Munitions Empire

"The targets are densely packed on radar... There's quite a lot." Sun Rui's wingman's surprise was evident as he looked at the radar screen filled with enemy aircraft inside the fighter escort formation.

The joint fleet has 10 aircraft carriers, capable of launching about twenty aircraft at a time. Such a massive fleet indeed appears like a swarm on the radar.

In another Phantom Fighter, the pilot also saw the fleet's patrolling fighters on radar, quite impressive. He joined the conversation, saying, "I wonder if you guys have stirred up a hornet's nest... There are at least 30 aircraft!"

Sun Rui did not feel these enemy planes posed any threat to him. Their tactics had undergone fundamental changes; the result was decided without the need for contact between the two sides.

Following the Great Tang Empire's surface attack tactics, the Empire's air attack formations would launch attacks from outside the enemy's air defense alert zone, so the escort fighters didn't need to engage in battle.

These escort fighters' main role is suppression and expulsion of a few enemy planes that accidentally intrude into the attack airspace.

Frankly speaking, the Great Tang Empire's fighters are guards stationed beside the attack aircraft formation; they don't need to take the initiative if the enemy doesn't approach.

Elsewhere, inside the attack aircraft formation that had reached the optimal missile range, the commander issued the attack order: "All units, attention! The formation is locking onto enemy warships! Mind the formation!"

The Harpoon Anti-Ship Missiles they carried aren't particularly powerful, flying at subsonic speed, but they're currently the most advanced anti-ship missiles an attack jet can carry.

Equipped with a 221-kilogram warhead, its armor-piercing impact is astonishing. However, compared to the Soviet-style anti-ship missiles equipped by Great Tang Empire's surface vessels, its power is slightly less.

Despite that, using it against warships in a World War II tech state feels a bit excessively cruel.

"Attack aircraft troops are bombing, cover them!" As the commander of the fighter jet troops, Sun Rui reminded all the fighter pilots over the radio channel.

A pilot craftily joked, keeping the aircraft at height while monitoring the enemy aircraft group flying chaotically in the distance: "Cover what? We're at least 50 kilometers away from the enemy's aircraft formation! They don't even know we're here."

Among the attack aircraft crew, a pilot said to the fighter pilots: "Voyagers are executing electronic interference... The enemy's radar is full of snow; trust me, they're no better than blind men."

He was quite right. With two Voyagers nearby providing cover, these Electronic Warfare Aircraft rendered the opponent practically deaf and mute. In such a state, maintaining fleet formation tests the commander's skills, let alone conducting high-difficulty counterattacks.

"Intruder 21, launch Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile!" Readily, the first Intruder Attack Aircraft initiated its attack. Bulky and accommodating side-by-side pilots, the Intruder could carry several Harpoon Anti-Ship Missiles, an ample supply.

Another Intruder Attack Aircraft started bombing as well: "Intruder 23, launch Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile!"

"Intruder 24, launch Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile!" Following suit, the third Intruder Attack Aircraft also launched its Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile.

As one missile after another ignited and detached from the wing, speeding into the distance, the entire scene was quite spectacular.

Up in the sky, the white trails gradually disappeared into the distance, and everyone knew that an attack had effectively begun.

A driver of an Intruder spoke excitedly on the radio channel: "This is even more exaggerated than drills; at least in drills, the enemy would counterattack. In reality, they don't even know where we're hitting them from."

Soon relaxed, a pilot opened the communicator and joined the chatter: "Isn't that great? Let's quickly sink these fools and head back to Nanshan Port for leave, right?"

"Are you sure about Nanshan Port? I think Linshui would be better." The third pilot offered his valuable opinion, as if deciding the fleet's destination.

The first pilot smirked, steering the conversation off to a casual direction: "Everyone knows Linshui is better; it's way nicer than Nanshan Port. I like the girls there, warm and generous."

Soon, these carefree souls joined the topic, voicing their opinions: "No matter where the girls are from, they'd be warm and generous upon seeing your allowance."

"Hahaha!" More pilots began laughing along, filling the channel with cheer.

A sudden, stern voice emerged: "I must remind you, this is the combat command channel."

"Sorry, Commander." The pilot who first started the idle chat knew he had messed up, awkwardly sticking out his tongue in apology.

Those who joined in chat also took responsibility for their foolish actions: "Apologies, Chief."

After a brief wait, the radar guidance heads of all the first batch of launched anti-ship missiles began working; they no longer required radar guidance from the launch platforms.

The copilot re-locked targets with radar, reporting the missile flight status simultaneously: "Anti-ship missiles enter autonomous radar guidance stage."

Another pilot chimed in: "Our task is completed! Missiles are flying autonomously; we can launch another attack."

Soon, the second wave of attack commenced. A pilot confirmed on the channel that he had fired the second batch of anti-ship missiles: "First batch anti-ship missiles entered autonomous radar guidance phase, launch the second batch of anti-ship missiles! Intruder 21, fire missile."

"Radar guidance complete, launch the second batch of anti-ship missiles!" More pilots reported having launched missiles over the channel.

Missile after missile once again flew toward the distant enemies, who, at this moment, did not yet realize they were already under assault.

"All missiles launched! Maintain radar guidance..." The commander repeated various operations in the quiet channel, inside the slightly compact attack jet cockpit filled with equipment switches and large radar screens, pilots launched the fiercest attack on enemies they couldn't visually see.

Far away on the bridge of Nanshan 01 Aircraft Carrier, Bernard had prepared a second gift for his opponents: "Confirm the positions of the second batch of attack aircraft, order them to enter the attack formation, launch anti-ship missiles!"