The Military-industrial Scientific Research System of the Academic Master Chapter 695

Chapter 695: Precision guidance...guided astray

  Thanks to the high lift-to-drag ratio of the flying wing layout and its weak sensitivity to cross winds, the B2's takeoff process is relatively smooth and fast. However, once it leaves the ground, it is not an easy-to-control aircraft in the air.

Especially because there is no vertical tail, B2 can only generate yaw moment by controlling the two outermost pairs of control surface slits. The control efficiency and stability of the yaw axis are very poor.

Therefore, throughout the climb, the two pilots were concentrating on their own control tasks, and there was no other communication except necessary passwords.

It wasn't until the Spirit of Kansas entered the cruising altitude that Colonel Statham relaxed a little and looked at the mission briefing placed on the left side of the cockpit.

“Brigadier General, our specific mission is...”

Marlott, who was next to him, did not speak. He was still staring at the front attentively. He held the joystick tightly with one hand and handed the file to Statham in the co-pilot seat with the other hand.

In fact, although air force commodores and even higher-ranked air force commanders will theoretically retain their flying qualifications and aircraft, the number of training flying hours in peacetime is far less than that of the flying backbone of the captain level.

 This is especially true in the strategic bomber force.

He must be the captain today simply because pilots with too low a military rank do not have access to enough confidential information.

Yes, even this mission briefing is still incomplete.

 There is only simple content such as "how to fly and where to bomb", but there is no mention at all of the specific target to be bombed.

Hence, Statham was still confused after taking it apart and reading it from beginning to end.

According to the requirements, they will fly for more than 30 hours and conduct two aerial refuelings over the North Atlantic. However, the ultimate goal is to drop six 2,000-pound guided bombs at a seemingly unremarkable coordinate...

“Brigadier General, the specific goal is...”

When asked this question, Statham's mind had already flashed through various possibilities, including chemical weapons to dirty bombs.

 Otherwise, it is difficult to explain why they were rushed to send them on a second mission less than a month after the first operational test.

 Even if a second test is to be conducted, preparations should be started at least a few days in advance.

 Especially when a stealth bomber was lost just a few days ago, we should be more careful.

After all, the B2 is not a tactical aircraft like the F117. If there is anything wrong with this baby that has just been in service for two years and has only 21 aircraft in total, it will be a huge loss even for the wealthy US military.

Not to mention that if it is a battle damage, the continuous loss of stealth aircraft will also be a huge blow to the deterrence force that the military has finally re-established.

Hearing his subordinate's question, Marlott also felt a little overwhelmed. After thinking for a while, he still shook his head:

“I don't know, just follow the instructions.”

 Actually, the Brigadier certainly knew that.

But he himself felt that this mission was really outrageous, and he was afraid that nothing would happen after it was completed. For Colonel Statham, who had a bright future, it was better to know as little as possible.

 At least the psychological burden will be lighter...

"But don't worry, what happened to the Nighthawk before was because the idiots in the Naval Aviation took it upon themselves to reduce the mission frequency of EA6B, which allowed the opponent's radar to seize the opportunity. This time, the Joint Chiefs of Staff specially coordinated the Marine Corps' first 2 Electronic Warfare Squadron, they will take off 4 EA6Bs and provide cover in two batches after we enter the theater airspace. Even if the early warning radar happens to see us, the missiles will not be launched. "

Although Statham did not ask, maybe it was to divert his attention, or maybe the brigadier himself was worried about the same thing. In short, Marlott changed the subject and took the initiative to mention the previous F117.

Since the army and the air force are essentially the same thing, this blame is naturally thrown to the navy.

As a professional soldier, Statham originally had no intention of pursuing the matter, but now his attention has been successfully diverted:

"If you let me say, it was not a wise decision for the Air Force to retire all EF111s the year before last. It is impossible to fully cope with the air defense pressure by relying on the F16CJ alone. As for asking the Navy or Marine Corps to provide us with electronic warfare cover, it is not a long-term solution... "

"It's too late to say this now, and it's not something you and I can decide."

 Marlott's mind is a little confused now, and he is not interested in complaining about the Congressman with his subordinates:

"This flight will last 30 hours. You should take a rest first. We will take turns to be responsible for the flight..."

  15 hours later.

 Over the Adriatic Sea.

An EA6B electronic warfare aircraft that had just taken off from the Roosevelt found the "mysterious target" that needed cover at an altitude of 8,500 meters according to the scheduled flight plan.

There is not much difference between using two aircraft and one aircraft for accompanying electronic cover. Therefore, the other Prowler that took off earlier has already gone to the combat airspace in advance to conduct air defense suppression operations against possible threats.

“AV12, this is Echo 01, we are about to enter the combat zone airspace, do you receive it?”

On the Spirit of Kansas, after hearing the call from the electronic warfare aircraft, the two pilots finally relaxed after being somewhat nervous along the way.

