In March, NAS, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency of the United States.
Rhett sat in front of the control console with a serious expression, carefully typing commands on the keyboard to control the operation of the spy satellite in the sky.
The satellite he controls, model code-named KH-12, is the fourth generation of the Keyhole series of spy satellites and the most advanced optical imaging reconnaissance satellite in the world.
It can take an image every 5 seconds, and the diffraction limit resolution of its main mirror in visible light reaches an astonishing 0.05 arc seconds. That is, from an orbital altitude of 250 kilometers, it can observe targets about 6 centimeters on the ground.
Rhett could even see the license plates of ground vehicles directly through it.
Now, this satellite is aimed at a certain corner of the Eurasian continent, and at a wide open space in the center of the basin.
That is the test ground of the research institute called "611 Institute" by its opponents, where different types of aircraft take off every day.
Rhett has been monitoring this area continuously for nearly six months and has achieved considerable results.
For example, he once saw an khaki fighter jet with canards taking off, and quickly reported his findings to his superiors.
In the end, according to the judgment of superiors, it was the opponent's latest fourth-generation fighter, code-named J-20.
He is quite proud of his achievements. Of course, what makes him even more proud is the satellite that can see almost everything, and the powerful motherland behind the satellite.
What secrets can you have in front of us?
I heard that the operation against the J-20 failed, but so what?
In the face of absolute technological crushing, haven't the things you desperately tried to hide finally been exposed to us?
——
Although, it seems a bit late.
However, this is much better than doing nothing.
The lens of the detailed inspection camera gradually zoomed in, and a photo was taken, which was then scanned by the satellite's own scanner, transmitted to the ground station through the relay system, and finally presented in front of Rhett.
He looked at the photos carefully, but this time, his luck didn't seem too good.
There was nothing new to discover, it was still as quiet and lonely as ever.
Rhett sighed and sat back in his chair, and said to his colleague Char next to him:
"It's another quiet day. I said, are they really going to have new planes? Isn't this their strategy?"
"You know, pretending that they have very advanced things in their hands, and then tempting us to work in the same direction, consuming our resources, spending our taxpayers' money and so on."
"I remember, when we were with Russia, things like this happened a lot, right?"
Charles shook his head and replied:
"I don't know if I think the same thing as you."
"One J-20 is already their limit. How can there be newer aircraft coming out?"
"Is there really going to be the legendary J-20B? Will they have the technology that we don't have yet for a vertical take-off and landing fighter?"
After hearing what Charles said, Rhett sneered mockingly and said:
"Okay, J-20B. I suggest their staff go to bed early. In their dreams, Santa Claus might throw a J-20B into their hats."
"Look at what they take off every day. The J-20, which second-generation and third-generation aircraft flew once last time, has never appeared again."
"I even doubt that there was something wrong with that plane, which caused the entire project to be cancelled."
"Otherwise, after such a long time, why would there be no reaction at all?"
Charles hummed and replied:
"I don't think it's possible either. Staring at the screen here trying to catch their STOVL fighter is like looking for polar bears in Antarctica."
"It's not that the possibility is too low, it's that it's completely impossible."
"Sometimes I wonder if we're going to have to do this boring surveillance for another ten years - and then maybe we'll see what we want."
"Hahahahahaha."
Rhett laughed out loud.
This was obviously a not very funny joke, but for some reason, he just found it funny.
Perhaps it wasn't the joke itself that made him laugh, but their ridiculous opponent.
".But then again, there's nothing wrong with being under surveillance for another ten years."
"Our job is so easy, much better than those poor bastards on the executive team."
"At least I can have some personal time to myself."
"By the way, do you want to come to my party on Saturday night? It's at my house."
Char frowned slightly, put his legs down from the console, then bent down in front of the calendar and began to check his schedule.
"Well, maybe not on Saturday. I plan to go to a movie that day and I've already made an appointment."
"Meet someone? Evely? That dirty bitch from last time?"
"No way, are you really going to get involved with her? There is more than one puppy at my party."
There was a playful look on Rhett's face, and he raised his hand slightly, making an obscene gesture.
"You know, come to my place and you can at least try um... you know."
"Forget it, I'm already old."
Char refused firmly.
In fact, he was really moved by Red's proposal. The reason why he didn't want to go was just because he knew that such a party would last all night-that would ruin his entire weekend.
Compared to an exhausted Monday, he prefers to stay at home and have a good rest after a moderate amount of lingering.
