Chapter 498: Shocking the Star-Spangled Experts

Twelve hours later, Star-Spangled Country, the Pentagon.

In the office of Secretary Maxwell, the atmosphere was so heavy it could almost be cut. On the table lay the stack of photos just sent from the Taipingyang aircraft carrier strike group, and beside them was Major Smith's ten-page detailed report.

"I am going to convene an emergency meeting," Maxwell said to his assistant, "all core members of the 'Shield Project', as well as top experts from the aviation technology department, gather in the main conference room within one hour."

"'Shield Project'? Sir, that is a project regarding missile defense, and these photos show a new type of fighter jet; could there be a connection?" the assistant asked with confusion.

A glimmer of gloom flashed in Maxwell's eyes: "The connection is too great. Both point to the same person—Li Mingyuan."

One hour later, the Pentagon's top-secret conference room.

The core members of the "Shield Project" and several top aviation experts were already seated. A strange atmosphere permeated the room, containing both tension and a trace of dismissive contempt.

"Gentlemen, thank you for arriving promptly," Maxwell said, getting straight to the point, "I have summoned everyone today because we have received an extremely disturbing piece of intelligence regarding a major breakthrough by Long Country in the field of aviation technology."

He signaled for the assistant to distribute the photo copies: "These photos were taken by our P2V Reconnaissance Aircraft yesterday near the Penglai Base in Long Country, showing an unprecedented new type of fighter jet. According to witness reports, this aircraft possesses... vector thrust capability."

"Vector thrust?" an aviation expert laughed dismissively, "Mr. Maxwell, if you will excuse my bluntness, this sounds like science fiction. Vector thrust technology is currently still in the theoretical research stage; even our laboratories have yet to solve the problem of high-temperature airflow eroding the nozzle mechanism."

"That's right," another expert echoed, "Long Country's technical level is far behind ours; how could they possibly achieve such a breakthrough? These photos are likely some kind of elaborately designed hoax."

A burst of echoing low laughter erupted in the conference room. Clearly, most people did not believe that Long Country could achieve such a technological leap.

Maxwell waited expressionlessly for the laughter to subside: "I understand your skepticism. But before drawing conclusions, I would like everyone to look closely at these photos, especially the details of the aircraft's tail."

The assistant walked to the projector and projected one of the photos, enlarged, onto the screen. Although the photo was somewhat blurry, when the nozzle at the aircraft's tail was magnified to be sufficiently clear, the entire room went silent instantly.

That clearly downward-deflected nozzle, with the jet flame pointing almost vertically toward the sea surface, while the aircraft maintained a bizarre horizontal hovering state. This unique structure and incredible flight posture sent a chill through every expert present.

"This... this is not a special effect," a senior engineer broke the silence, his voice trembling slightly, "The airflow pattern and thermal expansion traces on the photo all indicate that this is a real jet engine at work. Moreover, the nozzle is indeed deflected downward..."

"Perhaps it is some kind of optical illusion?" someone argued, unwilling to give up, "Maybe they used two engines, one providing forward propulsion and one providing lift?"

"Impossible," the aviation expert shook his head, "Judging from the airframe silhouette and dimensions, this is clearly a single-engine design. Furthermore, even with dual engines, it cannot explain this hovering state and extreme maneuverability."

Maxwell signaled the assistant to switch to the next photo—that mysterious fighter jet flying close to the sea surface, at an altitude so low it was outrageous, almost skimming the wave crests.

"According to Major Smith's report, when this aircraft flies close to the sea surface, the altitude is only 10-20 meters, yet the speed is near the speed of sound. Under these conditions, any tiny airflow disturbance would lead to a catastrophic crash, yet it displays incredible stability."

The third photo showed the aircraft making a sharp turn at an impossible angle, its posture almost perpendicular to the sea surface.

"This turning radius... completely exceeds the limits of conventional aerodynamics," an expert muttered to himself, "Even our most advanced F-100 Fighter could not complete such an extreme maneuver in this low-altitude, high-speed state."

The atmosphere inside the conference room shifted rapidly from skepticism to heavy worry. Everyone began to realize that what they were facing might be a true technological revolution, a brand-new weapon that would completely change the rules of aerial warfare.

"What is the estimated performance of this aircraft?" Maxwell asked.

"Based on calculations from the photos and witness reports," an analyst said hesitantly, "it should be capable of short or vertical takeoff and landing, mid-air hovering, ultra-low-altitude high-speed flight, and maneuverability far exceeding conventional fighter jets. These combined capabilities will give it an overwhelming advantage in aerial combat, especially in low-altitude penetration and carrier-based operations."

"Carrier-based operations..." Maxwell repeated the term, a glimmer of worry flashing in his eyes, "Gentlemen, do you remember the intelligence we previously received regarding Long Country's 'Kunpeng' project?"

Several core members nodded. "Kunpeng" was a mysterious military project Long Country was conducting at Penglai Base, but due to the existence of "Sky Eye" interference satellites, they had been unable to obtain detailed intelligence.

"If this new type of fighter jet is designed for 'Kunpeng', then 'Kunpeng' might be some kind of... unconventional aircraft carrier," Maxwell analyzed, "a type of carrier that does not require a long deck and catapult system."

"My God..." a naval expert's face turned pale, "If that is true, Long Country will break through their bottleneck in aircraft carrier technology and rapidly establish long-range projection capabilities."

The atmosphere inside the conference room became even heavier. The aircraft carrier advantage that the Star-Spangled Country had long taken pride in might be severely challenged by this breakthrough.

"But what is most unsettling," Maxwell said gloomily, "is that this is not the first time Long Country has displayed technology that transcends the era. First the 'Changfeng' missile, then the 'Sky Net' defense system, then the 'Sky Eye' interference satellites, and now this vector thrust fighter jet... the speed and breadth of these technological breakthroughs do not at all match the capabilities of a country that has just recovered from war."

He suddenly slammed his fist onto the table; the coffee cup jumped, and brown liquid splashed onto the documents and photos, but no one cared.

"Behind all of this, there is one common denominator—Li Mingyuan! That damn Eastern scientist! How did he do it? Where did he get these technologies? From hell? Or the future?"

Maxwell's anger and frustration spread through the room. Everyone present felt an unprecedented sense of threat—the technological advantage they took pride in was being rapidly narrowed by an Eastern country they had always looked down upon, and in some areas, they had already been surpassed.