Chapter 191: Aerial Combat Platform (Part 2)

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

In the initial stages, America’s highly publicized Loyal Wingman program revolved around the 6th generation aircraft.

A single 6th-generation fighter jet, leading a formation of stealth drones, was tasked with executing missions in tandem.

The program’s combat effectiveness was so formidable that it could defeat the air forces of every nation on the planet, save for those belonging to the Five Great Powers. Any other opponent would be soundly defeated.

However, the situation has now changed.

The Loyal Wingman plan outlined in the document did not prioritize the 6th generation aircraft. Instead, it focused on what was referred to as an air combat platform.

But what exactly was this air combat platform?

That detail remained unknown.

The document did not specify, and the special department had no additional intelligence on it.

“How much credibility do we give to the information regarding the air combat platform? Is it a feasible reality or simply a ruse to throw us off?” Big Boss Guo asked with a sense of urgency.

His expertise lay in warfare and command, not in the nuances of technological R&D. Hence, he quickly summoned someone to shed light on this perplexing intelligence.

“There’s a degree of feasibility. The inherent vulnerability of the Loyal Wingman plan to electronic information warfare has always been its Achilles’ heel. That said, this isn’t an insurmountable problem. Should we pivot to a strategy where the mother aircraft serves as the core to establish a comprehensive anti-jamming zone, then the frailties of the Loyal Wingman could be effectively compensated,” Chief Instructor Li articulated, openly sharing his prior reflections without reservation.

Considering the Air Police-500 as the backbone for a Loyal Wingman configuration?

It appears to be a viable strategy, with significant potential.

The only drawback is the slow deployment speed and the current performance issues with the Air Police-500.

Tang Rui mulled over these considerations, too.

The United States’ so-called air combat platform was surely not some ordinary early warning aircraft—that just wasn’t their style.

“Does the U.S. have any new models of large aircraft capable of extended flight times?” Tang Rui questioned. His rationale was that an air combat platform had to possess the capability for long-duration flights.

If it lacked this capability, it would be of no significant use.

But he couldn’t recall any latest research projects from the Americans featuring such aircraft. The largest known was the B-21.

Yet the B-21 was a bomber and not suited for use as an air combat platform. That notion was absurd.

“What duration are we talking about for this long-term flight?” inquired Big Boss Guo.

“Three to five days at the minimum,” Tang Rui replied after some thought.

Big Boss Guo shook his head; such a long-flying large aircraft was unheard of in their intelligence.

But the conversation sparked an idea among the other chief instructors.

“The United States hasn’t developed an aircraft that can fly for three to five days, but they have designed a super-large, nuclear-powered aircraft with a continuous flight capacity of 41 days,” Chief Instructor Yang chimed in, sharing this revelation with Tang Rui.

A nuclear-powered aircraft?

Upon hearing this pivotal phrase, Tang Rui’s thoughts raced to an ambitious concept from the Cold War: the PL-1201, the U.S. Air Force’s envisioned “airborne aircraft carrier.”

This “airborne aircraft carrier” was not a conventional aircraft carrier at all but a nuclear-powered airplane.

A colossal aircraft with a take-off weight exceeding 5,440 tons and a wingspan surpassing the length of an aircraft carrier deck. Next to this nuclear-powered titan, the An-225 seemed minuscule.

“Surely they wouldn’t pursue something so radical? That nuclear-powered plane isn’t aligned with contemporary air combat doctrines.”

They had the audacity to design such a bold aircraft back then because of the standoff with the Soviets and anti-aircraft missiles back then indeed posed little threat to an aircraft soaring at 30,000 meters.

Today, the landscape is different.

Nowadays, no altitude guarantees safety.

Especially for a target as cumbersome and conspicuous as this—it would be a glaring target with no place to take cover, not even if it flew out to the Karman line.

“However, imagine a stealth aircraft capable of supersonic cruising without any armaments. It would only need to ensure electronic suppression and air command capabilities, delegating all combat operations to 6th generation fighters and drones. Under those conditions, this air combat platform could be invaluable,” they speculated further.

“And let’s not overlook the radar warning functionality. Large aircraft can certainly be fitted with high-power radars, and even more so for nuclear-powered planes.”

“Also, don’t forget, such large aircraft could carry an extensive fuel supply, enabling in-air refueling for other aircraft.”

“This kind of aerial unit wouldn’t need to engage in close combat. If we control the combat distance to exceed 300 kilometers, it could render an aircraft carrier battle group powerless.”

“The formidable radar capabilities combined with America’s latest long-range air-to-air missile, the AIM-260, could ensure beyond visual range saturation strikes that would overwhelm even a flight squadron.”

The group delved into a detailed analysis, one insight building upon another, conjuring the concept of a formidable aerial strike force.

This concept sounded technologically advanced and deeply intimidating.

Yet it left Big Boss Guo with a sense of foreboding.

“What is the likelihood of this becoming a reality?” Big Boss Guo queried.

They all shook their heads.

Such a prediction was hard to make. Crafting such an aircraft was not a simple endeavor.

Yet, considering the United States’ vast resources, it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility—challenging, yes, but not unfeasible.

“So, how would we counter such a formidable aerial force if we had to?”

“We have two options: either construct a comparable air combat platform or leverage space-based weapons to strike from above,” Tang Rui stated, indicating confidence in their ability to confront such a challenge.

There was nothing insurmountable here.

If it came to it, they would simply build a counterpart—face the challenge head-on.

It was just a large plane, after all.

As if constructing such a machine was beyond anyone else’s capabilities.

Besides…

The armed satellite project he was currently spearheading could be the key to countering the U.S.’s air combat platform.

“Let’s proceed with the rest of the intelligence,” Big Boss Guo decided, choosing to move on from the topic.

The following document discussed the U.S. Navy and its distinct 6th-generation aircraft, which differed from the Air Force’s version.

The Navy’s 6th generation fighters were intended to operate alongside aircraft carriers. Since no matching system had yet been developed, there was no pressing concern, though their stealth capabilities did warrant some attention —not overly so, but caution was advised.

Next up was extensive information on the B-21 supersonic stealth strategic bomber, a platform Eagle Sauce had already widely disclosed.

But this was the least concerning of the details.

The meeting which had stretched over an hour finally wrapped up.

Tang Rui was keen to engage the chief instructors further, but Big Boss Guo beckoned him aside as the meeting dispersed.

“How smoothly is the armed satellite project proceeding? Once research is complete and they are deployed in space, would they effectively counter the air combat platform?”

Big Boss Guo’s mind lingered on the topic of the American air combat platform, his unease palpable.

There really was no need for concern.

Whether such a platform even existed was not confirmed.

But even if it did, what of it?

“Everything is progressing smoothly. As soon as we deploy them, the American aerial combat system will pose no issue whatsoever,” Tang Rui assured with unwavering confidence..