Day of the Cheetah [Paperback]

In the latest from Brown (The Flight of the Old Dog, 1987; Silver Tower, 1988), a KGB operative is inserted into the U.S. Air Force academy; becomes the test pilot for the first thought-controlled jet fighter; and then thinks his way to Central America with the plane - to the consternation of a good many people. Techno-thriller readers are asked to swallow a lot in the line of techno-duty, and usually they don't mind; but the gimmick here is a direct link between the brain and the computer controls of an airplane made possible by the discovery of room-temperature superconductors - and that's asking an awful lot. Underneath all the gadgetry lies a story about Andrei Maraklov, a young Russian trained at the KGB's American impersonation academy to take on the identity of one Ken James, a real American. It's a good pairing since both of the young gentlemen are a touch psychotic, but the deal's a better one for Maraklov than for James, whose sullen tongue must be stilled lest he spill KGB beans. A cosmetically altered Maraklov takes James' appointment to the Air Force Academy and rockets to the top of the force's testing program - where his nasty mind is perfectly suited to the thought-controlled airplane concept. In the way of psychotic test pilots, Maraklov develops an unhealthy attachment for his airplane; and when the KGB finally tells him it's time to blow his cover, take the airplane, and run, Maraklov has a hard time sorting out his loyalties. They all get sorted out in Nicaragua, however. . . Far too long. The pace picks up for the flying scenes, but it's stall speed the rest of the way. (Kirkus Reviews)

In this aerial combat story, the author refers to technology only now coming off real military drawing boards and his own hands-on insider's skill. In this novel of high-tech aviation, the story comes to a shattering climax. The author also wrote "Flight of the Old Dog" and "Silver Tower".

Once perfected, the aircraft nicknamed 'DreamStar' will be America's new air-superiority fighter and the world's deadliest combat-ready weapon. Even the advanced 'Cheetah', a heavily modified two-seater F-15E, is beginning to show its age – relegated to being the older, less 'intelligent' cousin of DreamStar.

But, unknown to the Cheetah’s pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Pat McLanahan – former navigator of the B-52 'Old Dog' a KGB mole has infiltrated the DreamStar project. When the mole hijacks the superplane, it is up to McLanahan to get the fighter back – despite the overwhelming odds stacked against him.

With its thrilling dog-fights, nail-biting suspense and convincing characters, 'Day of the Cheetah ' is the ultimate novel of high-tech aviation. It rockets to a breathtaking and shattering finale.

'Quite a ride… the flying sequences are terrific. Authentic and gripping… he knows everything about advanced fighter aircraft'
NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW

'Brown's action scenes are vivid… a strong contender in the technothriller sweepstakes'
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

'A superb storyteller'
WASHINGTON POST

Dale Brown was a much decorated US Air Force Captain aboard B-52s and FB111 fighter bombers, and participated in numerous top secret tests and exercises held to simulate an actual strategic war. He became a recognised expert on air warfare and appeared on American TV as a commentator during the Gulf War.

Only a man with Dale Brown’s background could provide the detailed authenticity that makes his novels such compulsive reading.