Based on past experience, except for the old rival Homeland Defense Force and the lightning-fast MiG-25 in Operation Desert Storm, no enemy has been able to effectively resist the electronic suppression of the EA6B.

“Echo 01, received by AV12, we are about to descend to 5000 altitude.”

 JDAMs of this era were not widely equipped with later extended-range gliding kits, so their flight distance and maneuverability were limited, and there were also strict restrictions on throwing height and speed.

"receive."

 Brigadier General Marlott gently pushed the control column while retracting the throttle, and piloted the aircraft into a shallow dive altitude.

At the same time, Statham, who was in the co-pilot position, began to set the aircraft's final attack route on the integrated display in front of him, and input the coordinate information of the target for the six JDAMs in the magazine.

 April 17, local time, at 23:40 in the middle of the night. The Spirit of Kansas began to enter the preset bombing route.

“AV12, Echo 02 reported a P-band radar signal source. The frequency band is difficult to interfere with, but it is preparing to carry out destructive air defense suppression. Another C-band signal source has been completely interfered by us and there is no threat.”

Of course, the B2 aircraft is also equipped with a radar warning receiver, but as a stealth aircraft, this equipment is of little significance because it is impossible to judge whether the radar wave has actually detected itself.

From the cockpit, you can see a flash of fire about a few kilometers away. It should be Echo 01 launching an AGM88 anti-radiation missile towards the signal source.

The overall performance of this model in this operation was poor, with a hit rate of only single digits, but at least it was able to force the opponent to shut down and move positions.

 “Open the magazine.”

As the command was given, Colonel Statham flipped the lever switch on the left-hand panel, and the four huge magazine doors on the belly of the aircraft opened.

 This is the most vulnerable moment for stealth aircraft, especially the fire control radar deployed in the side direction, which can relatively easily capture the continuous echo signals.

 The F117 last month was shot down by an anti-aircraft missile during this process.

 Fortunately, neither EA6B reported any other suspicious signals.

　　Marlot stared outside the cockpit. Although the ground was relatively dark due to the blackout, he could still see a sparkling river with the help of the moonlight.

 That is a landmark of this mission.

 “Drop a bomb.”

At 23:43, Brigadier General Bonn Marot, commander of the 8th Air Force of the Air Force, and Colonel Sampny Statham, commander of the 509th Bomb Wing, jointly pressed the bomb release button, and six GBU31 aerial bombs were loaded from the magazine. The aircraft whizzed down, flying according to the target set by the program.

 After completing the bombing, Statham closed the magazine as quickly as possible, and then breathed a sigh of relief:

 “Fortunately, everything went well.”

 “Just like half a century ago…”

  The 509th Regiment is the only unit in human history that has used nuclear weapons in actual combat, and it has always been the pride of this unit.

 According to the flight plan, they will make a 180° turn and embark on a return journey in about two minutes.

 “Can you see what's going on on the ground?”

In order to achieve ultimate stealth, the B2 bomber is not equipped with a visible light sight that can be used for earth observation (nuclear bomb dropping does not rely heavily on accuracy). In addition, the first-generation JDAM does not have a two-way data link, so the bombing effect can only rely on the naked eye. look.

But at this time, Marlott had already controlled the aircraft to start climbing, and the cockpit with a flying-wing layout had almost no downward view, so Statham did not observe the effect of the bomb.

“I can't see it, but since it has been successfully cast, there shouldn't be any problems.”

Statham shook his head:

“Let's have a nearby tactical aircraft with a pod confirm it later.”

Marlot just asked casually, not really wanting Statham to see anything. Hearing what the latter said, he nodded.

 “Sit tight and prepare to turn.”

at the same time.

Six aerial bombs that were quietly approaching their targets in the night sky suddenly began to receive new GPS coordinates and determined that they had deviated from the "correct" flight path.

Under the control of the navigation system, the wings at the tail of the bomb began to move, trying to align the flight direction with the set target.

 Obviously, this is where the GPS jamming equipment that was sent nearby began to work.

Since this area is home to foreign institutions and media, the coalition has never used weapons here in the past and has not found any abnormalities in the GPS signal here.

Of course, they will find out soon enough.

In fact, according to Chang Haonan's calculations on the map, when mode 1 is turned on for jamming, the bombs targeting the jamming device itself will be “transferred” to an open space a few kilometers away.

But after all calculations, he forgot that the JDAM of this era did not have an extended-range gliding kit, and it was impossible to make a large enough route change.

At 23:45, six bombs "accurately" hit the roof of the Falcons Hotel, the tallest building in the area.

Three of the bombs located slightly further away from the false target identified a problem with the route and turned off the fuses before hitting the target.

 But the other three detonated almost simultaneously after penetrating the entire floor.

 For an ordinary civilian building, there is no difference between a 6-ton bomb and a 3-ton bomb.

And because the terrain is high enough, it happens to be the scene where many media are reporting or live broadcasting the Allied operations...

 (End of this chapter)

Chapter end