Besides, the quality of Eveli may not be worse than that of two or even three girls combined.
"Well, now that it's decided, I wish you a nice weekend."
As he spoke, Red turned his gaze back to the screen.
The new photo has been refreshed, but it's still empty.
There was a kind of expectation in his heart, hoping that on this ordinary day, he would make some extraordinary discoveries.
In this way, not only can he get rewards from his superiors, but he also has a special kind of psychological satisfaction.
What's exciting about peeping is that you never know what you're going to find.
Rhett took a deep breath and continued to refresh the photos.
Time passed by minute by second, and he thought he would achieve nothing this day again, but just when he was about to stand up and rest, a photo suddenly broke into his sight.
It was an earth-yellow airplane.
To be precise, only half a rack.
Judging from the appearance, it seems to be very similar to the J-20 they have photographed before.
"Char, come here and take a look at this!"
Red cheered excitedly.
Char on the side quickly came over, and when he saw the plane in the photo, his brows instantly frowned.
"This is. This is not the original J-20!"
"No? Is it a remodel?"
Rhett asked.
"It looks like a remodel. Quick, take another photo and zoom in to see!"
Rhett immediately tapped the keyboard, and following his command, a brand new photo was refreshed on the computer screen in just ten seconds.
"hiss"
Char's expression became serious. He pointed at the plane in the photo and said:
"This is not a J-20."
"You see, its airfoil is completely different from the plane we saw before."
"The canards have obviously changed, and the angle of the swept wings doesn't look right."
"Also, this aircraft seems to be fatter than the original J-20."
"enlarge."
After hearing this, Rhett scrolled the mouse, and the image enlarged little by little. Finally, the plane filled the entire screen.
He could even see the color of the pilot's helmet clearly.
"It's definitely not the same plane. The shape of the tail vector nozzle has changed. Report it to us. We have made a big discovery!"
Red quickly stood up, and Char occupied his position. Under a series of skillful instructions, the satellite in the sky adjusted its angle slightly and took photos one after another in the direction of the plane's nose.
Char looked at the photo intently, feeling a surge of emotion in his heart.
After waiting for so long, it’s finally here!
This must be the latest achievement of Institute 611, a brand new aircraft.
Although it can still be clearly seen that it is based on the original J-20 frame design, the numerous changes make it extremely special.
Char couldn't guess the purpose of the plane.
If it's just an ordinary fourth-generation aircraft, why do we need to make such big changes?
Moreover, some structures on the plane were also difficult for him to understand.
The rectangular frame behind the cockpit seems to be a movable structure, but with such a structure, someone would not put the magazine above the aircraft, right?
On the other side, Rhett had finished his report. He came back to the screen and asked:
"So what kind of plane is this? Did we catch a big fish?"
Charles nodded and replied:
"It's definitely a big fish, but I don't know what kind of fish it is."
"Maybe we have to wait until those experts come to see the problem."
"Look, there is a rectangle here, and it seems to have been opened. Is it a clamshell structure?"
"What exactly is it used for?"
Rhett shook his head, he didn't know the answer to this question either.
The photos continued to be updated, and the two were surprised to find that the plane seemed to have no intention of taking off.
It just stood there, motionless.
"What are they doing taking them out to bask in the sun?"
Rhett couldn't help but said.
"Who knows."
Charles continued to examine the photo, but the next second, his eyes suddenly widened.
He discovered something incredible.
There's something wrong with the shadow of this plane.
In the photo, you can see the full shadow.
For a moment, Char suddenly felt that all his hair stood on end.
An important function of KH-12 is to judge the actual size of the object being photographed based on the projection of the object, so he subconsciously pays attention to the shadow.
However, how could there be a shadow of an airplane like this?
unless
It's already flying in the air!
Rhett also discovered this. He turned to Charles and asked in disbelief:
"Is this plane flying at ultra-low altitude?"
Char continued to zoom in on the photo, and when he saw the vague flames at the tail of the plane clearly, he finally fully accepted the guess in his heart.
Take off vertically!
This is a STOVL fighter plane with vertical takeoff function!
No wonder.
No wonder the NSA has invested so much money in monitoring this test flight site.
The reason is simple. What is going to appear here is really important.
He took a deep breath and said with a trembling voice:
"I know what this is"
"This is a STOVL fighter, a fourth-generation STOVL fighter."
"Red, we caught a fish."
"But... this looks like a shark!"
(End of chapter)
