Chapter 491: Preparing for the Test Flight, Vector Engine

Li Mingyuan stood at the edge of the Penglai Base test flight field, the October sea breeze carrying a salty, bitter scent as it slapped against his cheeks. In the distance, the "Sea Eagle" 01 prototype sat quietly at the end of the runway, its fuselage shimmering with a silver glow under the morning sun, its streamlined silhouette resembling a drawn sword.

"Damn, that's cool," Li Mingyuan sighed to himself.

This type of early vector-thrust fighter existed only in aviation history textbooks, yet now, it sat tangibly before him.

Department Head Zhang walked over, rubbing his hands, his nervousness plain to see: "Lao Li, are you really not nervous about the test flight today?"

"What's there to be nervous about?" Li Mingyuan feigned ease as he pulled out a cigarette case and handed one to Department Head Zhang. "The calculations have all been done; theoretically, it is absolutely feasible."

"Theoretically?" Department Head Zhang took the cigarette but didn't light it, turning it over and over in his hand. "Are we being too reckless? So many leaders from the Military Department have come; what if..."

Li Mingyuan interrupted him: "There is no 'what if.' Department Head Zhang, remember one thing—every leap in human history has gone from 'theoretically feasible' to 'actually achieved,' and this process requires someone to take the first step."

Department Head Zhang sighed: "I knew I couldn't get through to you; you kid always has a whole set of these twisted theories."

Li Mingyuan smiled, his gaze resting on the "Sea Eagle" in the distance. The aircraft did not look conspicuous from the outside, 15 meters long with a 10-meter wingspan, even appearing small compared to other fighters of the time. But hidden at its tail was the greatest secret of this era—that vector nozzle system capable of a 45-degree downward deflection.

"They're here," Department Head Zhang suddenly said in a low voice.

Li Mingyuan turned around and saw a group of high-ranking officers in military uniforms walking toward the observation deck under the guidance of staff members. Leading them was Air Force Deputy Commander Lao Liu, followed by several others whose names Li Mingyuan couldn't recall but whose status was certainly not low.

"Let's go, let's go greet them." Li Mingyuan straightened his collar. He actually understood that today's test flight not only concerned the fate of the "Sea Eagle" project but also directly influenced the future of himself and the "Kunpeng" Plan.

On the observation deck, the Military leaders had already taken their seats, and Department Head Zhang was briefly introducing the project's situation. Li Mingyuan stepped forward and took the microphone.

"Greetings, leaders. I am Li Mingyuan, Chief Engineer of the 'Sea Eagle' project. Today, we will conduct the first taxiing and short-takeoff test for the 'Sea Eagle' 01 prototype."

"Chief Engineer Li, I heard this plane can take off in less than a hundred meters?" Air Force Deputy Commander Lao Liu asked directly, his eyes full of skepticism. "I've been flying planes for over twenty years and have never heard of such a thing."

Li Mingyuan replied calmly: "Yes, leader. The 'Sea Eagle' adopts our independently developed dual-mode vector nozzle technology, which can guide part of the engine's thrust downward, significantly reducing the takeoff taxi distance."

"Sounds like a fairy tale," a middle-aged officer in a navy uniform sneered. "If such technology really existed, the Star-Spangled Country and Beijixiong Guo would have used it long ago."

"The leader is right," Li Mingyuan said, neither humble nor pushy, "but there has never been only one path for technological innovation. Vector thrust technology has long been proven theoretically feasible; it is just a matter of the method and timing of implementation. Today, we will let the facts speak."

He turned to the communications officer: "Notify the test pilot to prepare for takeoff."

The tense atmosphere of the test flight field instantly escalated to its peak. The young test pilot, Huang Zhigang, climbed into the "Sea Eagle's" cockpit and began his routine checks. He was an elite pilot specially selected from the Air Force with thousands of hours of flight experience, but facing this extraordinary fighter, his heartbeat still accelerated involuntarily.

Li Mingyuan instructed via the intercom: "Zhigang, follow the predetermined plan: first conduct the ground taxiing test, and after confirming all systems are normal, then attempt the short takeoff."

"Received, Chief Engineer Li." Huang Zhigang's voice came through the speaker, calm and clear.

The roar of the engine ignition shattered the tranquility of Penglai Base. The tail of the "Sea Eagle" spewed blinding flames, and the fuselage trembled slightly, like a beast poised to strike.

"Engine parameters normal, oil pressure normal, all systems ready," the ground engineer reported.

Li Mingyuan took a deep breath: "Begin taxiing test."

The "Sea Eagle" slowly taxied forward, its speed gradually increasing. 30 km/h, 50 km/h, 80 km/h... The plane moved steadily along the runway without any abnormalities.

"Taxiing test normal, preparing for short takeoff," Li Mingyuan announced, turning to the Military leaders. "Leaders, you are about to witness a historic moment."

The officers on the observation deck stared fixedly at the runway. Huang Zhigang had already taxied the "Sea Eagle" back to the starting point, preparing for the official takeoff.

"Sea Eagle 01, this is ground control, you have takeoff clearance, please switch to takeoff mode," Li Mingyuan ordered.

"Received, switching to takeoff mode." Huang Zhigang's response remained calm.

In an instant, the nozzles at the tail of the "Sea Eagle" deflected noticeably downward, at an angle of about 45 degrees. The roar of the engine suddenly rose by eight octaves, becoming sharper and more violent.

"Thrust at 90%, all parameters normal, starting takeoff procedure," Huang Zhigang reported.

The "Sea Eagle" accelerated violently, but unlike conventional fighters, its forward distance was astonishingly short. The silver fuselage rushed forward on the runway, and in the blink of an eye, it had already lifted its nose; then, after taxiing less than 80 meters, the "Sea Eagle's" main landing gear left the ground!

The entire aircraft surged into the sky at a steep angle, its rate of climb far exceeding any known fighter of the time.

The observation deck was in an uproar.

"Good heavens! This is impossible!" the naval officer exclaimed.

"It really took off... how many meters did it use? Seventy or eighty?" Air Force Deputy Commander Lao Liu muttered to himself, his eyes wide open.

Department Head Zhang snuck a glance at Li Mingyuan and saw a smug smile on the guy's face, thinking to himself: "This kid is showing off again."

Li Mingyuan was indeed enjoying this moment. In his view, the satisfaction brought by this kind of "dimensional reduction strike" was one of the greatest perks of being a transmigrator. However, he quickly reined in his emotions, as the real main event was still to come.

The "Sea Eagle" had already climbed to an altitude of about 500 meters, carving a graceful arc in the sky.

"Huang Zhigang, prepare for mid-air hover test." Li Mingyuan's voice carried a hint of undisguised anticipation.

"Mid-air what?" an elderly officer asked in surprise. "How can a jet plane hover?"

Li Mingyuan did not answer directly, only gesturing for everyone to continue watching.