Chapter 63: Breaking the Limit, Mach 2.26!

Upon hearing this data, Colonel Wen and Li Wenshan froze simultaneously.

The two exchanged a brief glance before turning their astonished gazes toward the researcher who had announced the figures.

"What did you say?"

"Are the data accurate?"

They asked almost at the exact same time.

The researcher nodded heavily. "Confirmed. This is the most precise data possible."

"Judging by the current results, the radar cross-section data is 0.0096. A genuine F-22 fighter jet has a radar cross-section data of 0.01. Calculated this way, the stealth coating of this fighter is even more advanced than that of the F-22."

The researcher added, his face plastered with utter shock.

He had never expected that the final calculated results would yield such unexpected data.

One must understand that the radar cross-section area of the stealth coating applied to the fuselage of the J-20 is 0.0075, which is already more advanced than the F-22.

However, the radar cross-section area of the stealth coating on the peer-level F-35 fighter jet is roughly around this same figure.

Yet that was the final product developed by pooling together the nation's foremost research scholars, top-tier materials science experts, aerodynamics experts, and specialists from every related field.

In contrast, the fighter jet tested today was clearly a civilian creation.

It was hard to imagine that such a feat could be achieved within the private sector. Whoever developed this stealth coating must undoubtedly be an exceptionally brilliant research scholar.

After all, this technology had already surpassed the stealth coating of a genuine F-22.

Li Wenshan swallowed hard and stammered, "Does that mean... purely in terms of its stealth coating, this fighter jet is actually superior to a real F-22?"

"It is definitely superior! Furthermore, this points to another crucial fact: the original stealth coating on the F-22's airframe has been completely stripped away, and the entire exterior structure of this fighter has been recoated from scratch with a new stealth coating!" Colonel Wen said solemnly. His tone was charged with intense excitement, and even the pupils in his eyes trembled involuntarily.

This was simply incredible, far exceeding his imagination.

Colonel Wen immediately turned his head to look at Li Wenshan. "Commander Li, as soon as the test concludes, immediately contact this person named Wang Yang. Find out where on earth he managed to get these two fighter jets. If we can track down the individual who developed this stealth coating, let's see if we can recruit them to our Great Xia. This is undoubtedly a rare and invaluable talent!"

From his perspective, these two fighter jets were certainly not sold under the table by high-ranking American officials; they were most likely procured through alternative routes or some special channels.

If that was the case, it was highly probable that this was not the product of American research scholars.

Had the United States developed a brand-new stealth coating, they would undoubtedly have publicized it extensively to cement their status as the world's military hegemony. The fact that the United States had not published such data suggested this might not be an American product at all.

As long as it was not American, there was a strong possibility of a hidden research scholar operating behind the scenes. If they could truly recruit this researcher into Great Xia, Great Xia's progress in fighter jet stealth coatings could take another massive leap forward!

Li Wenshan naturally understood the critical stakes involved and nodded heavily. "I understand, Colonel Wen."

He turned back to look at the soaring fighter jet displayed on the large screen before him, falling into a daze.

Who could have imagined that an ordinary fighter jet, looking remarkably similar to an F-22 on the outside, harbored such a top-tier research scholar hidden behind the scenes?

This was simply unbelievable.

"Now testing the performance of the fighter engine. Flight 001, please attempt to engage supersonic flight mode." The researcher responsible for performance testing decisively opened the communication channel and issued the directive.

Liang Shaoke's voice came through the comms device a moment later: "Flight 001 received. Attempting to engage supersonic flight."

Supersonic flight was the most reliable indicator for verifying a fighter jet's performance. Achieving supersonic flight would prove that the engine performance of this fighter was exceptionally sound.

Flight at the speed of sound has extremely high requirements. The standard speed of sound is approximately 340 meters per second, frequently represented by Mach numbers—specifically, Mach 1. As long as this speed could be attained, it would demonstrate that the engine's performance had already surpassed ordinary fighter jets.

Take, for instance, the J-8 fighter jet currently in service and gradually being phased out in Great Xia. It was the first high-altitude, high-speed fighter jet independently developed by Great Xia. Up to its current research and development stage, its maximum flight speed could reach Mach 2.2. The subsequent J-10 fighter jet retained the same maximum flight speed, but its operational radius was more than doubled.

Only the currently most advanced J-20 fighter jet could reach a maximum flight speed of Mach 2.5.

In comparison, the F-22 fighter jet averaged a maximum flight speed of Mach 2.25, while the F-35 fighter jet averaged a maximum flight speed of Mach 1.6—though the F-35, being the pinnacle of stealth fighters, sacrificed speed to enhance its other capabilities.

As long as this fighter jet's maximum flight speed could reach Mach 1, it would prove that the engine's performance was decent—though from the perspective of civilian development, it could only be considered somewhat lagging technology.

However, if it could exceed Mach 2, it would prove that the engine possessed tremendous power, nearly rivaling the F119 engine installed in the F-22.

Yet, in the minds of Colonel Wen, Li Wenshan, and the researchers present, none of them believed the fighter's maximum flight speed could exceed Mach 2.

Because that was simply impossible and utterly unachievable.

Unless this was an authentic, original F-22 fighter jet, it could never exhibit such performance.

