Chapter 49

"Alright, everyone, don't say anything now, just look at the photo!" Lin Qianjun's expression was serious as he waved his hand to gather everyone in the car.

Hu Wenhai took out the photo of the Su-27 fighter jet given by the Americans and handed it to Lin Qianjun with an excited look.

Lin Qianjun first took a look himself, confirmed it was correct, and then passed it to a thin man wearing a Zhongshan suit and black-rimmed glasses beside him. Actually, everyone in the car looked similar; at first glance, one might think they had entered a hospital ward for anorexia, with their loose clothing making them look like skeletons.

However, this was quite consistent with Hu Wenhai's understanding of Chinese scientists of this era. After all, if even Shen Huoyi, the chief engineer, had to sell fried dough and soy milk, how could the scientific research system be doing well?

In such an environment, those who could still persist in research work were the so-called elite, and it was no wonder they were a bit thin.

"Look here, this is the blended wing-body strake. This integrated effect will definitely bring strong aerodynamic performance!"

"Look at the side intakes on the belly, the distance between the two engines is quite large, which will greatly improve intake safety and be very helpful for high-angle maneuvers!"

"Tsk, tsk, the aerodynamics of this fighter jet are done so well. Look, its front is almost a standard triangle; this plane is really beautiful!"

"Yes, it's almost a perfect work of art."

"Did you notice this? Look here, its nozzle is clearly adjustable, but we don't know what technology is used."

"Here, if we assume the pilot's helmet is 60 centimeters, the length of this fighter jet should be over 20 meters! From this, we can estimate its wingspan to be around 15 meters, and its empty weight to be at least 15 tons!"

This group of people gathered together, examining the photo Hu Wenhai had handed over almost inch by inch under the light. Some even had magnifying glasses, not missing any detail.

The car drove on the airport highway for nearly half an hour, and this group discussed for half an hour. If not for seeing it with his own eyes, Hu Wenhai would never have believed that someone could deduce so much from just one photo.

Actually, this was not surprising. Discovering intelligence from public information is a basic skill for intelligence personnel. Moreover, these people were all old engineers and scientists who had spent their lives studying Soviet fighter jets, with all kinds of data at their fingertips, making it easy to deduce some basic data.

It wasn't until the bus entered the city of New York and stopped in front of a somewhat dilapidated hotel in the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn that the group finally stopped.

However, even though the bus had stopped, no one got off. They all looked at Lin Qianjun, the leader.

"Director Lin, this should be a new heavy fighter jet from the Soviet Union, classified as a third-generation fighter in our country."

"What about its combat capability?" Lin Qianjun straightened his posture and asked seriously, "Does our country have any fighter jets that can match it?"

"This..."

Lin Qianjun's question stumped the group. One of them shook his head and said, "Director Lin, with just one photo, it's hard to judge the combat capability of this fighter jet. However, from its aerodynamic layout, it is definitely superior to our J-7 and J-8 fighter jets. But after our J-8 improved its radar and missiles, it can still have a chance in high-altitude, high-speed hit-and-run tactics..."

"Bullshit, do you think you can line up and shoot in the air? Do you think their fighter jets are dead?" Before this person could finish, someone else interrupted, "You run after firing your missiles, and they can just maneuver to shake you off, waiting to be chased by infrared guidance?"

"I can use ground radar guidance!"

"They can penetrate at low altitude; what use is your ground radar? The Americans in Vietnam thought the same way, and what was the result?"

...

"Alright, alright, let's put this aside for now, we'll discuss it later!" Lin Qianjun, annoyed by the argument, quickly stopped the discussion and asked, "At least, the conclusion that this is a third-generation fighter is correct, right?"

"Um, it should be a third-generation fighter." On this point, the group had no disagreement and gave Lin Qianjun a straightforward answer.

If it's a third-generation fighter, it must be superior to a second-generation fighter. Lin Qianjun's thinking was straightforward. If the second-generation fighters, which were designed for high-altitude, high-speed interception, were so good, why would the Americans and Soviets develop third-generation fighters?

In fact, the role of the J-8 in our country was very clear: to intercept Soviet Tu-22M Backfires at high altitude and high speed. Comparing it to the Su-27 in terms of aerodynamics and maneuverability would be absurd.

