Chapter 230: Autocannon

"It's flying!" A burst of cheers erupted on the ground; even the stern high-ranking officials of the Military couldn't help but applaud.

The J-6 climbed at an astonishing speed, like an arrow released from a bowstring.

The ground quickly became tiny, and the clouds rapidly approached before their eyes.

"Altitude 600 meters, speed 350 kilometers per hour, continuing to climb!" Wang Wei reported, his voice filled with excitement.

"This guy climbs really fast!"

Li Mingyuan stared intently at the Radar screen in the command tower, the expression on his face exceptionally grave.

Theoretically, the first test flight should be gradual, focusing on familiarizing with basic operations rather than pursuing limits.

But the battlefield would not give them that much time.

"Test basic operational performance," he instructed via radio,

"Then attempt medium-speed turns and small-angle dives; do not perform extreme maneuvers."

"Received!" Wang Wei's voice came through the speaker, carrying a hint of eagerness.

The J-6 wove through the clouds, executing various basic flight maneuvers perfectly.

Left turn, right turn, pull-up, dive... every movement was smooth and natural, without any abnormalities.

"The handling is even better than I imagined!" Wang Wei reported excitedly, "The turning radius is small, the response speed is fast—it's simply fantastic!"

The technical personnel on the ground were busy recording various data, their faces all revealing relieved smiles.

The Frontline Commander-in-Chief walked to Li Mingyuan's side and asked in a low voice, "How high can it fly at maximum?"

Li Mingyuan did not answer immediately, but instead picked up the communicator: "Wang Wei, test high-altitude performance, climb to 15,000 meters."

"Received!" Wang Wei pushed the throttle to the maximum without hesitation, and the nose of the J-6 rose high, like a silver arrow piercing straight into the sky.

The people on the ground looked up at the silver dot that was rapidly shrinking, their moods complex.

"5,000 meters... 7,000 meters... 9,000 meters... 15,000 meters!" Wang Wei's voice was slightly distorted due to the altitude and excitement,

"Reached 15,000 meters altitude, speed 950 kilometers per hour, all systems normal!"

The Frontline Commander-in-Chief couldn't help but curse in a low voice: "Damn, it really is that high! Now we can shoot down those damned U-2s!"

Li Mingyuan nodded, but said nothing.

The true challenge for the J-6 had not yet begun.

On the battlefield, it would face the world's most advanced fighter jets and most elite pilots.

The test flight lasted for a full two hours.

Wang Wei tested various flight attitudes, handling at various speeds and altitudes, and response measures for emergency situations.

The J-6 performed excellently in all tests, even exceeding design expectations.

When the silver war hawk finally landed on the runway, the entire field erupted in thunderous applause and cheers.

Wang Wei climbed out of the cockpit with undisguised excitement and pride on his face.

As soon as he saw Li Mingyuan, he shouted loudly: "It's fantastic! This is simply the best plane I've ever flown! It's countless times better than those pieces of junk from the Polar Bear!"

Li Mingyuan smiled and patted his shoulder, "You've worked hard."

The Frontline Commander-in-Chief strode over, the expression on his face almost describable as "ecstatic."

"Great! With this thing, the high-altitude advantage of the Di Guo bastards will be gone! Chief Engineer Li, you are simply a miracle worker!"

Li Mingyuan just smiled and said nothing.

The J-6 still needed more tests, especially tests of the weapon systems, before it could be officially put into the battlefield.

And the enemy would not sit idly by and wait for death.

……

The shooting range in the early morning was in total Silence.

Over a dozen targets made of armored steel plates stood quietly in the distance, their surfaces painted with bright red concentric circles, standing out strikingly in the morning light.

These targets were specially made to simulate the armor thickness and strength of enemy aircraft, specifically for testing the firepower of the J-6's autocannon.

Li Mingyuan stood in the command tower, gazing at the blue sky through the glass window.

Yesterday's basic flight test was very successful; today was the more critical weapon system test day.

"Nervous?" asked Lao Liu beside him, holding a steaming cup of tea.

Li Mingyuan smiled, "It would be a lie to say I'm not nervous. The autocannon system was developed entirely by us independently; there were no reference samples. It's theoretically feasible, but how it performs in actual combat remains an unknown."

Lao Liu curled his lips, "What's there to fear? With our Chief Engineer Li here, is there anything that can't be handled?"

As they were speaking, the roar of the J-6's engine approached from afar.

That silver figure emerged from the clouds, shimmering with a cold metallic luster under the sunlight.

"Number 31 requesting entry into the weapon test airspace!" Wang Wei's voice came over the radio, filled with anticipation.

"Number 31, permission granted to enter weapon test airspace. Target position marked, altitude 3,000 meters, airspeed controlled at 600 kilometers per hour," the ground control center responded.

The J-6 adjusted its attitude, descended to the designated altitude, and began flying along the predetermined route.

Seen from the ground, it was like a giant silver Falcon, elegant and deadly.

"Prepare for autocannon test, target number one, single-shot mode," Li Mingyuan issued the order.

Wang Wei aligned the J-6 with the first target, his finger on the trigger. This was the first live-fire test of the three 30mm autocannons; everyone held their breath in anticipation.

"Fire!"

With a deafening roar, the nose of the J-6 spat out a dazzling tongue of fire.

The first 30mm shell whistled toward the target, and then—

"Boom!"

The center of the target was instantly pierced through; the steel plate was torn like paper, and deformed metal fragments scattered around the massive bullet hole.

"Hit! Direct hit on target!" the ground observer reported excitedly.

Li Mingyuan nodded, but his expression remained serious.

Single-shot tests can only prove accuracy; true battlefield lethality still requires burst-fire testing.

"Prepare burst-fire mode, target number two, three-second burst."

Wang Wei adjusted the fighter jet to the optimal attack position, then pressed and held the trigger.

In an instant, the three 30mm autocannons roared in unison, tongues of fire gushing from the nose and forming a blinding band of light.

The immense recoil even caused the nose of the fighter jet to tilt upward slightly.

The target instantly turned into a sieve, countless bullet holes densely covering the entire steel plate, with the central area even being completely shredded, leaving only a twisted metal frame.

Everyone on the ground was stunned, including those well-informed high-ranking officials from the Military.

"Holy crap..." Lao Liu was dumbfounded, "Isn't this too terrifying?"

Li Mingyuan calculated silently in his heart.

In a three-second burst, the three autocannons fired a total of approximately 50 shells, each shell weighing about 330 grams with a muzzle velocity of 850 meters per second.

Such firepower is enough to instantly shred any fighter jet from the World War II era, even including the active-duty F-86.

"Change targets, test shooting accuracy at different angles and speeds," he instructed via radio.