Chapter 950 Buy one get one free... cruise missile?
Since they had never been exposed to such a large parachute in the past, and they were only releasing three at a time, the ground crew was somewhat in a hurry.
As a result, the interval between the landings of each plane also seemed slightly long.
Fortunately, the range of these Tu-160s is quite sufficient, and there is no risk of fuel shortage at all.
It was not until most of the sun disappeared below the horizon that the last plane numbered "Red 14" finally landed smoothly on the ground.
Soon, the four planes were facing each other and parked in two rows at the entrance of the hangar that had been prepared.
Of course, it can also be said to be two columns.
At this time, the crowd on the viewing platform was already a little ready to move.
Just now, everyone has seen this kind of aircraft in the sky through telescopes.
And now, it is natural to want to take a closer look.
However, in an area like an airport, the sky is vast and the tower is the largest.
Therefore, after the four planes turned off their engines, set the wheel blocks, and finally determined that it was completely safe, a few minibuses slowly drove over and picked up these dozens of people. Parking area a hundred meters away.
At this time, pilots wearing two different flight uniforms also climbed out of the door behind the nose landing gear one after another——
This pick-up mission was full of surprises. Without 10 days, it is tantamount to wishful thinking to fully learn to control such a complex behemoth in such a short period of time.
Therefore, during the return flight, the captain and pilot-operator of each aircraft were Ermao pilots hired from the original unit.
Only the first officer and navigator (actually the bombing system controller) were from the Chinese Air Force.
These eight Ermao pilots will also stay here as instructors for a long time together with the ground crew who arrive later.
“Report!”
A pilot trotted up to Qiao Chenqing.
Although there was no military rank on the flight suit, and he didn't even have time to take off his flight helmet, no one could really identify this person.
But judging from his smooth movements, he was probably the commander of the entire flight mission.
Sure enough, the other party raised his hand and saluted Qiao Chenqing:
"Li Dewen, commander of the 108th Regiment of the 36th Aviation Division, has successfully completed the mission of picking up the plane and returning home. He is reporting to you. Please give instructions!"
In the cold wind of early winter in the northwest region, Qiao Chenqing also stood at attention and returned the same standard military salute:
"Congratulations on your successful completion of the mission. This will be recorded in the history of the Chinese Air Force. ”
"Come back to the team and have a good rest!"
Under normal circumstances, at this time, Captain Li Dewen should answer yes and then do what he should do.
After all, I have been flying for almost ten hours straight and I really need to rest.
However, he did not do this.
Instead, he took a step forward, got close to Qiao Chenqing, and said in a voice that only a few people nearby could hear:
"Boss Qiao, when we were at Ermao's side, we had a relationship with their person in charge... um... so..."
Looking at Li Dewen who was hesitant to speak, Qiao Chenqing wrinkled slightly. Frowning:
"Made a mistake?"
The former quickly shook his head like a rattle:
"That's not true..."
"Hey... I didn't make a mistake, why are you hesitating..."
Qiao Chenqing's heart finally dropped:
"If you have something to say, just say it, these are all our own. "
Obviously, this is what Li Dewen was waiting for:
"So when we returned, Ermao secretly brought us some more gifts..."
"Bringing something?"
Qiao Chenqing turned slightly and looked at the dozen pilots crawling out of the cabin:
"What thing?"
Obviously, he My understanding is slightly biased, thinking that the "gifts" Li Dewen refers to are gadgets such as souvenirs.
However, Chang Haonan, who was at a later position, saw some clues.
"Mr. Qiao, look over there..."
He said and pointed to the "Red 24" parked farthest away from everyone.
That is the plane that Li Dewen personally took.
"How..."
Qiao Chenqing was just about to ask what was wrong when he noticed that the belly magazine of the red 24 was actually open.
Considering that the Ilyushin 76 transport aircraft fleet transporting relevant auxiliary equipment would not arrive until the next day, it is obviously impossible for the ground staff here to do it.
It can only be opened by the crew member from inside the cockpit before disembarking.
As a result, Qiao Chenqing also had some vague guesses.
However, seeing is believing.
He gestured over there:
"Let's go and have a look."
Following Li Dewen's footsteps, several people quickly arrived in front of the No. 1 hangar.
Standing at the foot of this Tu 160, Chang Haonan suddenly felt a bit like a dream of intertwined time and space——
Red 24.
In the original timeline, this was the first Tu-160 bomber to be completely dismantled. Prior to that, only about 470 hours had been flown in total.
But in this life, in a slightly magical way, it was reborn in the great Eastern country thousands of miles away.
Including another red 14 with the largest crowd gathering around it.
It was the second one that was demolished that year.
The flight time is shorter, only 110 hours...
Chang Haonan raised his head almost uncontrollably and looked at the nose of the machine that seemed to be several stories high.
I didn’t feel it when I was far away before, but now when I stand in front of you, I feel like I am just the same person.
Big.
In fact, Chang Haonan has also seen the Boeing 747 with a larger take-off weight.
But the two aircraft give people completely different feelings.
If I have to say it, as a strategic bomber, the Tu-160, even though its appearance is slender and elegant enough, can still reveal an indescribable aggressiveness.
For a moment, Chang Haonan felt it was difficult to breathe.
"Several leaders, follow me."
Li Dewen turned around and waved his hand, motioning for Chang Haonan and others to follow.
Immediately afterwards, I walked through the huge magazine door and came directly under the belly magazine.
"Oh——"
"Oh my god——"
"This is..."
The moment the magazine came into view, several people shouted one after another Different styles of exclamation——
Due to the nuclear weapons limitation agreement signed before the collapse of the Soviet Union, all Tu-160s and B1Bs had their free-fall bomb racks removed from the outside of the fuselage.
Therefore, these two built-in magazines distributed vertically have become the only places where ammunition can be hung.
And, unlike most of its bomber counterparts, the Tu-160 did not even consider carrying traditional bombs in the magazine.
There are only two cruise missile rotary launchers with a structure similar to a revolver.
And one of them is now directly above the heads of everyone.
Of course, if that's all it is, there's nothing shocking about it.
What really made everyone exclaim was the "gift" Li Dewen mentioned just now.
On this rotating launcher located at the front of the red No. 24 machine, there are three cruise missiles hanging neatly!
“This is...kh55?”
The first person to react was Chang Haonan.
In fact, China had obtained technical information on the kh55 from some channels in the previous life, and ultimately effectively promoted the research and development of the Changjian 10 cruise missile.
However, live ammunition of kh55 has never been obtained.
"Yes."
Li Dewen nodded:
"And... it can be launched."
"Wait a minute..."
Following closely behind was Qiao Chenqing.
However, he immediately realized a very serious problem:
“Shouldn’t these things be destroyed?”
“You got three rounds back...sure Wouldn’t it be correct?”
“Actually, we only found out after we went there.”
Li Dewen quickly explained:
"In the Soviet weapon naming system, the kh55 with nuclear warheads and the kh55 with conventional warheads are assigned two different equipment serial numbers."
Qiao Chenqing I immediately understood the meaning of this sentence:
"So...these missiles are no longer on the destruction list from the beginning?"
"That's right."
Li Dewen replied:
"Otherwise, we would definitely not dare to bring it back..."
"..."
For a while, no one answered.
There were only the sounds of a few people breathing around.
It was as if the air was about to freeze.
“Let Yan Kun find some reliable comrades to take care of this aircraft.”
I don’t know how long it took, Qiao Chenqing finally said:
"Also, guide the visitors and don't let them get too close to the two planes on the inside!"
(End of this chapter)