However, for a long time, the J-8 had to bear the responsibility of being the main fighter jet, and even the task of air superiority. This led to the proliferation of articles in the 1990s and early 21st century, such as "J-8 vs. F-22" and "J-8 outperforming Su-27."

After these articles were debunked by reality, people began to blame the J-8 for being ineffective and Shen Huoyi for being incompetent. Hu Wenhai always dismissed such criticism. The J-8 was never designed for dogfighting.

In the 1980s, our country desperately needed a dedicated fighter jet to secure air superiority. This was the reason for later introducing the Su-27 and the root of the determination to develop the J-10.

With the Su-27 and J-10 forming a high-low mix, our entire national defense system would be complete. Before this, the J-8 had been burdened with responsibilities and expectations it should not have had.

Forming a line in the air to shoot is a wrong path, a wrong path, a wrong path! Important things must be repeated three times.

Only then did Lin Qianjun announce that everyone could get off the bus. The people in the car finally got a real look at the scenery of a major American city. Even though it was the lower part of Brooklyn and just a not-so-prosperous street, it still amazed everyone.

"There are so many cars on the road in America!"

"Yes, look at what they're wearing, so fashionable."

"Wow, look over there, such tall buildings!"

Lin Qianjun got off the bus, clapped his hands to gather the group, and shouted loudly, "Alright, everyone, pay attention to foreign affairs discipline. No one is allowed to leave the group or act alone."

"Yes, yes, we understand the discipline." Lin Qianjun's seriousness was met with friendly teasing, but everyone still followed his instructions and entered a hotel on the street.

Hu Wenhai frowned when he saw the hotel. Although Brooklyn was considered a poor area, it wasn't without good places. However, this hotel was disappointing, not even up to the level of a budget hotel, more like a cheap basement motel from the future.

"Dad, the place you're staying in is also..." Hu Wenhai frowned but didn't finish his sentence. Instead, he suggested, "You rarely come to America, why don't you stay at my place? We can tour New York tomorrow and then talk to the Americans about the supply issue."

"That's not a good idea, Director Lin said no one can leave the group." Hu Jiefang wasn't unwilling to stay with his son, but he had always followed the rules and didn't dare to act on his own.

"Then I'll go talk to Director Lin." Without hesitation, Hu Wenhai walked up to Lin Qianjun.

"Director Lin, I want to take my father to my place, what do you think?"

"Hmm?" Lin Qianjun looked at Hu Jiefang and then at Hu Wenhai, and said nonchalantly, "Alright, this mission doesn't involve Old Hu much, so you two don't need to stay with the group."

"Hehe, thank you, Director Lin." Hu Wenhai breathed a sigh of relief, thanked Lin Qianjun, and was about to leave with Hu Jiefang when Lin Qianjun called him back.

"Little Hu, wait a moment, I have something to ask you."

"Hehe, Director Lin, you're too kind. I'm so young, what could you possibly need to ask me? I wouldn't dare to say anything that might affect national affairs."

"It's fine, I just need your opinion." Lin Qianjun waved his hand and asked casually, "I heard you made a model of the American F-14 fighter jet. What do you think of its performance?"

"F-14 is definitely a good plane, there's no doubt about that."

"Does it have any flaws? I heard that Comrade Hu has a lot of expertise in aircraft and electronics. What do you think about China importing the F-14 fighter jet?"

Sure enough.

Hu Wenhai sighed inwardly. Now he fully understood why the Americans had given him the Su-27 simulation project and a high-resolution spy photo.

This was a technique of indirect communication between countries. Nations have their own language, a unique diplomatic language. It's not spoken through vocal cords but through the movement of various state apparatuses, at great cost.

Just like during the Cuban Missile Crisis, when Kennedy and Khrushchev communicated indirectly using fighter jets, missiles, and human lives. Behind this, a single message might require mobilizing national armed forces and spending millions or even billions.

The Su-27 spy photo from the American Pentagon was clearly another form of indirect communication with China. The $5.5 million order was just a phone call for the Americans, or a certain faction in America.

Their true purpose was actually—

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