Chapter 65: Rocket-Assisted Takeoff and Landing

Director Yang immediately explained the current situation.

Zhang Wen calculated carefully for a moment and said, "It's not enough; the runway is simply too short."

"The plane needs at least 800 to 900 meters of runway."

"Takeoff requires even more, over 1000 meters."

"The method you proposed—landing quickly, picking up the personnel, and leaving immediately—is not feasible."

"Is that so?"

"Sigh."

Director Yang let out a sigh.

"But it's not impossible, if we make some modifications."

"Perhaps there will be a way."

"I need to install a set of devices on the plane, and this device is very likely to scrap the plane entirely."

"And the risk is very high. Do you agree to it now?"

Zhang Wen immediately thought of the rocket-assisted takeoff of the C-130 in his original timeline.

That method could only be described as an emergency measure.

"What method?"

Director Yang asked immediately.

"Install rockets on the fuselage. During landing, the forward rockets ignite, turning them into a reverse-thrust device."

"During takeoff, ignite them, and the rocket's force will directly give the plane an upward lift, which can effectively shorten the takeoff time and reduce the required runway distance."

Zhang Wen said.

"Good, I'll give you 10 hours. Within ten hours, you must take off."

Director Yang was resolute.

"Alright, no problem!"

Zhang Wen immediately signed the military order.

As the call ended.

Zhang Wen immediately told the base commander, "Go to the aerospace center next door now and borrow a batch of rockets and fuel."

Subsequently, Zhang Wen rushed directly into the maintenance workshop; only here were the tools he needed.

Fortunately, this test flight base was in the Gobi Desert of the Great Northwest.

The surrounding area was uninhabited, making it an important location for aerospace launches.

Otherwise, Zhang Wen would have had no way out.

Upon hearing this, the base commander immediately contacted the aerospace base next door.

Just two hours later, all materials and fuel were in place.

One hour later, Zhang Wen had hand-crafted two sets of rocket-assisted takeoff and landing devices.

"This time is an experiment. We still have seven hours."

Zhang Wen said to Guo Chen.

As a test pilot, his flight experience was naturally rich, and the key was that he was the only pilot who had truly flown the Transport 20.

"It's a good thing I left enough space for upgrades on the plane."

"Otherwise, you would still have to manually judge when to release the rockets."

Zhang Wen said, feeling somewhat exhausted.

"Thank you for your hard work."

Guo Chen had naturally received the mission as well.

He would fly this trip with another senior transport pilot.

He would serve as the captain, and that pilot would be the co-pilot.

"This flight is to test the capability boundaries of the rocket-assisted takeoff and landing device. So, I'm coming with you this time."

"And it just so happens that the previous test was the plane's payload, and the things inside haven't been unloaded yet."

Zhang Wen said.

"Is that necessary?"

Guo Chen said immediately.

"If I don't trust the plane I made, the device I made..."

"Wouldn't that make me a joke?"

Zhang Wen said, then directly took a flight suit and helmet, put them on, and sat in the co-pilot's seat.

"What are you staring at? The pre-flight check was already done just now."

Zhang Wen said to Guo Chen.

"Alright, I'm coming right away."

Guo Chen's respect for Zhang Wen grew even more.

After all, he had worked at the test flight base for so many years.

Zhang Wen was the first person who dared to board his own plane.

This represented his absolute confidence in the things he made.

And rightly so; if even the creator doesn't believe in the product they made, who else could possibly believe in it?

Guo Chen quickly boarded the plane.

"Pre-flight check complete."

"Requesting takeoff."

Guo Chen contacted the tower.

"Takeoff permitted."

The tower replied quickly.

Below, there were people specifically recording the plane's takeoff position and final stopping position.

"Good!"

Guo Chen started the plane.

The plane's turbofan engines started immediately.

The four Turbofan 8 engines emitted a huge noise.

The plane also moved bit by bit.

Accelerating, accelerating, accelerating again.

Finally, after the speed reached the threshold.

A shrill alarm sounded inside the cabin.

"Ignite now!"

Zhang Wen roared.

Guo Chen quickly pressed the ignition button.

16 dazzling white flames appeared on both sides of the fuselage.

Accompanied by the power of the rockets.

The plane lifted its nose directly and rose from the ground.

It shot straight into the sky.

"Holy crap, holy crap."

The G-force just now was simply too great.

It pressed Zhang Wen hard into his seat.

"This thing is really uncomfortable."

Zhang Wen looked at Guo Chen.

But found his expression normal, without showing a hint of discomfort.

Admiration—that was the only thought in Zhang Wen's mind now.

After circling in the air a few times.

"We're about to land."

"Get ready."

Guo Chen said.

"Tower, requesting landing."

"Tower permits landing."

"Received."

After Guo Chen finished speaking, he aligned the nose with the runway bit by bit.

"5."

"4."

The plane descended bit by bit.

"3."

"2."

"1."

"Touchdown!"

A vibration came as the plane's huge wheels touched the ground.

The sound of intense friction rang out.

"Almost there."

The alarm sounded.

"Ignite!"

Dazzling flames erupted from both sides of the front of the plane.

Four rockets and four turbofan engines exerted force simultaneously, forcing this fully loaded transport plane to a stop bit by bit.

Zhang Wen only then woke up from his daze.

"Did we... succeed?"

"Succeeded." Guo Chen was still as calm as ever.

"Hahahaha, hahahaha!"

Zhang Wen laughed out loud.

After taking off his flight suit, which was almost soaked with sweat.

The base commander led a group of people and started applauding.

"Takeoff 700 meters, landing 700 meters, perfectly met the requirements!"

He said happily.

"Call Director Yang."

"Tell him, I only used four hours!"

"Hahahaha!"

Zhang Wen laughed wantonly.

"Good."

Subsequently, he immediately called Director Yang.

After Director Yang heard the news.

He just smiled with relief.

Immediately, he became serious again.

"The pilot has already left, and there are thirty minutes until landing."

"Every minute and every second you have fought for is a possibility for their survival."

"On behalf of those 450 people, I thank you."

Hearing this, Zhang Wen was actually somewhat unaccustomed to it.

He immediately returned to normal.

"But the Transport 20's endurance is insufficient; it needs one mid-air refueling."

"Guo Chen hasn't undergone professional training on the Transport 20 yet."

Zhang Wen said immediately.

"I'm fine, I've tried all kinds of planes."

"If it doesn't work, we can just land in a third country to refuel once."

Guo Chen said.

"Good, there is an intelligent program on the plane."

"You can see it on the operation panel."

"I hope you complete the mission."

Zhang Wen said to Guo Chen.

"Good, I guarantee it!"

Guo Chen gave Zhang Wen a military salute.

Soon, that pilot brought an entire Army regiment over.

Zhang Wen looked closely.

It was actually an acquaintance.

"Zengxia?"

That's right, the person who came was Zhang Wen's old acquaintance, the Fierce Tiger Regiment.

After Zengxia came over and greeted Zhang Wen, he immediately ordered the squad he brought to board the plane.

The two didn't even have a chance to talk.

After Zhang Wen replaced the rocket-assisted takeoff and landing device with a new set.

He performed a comprehensive inspection of the plane while they were boarding.

"Time's almost up!"

Guo Chen shouted.

"Requesting tower, takeoff."

"Takeoff permitted!"

Zhang Wen watched the departing plane.

He said in his heart: "I wish you a complete success; you must bring back the 450 compatriots!" ===== CHAPTER 66 =====