Counterattack

The ability to fly at Mach 1 indicates the opponent possesses a certain aerodynamic shape and powerful propulsion. While a brick could technically fly at Mach 1, it would purely be a case of brute force. Regardless, it signifies a high level of technological sophistication for the aircraft.

Speed is one of the most telling indicators of technological advancement!

After hanging up the internal phone, the Captain's expression turned serious. Fortunately, the entire ship had already entered a state of Level 1 alert, preventing them from being caught off guard by the sudden situation. However, 815A's self-preservation capabilities were limited. This mission for 815A was to investigate the Sky Pit. During long-range reconnaissance (and close-up observation), they were to await the Liaoning carrier strike group and rendezvous with it. They hadn't expected to encounter such an emergency.

However, since the emergency had already occurred, the Navy's primary task was to properly handle the current situation and safely bring 815A back. This ship's value was no less than that of a Type 055, perhaps even exceeding it in technological value! Especially the technical personnel on board – each one was a precious gem!

"Immediately request assistance from the Liaoning, prepare to engage the incoming enemy!"

On the sea, warships could not outrun aircraft. Soon, 815A would be caught by these unidentified flying objects. They had to survive until support arrived!

The combat alert sounded on 815A, and the Navy personnel quickly moved to their respective combat stations. Although the ship's armament was limited, they would do their utmost to protect the nation's valuable assets!

The ship's main guns were trained on the incoming aerial targets. Even in a strong electromagnetic environment, as long as the distance was close enough, the radar could still detect the targets. As these [IFF targets with no response] entered visual range at speeds far exceeding 815A's, the onboard optical radar immediately locked onto the approaching aerial targets and magnified them, finally revealing the targets' external appearance.

The exterior of the unidentified aircraft looked as if it were made of glass, with an overall triangular shape. This aerodynamic design significantly reduced the aircraft's resistance in the air. As they approached, they brought with them chaotic electromagnetic interference and spectral shifts.

[Distance 30!]

[Distance 20!]

"Communications are jammed, the electromagnetic spectrum is blocked!" the technician exclaimed.

Song Xizhu glanced at the approaching unidentified aircraft. Like the Sky Pit in the sky, they generated electromagnetic clutter and shifted the spectrum in their surroundings.

However, being jammed in radio and data links would not affect communication, only limit the methods of communication.

"Switch to laser communication."

"Understood!"

815A changed its communication method, sending a laser to the satellite in orbit. Soon, the satellite adjusted its receiving equipment, establishing a communication link with 815A. The space-to-ground 100Gbps laser communication was connected.

Regardless of whether 815A was attacked or not, the laser communication would transmit the target information back, maximizing the reconnaissance ship's value. Even in the moment before being sunk, they would send back intelligence. With sufficient intelligence, the enemy could be analyzed, reducing casualties for future personnel.

The Captain stood inside the bridge, his expression stern as he watched the three rapidly approaching unidentified aircraft, waiting for them to enter the range of the self-defense weapons.

As an electronic reconnaissance ship, the Type 815A was only equipped with two H/PJ14 30mm single-barrel naval guns at the bow as its main armament. It was better than nothing, only capable of fending off pirates.

These guns fired 30x165mm shells, fed from a drum magazine, with a maximum range exceeding 8 kilometers and an effective range of about 3 kilometers. The guns were equipped with relatively advanced optoelectronic sighting equipment, with a display in front of the gunner. The gun's direction and elevation could be manually controlled via handles on the console, or the fire control system could automatically operate the guns.

Since the three approaching targets were aircraft with very high speeds, intercepting aircraft, a task of such difficulty, could only rely on the optoelectronic sighting system for automatic gun operation to ensure shooting accuracy.

Concurrently, two sailors operated two 14.5mm twin-barrel machine guns located at the stern. These machine guns were mounted on a rotating pedestal fixed to the ship's deck, with a 150-round ammunition box on each side, requiring only one person to operate.

The twin-barrel machine guns were belt-fed. The automatic mechanism would feed a round into place with each recoil, and the return stroke would push the round into the chamber. They could fire Type 56 14.5mm machine gun rounds, DGJ02 14.5mm tungsten core armor-piercing incendiary tracer rounds, DGE02 14.5mm armor-piercing high-explosive incendiary rounds, and others.

These dual-purpose anti-aircraft and anti-ground machine guns were more suitable for engaging slow-moving targets at sea. Their accuracy against aerial targets, even World War II propeller planes, was very disappointing. Other sailors carried 12.7mm heavy machine guns, mounted on gun mounts along the ship's sides, aiming towards the direction of the incoming targets.

On the 815A, everything usable was deployed. Even on the helicopter deck at the stern, several Navy soldiers had set up man-portable air-defense missiles.

"Distance! 15!"

"Distance! 12!"

Through the optical sensors, the incoming unidentified aircraft entered a dive, their speed decreasing from the previous Mach 1 to subsonic speeds – a typical maneuver before an aircraft attack.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The 30mm single-barrel cannons raised their barrels and unleashed a barrage of shells at the incoming aircraft. Shells equipped with VT fuzes flew out, rapidly spreading a curtain of fire.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Amidst the dull sounds of firing, the 14.5mm twin heavy machine guns at the stern also sprayed anti-aircraft fire. The 12.7mm heavy machine guns mounted on the ship's sides, operated by the gunner and assistant gunner, engaged in anti-aircraft fire.

At this moment, the 815A was like a hedgehog, spitting out dense firepower. Tracer rounds indicated the firing trajectories as they desperately fired ammunition at the approaching enemies, increasing the density of fire in the hope that the enemies would "luckily" collide with a bullet or shell.

Anti-aircraft fire from machine guns and cannons does not aim for direct hits. Expecting shells to accurately hit trans-sonic or supersonic fighters is as improbable as winning the lottery; it's better to saturate their flight path with a large volume of shells and wait for them to run into them.

The three targeted objects suddenly dropped their altitude, flying low and close to the sea surface, causing the defensive fire to miss. Due to the angle of depression, the 30mm single-barrel cannons and the 14.5mm and 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine guns on the other side of the ship lost their firing arcs, and only the firepower from one side was used to intercept them, instantly halving the density of fire.

Clink, clink, clink, spent casings clattered to the ground. Click! As the sound of an empty chamber echoed, the assistant gunner beside the anti-aircraft machine gun quickly replaced the ammunition box. With the bolt reset, they resumed anti-aircraft fire. The 30mm single-barrel cannon's drum magazine was emptied, and a nearby Navy soldier quickly replaced it to maintain continuous firing.

"Distance 5KM!"

"Distance 3KM!"

At this point, the incoming targets finally entered the optimal range for the machine guns and cannons, but strangely, they did not launch an attack.

What's going on? Why aren't they firing yet?

As everyone watched in confusion, the surfaces of the three unidentified aircraft suddenly began to flash, and with a boom, violent explosions erupted on the hull of the 815A.