Chapter 311 Test Warthog_2
"The Spruance-class retired destroyers, although already phased out by the newer Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, still have excellent performance that even by today's standards, is very impressive. The Aegis system was developed based on the Spruance-class destroyers. If we can buy one back and experiment on it to improve and research on nuclear propulsion, and if successful, it could be a very competent modern destroyer," Harvard showed interest.
Allen Zhang nodded without retorting.
Sieg drove to the suburban airport.
After getting out of the car, they could see from a distance a majestic and imposing Warthog stationed at the airport. The Beggar Gang Disciples and Qibatu were also standing around it, forming a circle, with warning banners pulled up all around, forbidding passage.
In order to tune and test the overall performance of the A-10, including take-off and landing, the Beggar Gang Disciples also proactively rented a private runway from the airport. There were also many onlookers surprised to see the A-10 Warthog, taking out their phones for pictures, after all, this is something ordinary people would only see in movies.
Allen Zhang walked over for a look but didn't disturb them, just nodded and greeted them. After Qibatu and Beggar Gang Disciples finished checking and confirmed everything was correct, they allowed an Air Force member to board the A-10, who adjusted the instrument electronics, and after starting officially, the two turbofan engines also began to spin.
The engines of the A-10 emitted a sound akin to a roaring motor, sprinted forward some distance, the Warthog's front wheel gradually lifted, the nose was raised, and then with a buzz, it soared into the high sky and shot upward.
"001, please confirm if the electronic equipment and the engine's airspeed are normal." Qibatu called the A-10 pilot through the radio.
"001 received, confirming all equipment is functioning normally. Request to perform aerial circulation test, gradually accelerating from cruising capability to top performance," the Warthog's pilot responded.
"Acceleration permitted."
At Qibatu's words,
they saw the Warthog suddenly increase its speed, zooming at an angle, emitting a deep roar, and disappeared from sight in an instant.
Allen Zhang looked up to see the agile Warthog turning a corner, whistling over his head.
Listening to the roar of the turbofan engine, he felt the intimidation of the machinery even at a far distance and couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
"To be able to buy this thing for only a couple of million? What a steal!!"
Allen Zhang clicked his tongue, watching the Warthog fly to and fro overhead, shrinking to black dots disappearing into the horizon, and in the next second, heard a rumbling sound from a great distance, then at a speed of 833 kilometers per hour, whoosh, it flew right over your head!
If it weren't for the fact that this place doesn't permit live fire testing, and the Warthog had not yet filled its magazine, just doing a flight test instead, Allen Zhang really wanted to try out the Gatling on the Warthog's nose that could fire a hundred rounds in one second, savagely strafing the ground! That would have been a spectacular scene.
As an enemy, it would certainly be terrifying.
No wonder it's called the tank buster.
Who says the Warthog should be retired? This pig is still very good!
The A-10 performed about fifteen minutes of flight testing, occasionally reporting the status of the attack aircraft. The results indicated that everything was in good condition.
Its service ceiling is 13,700 meters, maximum range with three drop tanks and no weapons load could reach 3,900 kilometers, the close-air support radius is 460 kilometers, and the anti-armor combat radius is 500 kilometers.
After the A-10 slowed down and landed smoothly back at the airport from high altitude, the pilot deboarded to the reception below, signifying the successful conclusion of the attack aircraft's tests.
Allen Zhang led the people around him in applause, walked over to praise, "Well done."
"It's a pity we can't test the Gatling gun's firing attack; we can only let the unarmed Gatling spin without ammo," Qibatu felt a bit regretful.
"This kind of minor detail can be tested at any time. The Warthog is in good health, are we worried it can't spit out bullets? If we really let you test the firepower here, I'm afraid the State Police might have to come arrest someone," Allen Zhang smiled.
He took the initiative to ask for Colonel Wood's help, to book a military base, then they could use their site for the performance test, they could even apply for actual combat exercises with their pilots, but in fact, there was no real necessity, bullets are expensive!
The Warthog's Gatling, even if just for target practice, could spend dozens to hundreds of rounds in a second, it's better to leave that kind of expenditure to the big spenders.
Allen Zhang waved over to Gwen, asking her to bring out a handbag from the trunk of the Rolls-Royce, which Sieg picked up and unzipped, taking out bundles of US dollars in cash, and rewarded each of them. At least three hundred thousand US dollars were given out!
"In the future, there will be plenty of such work; once I officially take over Jehovah Island, you can also go with me to station on the island, to help us equip ourselves well," Allen Zhang continued to encourage them.
"Boss, did you also buy a private island?" The Beggar Gang Disciples were astounded.
"It was given to me by someone else," Allen Zhang said with a casual smile. He waved his hand, indicating for them to stay calm.
The Beggar Gang Disciples marveled, starting to discuss amongst themselves.
After finishing the check and tuning of the A-10, Allen Zhang also informed Qibatu about the General Dynamics Shipyard's fighter jets and destroyers.
Qibatu, having a deeper understanding of these things than laymen, pondered, "Spruance-class destroyer, with a length of 171.6 meters, width of 16.8 meters, full load displacement of 7,700 tons, maximum range of 6,600 nautical miles. If it's just proficient maneuvering, circling around the island's coastal waters, and performing basic navigation and routine maintenance, it requires 50-80 people at the very least. To fully exert its capabilities, at least 200 people are needed. The service requirement for the military is 300 people per Spruance-class destroyer."