Anti-Radiation Missile

Even if the USA kept praying in its heart, objective reality would not change because of human "prayers." Guided by the KJ-3000, the PL17 closed in on the Sky Pit.

"Are they using combined guidance? Terminal infrared imaging? A passive radar seeker? Or have they cracked the optical decoys?" The general kept guessing what technology Great East intended to test.

To be honest, as a superpower, the USA should have done the same. But in terms of execution, it was completely outmatched by Great East. Even if it lagged behind, it was because it had given its employees freedom.

"Sir, it's not clear yet." The bespectacled Asian technical soldier replied loudly, "But they'll probably test all of them!"

"Have the media block the news."

The lieutenant general spoke in a low voice. Some things could not be allowed to reach the public. Once media hegemony collapsed, it would be an unbearably heavy blow to the USA. Besides, letting Great East conduct the tests was also a good thing for the USA. It could use the name of human safety to demand the test data—a deal that cost it nothing.

At that thought, the general changed his tone and continued, "What are our experts doing?"

Great East had already taken action. Even if it was only for show, the USA had to act alongside it. Even if it just made an app, then had the media hype it up before taking it public to fleece investors.

"Sir, Dr. Fran is researching the communication methods of extraterrestrial civilizations."

Unlike Great East, which was testing weapons, the USA's Congress and politicians had first discussed whether they could communicate with the extraterrestrial civilization and resolve the issue through "peaceful" means. It would be even better if they could do business with the aliens.

Meanwhile, in Great East's Command Center, the commander, technicians, and officers stationed there stared at the triangular symbol on the large screen. It represented the PL17, with the missile's speed, altitude, guidance status, and seeker activation status displayed beside it.

After the missile passed its maximum launch altitude, it entered the descending phase of its parabolic arc. Using Earth's gravity to increase its speed, it was also a different kind of gravitational slingshot.

20 seconds until seeker activation.

Data link interference detected.

Anti-radiation seeker activated.

An anti-radiation missile was a missile specially designed to attack enemy radar systems. Its core principle was to use the electromagnetic waves emitted by enemy radar for positioning and guidance.

The PL17's seeker covered a broad frequency range, capturing the electromagnetic interference emitted by the Sentinels.

In the invisible electromagnetic domain, the seeker captured massive amounts of electromagnetic clutter. Within its field of view, those wandering Sentinels were as conspicuous as fireflies in the night.

"The PL17 is carrying a YJ-91 seeker?" The commander asked as he watched electromagnetic clutter interfere with the data link, making the transmission signal unstable and about to cut off.

"Reporting, Commander! Due to considerations regarding the PL17's internal volume and increasing warhead yield, it is indeed currently using the YJ-91's seeker. A new seeker is under development," the technician replied loudly.

Humanity had never faced an enemy like this. It was impossible to have an enemy today and produce a targeted finished technology product by tomorrow. Besides, the reliability of such a product would still be questionable. They could only search the existing arsenal for suitable technology.

That was the importance of technological reserves. Once brought out, they could be directly put into use through system integration.

Just like the seeker mounted on the PL17: the YJ-91, 28 cm × 55 cm, 2–18 GHz, using a medium seeker with broad frequency coverage and high sensitivity. It was a typical configuration for current mainstay anti-radiation missiles.

Mounting it onto the PL17 airframe only required adjusting the balance weights and integrating the systems before it could be used. Of course, its combat effectiveness was certainly not at its highest and would require later optimization.

Even so, the anti-radiation seeker could still be jammed. The PL17 airframe's advantages had to be fully considered. An upgraded PL17 model needed to be fitted with a seeker roughly 30–40 centimeters in diameter and 60–80 centimeters long, suitable for mounting on the J-15 heavy naval fighter, with stronger anti-jamming and target-recognition capabilities.

Data link disconnected. Switching to optical tracking.

The instant the data link was cut, the WZ7s wandering nearby switched to electro-optical mode, captured the PL17, and tracked it.

With the data link severed, the PL17 lost guidance corrections and had to rely entirely on its anti-radiation seeker to acquire the target.

As the PL17 flew inertially, its dual-pulse engine ignited. The tail nozzle once again spewed a long plume of flame, replenishing the missile's energy. The already incredibly fast missile accelerated again, placing its target inside the no-escape zone.

The actuators controlled the control surfaces, sending it toward one of the Sentinels captured by the anti-radiation seeker. It streaked across the sky like lightning!

As the distance between the two sides shrank, the massive electromagnetic clutter released by multiple targets affected the anti-radiation seeker's accuracy. The system automatically switched to inertial guidance mode. No longer affected by interference, the missile flew toward the intersection point of its trajectory and the Sentinel's flight path. Fortunately, the Sentinel had not changed its flight path.

After closing in on the enemy, the PL17, fitted with a new seeker and warhead, detonated the warhead it carried!

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The flash of the explosion appeared in the sky first, followed only afterward by the shrieking sound of air being torn apart.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Chemical energy transformed into kinetic energy. Thousands of steel balls and lethal fragments, each one centimeter in size, sprayed into the surrounding airspace like a rainstorm of pear blossom needles, delivering area damage above all else.

Through the WZ7's optical sensors, they could clearly see one Sentinel optical decoy locked onto by the PL17 disappear. Not far away, the glassy surface of a Triangle Aircraft was riddled with tiny bullet holes, countless fragments spraying outward. The heavily damaged aircraft spun as it plunged toward the sea below.

It was not the only one. Another Sentinel farther away did not immediately fall, but its flight posture changed. It was judged to have been damaged.

After the flash of the explosion faded, the damage assessment for this attack was completed: one aircraft destroyed, one damaged.

"Message from Red Fox One! The anti-radiation missile is effective! Repeat! The anti-radiation missile is effective!"

After changing the seeker's guidance method, it could effectively guide onto and damage the Sentinels. Everyone in the Command Center let out a breath of relief.

A smile appeared on the old commander's stern face as well. As long as they could effectively damage the enemy, the People's Army and the aliens could fight for as long as they wanted—until total victory!

"Reporting, Commander. Data has been collected. The Sentinel did not alter its flight path during the attack. If the target performs evasive maneuvers during an attack, the PL17's hit probability will decrease."

"Report the data to the Command Center."

The commander's task was to direct the battle. Naturally, someone else would deal with the anti-radiation seeker's shortcomings.

"Understood!"

The PL17's success counted as a strong start for them. Red Fox Two had already entered the PL15's range. The true focus of the mission came next.