Mission Codename: Red Fox

Liu Jun took the document and began to read.

[Mission Codename: Red Fox]

[Operation Codename: Red Fox-2]

[Mission Objective: Test the destructive effect of three types of air-to-air missiles on the alien civilization's "Sentinel" (①).]

[Mission Process: After taking off from TAB-3, fly to the mission airspace, coordinates . , upon arrival at the mission airspace, refuel in the air. Red Fox-1 will actively contact you. Launch PL17, PL15, PL11A, PL8BA according to Red Fox-1's instructions to test weapon effectiveness. During this period, launch PL15A, PL11A, PL8B as the situation dictates.]

[Risk Statement: Currently, it is unclear what action rules Type 1 will take under long-range attack. Please be cautious and prioritize your own safety (②).]

[Note ①: Based on their actions, the unidentified aircraft encountered so far are judged to be primarily for reconnaissance. Codename: Type 1 (Sentinel).]

[Note ②: Before signing, you have the right to refuse this mission due to mission risks and sign a confidentiality agreement. After signing, you will be dealt with according to regulations!]

You can refuse before signing. Once you sign, trying to go back on it makes you a deserter!

After carefully reading the paper mission file three times and ensuring he understood every detail and requirement, Liu Jun signed his name on it and handed the document to the Major.

The Major took the file, checked the signature, closed it, and put it into a manila envelope. He then gave Liu Jun a salute.

Then, his tone softened, and he asked quietly, "Want to take a photo?"

"Sure."

Neither of them stated the reason for the photo, but they both understood. After the photo was taken, the Major didn't say anything more, only silently wishing his comrade success in the mission before turning and leaving, as he had other tasks to attend to.

Liu Jun went to the locker room. He put down his lunchbox, took care of his physiological needs, and put on his "diaper (urine collection device)." This mission wouldn't be short, and he couldn't hold it for several hours, as that would affect his performance.

Returning to his J-15, he saw a squad of ground crew in red vests pushing three ammunition carts towards his J-15.

The ground crew pushed the ammunition carts under the pylons. Before loading, they performed a final front-to-back inspection of the missiles' exteriors, circuits, and solid rocket motors. Once confirmed to be okay, they checked the pylon's mechanical structure, electrical interfaces, and hydraulic systems.

With no issues found, adapters were installed on the wings, and a motor raised the bomb rack, aligning it with the pylon's hardpoint.

Liu Jun's J-15 was a later model, capable of carrying PL15 and PL17 missiles, but the wingtip pylons could only carry PL8BA and its improved variants, not the PL10.

The hook connected.

The electrical connection was made.

The hook was locked, and the interface seal was normal.

After the ground crew finished loading the munitions, they looked at Liu Jun. Liu Jun, carrying his helmet, slowly walked over to the vicinity of aircraft [189].

"Lieutenant, please check the munitions."

"Understood."

He entered the cockpit via the boarding ladder and started the avionics and fire control systems for a communications self-test, confirming they were in a ready-to-launch state. The fire control system calibrated the missile seekers.

Liu Jun looked at the weapon configuration mounted on the panel. While not as formidable as the J-16's missile truck loadout, it was still quite potent.

[Ready (RDY) - PL11A]

[Ready (RDY) - PL15A]

[Ready (RDY) - PL17A]

[Ready (RDY) - PL8B]

[Ready (RDY) - Cannon (GUN)]

PL11A (PL12AE is the export version, 'E' denotes export, a medium-range infrared missile), a mature medium-range infrared missile.

The PL15A and PL17A likely had their seekers replaced, but their combat effectiveness was unknown, so only one of each was mounted for testing.

Two PL-8B short-range air-to-air missiles were mounted on the wingtip pylons, two PL-11A medium-range air-to-air missiles on the outer wing pylons, and a long "wire pole" PL17 and PL15 on the inner wing pylons. A drop tank was mounted on the centerline pylon to extend range – a typical air combat configuration against alien civilizations.

The fire control link was functioning normally. Liu Jun looked at the ground crew member standing on the boarding ladder, who was confirming the self-test information with him: "Everything is normal."

"Understood! May everything go smoothly!"

The ground crew offered their blessing, climbed down the ladder, and pulled it away. Liu Jun closed the cockpit canopy, and a tow tractor clamped onto the nose landing gear, pulling him towards the runway. After reaching the end of the runway and adjusting his position, he taxied away.

The J-15's two engines ignited sequentially, initiating the takeoff procedure.

"Chang Kong calling Control Tower, requesting takeoff."

[Cleared for takeoff. Proceed immediately to the mission airspace after takeoff.]

"Chang Kong, roger."

The fully fueled and armed J-15 accelerated down the runway. The takeoff roll was significantly longer than when empty. Once the taxiing speed was sufficient and the downwash from the wings increased lift beyond the aircraft's weight, Liu Jun pulled back on the stick, and the Flying Shark lifted off, soaring into the sky.

Soon, the J-15 climbed to altitude, disappearing from the Control Tower's view. It entered silent flight, heading towards the coordinates provided by the Control Tower.

Over the Western Pacific, an aircraft resembling the Yun-20 "Fat Girl" but topped with a massive disc was flying at an altitude of 12,000 meters, conducting long-range reconnaissance. Advanced Gallium Nitride and Silicon Carbide processes, coupled with low costs, gave East University's radar performance a significant edge.

The dual-sided array (presumed) radar on the KJ-3000's back scanned a distant area.

"Target count captured: 97, Type 1 (triangular aircraft codename), altitude 1000, circling the Sky Pit, no response to radar waves."

"Below at eleven o'clock, distance 400, two aerial targets detected: 2, IFF identification unresponsive, electromagnetic spectrum signals indicate E-2."

"Ten o'clock, distance 600, aerial target: 1, IFF identification, civilian."

Inside the cockpit, the aircrew officers observed the signals intercepted by the radar scan. While targets could be captured at long distances, for unknown reasons, once they approached, the electromagnetic clutter increased geometrically, causing the radar missile seekers to lose lock due to interference, rendering them blind. Based on analysis and think tank projections, infrared missiles were currently the most feasible option.

The ground crew chief glanced at the clock. There were two minutes left until the mission execution, just waiting for personnel to be in position.

During this time, the KJ-3000 detected aerial targets in other directions that either responded to IFF identification or did not (military). Other countries were also monitoring the Sky Pit.

Time ticked by, and almost at the exact moment the mission was scheduled to begin, an aerial target appeared on the KJ-3000's radar scan. Through IFF identification, it was confirmed as aircraft 189, codenamed Red Fox-2. The aircraft's status was transmitted via data link to the KJ-3000's combat command system.

"Report to the commander, 189 is approaching!"

The commander, seeing that the mission personnel were in position, said in a deep voice, "Mission start! Inform the captain to descend to the tactical support altitude (9000, for more precise target tracking and command control)."

The two escorting J-15S immediately descended with the KJ-3000, acting as its loyal escorts and backup communication relays.