nycdaug Chapter 474: Night Hunter: Air Scalpel
Chapter 474: Night Hunter: Air Scalpel
Lei Tao's thumb hovered over the weapon's fire button, his gaze fixed like a hawk on its prey, fixed on the flickering heat source of Freya's radar on the holographic screen. Under the night sky, the outline of the fighter plane loomed in the darkness, while the enemy's radar signal in the direction of Handan Airport was like a ghostly fire in the darkness, revealing everything.
When the distance between the fighter plane and Handan Airport was shortened to 100 kilometers, Lei Tao's eyes became more and more stern. He decisively pressed the red icon in the lower left corner of the touch screen and said in a deep voice: "Launch the AGM-173 infrared-guided cloud-explosion missile."
The rotating pylon in the missile bay slowly rotated with a low mechanical sound, and a streamlined missile detached from the pylon. The infrared seeker on the tail instantly acquired the Freya radar's heat signature like a hungry wolf, and the solid rocket motor burst into powerful thrust, emitting an orange tail flame, propelling the missile through the night sky at a speed of Mach 3. Lei Tao also activated the AN/ALQ-218 electronic support system, attempting to analyze the frequency characteristics of the Japanese air defense fire control radar in real time to provide more accurate guidance for the missile.
"Missile encountering electromagnetic interference." The system alarm suddenly blared. On the holographic screen, the missile's flight path shifted slightly, as if being pulled by an invisible giant hand. Lei Tao remained expressionless, quickly switching guidance mode and using the DAS distributed aperture system to inject optical tracking data into the missile. Below the clouds, operators at three Freya radar stations pressed the jamming button almost simultaneously. The searchlights of the air defense positions suddenly shifted collectively, weaving a fierce web of light across the night sky, attempting to disrupt Lei Tao's vision.
The missile suddenly split apart 30 kilometers from the target, releasing 12 bomblets, each equipped with an independent infrared sensor, which re-locked on to their respective radar targets like an enraged swarm of bees.
The first bomblet struck the western radar station like a streak of black lightning. The projectile instantly pierced the antenna tower, releasing a deafening explosion. The released fuel cloud mixed with the air, forming a flammable gas. A tenth of a second later, the secondary detonation created an overpressure shockwave that crushed the 30-meter-tall radar tower to dust. Concrete structures within a 200-meter radius cracked, their steel and concrete shattering like fragile eggshells.
The Japanese had just scrambled to activate the backup generator when the second bomblet struck the central radar station. A burst of blue plasma instantly engulfed the rotating radar antenna, seemingly consuming everything. The Japanese soldiers inside the radar station screamed in terror, and before they could react further, they were thrown overboard by the powerful blast.
The third bomblet suddenly lost signal as it neared its target—the Japanese had crashed a suicide anti-aircraft artillery vehicle into the explosion zone. The violent detonation unleashed a torrent of metal debris, like an impenetrable net, disrupting the infrared seeker's final lock. Lei Tao watched the disappearing blip on the holographic screen, his brow furrowed. He quickly pulled up the tactical map. "System, re-prioritize the strike, shifting the target to the armored train."
By then, the Zero fighters had taken off one after another, a four-plane formation swooping down in a wedge formation toward Lei Tao's direction. Like ghosts in the dark night, they carried a chilling murderous aura. Lei Tao sneered, pressed the fire button again, and declared proudly, "I'll show you a true aerial scalpel." Eight AIM-120D medium-range air-to-air missiles roared out from under their wings, their active radar seekers simultaneously locking onto the eight modified Zero fighters in the formation from 50 kilometers away.
"80 kilometers away, 8 targets locked." The F-35B's electronic voice was as calm as an icy blade, broadcasting mercilessly.
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Hell in the Sky
Japanese Zero fighter pilot 1 (Cao Fujiwara Ichi):
"Humph, Chinese missiles? What kind of threat can they pose?" Fujiwara Ichihiro, a cheap cigarette between his lips, glanced at the radar screen nonchalantly, his eyes full of contempt. "It's just bluffing!"
