Chapter 11 Rewards

"Boom, boom." In the distant sky, there was a sound of a propeller stirring the air flow.

When he came back from the bar, it was already dark. He threw the drunk Belenko onto the bed. Andrei couldn't sleep alone, so he ran around the track as usual. Just when he had run half a circle, he heard a noise in the sky.

Andre looked up and first saw the navigation lights, and then the outline gradually became clear. The belly was a bit huge, with a four-blade propeller on the top and a porthole on the front lower part. It was somewhat similar to the Mi-171 equipped in China in the previous life. With just a glance, Andre could recognize that this should be the prototype of the Mi-171, the Mi-8 Hippo helicopter. The huge belly looked very much like a hippopotamus.

The Mi-8 is almost the Kalashnikov of the helicopter kingdom, with the largest production volume in the world. The Soviets used the Mi-8 to improve it into the Mi-17, and the Mi-171 is the export model of the Mi-17.

The helicopter was painted in military camouflage. Andre watched it slowly land. Before it stopped, the side door opened and some technical experts hurried out.

It seems that the United States has exerted pressure on Moscow through diplomatic channels, and Moscow is not sure whether it can retain this electronic reconnaissance aircraft. Therefore, in this case, it is necessary to race against time to study this EP-3 electronic jammer. And these technicians are not from Moscow, but from Amur Komsomolsk-on-Amur in the Khabarovsk Territory in the north.

In later generations, Komsomolsk-on-Amur is also well-known by military fans because it is an important production base for Russia's Su-27 fighter jets. It is a distinctive industrial city.

Now, Factory 126 in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, also known as the Gagarin Far Eastern Machine-Building Plant, and later the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association, has begun to produce a large number of military aircraft for the Soviet Union, mainly products of the Sukhoi Design Bureau, such as the Su-7 and Su-17. Moreover, this year, Factory 126 has greatly improved its production equipment in order to prepare for the production of the new T-10 prototype for the Sukhoi Design Bureau. Similarly, there are a large number of engineers from the Sukhoi Design Bureau here.

After receiving the news, technicians from the Sukhoi Design Bureau and Factory 126 immediately rushed to the Sokolovka base by helicopter.

Looking at these technicians, Andrei admired them very much. He was a test pilot in his previous life, so he naturally knew that these technicians who developed the aircraft were the strong backing of national defense. It was because of their selfless dedication that we have a strong national defense!

"Lieutenant Andre, the commander has been looking for you everywhere." Just as Andre saw the helicopter landing, he heard the voice of a ground crew member.

The commander was looking for him? It was so late, what was the matter? Could it be that he knew that he and Belenko had been drinking? However, the commander had cancelled both his and Belenko's combat readiness duty anyway, so nothing had happened, and drinking was not a mistake.

"Okay, I'll go right away." After taking another look at the EP-3 in the distance, Andre got into a car driven by the ground staff.

"Report." Andre shouted loudly at the door of the commander's office.

"Come in." Kozhedub's voice came from inside. When the voice stopped, Andrei knew that Kozhedub was in a good mood at this time.

After opening the door, Kozhedub looked at him with a smile and said, "Andrei, Moscow has already issued its decision. You and Belenko have intercepted the American EP-3 reconnaissance plane with your bravery. You are awarded a third-class merit. At the same time, the Far Eastern Military District Command has awarded you a bronze flying badge for your superb flying skills."

Reward! After reporting the intelligence, Kozhedub was still a little nervous. He had gotten into big trouble this time. If the higher-ups questioned him, the responsibility would all be Andrei's, after all, it was Andrei who was flying the fighter plane and collided with the Americans. However, the higher-ups did not hold him accountable. Instead, they praised the incident and awarded Andrei a flight badge!

This made Kozhidub very happy. This meritorious act was the glory of the entire 513th Regiment!

"Report to the commander, can I resume combat duty tomorrow?" Andre asked. As an ambitious pilot, it is the most glorious thing to be able to fly into the sky and carry out missions. However, this cowardly Kozhedub actually deprived himself of this right!

"Of course." Kozhidub said, "The ground crew inspected the flight 032 today and found that the engine was faulty. That's why you stalled and went into a spiral during the flight today."

Engine failure! No wonder Andrei, who has a lot of MiG-25 flight hours, still went into a tailspin! However, even if I can be on duty tomorrow, I am afraid there will be no plane available, right? Is there a spare engine for me to replace?

As if he had guessed Andrei's question, Kozhedub said, "This afternoon, a new MiG-25PD production model flew in from the Mikoyan Design Bureau. This aircraft has been marked with the 032 logo. It will be your aircraft from now on."

A new MiG-25! Andre was stunned: "What about my old one?"

"We've applied to scrap it," Kozhedub said. "The ground crew has also given up on repairs and is waiting to send it to Leningrad for recycling."

Andre was speechless. This huge empire, with its planned economic production system, was so reckless! There must be more than one place of waste in all aspects of society.

The aircraft Andrei was originally flying was the earliest production model of the MiG-25P, also known as the 1971 production model, Product 84, NATO code name "Foxbat-A". Compared with the design model, the vertical tail and ventral fin area were increased, the wingtip stabilizers were removed, the electronic equipment compartment was expanded, and the nose was lengthened.

Although it is called the 1971 production model, it was actually produced in 1972. It has only been in service for four years at the Sokolovka base and is now going to be scrapped!

Thinking back to his previous life, until the 21st century, there were still old J-6 fighter jets in service in the Air Force. Andre was filled with emotion that the Red Empire was such a waste!

This place is located in the Far East, with the American troops stationed across the sea. At the height of the Cold War, it is understandable that the front-line troops are equipped with new fighter jets. Anyway, Andre is still an ordinary pilot now. He just sighed and then immersed himself in joy again.

What are the improvements of the new MiG-25PD compared to the original MiG-25P? It would be better to replace the Tornado-A radar which has no other performance except high power. It would be better if we can get the Tomcat's AWG-9 radar!

Andrei couldn't help but complain about the Soviet Union's electronics industry.

"Report, the technical staff from Factory 126 are here." Just then, the ground crew came in and reported to Kozhidub.