Chapter 495: Enemy Forces Attacking, What Is That?

Before the officers could recover from their shock, the "Falcon" made an even more astonishing move—it suddenly pulled up its nose, "leaping" almost vertically out of the sea, climbing nearly 500 meters in just a few seconds, and then plunged toward another area of the sea like a diving falcon.

"Vertical leap!" Deputy Air Force Commander Lao Liu exclaimed, "This is a key maneuver for evading anti-ship missiles at sea! But conventional fighter jets simply cannot complete this move at such a low altitude!"

"That is correct, Chief." Li Mingyuan nodded in confirmation, "Traditional fighter jets have limited lift area at ultra-low altitudes, making it almost impossible to complete a high-angle climb. But the 'Falcon's' thrust-vectoring system can provide direct vertical lift, making this 'sea-surface leap' possible."

Immediately following this, the "Falcon" entered an even more breathtaking performance—it began to fly along the contours of the wave crests and troughs, sometimes skimming the wave tips, sometimes hiding between two waves, appearing and disappearing over the sea surface like a silver Ghost.

"My god, he is utilizing the wave terrain!" a technical expert explained excitedly, "This flight mode can almost completely evade enemy Radar detection!"

Li Mingyuan smiled quietly: "Exactly. The 'Falcon' can not only fly low, but it can also fly 'smartly'—utilizing the Radar blind spots formed by the undulating sea surface to make itself appear invisible to enemy detection systems."

"Falcon 01 reporting, sea-skimming test complete, all data stable, requesting to return to base." Huang Zhigang's voice came through again; although he tried to maintain professional composure, the excitement could not be concealed.

Li Mingyuan was just about to order the return when ground monitoring personnel suddenly reported: "Unidentified aircraft detected, bearing northwest, altitude 4500 meters, approaching the edge of the no-fly zone!"

"Details." Li Mingyuan immediately became alert.

"According to Radar signature analysis, it is very likely a Star-Spangled Country P2V 'Neptune' patrol plane, currently conducting a routine close-in reconnaissance."

Li Mingyuan's expression darkened as he turned to Minister Zhang: "It's those annoying guys again, always liking to loiter at our doorstep."

Minister Zhang also furrowed his brows: "Should we send interceptors to drive them away?"

Li Mingyuan pondered for a moment, a flash of cunning suddenly crossing his eyes: "No, this is actually an opportunity. Huang Zhigang," he pressed the communicator, "a Star-Spangled Country reconnaissance plane is approaching, altitude 4500 meters. Do not return to base; continue to demonstrate the 'Falcon's' maneuverability in the sea area, especially the thrust-vectoring mode. Let them get a good look at our new toy."

Minister Zhang was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood Li Mingyuan's intention: "You want to... show them on purpose?"

"That's right." Li Mingyuan smiled slyly, "The best deterrence is letting your opponent know your strength, but not your full strength. Let them take a few photos to take back; those guys at the Pentagon won't be able to sleep."

The Military chiefs exchanged a meaningful look, clearly in agreement with this strategy.

"Falcon 01 received new instructions, will continue to perform high-difficulty maneuver demonstrations." Huang Zhigang responded, his voice carrying a hint of eager excitement.

Meanwhile, inside the Star-Spangled Country Navy P2V "Neptune" patrol plane, Captain Major Smith was performing a routine close-in reconnaissance mission. This four-engine patrol plane, equipped with the most advanced reconnaissance equipment, possessed an endurance of over 16 hours and a series of cutting-edge reconnaissance devices, including high-magnification telephoto cameras, infrared detectors, and electronic signal receivers.

"We are approaching the edge of the no-fly zone claimed by Long Country," Smith said to the crew, "stay alert, be prepared to change course at any time. These Easterners have become increasingly sensitive lately, especially in this Penglai region."

"Yes, sir." The co-pilot nodded in response, "According to intelligence, some kind of secret military project is being conducted here, the codename seems to be 'Kunpeng' or something."

"What new gadget are those lunatics tinkering with now?" Smith smiled dismissively, "Probably just copying our designs again. Activate all reconnaissance equipment, especially the high-magnification cameras, and see if we can snap something of value."

The "Neptune's" reconnaissance system was fully activated, and the crew began to closely monitor the Long Country territorial waters and coastline below.

"No abnormal activity on Radar," the Radar Operator reported, "it seems Long Country hasn't scheduled any interceptors today."

"Then continue as planned," Smith ordered, "maintain current altitude and heading, get closer until they react."

Just then, the Radar Operator suddenly exclaimed: "Sir! Detected a very strange echo! Altitude extremely low, speed extremely fast, bearing 45 degrees!"

"What?" Smith immediately became alert, "Give me the detailed data!"

"Cannot lock on accurately, the target is too low, almost hugging the sea surface! Speed is about... my God, approaching 900 kilometers per hour!"

"Impossible!" Smith blurted out, "No aircraft can maintain such high speed at such a low altitude! It must be a Radar malfunction."

"No, sir, the signal is very clear, it is definitely a physical target!" the Radar Operator insisted, "And its flight pattern is very bizarre, unlike any aircraft I have ever seen."

Major Smith felt a sense of unease. As a veteran pilot with nearly twenty years of flight experience, he knew that maintaining such high speed at an altitude of only a few dozen meters above the sea was almost suicidal—atmospheric turbulence and the irregular airflow reflected from the sea surface would cause any conventional aircraft to lose control and crash.

"Get visual confirmation!" he ordered, "All observers watch the external environment, look for suspicious targets!"

Several observers immediately leaned against the portholes, searching the sea area below with high-magnification binoculars. Meanwhile, the photographer also readied the telephoto camera.

"Cloud cover is obstructing, visibility is limited," one observer reported, "but something seems to be moving beneath the clouds... very fast..."

Suddenly, a gap appeared in the clouds beneath the "Neptune," and the sea surface illuminated by sunlight became clearly visible. It was at this moment that everyone saw that incredible sight—

A silver-gray fighter jet was skimming the sea surface at an incredible low-altitude speed, cutting through the azure seawater like a bolt of Lightning! Its flight altitude was simply mind-boggling, almost brushing against the wave crests while maintaining an astonishing speed near the speed of sound!

"My God..." Major Smith could hardly believe his eyes, "What is that thing?"

Before he could recover, the mysterious fighter jet made an even more incredible move—it suddenly pulled up at an almost vertical angle, piercing straight into the sky like an arrow, climbing hundreds of meters in just a few seconds! This maneuver was simply impossible in aviation theory, especially from such a low initial altitude.

"Take pictures! Take pictures fast!" Smith instinctively shouted, "All cameras aim at it!"