The second attack also failed. Li Hai did not find target No. 3 until he approached 25 kilometers away. Launching air-to-surface missiles at this distance no longer met the requirements of the exercise headquarters.
After skipping the long-range live ammunition shooting of air-to-surface missiles, Li Hai used other ammunition to shoot at targets No. 1 and No. 2 respectively as planned.
The exercise headquarters issued a new instruction: "Yaoguai will carry out the sealing and control mission on the eastern side of the no-navigation zone as planned."
"Yaoguai understands!"
After encountering a failed attack for the first time, Li Hai's mood was not very high. He did not expect that the Su-30MK2's airborne radar was so weak in searching for targets in a small area on the sea. He was unwilling to do so. Before turning east, he flew at low altitude again.
After passing target No. 3, visually observe the situation of the target. Unfortunately, there is less part exposed to the water, and the tide is obviously rising.
The air combat detachment composed of J-10A and J-11B appeared five kilometers away from the left wing. After Li Hai turned around, accelerated to overtake them, and climbed to an altitude of 6,000 meters. At the same time, the air combat detachment dropped its flight altitude and reached 800 meters.
Meters of airspace layer to keep the speed forward.
Li Hai checked the tactical HUD, confirmed the position of the air combat unit, adjusted the airborne radar to air search mode, and reduced the speed to 700 kilometers per hour.
80 nautical miles away, two Type 051G guided missile destroyers were sailing side by side eastward at a slow speed, and officers and soldiers were preparing to release target drones.
Seeing "051G", many people think it is a newer model than 051B and 051C. In fact, it is the earliest batch of Type 051 guided missile destroyers, but they were improved later than the project establishment time of 051B and 051C.
There is only one Type 051B in the People's Navy. It is the famous guided missile destroyer "Shenzhen", hull number 167, which was launched in 1997. It was the destroyer with the largest displacement of the People's Navy at that time, with a displacement of more than 6,000 tons.
The No. 167 guided-missile destroyer ushered in the era of large-scale surface ships of the People's Navy, which is of great historical significance. The ship provided the People's Navy with valuable experience in the use of large-displacement destroyers and undertook a very important test mission.
There are only two 051Cs, namely No. 115 and No. 116. They were developed based on the hull of No. 167 and are a continuation of No. 167. When building these two destroyers, the research and development of the 052C phased array destroyer made a breakthrough.
With the progress of the war, No. 115 was put into service earlier. However, because when the "Modern" class destroyers were introduced, two sets of "Shikili" ship-based air defense missile systems were introduced, which were mounted on No. 115 and No. 116. Therefore, this
The two destroyers have still been completed and launched into service as planned. The same situation exists for the Type 052B guided missile destroyer, which also has only two.
The People's Navy's shipbuilding plan of "small steps and fast running" has been fully revealed. After reaching the 052C type with a mature platform, it will enter batch construction, and subsequent ships will be improved according to the actual situation until 052D.
With the launch of the Type 055 10,000-ton large drive, the People's Navy's surface warships' high, medium and low configurations have begun to take shape. The Type 055 large drive is the main one, supplemented by the 052C/D, as an integral part of the aircraft carrier battle group, and the Type 054A
Frigates take on defensive tasks such as protecting communication lines, anti-submarine warfare, and offshore operations.
As of the end of 2018, there are very few old Type 051 destroyers still in service, and they will all be withdrawn from active service before 2021.
These two Type 051G destroyers (No. 165 and No. 166) are the last two Type 051 destroyers affiliated with the South Ship and are planned to be retired from active service in 2020.
Due to the age of the ships and the accelerated service of new ships, these two old men had retired to the second line a few years ago and joined the specially established patrol ship brigade to be used as the main ships patrolling the South China Sea.
After the "Perth" incident, the exercise headquarters transferred them over and were responsible for sealing and controlling the vast sea area on the eastern side of the no-navigation zone. They were also responsible for releasing target drones to cooperate with live ammunition shooting.
After several modifications, the combat performance of the two old men has been improved. The modifications made for maritime patrol missions have also made them more suitable for new tasks. However, after all, they are old guys who have served for more than 20 years. They have no hangar or flight deck.
, in fact, it no longer meets the requirements of the Coast Guard, so there is no plan to transfer it to the Coast Guard.
However, these two old guys are not useless - they have a top speed of 36 knots and are the fastest among active destroyers and frigates!
In the bridge command and control center, Captain Zhang Zhengdong (deputy rank), captain of No. 165, looked forward with his telescope. The morning sun filled the sea with sparkling light. In the slightly messy and old cabin, the officers and soldiers were busy in an orderly manner.
.
