Chapter 492: Hovering in Mid-Air? Firepower Test

"Received, entering test sequence." For the first time, a hint of nervousness appeared in Huang Zhigang's tone, "Switching to takeoff and landing mode, vector nozzle at maximum downward deflection."

Everyone held their breath, their gazes fixed on the "Sea Eagle" that had decelerated to 200 km/h. Suddenly, the aircraft's attitude underwent a dramatic change—the nose pitched up by about 30 degrees, the tail nozzles deflected completely downward, and the flames ejected by the Engine pointed almost directly at the ground!

Accompanied by a deafening roar, the forward speed of the "Sea Eagle" dropped sharply. In the blink of an eye, this fighter jet was suspended in mid-air as if held up by an invisible giant hand!

Although the fuselage vibrated violently and was clearly in an extremely unstable state, this incredible sight was enough to shock everyone's soul.

The observation deck fell into a deathly silence for a moment, followed by an eruption of irrepressible exclamations.

"My God! This is impossible!"

"What the hell! How can a jet hover in the air?"

A teacup slipped uncontrollably from the hand of a Navy Admiral and shattered on the ground; he didn't even notice the tea splashing onto his trouser leg.

Air Force Deputy Commander Lao Liu stood up, his eyes fixed straight on the fighter jet hovering in the air, his mouth open wide enough to fit an egg: "This... what is the principle behind this? Do the laws of physics allow for such a thing?"

"A miracle... this is simply a miracle..." an elderly technical expert muttered to himself, tears shimmering in his eyes, "In my entire life, I have never seen such an incredible aircraft."

Although the "Sea Eagle" only maintained its hovering state for about 15 seconds before returning to normal flight, these short dozen seconds were enough to completely overturn everyone present's understanding of aviation technology.

Li Mingyuan calmly observed the officers' reactions, though his heart was surging with waves: "Looking at the expressions on these old guys, it's worth the price of admission. In my era, vertical takeoff and landing fighters were already standard equipment, but in this age, this is simply a dimensional strike!"

"Chief... Chief Engineer Li," Air Force Deputy Commander Lao Liu finally found his voice, but his tone had changed completely, carrying a tremor of near-awe, "This... this kind of technology... its combat significance..."

"Chief," Li Mingyuan said in a steady tone, though his eyes flashed with confident light, "This is just the beginning. The 'Sea Eagle's' short-takeoff and limited hovering capabilities will completely change the concept of carrier-based aviation. Traditional aircraft carriers require decks hundreds of meters long and complex catapult systems, but with the 'Sea Eagle,' we can deploy fighter jets on any vessel with a hundred-meter deck. More importantly, it can perform precision strikes at extremely low speeds and can even hover for reconnaissance within the enemy's Radar blind spots."

He paused deliberately, looked around at everyone, and then dropped the final bomb: "And this is the core combat power of our 'Kunpeng' Ground Effect Aircraft Carrier."

The officers on the observation deck looked at each other; their worldviews were being completely reshaped. No one had ever thought that a jet fighter could hover like a helicopter, and no one dared to imagine that this technology, which subverted common sense, would appear in their own country rather than those two technological giants.

Beyond the shock, the Military Department chiefs were completely stunned; no one raised any more questions, and those words of "impossible" had vanished without a trace. Replacing them was a silence mixed with amazement, awe, and anticipation.

Li Mingyuan sensed this subtle change in atmosphere and knew it was time to press the advantage.

"Chiefs, the surprises of the 'Sea Eagle' go far beyond this," he deliberately lowered his voice, forcing everyone to prick up their ears to listen, "Next, we will conduct a firepower test."

Deputy Commander Lao Liu's eyebrows arched: "Firepower test? Now?"

"Yes, Chief. The 'Sea Eagle' is not just a flight platform; it is a precision strike system." Li Mingyuan said confidently, turning to the communications officer, "Notify Huang Zhigang to prepare for the firepower test; the target is the preset maritime target."

Minister Zhang coughed lightly at this moment and leaned into Li Mingyuan's ear to whisper: "Lao Li, is the target really ready? You know this test flight was only planned for flight performance testing..."

Li Mingyuan's mouth curled up: "Of course it's ready. When have I ever fought a battle I wasn't prepared for?"

Minister Zhang shook his head helplessly, thinking: "Where does this guy's confidence come from? But looking at his confident appearance, he must have made arrangements long ago."

Sure enough, Li Mingyuan pressed the intercom: "Maritime target team, report status."

"Target team received, six targets are in position, coordinates have been input into the 'Sea Eagle' navigation system." A clear reply came through the intercom.

Li Mingyuan turned to the chiefs: "The six targets simulate different combat scenarios—fixed ground targets, moving ground targets, low-speed maritime targets, high-speed maritime targets, and two aerial hovering targets."

"Aerial hovering targets? What are those?" a general from the Army asked in confusion.

"Simulated enemy aircraft tethered by balloons, Chief." Li Mingyuan explained simply, then quickly steered the topic back on track, "We will demonstrate the 'Sea Eagle's' precision strike capability in various scenarios, especially how its vector thrust system improves aiming accuracy."

Deputy Commander Lao Liu was thoughtful: "You mean, this... vector nozzle, not only allows the aircraft to take off in a short distance and hover, but also improves weapon accuracy?"

"Exactly, Chief. Traditional fighter jets must maintain a specific speed and flight attitude when attacking, and aiming time is extremely limited. But the 'Sea Eagle' can decelerate significantly or even hover briefly, providing the pilot with more sufficient aiming time and a more stable firing platform."

Li Mingyuan's explanation sounded reasonable, but the officers present remained healthily skeptical—after all, the hovering demonstration just now was already shocking enough; if the firepower test was equally outstanding, then this aircraft was simply an artifact descended from the heavens.

"Sea Eagle 01 received, preparing for firepower test." Huang Zhigang's voice came from the loudspeaker, "Please confirm the weapon system unlock status."

"Weapon system unlock authorization granted," Li Mingyuan responded, "Please proceed with the test according to the preset program."

The atmosphere on the observation deck became tense again. The "Sea Eagle" had adjusted its flight altitude and direction and was flying toward the sea. Because of the long distance, ground personnel could not directly observe the target area, but the large screen displayed real-time footage captured from the observation point.

"We have deployed high-speed cameras in the target area, which can clearly record the process of each attack." Li Mingyuan explained, while signaling the staff to prepare to play it.

"First target: fixed ground target, simulating an enemy command post." Huang Zhigang's voice came through the communication system, "Starting attack sequence."

On the large screen, the "Sea Eagle" swept over a desolate coastline at a speed of about 800 km/h, where a wooden structure resembling a military building stood. The aircraft quickly dropped a training bomb, then pulled up and turned.