To resume flying and resume combat readiness, the prerequisite is to complete the modification training of the J-8fr high-altitude and high-speed reconnaissance fighter jet.
High-altitude and high-speed reconnaissance fighter jets are nothing new. During the arms race between the Warsaw Pact and NATO during the Cold War, many models appeared. In terms of technical level, many indicators were ahead of their time. The J-8 was actually inspired by the Cold War.
Influenced by thinking, fighter jets pursue high altitude and high speed.
After entering the 21st century, the performance of the J-8 no longer meets the requirements put forward in the new military struggle situation. The Chinese people's thinking has always been to use as much as possible and modify it as much as possible, just like the H-6 bomber in the 1950s.
The technical platform has been constantly modified until you don’t recognize it at all. We have never stopped exploring the combat effectiveness of the old platform.
After the new fighter aircraft was put into service, the J-8 was not directly eliminated, but was improved based on it, and was changed into a homeland defense interceptor and a reconnaissance fighter. The FR type appeared under the guidance of such combat thinking. Make full use of it
The J-8F's high-altitude and high-speed performance eliminates unnecessary weapon systems and installs reconnaissance equipment for tactical-level aerial reconnaissance.
This type of equipment is new to the Chinese Air Force. How to use it and how to modify it is basically only theoretical research. Therefore, manufacturers need more feedback from the actual use of the troops, and the troops also need to explore through modification and use.
The actual combat application of this type of equipment.
It is quite appropriate to hand over the experimental modification to Li Zhan. There are two pilots who have partnered with Li Zhan, Chen Fei and Nie Jianfeng. The former had an accident while partnering with Li Zhan, while the latter was safe and sound.
Therefore, the latter modified the J-8fr together with Li Zhan.
There are some things that you have to believe, even if you don't believe them, you should avoid them if you can.
Before the J-8fr, the Air Force and Hainan Airlines also equipped a front-mounted tactical reconnaissance aircraft, numbered Jianzhen-8. In military colloquialism, Jianzhen 8 is often used to refer to a tactical reconnaissance aircraft improved based on the J-8
The J-8fr is the latest model that has been improved on the basis of the J-8. It is still highly confidential.
In short, the J-8fr is an improvement on the latest F-type. It has an aerial oil receiving pipe, a new built-in modular reconnaissance pod, an optical camera, a synthetic aperture radar, and an external reconnaissance pod.
Wait, there will be more improvements in other small aspects.
The degree of confidentiality of this aircraft model can be seen from the fact that after the fighter jets arrived, the division sent two staff officers and led a security squad to conduct round-the-clock guard duty.
Immediately, after the manufacturer's technical representative and the flight crew's staff arrived, Li Zhan and Nie Jianfeng were thrown into the small guest house and began a two-week secret training. Prior to this, their direct superior Zhang Wei had already received training. Above
Months later, Zhang Wei was promoted to reconnaissance section chief and major to the camp.
At the same time, the Nighthawk Task Force Squadron was formally established at the deputy battalion level. Li Zhan served as the squadron leader, and Nie Jianfeng served as the squadron instructor. At the same time, Nie Jianfeng was the deputy captain of the third brigade of the fourth regiment. It organized four fighters and two J-8FR tactical aircraft.
Reconnaissance aircraft and two J-7e fighter jets.
Zhang Wei is the head of the department at the division headquarters specifically responsible for the Nighthawk Squadron. In fact, in addition to daily management, the Nighthawk Squadron is already directly under the division headquarters in terms of business and training.
After August 1st, the Nighthawk Squadron was officially put into combat readiness. The modification speed was relatively fast. Among the new pilots, Tang Leilei and Li Hanzhi were the first to fly solo, using two J-
7e joined the Nighthawk Squadron, and now the personnel and equipment of the Nighthawk Squadron are all in place.
It should be pointed out in particular that Tang Leilei was using Li Zhan’s aircraft No. 037 J-7e.
Fighter No. 037 has really gone through many hardships.
After a week of tactical formation training, the two new pilots Tang Leilei and Li Hanzhi have basically completed the running-in with the veteran pilots. The division has prepared the combat readiness flight schedule of the Nighthawk Squadron. Li Zhan and Tang Leilei are in a group, and Nie Jianfeng
Together with Li Hanzhi, there are two mixed groups.
At nine o'clock in the morning on the day when Bolt set a new world record in the 100-meter run, Li Zhan and Tang Leilei taxied their fighter planes to the take-off position, with the lead plane in front and behind the wingman on the right side, forming a two-plane takeoff formation.
The personnel on duty at the tower performed their duties. The weatherman on duty felt a heavy responsibility after seeing the list of today's flight personnel. The pressure given by the name Li Zhan was really too much. The weather was originally good, and as soon as Li Zhan took to the sky,
A sudden deterioration can occur, and even day and night weather conditions may occur. How can we not make the weatherman on duty nervous?
Personnel on duty at other positions are also under greater psychological pressure than usual, for the same reason that Li Zhan is preparing to fly due to this huge uncertainty.
Zhang Wei raised his telescope to observe the two aircraft at the take-off position without putting down the microphone in his hand. After confirming that the ground support personnel had issued the permission, he immediately gave the order, "Yao Dong Yao, get ready for takeoff."
"I got it, start rolling." Li Zhan turned to look at Tang Leile behind him, and raised three fingers on his right hand wearing a white labor protection glove, "Turn three times, three, two, one, release the brake.
"
At the same time, the brakes were released, and the J-8fr and the J-7e began to taxi quickly. The two brothers took off in a crisp two-plane formation and flew directly into the cruising route. More and more troops are using formation take-off.
The method is closer to actual combat, and there are often training plans for mixed formation takeoffs.
"Yao Dong Yao, adjust the frequency to 8433.33, follow his command, see you later, and wish you good luck." Zhang Wei gave the contact channel of the Southern Index and said goodbye.
Li Zhan replied, "Frequency 8433.33, follow the command of Nanzhi. Goodbye."
"Yao Dong Yao calls, eight four three three point three three." Li Zhan adjusted the frequency and called Nan Zhi.
The South Pointer replied, "I am eight four three three point three three, Yaodong Yao, maintain the heading altitude and cruising speed."
"Understood, cruising speed." Li Zhan moved the accelerator to the economic cruising position, and Tang Leile completed the action at the same time, in perfect harmony.
Li Zhan followed the fixed flight path and began a long-term alert patrol flight with his wingman Tang Leile.
After installing three external auxiliary fuel tanks, the maximum range of the J-8fr with tail number 101 has reached 3,500 kilometers, and the maximum range of the No. 037 J-7e fighter piloted by Tang Leilei is also close to 3,000 kilometers.
According to the plan, they were to fly close to the edges of the outermost numbered airspaces, which meant cruising inside the airspace line. The total distance was 2,500 kilometers, and the flight time was about three hours.
This is no small test for fighter pilots.
Fighters are no better than passenger planes or transport planes, and they are all second-generation aircraft. There is no automatic cruise at all, and they all rely on manual control. Moreover, their flight routes are tortuous, and they have to concentrate even more when they enter the sea and air. Passenger planes are at 10,000 meters.
For high-altitude cruising, their cruising altitude can be only five thousand meters.
An hour after flying out, after everything was normal, the personnel on duty at the control tower breathed a sigh of relief.