Chapter 60: Gossip
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The flying formation – how did they all arrive at this location?
Fly a little further, and you’d be out of territorial waters.
Tang Rui frowned, set down the melon seeds in his hand, and adjusted the drone’s altitude.
The drone soared to an altitude of 18,000 meters and silently followed.
lie had no other option.
This was the first time he had encountered a flying formation, so he didn’t take it seriously.
However, it was impossible for him not to feel curious when encountering the same flying formation for the second time.
Therefore, he observed from a distance to see what was happening.
Was the stargate about to open?
So, was this a planned event?
He couldn’t comprehend it.
Crack.
Crack.
Tang Rui gazed at the screen and resumed eating melon seeds.
On the opposite side.
Inside the Air Force command center.
On the large screen, the locations of various military flight formations and all the fighter jets in the country were displayed.
Among them, three formations garnered the most attention.
These three formations all comprised early warning aircraft and electronic warfare aircraft.
“This is the dock. Contact Fishing Team No. 1. Please report the situation.”
The command center’s head picked up the microphone and inquired.
“This is Fishing Team 1. No signs of fish thieves detected.”
“Dock acknowledged. Maintain alert status.”
“Fishing Team 1, understood. Maintaining alert status.”
The command center head lowered the microphone and furrowed his brow while gazing at the large screen before him.
A week had passed.
Since they received the news and that information, they began making preparations.
Every night, three early warning aircraft and twelve electronic warfare aircraft organized into three groups patrolled the skies over the nation.
One group at the northern border, another in the central region, and the last along the coast.
Logically speaking, in case of any event, it was improbable for them not to detect it.
After all, with the data from the files and the radar parameter adjustments, they would inevitably be detected if the opposing party dared to intrude.
Did the opposing party possibly know the news?
So they didn’t proceed?
That couldn’t be the case.
In the blink of an eye, half an hour elapsed.
Tang Rui finished half a bag of melon seeds and consumed quite a bit of drink, yet he hadn’t noticed any extraordinary occurrences.
The drones had trailed the flying formation for half an hour.
Nor did he observe any training activities. This left him somewhat bored.
He turned around and fetched a small backpack beside him, taking out a melon from it.
Crack!
He forcefully split it in two.
The melon divided into halves.
Tang Rui chose one half and started eating.
“It smells so good.”
He smacked his lips while eating.
At that moment, the silent flying formation suddenly altered its pattern.
The four J-16D aircraft simultaneously adjusted their directions.
One surged forward.
One veered left.
Another moved right.
The last one retreated.
Considering their flight paths and attitudes, they traced an extensive arc through the air.
Tang Rui halted mid-chew.
He swiftly set down the cantaloupe, wiped his hands, and began steering the drone to follow them.
“Dock calling, Fishing Team 1, fish thief identified.
“Bogie approaching our territory at Mach 3.6, altitude 18,000 meters.
“Fishermen dispatched, estimated contact in 32 seconds.”
The message relayed by the early warning aircraft was transmitted to the command center.
A red dot appeared on the massive screen.
The red dot advanced from the sea toward China.
“Dock acknowledged. Execute as planned.”
“Fishing Team 1, understood.”
After the chief finished speaking, he promptly alerted Fishing Teams 2 and 3 to prepare.
Upon receiving the news.
The eight electronic warfare aircraft from both formations also organized themselves.
From the large screen, the day’s end was visible.
The twelve electronic warfare aircraft mapped a straight line on the screen.
This line coincided with the trajectory of the red dot.
On the other side.
The Black Swift’s pilot communicated with the base.
“Base, Hawkeye is about to enter the wasteland. Requesting augmentation activation.”
“Base received. Hawkeye augmentation approved.”
With the approval received, both pilots exchanged glances and pushed the throttle.
Boom!
The supersonic ramjet engine spewed long exhaust flames, propelling the entire Black Swift into acceleration.
The dials on the gauges started ticking up.
3.7… 3.8- 3.9…
Just as the Black Swift reached Mach 4, several blips appeared on the airborne radar.
According to the data analysis.
The radar detected the J-16D electronic warfare aircraft.
“Calling base, Hawkeye has entered the wasteland and spotted Howling Wolf electronic warfare aircraft, 37 kilometers away from us.”
“The base… Bzz… Kzz… Eagle… Brrrrt…”
At that moment, radio communication abruptly cut off, and all signals distorted into static.
Simultaneously, cockpit instruments also malfunctioned.
Modern electronic warfare far surpassed its predecessor from the last century.
Incredibly potent electromagnetic signal interference.
It caught Hei Yuyan off-guard.
Modern fighter jets grew increasingly reliant on electronic systems.
Conversely, when electronic systems faltered, the risk of catastrophe rose.
For instance, the synthetic aperture radar was considered to be immensely powerful.
Wearing his helmet, he enjoyed a 360-degree field of vision.
But when radar waves distorted, the data sent back would be corrupted, and imaging quality would plummet.
Everything became a mosaic.
The two pilots hadn’t reached that stage of looking as if they feared nothing, yet feeling nothing within.
Thus, at this juncture, they felt considerable frustration, unease, and frustration.
“Quick, cease acceleration and ascend.”
“Base, this is Hawkeye. We’re under jamming. I repeat…”
“Zi… Zi…”
However, no matter how they called, radio transmissions remained drowned in static.
“Captain, what’s the plan?”
“Don’t panic. We’re currently at Mach 4, flying at 21,000 meters.
At this height and speed, not even missiles can catch us.
Once we exit the wasteland, and the electronic suppression is lifted, things will return to normal.”
The captain, obviously experienced, quickly devised a solution after calming down.
Indeed.
The Black Swift’s speed and altitude ranked the highest in aviation.
Even under electron suppression.
Equipment and instruments suffered interference and dared not accelerate further.
Nevertheless, with their current velocity, no aircraft could match theirs.
Not even missiles.
“What if they launch supersonic missiles?”
“Don’t fret. In our current scenario, they can merely suppress us electronically at most. Launching missiles is out of the question.”
If they were dealing with a reconnaissance plane from a smaller nation.
It would have been downed swiftly.
However, the Black Swift differed. Attacking them would be problematic.
As for electronic interference, it was manageable as long as no shots were fired.
Everything remained negotiable.
Whoever was compelled to land depended on their strengths. Resolution could follow later.
However, launching missiles was a different matter. Thus, this seasoned aviator maintained a composed demeanor.
The Black Swift soared across the sea at Mach 4.
The first formation’s four electronic warfare aircraft had already relinquished their electronic interference.
Yet, the second formation’s electronic warfare aircraft took over and continued the suppression.
All of this.
Tang Rui, who quietly trailed behind, witnessed everything.
He activated the drone’s afterburner and closely followed the Black Swift.
Last time, the opponent flew at Mach 6. He had no other solution then.
However, this time, at Mach 4, the drone could easily catch up..