After the military reform, the force structure was adjusted. Zhang Zhengdong took the initiative to apply to step down from the leadership position and become an ordinary captain. He chose to serve as the last captain of the destroyer No. 165 and retired from active service together with his old friends.
Zhang Zhengdong, 55 years old, has worked on the destroyer No. 165 for 15 years, serving as chief engineer, navigator, trainee captain, deputy captain, and captain. He has a deep affection for the destroyer No. 165.
When he took over the last command of Destroyer No. 165, he was already the deputy commander of the fleet department, and he also became the highest-ranking captain.
The vice captain reported, "Captain, the target drone is ready."
Zhang Zhengdong looked at the time and said, "Launch as planned."
"yes!"
On the deck behind the main gun at the stern, the officers and soldiers of the target drone unit were ready. A target drone launcher was installed there, facing the port side, and a target drone with a red fuselage using a turboprop engine and a rocket booster.
The machine is ready for use.
At 7:25, the target drone took off.
The rocket booster worked and accelerated the target drone to a speed of 700 kilometers per hour. Then the rocket booster separated and the red target drone continued to climb to an altitude of 3,000 meters with inertia. At the same time, the No. 166 destroyer also launched the same model
target drones. Immediately afterwards, the two ships launched the second and third batch of red target drones.
All six red target drones took off.
In the bridge command and control center, the target aircraft operator controls the target aircraft formation, flies according to the planned route, and waits to be shot down.
Zhang Zhengdong called Li Hai, "Yaoguai, I am Patrol No. 1. I have seen you. It's over."
Li Hai couldn't help but feel nervous for a moment and replied, "I got it, five minutes countdown, it's over."
Li Hai adopted the Su-30MK2's strategy of guiding the J-10A and J-11B in combat, using the huge airborne radar of the Su-30MK2 to search for air targets and guiding the J-10A or J-11B to attack several of them.
Carry out an attack.
In a period when there are not enough early warning aircraft, this is a tactic that can make up for the shortcomings. The maximum detection distance of the Su-30MK2 airborne radar to air targets such as non-stealthy third-generation aircraft is theoretically 300 kilometers, which is equivalent to a small early warning aircraft.
And it can guide friendly aircraft to attack 12 of the targets.
Friendly aircraft with radio silence can launch surprise attacks on targets, greatly enhancing the surprise of the attack.
However, having just failed in sea detection, Li Hai has doubts about the performance of the Su-30MK2 airborne radar.
After Zhang Zhengdong informed Li Hai, Li Hai only had five minutes at most. Beyond this time, their live ammunition shooting would fail. The pressure was all on Li Hai, because he was responsible for target guidance.
"I want to turn right and enter from the south." Li Hai said and turned right at a large angle.
The party was frightened for the people, but did not say anything, focusing on the tactical HUD. At this time, the Su-30MK2 No. 17 also had two air-to-ground missiles, two 1000KG-level guided bombs and two combat missiles. It was such a fierce fight.
The action is relatively dangerous.
It can only be said that Li Hai has become accustomed to violent maneuvers and has developed his own flying style.
He is now wiser and no longer rushes straight ahead, but chooses to take a detour from the right wing. This avoids the backlight and increases the detectable area of the target drone.
The air combat team immediately made adjustments and split into two. The J-10A team maintained its course, and the J-11B followed Li Hai's right wing in a detour, but their flying altitude did not change.
The two air combat teams still maintained radio silence and continued to passively receive intelligence information and instructions from Su-30MK2 No. 17.
In fact, at this time, Li Hai and Dangwei played the role of combat commander, and Su-30MK2 No. 17 was the command aircraft.
It can be seen that the higher-level leadership is deliberately cultivating Li Hai and the party for the people, and it is also a test of the combat capabilities of the 167th Independent Flying Group.
Dang Weimin was busy editing information and sending it to the two combat teams, paying attention to the radar search situation from time to time.
After completing the turn, Li Hai found the target.
"Target found! A batch of six!" Li Hai reported immediately.
The drill headquarters quickly replied, "Yaoguai can proceed as planned, it's over!"
The target disbanded the formation, and the six red target drones quickly separated and flew in different directions. Li Hai glanced at the distance and quickly gave the order to the J-10A team, "The stick team is responsible for the blue target! I marked it for you!"
Thanks to the tactical intelligence interaction system, the friendly aircraft were able to see the target information obtained by the command aircraft. They decisively turned on the afterburner for impact. After entering the 20-kilometer range, they quickly climbed to gain an altitude advantage. At the same time, they turned on the airborne radar. At a range of 12 kilometers,
The fire control lock is completed at a distance.
