters... 1000 meters, target altitude reached."

Li Mingyuan let out a breath, but his gaze remained focused: "Beginning first stage cruise test, maintain altitude 1000 meters, increase speed to 500 kilometers per hour."

The nose of the Drone dipped slightly, and the speed began to increase.

In the morning sunlight, its silhouette was like a silver arrow, carving a graceful trajectory through the azure sky.

"Speed 350 kilometers per hour... 400 kilometers per hour... 450 kilometers per hour... 500 kilometers per hour, cruise state stable."

The atmosphere in the control room relaxed slightly, and some began to whisper, marveling at the Drone's performance.

"Beginning turn test, 45-degree standard turn."

The right wing of the Drone dipped slightly, the fuselage tilted, and it began a wide-angle turn.

During the turn, it maintained its altitude and speed without any signs of dropping or stalling.

"Turn complete, heading normal, all parameters stable."

A smile appeared on the corner of Li Mingyuan's mouth: "Very good, now conducting high-speed test. Increase Engine power, target speed 700 kilometers per hour."

This was a dangerous test phase.