But how could this possibly be a real F-22? Moreover, given that its stealth coating performance was already this outstanding, the creator of this fighter couldn't possibly be a group of top-tier research scholars, could they?

After all, there were only so many top-tier research scholars, and they were all confined to the premier research institutes of various nations. Wild, independent top-tier scholars simply did not exist. For Wang Yang to stumble upon one by pure luck was already remarkable; expecting a second one was pure fantasy.

What were they even thinking?

Even so, they still looked forward to seeing how the fighter jet would perform. No matter what, the stealth coating had given them a pleasant shock, and they hoped the engine's performance would be decent—at least exceeding Mach 1?

Otherwise, the technology would simply be too backward.

A top-tier stealth coating paired with a subpar fighter engine would be a combination far too difficult to accept.

...

Meanwhile, at an altitude of 8,000 meters, Liang Shaoke was piloting the fighter jet, galloping across the airspace above Great Xia's territorial waters.

Ahead lay the high seas connected to Great Xia's waters.

He had already made up his mind: he would engage supersonic flight over the high seas, maintain it for roughly half a minute so that the command post could measure and calculate the engine performance data of this fighter, and then immediately cease supersonic flight and turn back.

Doing this would prevent triggering the radar surveillance of the Shenzhao nation and avoid accidentally straying into their territorial waters, thereby averting any trouble.

After all, should he inadvertently cross into Shenzhao territory, it was hard to say whether this fighter's engine performance would allow him to escape in time—especially since he was currently unfamiliar with the aircraft's performance metrics. All he could do was exercise the utmost caution.

Furthermore, this fighter jet retained the exterior shape of an F-22. If it caused a misunderstanding among the people of the Shenzhao nation, making them think their American daddies had arrived and rolling out the red carpet to welcome them, that would be quite troublesome.

With this in mind, he carefully maneuvered the fighter jet, rapidly flying past the airspace of Great Xia's territorial waters.

At that moment, he took a deep breath, raised his hand, hovered it over the supersonic flight button, and promptly communicated with the ground command post via his communication equipment.

"Flight 001 is about to engage supersonic flight mode. Please monitor and record data accordingly."

Generally speaking, the duration of supersonic flight was mostly controlled to around one minute. Supersonic flight was not a sustainable flight state; maintaining it for an extended period tended to cause overall mechanical failure in the fighter's components—at least, relative to technologically mature fighter jets.

As for this particular aircraft, Liang Shaoke's plan remained unchanged: a maximum of half a minute. Therefore, he had to coordinate closely with the researchers at the ground command post to prevent a scenario where he engaged supersonic flight, only for them to miss recording it in time, forcing him to prematurely disengage supersonic flight for his own safety.

[All preparations complete. Supersonic flight mode may be engaged.] The communication equipment responded shortly.

Liang Shaoke fixed his gaze ahead. "Flight 001 received. Engaging supersonic flight mode."

As he spoke, he instantly pressed the supersonic flight button and pushed the fighter jet's performance to its maximum output.

Boom!

A massive, piercing sonic boom resonated in Liang Shaoke's ears. He stared ahead with mounting tension, occasionally glancing down at the instrument panel before him.

He watched the needle on the speedometer surge rapidly. The needle representing velocity rose frantically, like a dam desperately holding back a massive flood.

In the blink of an eye, the speed had already skyrocketed to Mach 2!

Witnessing this scene, Liang Shaoke turned pale with fright, his pupils dilating violently, his mouth hanging open in sheer disbelief.

Mach 2!

This was the speed of Mach 2!

This greatly exceeded his expectations and completely shattered every prior assumption he had held.

He had originally thought that if this fighter jet's maximum flight speed could reach Mach 1.5, that would be impressive, or even Mach 1 would suffice.

After all, it was an engine developed in the civilian sector; how good could its performance possibly be?

Yet, contrary to all expectations, the engine of this fighter jet was actually capable of reaching a flight speed of Mach 2!

Before Liang Shaoke could recover from his astonishment, his eyes widened even further, his pupils expanding as he stared fixedly at the instrument panel in utter disbelief.

Mach 2 was not the limit of this fighter jet; the speed needle was still climbing!

Liang Shaoke was completely and utterly bewildered, even beginning to doubt whether his own eyes were playing tricks on him.

Mach 2 wasn't enough—the needle was still rising!

The current top flight speed was rocketing straight toward the Mach 2.2 threshold!

One had to know that within Great Xia, the only aircraft whose maximum flight speed came close to the J-20's Mach 2.5 was the J-8 fighter jet, which topped out around Mach 2.2.

Yet this fighter jet's maximum flight speed was already nipping at the heels of that figure!

It was simply terrifying!

Furthermore, Liang Shaoke could clearly sense that this fighter jet had not yet reached its limit, and its speed could still continue to climb!

Instantly, Liang Shaoke's mind went completely blank. An intense, indescribable chill surged from the soles of his feet, traveling straight up his spine and striking his brain!

He shivered violently, his hands instinctively tightening around the control stick.

"Calling Flight 001, this is the control tower. Immediately disengage supersonic flight mode!"

Following a loud shout through the comms, Liang Shaoke snapped back to reality. He resolutely raised his hand and hit the button to disengage supersonic flight mode.

At that exact fraction of a second, his gaze flicked toward the dial on the instrument panel beside him.

The position the needle finally pointed to was: Mach 2.26!