Chapter 343: Triangulation Test Success

At the Northern Test Range, on a stretch of desolate Gobi desert, the tense atmosphere had almost solidified into something tangible.

Three modified high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft were ready on the runway, with pilots sitting in their cockpits performing final equipment checks.

These aircraft appeared ordinary on the outside, but special radio transmission devices and directional antennas were installed under their fuselages and wings; they were the key components of the "High-Altitude Three-Aircraft Radio Positioning Guidance System."

Li Mingyuan stood inside the control tower, observing the distant launch site through binoculars.

There, two modified "Air Strike-1" missiles stood silently on the launch racks, awaiting this fate-deciding test.

"All system checks complete, everything is normal," came the report from the crew over the radio, "requesting takeoff."

"Takeoff approved," the commander ordered, "fly according to the pre-set route, and once the designated airspace is reached, activate the radio positioning system."

The three aircraft taxied onto the runway one after another, roaring as they charged into the sky, soon turning into three small black dots in the high altitude.

"Chief Engineer Li, what do you think the chances of success are?" Minister Zhang stood beside Li Mingyuan, his voice laced with tension.

Li Mingyuan did not answer immediately, instead continuing to stare at the distant missile launch racks.

To be honest, he did not have absolute certainty in his heart either.

This system was something he had hastily cobbled together based on future knowledge and current technical conditions; it was theoretically feasible, but only a live-fire test could prove its actual effectiveness.

"Theoretically, the success rate should be over 85%," he finally said, striving to make his voice sound confident, "but this is the first test, and there may be some unexpected issues."

The technicians inside the control tower were nervously monitoring various data points.

The radio transmission equipment on the three aircraft had been activated and was continuously sending out encoded signals.

"Signal strength is stable, frequency is precise, and the Triangulation System is operating normally," one technician reported.

"The signal received by the ground station is clear, and the error between the triangulation calculation result and the actual position is less than 5 meters!"

Li Mingyuan let out a slight sigh of relief; at least the first step was a success.

The radio positioning network formed by the three aircraft had been established; now the key was whether the missile could correctly receive and utilize these signals.

"Prepare to launch the first missile," the commander ordered, "Target: the simulated building complex 350 kilometers to the northwest."

The atmosphere inside the control tower suddenly grew tense; everyone held their breath, staring at the monitors and data screens.

"Countdown: 10, 9, 8..."

Li Mingyuan clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms, but he could barely feel the pain.

"... 3, 2, 1, launch!"

On the distant launch rack, the first "Air Strike-1" missile spewed orange-red flames, roaring as it charged into the sky, soon disappearing from view.

"Missile has received the triangulation signal, self-guidance system activated," the technician said, eyes fixed on the data screen.

"Computing unit is operating normally, the missile has confirmed its own position and the target coordinates."

The control tower was eerily quiet, save for the ticking of instruments and the technician's brief reports.

"Missile flight is normal, speed is stable, path conforms to the preset," the technician continued to report, "100 kilometers flown... 200 kilometers... adjusting flight path... 300 kilometers..."

Li Mingyuan was so nervous his palms were sweating.

This was the critical moment; the missile had flown out of the tracking range of conventional Radar and was relying entirely on its own guidance system and the three-aircraft radio positioning.

"Missile is approaching the target area," the technician's voice rose slightly, "50 kilometers from target... 30 kilometers... 10 kilometers..."

Everyone in the control tower held their breath, almost able to hear each other's heartbeats.

"Missile hit the target!" the technician suddenly shouted, their voice distorted by excitement.

"Remote observation station reports, the missile accurately struck the center of the simulated building complex, with a deviation of no more than 8 meters!"

A cheer erupted inside the control tower; engineers hugged each other, and officers shook hands vigorously.

Minister Zhang excitedly patted Li Mingyuan on the shoulder, the wrinkles on his face smoothing out.

"It succeeded! It fucking succeeded!" Minister Zhang said, almost roaring, "Chief Engineer Li, you've created a miracle again!"

Li Mingyuan let out a deep breath, his taut nerves finally relaxing.

The success of the first missile proved the feasibility of the "High-Altitude Three-Aircraft Radio Positioning Guidance System," and Long Country now possessed the capability for long-range precision strikes.

"Prepare to launch the second missile," the commander quickly regained his composure, "Target: the anti-aircraft position 400 kilometers to the northeast."

The second launch was equally successful. The missile accurately struck the target 400 kilometers away, with a deviation of only 12 meters, still within the acceptable range.

After the test ended, a brief celebration was held inside the control tower.

"Chief Engineer Li," the director of the Military Department shook Li Mingyuan's hand, his tone unprecedentedly serious, "The success of this test means we can conduct precision strikes against the Di Guo chemical weapons base. You have made an indelible contribution to the security of Long Country."

Li Mingyuan nodded modestly: "This is the crystallization of collective wisdom; every engineer and technician has put in tremendous effort."

"But without your Hexin algorithms and guidance, none of this would have been possible," Minister Zhang interjected, "Now, we need to apply this system to actual combat as soon as possible. Intelligence shows that the Di Guo chemical weapons program has already entered its final stage, and we must act before they do."

Li Mingyuan nodded: "I suggest starting the mass production plan immediately, modifying more 'Air Strike-1' missiles, and simultaneously preparing at least six backup aircraft to ensure the stability of the radio positioning network."

Minister Zhang made the decision on the spot: "Agreed! From now on, the entire factory enters a state of combat readiness, with 24-hour uninterrupted production. Our goal is to complete the modification of 20 'Air Strike-1' missiles within a week, ready to conduct precision strikes against the Di Guo chemical weapons base!"

Li Mingyuan walked out of the control tower, looking from afar at the three meritorious aircraft parked on the airfield.

Returning to the R&D center, Li Mingyuan immediately threw himself into the mass production work.

As the Hexin designer of this system, he needed to resolve a large number of technical details to ensure that every modified missile could work reliably.

In the factory workshop, machines roared and workers were busy and tense.

Iron Arm-11 Robots were assigned to the most critical electronic component assembly lines, and their precise operations increased the production efficiency of the Small Computing Unit several times over.

Li Mingyuan stood beside the assembly line, watching the robots' nimble "fingers" precisely install tiny components onto circuit boards, and a strange sense of accomplishment welled up in his heart.

……