Chapter 172: Maritime Peace

"All right!" Hua Yanxing nodded, not refusing Wutong's desire to help. Together, they would strive to create the conditions for a miracle to be born and watch Wutong forge that miracle.

While Wutong rushed to finish her work, Hua Yanxing also began contacting the upper echelons to coordinate matters.

The official project initiation of the PL-15 air-to-air missile was no small matter. There were numerous connections to be made and specialized reviews to undergo. She needed to compress this timeline, get everything done in one go, secure the funding as quickly as possible, and begin assisting Wutong with her experiments.

With sufficient authority, she made a direct phone call to the highest-ranking official in charge of scientific research.

As for whether the project would be approved or the funding secured, this was the least of Hua Yanxing's worries. Given Wutong's previous track record and the predictive data she had just deduced, there was simply no reason for the higher-ups to reject it.

An hour later, Wutong hastily completed a preliminary version of the R&D application statement. Hua Yanxing quickly processed it and submitted it to the senior leader she had just spoken with.

Major breakthrough, major achievement... Chu Hengyuan, Director of the Department of Scientific Research, and Lin Zheming, General Manager of the Aviation Industry Corporation, simultaneously viewed the report submitted to them, and at that very moment, shared an astonishing judgment.

"Zheming, get in touch with the others. Let's hold a briefing meeting!" Chu Hengyuan called Lin Zheming and spoke straight to the point.

As the two highest-ranking figures in the aerospace sector, they understood full well what this R&D project signified, and they were keenly aware of Wutong's exceptional track record.

Support—this project initiation deserved absolute support. The preliminary research data was refined and exceptional to such a degree, offering the possibility for China to overtake others on a curve, so it had to be implemented immediately!

"Our young comrade is about to bring us another surprise. We must make sure our logistical support and assistance arrive promptly!" If someone brought a world-class achievement right to their doorstep and they failed to keep pace, it would be dereliction of duty.

"Understood. You notify the Air Force; they cannot escape this matter and will just have to bleed a little budget! I'll contact the experts from the aerospace sector," Lin Zheming added with a suggestion.

This was no small project. If the aerospace sector bore the burden alone, the pressure would truly be a bit too heavy. It was better to bring the military on board to pitch in. After all, once developed, the equipment would be for their use, and the Air Force was a major stakeholder. Moreover, once researched and developed, this project would enter service in the future to boost combat capabilities.

"Fine, I'll also call a general from the artillery branch over!" New types of ammunition and new types of fuel meant the artillery branch was indispensable. Since they were sharing the financial pressure, they might as well rope in another wealthy benefactor.

Three hours later, a secret meeting was convened in Conference Room 308 of the Department of Scientific Research.

Chu Hengyuan, Director of the Department of Scientific Research, presided over the meeting, with Lin Zheming, General Manager of the Aviation Industry Corporation, serving as the meeting's record-keeper and deputy. The entire office could be described as shining with starlight, as most of those present wore military uniforms adorned with shoulder stars.

Missile research, ammunition development, and the aviation sector were fields dominated by those with military backgrounds. To reach the position of a top expert, one basically held civilian-status star-emblazoned ranks of corresponding seniority and merit.

Combined with the specially summoned leaders from the Air Force and Artillery, it was no exaggeration to call it a gathering of military stars.

"Everyone's time is precious, and we're all old acquaintances here, so I won't bother with introductions. Let's get straight to the point. Before the meeting begins, please turn off your phones. Everyone is familiar with the confidentiality regulations!" Chu Hengyuan took the lead in pulling out his phone, powering it down, and placing it on the table.

Not a single attendee was clueless. Immediately, the others followed suit. Lao Cao, who had attended similar meetings before, felt a strange sense of familiarity.

"Director Chu, General Manager Lin, who's come up with a major achievement this time?" He was genuinely delighted. A month prior, it had finally been his turn to take delivery of the new T4 titanium-aluminum alloy materials and T5 blade materials. They were currently working round the clock to improve the production of a new type of bomber. The simulation data showed an exciting and exceptional improvement, and they were eagerly anticipating the real-world performance data.

Had it not been for a joint summons from the two big bosses, he wouldn't have bothered attending such a disruptive meeting. However, sitting here and observing the attendees, he sensed the gravity of the situation and couldn't help but ask first.

Good news could never be too frequent. The last meeting like this had been to discuss the approval of new materials, which they had wholeheartedly supported, and the resulting achievements had been thoroughly satisfying.

Although the data on the Mighty Dragon had not yet leaked to the outside world, the top internal circles were well aware of it. Such super-superior data was precisely the next target Lao Cao had earmarked for himself.

With a fighter jet achieving such numbers, their bombers certainly couldn't fall behind!

The two leaders from the Air Force and Artillery who had been called in to attend also looked toward Chu Hengyuan. Summoning them to such a classified scientific research seminar was either meant to torment them or mock them as rough-hewn soldiers who couldn't understand obscure scientific terminology.

"Calling you all here today is to review and approve a major scientific research project!" Chu Hengyuan glanced at the two military leaders who were acting as if this had nothing to do with them. He chuckled inwardly... these bandit-like figures who wouldn't scatter eagles without seeing rabbits always ran faster than anyone else when achievements were up for grabs.

This time, the project awaiting approval was their own vital combat readiness, and he wanted to see if they could still remain indifferent. Getting angry with this bunch would only damage one's own health while pleasing others, so Chu Hengyuan cut straight to the chase.

"Director Hua Yanxing has sent an urgent report requesting the initiation of the PL-15 project. The project leader is Wutong!" Chu Hengyuan distributed the stack of project application documents in front of him, passing them down one by one to each attendee.

"Wutong?"

The expression in the eyes of the Air Force leader flickered. Recently, this name had become thunderously famous among a select few within the top circles of the Air Force. He happened to be one of the few authorized to know the flight test data of the Mighty Dragon, and he was now eagerly awaiting its entry into active service to thoroughly overawe the four seas and make the Chinese Air Force stand at the pinnacle of the world.

After all, among the roughly twenty billion funds burned through in the Mighty Dragon project, a portion had been squeezed out by the Air Force, biting their bullets and tightening their belts to supply it.

Capable of flying at Mach 3.22, carrying a 50 percent increase in onboard munitions compared to peers, boasting a range of up to twenty thousand kilometers, and a combat radius exceeding six thousand kilometers—a world-class fighter jet capable of challenging any super-maneuverable aircraft on the planet!

Even just hearing the data left them dumbfounded and excited enough to blurt out vulgarities in sheer awe, shouting that our Chinese researchers were simply phenomenal. If being able to build such a super fighter jet meant calling someone grandpa, he would gladly swallow his spit and shout it out shamelessly.

The Chinese Air Force had come such a hard way, paying a price in blood all along their rise to prominence. Especially in recent years, as China gradually rose, the pressures brought by the advanced technologies of developed nations made the defense of China's airspace increasingly severe, doubling their stress.

They urgently needed such inspiring fighter jets that could overawe all directions to enter the combat sequence, sweep clean the universe, and bring enduring peace to the seas and skies.