The next second—
"What...what?! Warning! Missile locked!" The dashboard suddenly burst into a dazzling red alarm, and the sound was as sharp as a ghostly scream.
Fujiwara Kazuhiko frantically pulled the joystick, trying to evade, but the AIM-120D had already calculated his every evasive move, and followed him closely like the scythe of the god of death.
"No! This can't be-BOOM!!!"
A missile accurately hit the right wing of Fujiwara Ichihiso's plane, and a massive explosion tore him and his plane into pieces. The wreckage burned in the night sky like a ball of angry flames.
Japanese Zero Fighter Pilot 2 (2nd Lieutenant Yamamoto):
"Attention! Chinese fighter planes have launched missiles! Everyone evade!" Second Lieutenant Yamamoto roared, his voice full of fear, trying to command the formation to disperse.
However, the saturation attack of AIM-120D left him no time to react. Missiles rained down on him.
"I can't dodge! The second missile is locked onto me!"
Yamamoto's Zero fighter was struck directly by an AIM-120D missile, instantly transforming into a fireball and plummeting to the ground. The burning fuselage illuminated the dark night sky, as if signaling the opening of the gates of hell.
Japanese Zero fighter pilot 3 (Sato Mitsurugi):
"Damn it! Where's the anti-aircraft firepower?! Where's our anti-aircraft guns?!" Lieutenant Sato Mitsui frantically called for support from the rear, his voice full of despair, while maneuvering desperately.
But the AIM-120D's third lock had already locked onto him—
"Damn it! Why can't I hide?!"
His Zero fighter was hit by a missile in the engine, and flames instantly engulfed the entire cockpit. Sato Mitsuru uttered a final scream before disappearing in the flames.
Japanese Zero fighter pilot 4 (Flying Sergeant Watanabe):
"Damn it! We were suppressed by a mere fighter plane?!" Cao Sifei Watanabe gritted his teeth, veins bulging, and tried to climb out of the missile coverage.
However, the fourth AIM-120D missile still hit the target accurately.
"No!! I don't want to die yet!!"
The missile struck the cockpit of Watanabe's Zero fighter, causing it to explode instantly, scattering fragments like deathly snowflakes in the dark night sky.
Japanese Zero fighter pilot 5 (Flying Sergeant Takahashi):
"Damn it! How could they have this kind of missile?!" Lieutenant Takahashi Gofei dodged the approaching missile in horror, his eyes full of fear.
But the fifth AIM-120D missile still kept chasing.
"Why...why am I dying here?!"
Takahashi's Zero fighter was hit by a missile, and the wreckage fell with black smoke. The black smoke filled the night sky, like a mark left by the god of death.
Japanese Zero fighter pilot 6 (Nakamura Roku):
"Everyone pay attention! Disperse immediately! There are too many missiles!" Nakamura Rokuhicao roared in despair, his voice hoarse and dry.
But the sixth AIM-120D missile has already locked onto it——
"It's over... Everything is over..."
Nakamura's Zero fighter was hit by a missile and fell in a fireball. The fireball fell in the darkness like a falling star.
Japanese Zero Fighter Pilot 7 (Kobayashi Nana-sao):
"Damn it! We are surrounded!" Xiaolin Qifei Cao maneuvered frantically, trying to avoid the missiles, his movements were already a little panicked.
But the seventh AIM-120D missile still hit accurately——
"No!! I don't want to die!!"
Kobayashi's Zero fighter was hit by a missile, and the wreckage fell to the ground in flames. The burning fuselage illuminated Kobayashi's terrified face, his eyes wide with resentment.
Japanese Zero fighter pilot 8 (Kimura Yafei Cao):
"It's over... It's all over..." Lieutenant General Hachiman Kimura has collapsed. His Zero fighter is shaking under the missile attack, like a fallen leaf in the wind.
The last AIM-120D——
"boom!!!"
Kimura's Zero fighter was hit by a missile and completely reduced to ash. Only a burning flame remained in the night sky, gradually extinguishing itself.
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