Chapter 284

Speaking of the F-16, it can indeed be considered a groundbreaking invention. At the time, after research, the fighter jet mafia discovered that to win in air combat, the key factor was energy!

Whoever has more energy, and whoever recovers energy faster, gains the advantage.

Under this guiding ideology, the F-16 burst onto the scene, with leading-edge extensions improving vortex lift utilization, a high-thrust engine providing an overall thrust-to-weight ratio over 1, and a bubble canopy enhancing situational awareness, coupled with side-stick controls and a seat that can recline……

This aircraft is absolutely the king of dogfights!

People say the F-15 has not a single gram of weight devoted to ground attack, whereas the F-16 has not a single gram devoted to anything beyond dogfighting—this thing's radar doesn't even have a continuous-wave illuminator! It can't even fire a medium-range Sparrow missile.

As it turned out, in later years the F-16's primary mission became dropping bombs; frontline pilots would just hang bombs, fly out, drop them, and fly back, and their air combat skills ended up being worse than those of fresh recruits who had actually trained in various air combat maneuvers.

In short, in the early 1980s the F-16 was absolutely a groundbreaking fighter jet, and even twenty years later some countries still favored it, buying used ones when they couldn't afford new.

For our side, obtaining an F-16 would also bring many benefits, such as the onboard radar it carries—this is the world's most advanced planar slot radar!

Early airborne radar antennas were just ordinary dish covers, but they had a single function and weak electromagnetic radiation capability; later they evolved into cassegrain antennas, but as radar power increased, the antennas grew heavier, and driving them on a fighter jet consumed more power.

Thus a new solution emerged: the parabolic dish antenna remained stationary while the feed moved; to avoid affecting the radar's electromagnetic radiation, the antenna was inverted, allowing the radar to emit after two reflections. This is the inverted cassegrain antenna.

This is the current mainstream airborne radar antenna used by Europe and the Soviet Union; only the United States, in the 1970s, had matured the planar slot antenna, which is made as a flat plate with slots cut into it, the slot width being exactly half the radar wavelength, allowing electromagnetic waves to be radiated.

It has low sidelobes and high efficiency, but…… the manufacturing difficulty is considerable; only the United States possesses this technology, and Europe still can't manage it.

If our side could get hold of the F-16's airborne radar, the benefits would be many; studying a sample would also aid reverse engineering, not to mention that everything afterward is pure digital circuitry, greatly improving reliability and performance.

In later years, when we modified the J-8, we used the F-16's airborne radar.

To get that radar, we also need to get our hands on an F-16, but the Earth-Penetrating Bomb technology really can't be given to the Americans—after all, it's just a layer of window paper, one puncture and it's broken.

So…… what to do?

Qin Miao began to think, and time passed minute by minute……

Suddenly, Qin Miao thought of something, and a smile appeared on his face.

"San Shui, do you have an idea?"

"Well, we already have the Flying Wind and Mirage 2000; this F-16 really doesn't need to be equipped any further, so if the Americans want to trade, let them fly an F-16 over to our Air Force base and put on an aerial demonstration……"

In later years, the Americans really did come to the East to promote the F-16; back then it was the Thunderbirds demonstration team crossing the ocean and flying over personally! This demonstrated the Americans' formidable long-range strike capability.

So, making this request now, the other side will definitely fly over to give the East a demonstration, and incidentally still be able to overwhelm the East!

"Then what?"

"Then……"

Listening to Qin Miao finish speaking, the big guy's expression became complex.

"Ladies and gentlemen, my plan is a bit bold, but as long as we keep sufficient distance between the flight demonstration airspace and the spectator stands, nothing will happen; of course, to protect the safety of the air force leadership, we could also not go……"

"You little brat, are you mocking us for being afraid to die?" Lin Lao's face turned stern: "We've come from mountains of corpses and seas of blood—when have we ever been afraid! Let's follow your plan as you said!"

Late at night, General James received a call in his hotel, immediately rushed to the aircraft building, after hearing Lao Lin's request, General James nodded at once: "No problem, I'll notify the island country right away to fly over an F-16 and a C-130!"

A single aircraft coming over wouldn't do, because after flying for an hour, maintenance and upkeep take several hours, so we also need to bring the maintenance crew and bring along various spare parts, in case any part breaks, it's convenient to replace it anytime.

At the same time, we also need to bring some guards to protect the aircraft.

"However, I have one requirement: before we sign a cooperation agreement, you cannot touch this aircraft; our people will strictly guard our own aircraft……"

Easterners have strong self-esteem; many things, if not considered thoroughly, could be seen as an insult to them, so this needs to be clarified in advance.

"No problem." Lao Lin nodded in agreement.

During WWII, the US stationed troops on the island, happily acting as a father figure, occupying Yokota Base in the Tama area of Tokyo Metropolis and making it the headquarters of the US Air Force's Fifth Air Force.

Here there are large numbers of US military aircraft as well as island nation aircraft; it's a mixed-use air base.

Day and night, there are aircraft training.

At this moment, a pilot picked up his own flight helmet and strode toward the aircraft; just as he was about to climb into the cockpit, he heard a voice from behind.

"Banzai! Wait a moment, the commander is looking for you!"

The pilot nicknamed Banzai, James Stockdale, turned his head curiously: "What's up?"

"I don't know. You'd better go over quickly."

"Alright."

His nickname Banzai is the Japanese word 'Banzai' pronounced; the devils would shout 'Long live His Majesty the Emperor, Banzai!' when charging, and that Banzai became his nickname.

Everyone's nickname has an origin and significance; Stockdale's nickname Banzai comes from his love for everything about the island, especially its beautiful women, and when sprinting he would also shout Banzai, Banzai……

Inside headquarters, Yokota Base Commander Richard spoke: "Banzai, we just received an urgent order requiring a fighter and a transport aircraft to fly to the East; I checked all our pilot records, you served two years in the Thunderbirds demonstration team, so I'm sending you."

"What? Perform for people? No, I don't like performing, I……"

"Banzai, are you going to defy orders? You won't forget how many times I've wiped your butt, will you?"

This kid just likes to go out looking for women, often those with husbands, who knows how many baskets he's poked, all of which Richard has suppressed.

Now……

"Alright, I'll go, when?"

Depart tomorrow morning, arrive in the morning, rest a bit, put on a demonstration in the afternoon, then fly back at night.

"In other words…… I don't have to fly tonight? Great! Banzai, Banzai!"

"Hey, you brat, can't go out messing around; tonight you need to build up your strength……"