Chapter 496: Deliberate Disclosure

The photographers scrambled to adjust their equipment, and the sound of camera shutters clicked in rapid succession.

But an even more shocking scene was yet to come—after completing a vertical climb, the fighter jet suddenly hovered in mid-air!

Yes, a jet fighter, actually hovering in the air just like a helicopter!

"This is impossible..." Smith muttered to himself, feeling his worldview collapsing, "Jet aircraft cannot hover..."

The hover lasted for only a short dozen seconds before the mysterious fighter dove toward the sea like an arrow released from a bow, returning to a high-speed, ultra-low-altitude flight state in the blink of an eye. This time, it began to perform a series of dazzling sharp turns, spirals, and dives, each maneuver challenging known principles of flight physics.

"What the hell is that thing?" Major Smith asked in a hoarse voice, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on the aircraft that broke all conventions.

"I don't know, sir," the co-pilot replied, equally shocked, "but it is definitely not any aircraft model we know. That kind of maneuverability... it's practically like science fiction."

"Keep shooting! Don't stop for a second!" Smith ordered, "Those people at the Pentagon must see this!"

The photographers pressed their shutters frantically, terrified of missing any detail. Everyone present knew they were witnessing some kind of revolutionary aviation technology, a new type of fighter that could completely change the rules of air combat.

"It seems to have some kind of special propulsion system," a technical observer attempted to analyze, "look at the direction of its exhaust, it seems capable of changing..."

"Vector thrust?" Smith frowned, "But that only exists in theoretical research; no country has been able to make it practical."

"It seems Long Country has done it, sir," the co-pilot said in a low voice, "and looking at its performance, it is already quite mature."

A terrifying thought flashed through Major Smith's mind: if Long Country truly mastered practical vector thrust technology, they would gain an unimaginable advantage in the field of air combat. Traditional fighters would be comprehensively surpassed in maneuverability, low-altitude penetration capability, and special combat capabilities.

"We need to return to base immediately," he ordered in a deep voice, "these photos and data must be sent back to the Pentagon with the highest priority. The Long Country people are far ahead of what we imagined... far too much."

"Neptune" quickly adjusted its heading, preparing to depart the reconnaissance area. And behind it, the mysterious "Sea Eagle" fighter was still demonstrating its extraordinary capabilities on the sea surface, like a silver Ghost, challenging all human understanding of flight.

Back at the Penglai Base command center, Li Mingyuan witnessed the entire process through the monitoring system, a satisfied smile hanging on the corner of his mouth.

"Star-Spangled Country's 'Neptune' has turned to leave," the communications officer reported, "judging by its radio traffic, they took a large number of photos."

"Very good," Li Mingyuan nodded, "let them go back with this 'surprise'. Huang Zhigang, the performance is over, you may return."

"Received, beginning return procedures," Huang Zhigang responded.

Minister Zhang approached Li Mingyuan and asked in a low voice: "Lao Li, are you beating the grass to startle the snake? Intentionally letting them see the capabilities of the 'Sea Eagle'?"

Li Mingyuan shook his head gently: "No, this is releasing a clear signal—Long Country is no longer that technologically backward nation. Let the two great powers know our strength, but without them fully understanding our trump cards, so that they will be more cautious."

His gaze turned to the "Sea Eagle" returning in the distance, his eyes flashing with profound light: "Besides, letting them see the 'Sea Eagle' while unable to guess the true face of the 'Kunpeng', this kind of anxiety and uncertainty is exactly the strategic advantage we need."

The Military chiefs heard these words, a flash of admiration in their eyes. Deputy Commander Lao Liu nodded gently: "Chief Engineer Li's strategic vision is truly extraordinary."

Star-Spangled Country Navy "Freedom" aircraft carrier, flagship of the Western Taipingyang cruise formation.

The moment the P2V "Neptune" patrol plane landed on the carrier deck, the ground crew felt something was wrong. Usually, aircrews returning from routine reconnaissance missions were always relaxed, walking off the plane laughing and talking. But this time, everyone's expression was grave, especially the pilot, Major Smith, whose eyes—usually calm and composed—flickered with a near-fanatical light.

"Hey, Smith!" the ground crew chief shouted, "How was the flight? See anything interesting again?"

Smith did not answer, not even looking at his old friend. He clutched a metal box filled with film rolls, walked quickly across the deck, and headed straight for the island.

"What's going on?" the ground crew chief asked the co-pilot, confused.

The co-pilot shook his head, his voice low: "We... saw some things that are hard to explain."

"The Orientals' new toys?"

"No, Tangmu," the co-pilot's eyes revealed a deep sense of unease, "it's something... that completely overturns our understanding."

He didn't say more and hurried to follow Smith. The ground crew left behind looked at each other, not understanding why the "Neptune" crew, usually known for being cynical, would be so abnormal.

Inside the island, intelligence room.

Duty officer Captain Henderson was organizing the day's routine reports; it was a dull and tedious job, but as an officer who strictly followed procedures, he filled out various forms meticulously. Suddenly, the door was pushed open violently, and Major Smith burst in, the expression on his face nearly frantic.

"Henderson!" Smith said, almost shouting, "I need to use the darkroom immediately! Highest priority!"

Captain Henderson frowned: "Major Smith, please mind your manners. According to protocol, all reconnaissance photos must be registered first, and then—"

"Screw the protocol!" Smith slammed a fist on the table, "We saw something... something you absolutely wouldn't believe! A brand-new type of aircraft, a weapon capable of overturning all our air combat theories!"

A look of obvious skepticism appeared on Captain Henderson's face: "Major, you look... not well. Perhaps you need to go to the medical bay to rest first? Long-duration flights really do easily lead to hallucinations."

"Hallucinations?" Smith let out a near-hysterical laugh, "I fucking wish it were a hallucination! The whole crew saw it, we all filmed it! A jet fighter capable of hovering in the air, a steel Ghost that can 'dance' on the sea surface!"

At this moment, the co-pilot and several other crew members also entered the intelligence room, their expressions equally tense and excited.