Chapter 250: General Maise: Before Christmas, I'll Bring You All Home

This is a twin-engine, four-engine medium bomber, 17 meters long with a 21-meter wingspan, featuring an all-metal skin structure.

Four small jet engines are mounted under the wings, each providing 1,200 kilograms of thrust, for a total thrust of 4,800 kilograms, enough to drive this behemoth to fly freely in the sky.

The fuselage contains a large bomb bay capable of holding various types of bombs, with a total weight of up to 3 tons.

In addition, there are 8 hardpoints under the wings that can carry Rocket Shells or newly developed Anti-Tank Missiles.

The cockpit uses a three-person design—pilot, navigator, and bombardier—with clear divisions of labor for each.

The bombardier, in particular, is responsible for operating the precision bombing aiming system to ensure the bombs hit their targets accurately.

"This design ensures sufficient firepower without exceeding our production capacity," Li Mingyuan said, looking at the finished draft with satisfaction,

"If everything goes smoothly, the assembly of the first prototype can be completed within two weeks."

He placed two blueprints—the Jian-6E and the Hong-5—side by side on the table; these were the two major killing weapons the Dragon Country Air Force was about to possess, one specializing in electronic warfare and the other in bombing, which would bring a whole new dimension of advantage to the Dragon Country's operations against the enemy.

"But before that," Li Mingyuan stretched, a trace of fatigue flashing in his eyes, "I have to solve the final problem with the Self-Propelled Rocket Launcher first."

He took out the blueprints for the Self-Propelled Rocket Launcher and began to check the stability issue of the hydraulic system that had been troubling him.

Just then, a hurried call came over the radio:

"Chief Engineer Li, emergency! The enemy has assembled a large number of armored troops on the northern line and seems to be preparing to launch a large-scale offensive! The front line is in urgent need of anti-armor weapon support!"

Li Mingyuan immediately picked up the microphone: "Understood. Tell them the first batch of RPG-2s and recoilless guns are already on the way and will arrive by tomorrow morning at the latest. At the same time, the Self-Propelled Rocket Launcher will also complete testing within three days and will be immediately deployed to the battlefield."

He put down the microphone and turned to Lao Liu: "It seems the people of Di Guo are anxious and prepared to use their armored advantage to suppress us. But they don't know that we are already prepared for a counterattack."

Lao Liu nodded: "Should we temporarily set aside the designs for the Hong-5 and Jian-6E and put all our efforts into the production of anti-armor weapons?"

Li Mingyuan thought for a moment and shook his head decisively:

"No, we must grasp both. Anti-armor weapons will solve the immediate crisis, while the Hong-5 and Jian-6E will create a long-term advantage for us. If the enemy adapts to our anti-armor weapons, the Hong-5 and Jian-6E will be our second trump card."

He looked out the window; the horizon was already turning white, and a new day was about to begin.

Li Mingyuan stood before the window, looking up at the brightening sky, his heart unsettled.

The coming battle would be the true test of all his inventions.

Just then, a communications officer hurried over: "Chief Engineer Li, a telegram from the front line; the enemy is making large-scale movements, the situation is urgent!"

……

At the Di Guo rear command post, there was a scene of great activity.

General Maise stood before a giant sand table, his signature corncob pipe in his mouth, squinting as he scrutinized the front-line situation map.

Surrounded by a circle of staff officers in suits and high-ranking generals in military uniforms, the air was filled with the strong smell of tobacco and tension.

"Gentlemen," Maise's voice was low and powerful,

"I need to know why our air superiority has suddenly vanished? What kind of technology have those damn Dragon Country people mastered?"

Intelligence Officer Colonel Wilson stepped forward, opened a thick folder, and spoke in a calm voice:

"According to descriptions from surviving pilots on the front line and radar data analysis, the Dragon Country has deployed a surface-to-air missile system codenamed 'Flying Dragon-2', as well as a type of Supersonic Fighter."

"That's impossible!" the Air Force Chief of Staff slammed the table and stood up, "How could the Dragon Country possess this kind of technology? How many years of R&D cycle and industrial foundation would this require?"

"Facts speak louder than words, General,"

Colonel Wilson said expressionlessly, opening a projector; the screen displayed several blurry but sufficiently clear photos—a silver behemoth taking off from a launch pad, trailing a long flame wake.

"This was taken by our U-2 Reconnaissance Plane while it was escaping; not long after it finished taking the photos, the plane was shot down."

The conference room fell into dead silence.

Wilson continued: "But we have also discovered the Dragon Country's weakness." He pointed to the battlefield map,

"Look here, the Dragon Country army has formed several protruding 'arrows'; troops equipped with Cloud Bombs and Advanced Rocket Launchers are concentrated in the main attack direction, while the troops on the two flanks are clearly equipped with old gear and are advancing slowly."

He took out several photos: "According to reconnaissance, their flank troops are still using old-fashioned anti-tank guns and simple rocket launchers, which pose almost no threat to our M46 Tanks. More importantly, their supply of Cloud Bombs is limited and mainly concentrated in the central assault group."

General Maise's eyes lit up: "You mean we can avoid their Sharp Knife and outflank them from the wings?"

The head of the Military Advisor team, Doctor Smith, stepped forward and took out a stack of calculation papers:

"We have already used the 'Pincer Offensive' combat model to conduct a detailed simulation."

He posted several charts on the wall:

"According to calculations, if we concentrate 80% of our armored strength on the two wings, with an advance speed of 5 kilometers per hour, maintain a tank assembly density of 12 vehicles per square kilometer, and achieve 85% firepower suppression coverage, we can cut off the supply lines of the Dragon Country's main force within 72 hours and form a perfect encirclement."

General Maise scrutinized these data and nodded slightly:

"Sounds very reasonable, but the Dragon Country people won't sit and wait for death. They will definitely adjust their deployment and strengthen their flank defenses."

"Precisely because of this," a military industry representative stood up, "we have brought a solution."

He opened a briefcase and took out a shimmering metal plate:

"This is our latest developed composite armor sample, which can effectively resist the Dragon Country's existing anti-tank weapons. Furthermore—" he took out more samples,

"We also have infrared smoke screen systems, automatic loaders, new flamethrowers, and armor-piercing Incendiary Bombs."

"Has it been mass-produced?" Maise asked.

"Yes, General," the military industry representative said proudly,

"The first batch of 100 reinforced M46 heavy tanks has already rolled off the assembly line and is being transported to the front line. Infantry support weapons are also ready. In addition, we have equipped Multi-barrel Self-propelled Rocket Launchers, which can provide firepower support for the armored troops."

General Maise smiled slightly, a light of Victory flashing in his eyes:

"Very good, gentlemen. This time we will teach the Dragon Country people a painful lesson."

He walked to the map and used a pointer to draw a circle around the protrusion of the Dragon Country army:

"Our goal is to cut off, encircle, and annihilate this unit."

He turned to the generals present: "All units enter combat readiness; launch the attack in 48 hours. I guarantee you, this Christmas, we will all be able to go home and reunite with our families."

The Chief of Staff asked in a low voice: "General, do you think the Dragon Country will develop new weapon systems again?"

Maise snorted with disdain:

"Developing a weapon system from scratch takes years. Their 'Flying Dragon-2' and Supersonic Fighter might be lucky accidents, but miracles won't happen continuously. Our scientific research strength and industrial foundation far exceed those of the Dragon Country; there is no need to worry about them making another breakthrough in the short term."