He "engraved" his birthday on the fighter jet J-10! Happy 28th birthday!

Today, March 23. For many, it is an ordinary day, but in the memory of the Republic's blue skies, this day marks the birthday of the "Mighty Dragon" — the J-10 fighter jet.

△Video source: Aerospace Dream New Media Studio

28 years ago today, on March 23, 1998, a somewhat mysterious fighter jet took to the skies under the gaze of thousands, successfully completing its maiden flight. It was the J-10. From that moment on, China became the fifth country in the world capable of independently developing a third-generation fighter jet, and we had our own "pride machine."

The person who gave it life is this resolute-looking elder — the chief designer of the J-10, Academician Song Wencong. Since the day of the successful maiden flight, Academician Song has also changed his birthday to March 23. For the old man, this is "the continuation of life." He has tightly bound his life to the fate of this national treasure.

Who would have thought that the birth of this legendary fighter jet began with a chance "15 minutes." In the 1980s, during a conference that determined the future direction of Chinese fighter jets, Academician Song unexpectedly received a brief opportunity to speak for just a quarter of an hour. It was these 15 minutes that opened a door for the Chinese Air Force to the third-generation fighter jets. This "veteran" who has experienced the trials of real combat knows well that without air superiority, one must endure attacks. He led his team to carve out a path from "imitation and following" to "independent innovation."

He once said a phrase that still resonates today.

Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Chief Designer of the J-10 Aircraft, Song Wencong: Do not wait, do not rely on, and do not expect foreigners to help you. Through our own efforts, let the J-10 aircraft flow with our own blood. I must do better than them, and I must ensure that our aircraft enters the ranks of the world's advanced.

Today, when we look up at the blue sky and see the "Mighty Dragon" family as the backbone defending the skies, we cherish even more the memory of the person who dedicated his life and blood to the blue skies of the motherland.

Today is the birthday of the J-10, and also the birthday of Academician Song. Let us together commemorate and pay tribute to that indelible spirit of "pride."