Three PL-10 combat missiles were shot out from the pylons of three J-10A aircraft like arrows. The PL-10, with a maximum range of 20 kilometers, is a fourth-generation combat missile with very advanced performance.
Three red target drones were smashed to pieces.
The J-10A team won the first battle.
The other three red target drones suddenly disappeared.
Li Hai knew what he was doing and immediately called the J-11B team, "Flanker team, the target may be at low altitude, I'll leave it to you!"
"Flanker Team understands!"
Three J-11Bs accelerated and overtook No. 17 Su-30MK2, flying at the same altitude and pounced over.
Li Hai slowed down his airspeed and continued flying in the direction of the patrol formation. The target drone would not fly too far and would usually cruise in the airspace near the mothership.
On the destroyer No. 165, Zhang Zhengdong released the remote-controlled target boats as planned. The officers and soldiers used a temporarily installed small crane to lower two remote-controlled target boats, which were about the same size as an assault boat, into the water. The operator started the remote-controlled target boats and drove away quickly, completing the mission.
After accelerating, the maximum speed reached 40 knots.
Li Hai lost Target No. 3, and the exercise headquarters temporarily adjusted him to shoot the remote-controlled target ship, making it more difficult. If he failed again, the exercise headquarters would most likely let him return home with bombs.
The sonar room suddenly reported: "Captain, there is a situation here!"
Zhang Zhengdong quickly rushed to the sonar room. The sonar chief handed him the headphones, which he put on and listened attentively. There were some abnormalities in the feedback, but if there were any, it would be difficult to make an accurate judgment for a while.
"How do you judge?" Zhang Zhengdong asked.
The sonar chief was a first-class sergeant major with the same military experience as the No. 165 destroyer. His dark, wrinkled face with dissatisfaction was very serious and he said in a deep voice, "I think it's a submarine."
The silent performance of two submarines simulated by the Blue Army is very good, almost reaching the level of large marine creatures. The old sonar has been in service for so many years, and more than half of the time was spent at sea, and I heard the sounds of countless kinds of marine creatures.
He has a very good understanding of the hydrological conditions of many sea areas.
Zhang Zhengdong did not hesitate and said decisively, "Get ready for battle!"
The entire ship's alarm bells sounded immediately.
Ready for battle!
Zhang Zhengdong asked, "Are you following me?"
The old sonar leader shook his head slightly and circled the location of the suspicious sound, "I'll try my best, but it's difficult."
Patting the old sonar chief on the shoulder, Zhang Zhengdong quickly returned to the command and control center.
The sonar on the destroyer No. 165 is an old model. If the old sonar had not been in charge for a long time, it would have been difficult to detect the clues. It would be very difficult to track. However, after the later modification, the destroyer No. 165 was equipped with two triplex
Equipped with a 324mm caliber torpedo launch tube, it has strong anti-submarine attack capabilities.
Zhang Zhengdong ordered the engine room to speed up and adjust the course to point to the sea area where the suspicious target was located. He then reported the situation to the exercise headquarters and reported the situation to destroyer No. 166. Destroyer No. 166 quickly maneuvered and distanced itself from destroyer No. 165.
Right wing detour.
The experience of the old captain was reflected at this time, without any sloppiness, and his tactical literacy was extremely high.
Later, Zhang Zhengdong called Li Hai, "Yaoguai, this is patrol No. 1. A situation has occurred. Our ship has entered combat preparations. It's over."
Li Hai was shocked.
One type of situation means that the patrol formation must immediately enter combat status, and at this time there are no suspicious air targets and no traces of suspicious water targets.
Then the answer is ready to come out - two old man-level destroyers discovered a suspicious submarine.
"Yaoguai received, patrol No. 1, I'll cover you, over." Li Hai decisively broke away from the mission and accelerated towards the No. 165 destroyer.
"The suspicious target is located at XXX, and our ship cannot track it." The difficulties Zhang Zhengdong encountered were enormous. The limitations of his submarine search capabilities made him half blind.
Relying on old-fashioned sonar to detect clues is almost the limit of the No. 165 destroyer.
"Understood!" Li Hai knew that the patrol formation was in urgent need of air support, but he was not competent.
The exercise headquarters responded quickly and issued an order to Niutou Island Airport. A certain regiment of China Southern Airlines deployed a Gaoxin-6 anti-submarine patrol aircraft and an Air Police-500 early warning aircraft at the island airport. The latter has been included in the large exercise force sequence.
Take off.
After receiving the order, the Gaoxin-6 anti-submarine patrol aircraft, which had been on standby, took off urgently, carrying airborne torpedoes and rushing to the target sea area as quickly as possible...