The technological competition starts with the integration of space-time memory

Chapter 113: The murderous intent between advance and retreat

350 kilometers off the coast east of the Benben Islands, the Nemesis strike group was sailing eastward at a speed of 12 knots, as if it was returning home easily.

The formation commander, McCall Sweeney, was in the war room at this time, looking through a stack of photos.

The images in each photo appear somewhat dim, and the main image appears even darker due to some side backlighting.

If Sweeney didn't have good eyesight, he would not have been able to see that the photo showed a strange flying vehicle.

The reason why it is called an aircraft is that there are several bright but blurry photos that show the aircraft in the air.

"Aren't these Japanese known as official photographers? How come the photos are taken like this?"

Intelligence officer Howard next to him showed a helpless expression on his face and handed Sweeney two more photos.

This time, it was our own satellite photo, and it was very clear.

There is one photo in particular that was shot at just the right angle; even from a bird's-eye view, you can tell the aircraft is landing.

In the photo, a very sci-fi-looking aircraft is lightly landing on the parking space of a ski-jump aircraft carrier.

Compared with his own fat electric car, that vertical landing action was so agile and handsome, like the contrast between a young man and a demented old man.

Sweeney stared at the picture for a full five minutes before looking up at Howard.

“This looks to be their newest drone?
How come we never got any intelligence about it?
Did it pop out from between the rocks?"

In response to his superior's three questions, Howard shook his head and said, "I heard that Langley's intelligence network in Shangdu has suffered huge losses recently.

Not only did they not get any information about the drone, but even the normal messaging channels had to rely on other allies.”

"So, we know nothing about it right now except for this photo."

Hearing the dissatisfaction in his boss's words, Howard quickly handed a file bag to Sweeney, "Sir, please take a look at this."

Sweeney opened the briefcase, which contained several photos.

The first picture is the same drone as before, but there are some differences in the shape.

The one in the document bag is obviously jet-powered, while previous satellite photos have basically confirmed that it is fully electric-powered.

Looking at the other pictures, there is actually a vertical take-off and landing version of the opponent's Fagin fighter!
He looked up at Howard with a questioning look in his eyes.

He couldn't believe that the other side had a vertical take-off and landing version of the Fagin fighter overnight.

Howard explained calmly, "We took these photos and printed them from one of their science fiction movies this year."

Sweeney sneered when he heard this and said, "What do you want to say? Are they turning science fiction movies into reality over there?"

Howard replied, "No, I think it might be their designers who leaked some of the concept designs, and the sci-fi movie artists made them into props."

Sweeney flicked a few photos with his fingers. "So what? The key question now is, what is the function of this drone that landed on their 17th?"

Howard pointed to a piece of paper at the bottom of the photos and said, "Sir, here is the analysis given by the Intelligence Office."

Sweeney glared at Howard, as if blaming him for not getting to the point.

He flipped his hand and took the piece of paper in front of his eyes to look at it.

"This drone is estimated to be over 10 meters long, with a wingspan of about 12 meters. The fuselage material is unknown, but based on the carbon fiber shell, the total weight is no more than 8 tons.

With full electric propulsion, the battery is estimated to account for more than half of the weight, and the endurance will not exceed 10 hours. Based on an estimated speed of 300 km/h, the maximum range is about 3000 km.

If the onboard electronic equipment consumes too much power, the combat radius will be difficult to exceed 300-400 kilometers.

Judging from the two suspected antennas on its back, it may be used as an early warning aircraft for the enemy."

Sweeney looked up at Howard, "You determined it was an AWACS?"

"Yes, that's very likely."

"Oh, then can you explain why it has such a long and thick barrel?"

Howard's face flushed a little, "Uh... We judged that this is its self-defense weapon, just like in their science fiction movies."

"Okay, self-defense weapons. This is the first time I heard that an AWACS aircraft has weapons."

Sweeney knew that he would not get any more useful information from Howard, so he waved his hand and let him leave.

Turn around and look at the situation map.

At this point, the combat intelligence officer has already marked the enemy's combat units on the map.

Task Force 17 has a total of nine surface ships, not including the submarines that definitely exist.

Sweeney's eyes were fixed on the icon next to No. 17, which represented the Renhai-class destroyer.

This advanced destroyer is the biggest threat to our strike group.

It is said that the anti-ship ballistic missiles it possesses can strike surface ships at a distance of 1000-1500 kilometers.

However, at this moment, the distance between the Nemitz formation and the enemy was only about 600 kilometers, and the air defense circles of both sides had almost intersected.

If both sides had not maintained sufficient restraint, the carrier-based aircraft of both sides would have been engaged in some interactive exchanges at this moment.

But it is obvious that so far neither side has taken the initiative to send carrier-based aircraft forward.

Sweeney knew that the big show might not yet begin.

"Order, the strike group will maneuver in an arc to the southwest at a speed of 20 knots. Tomorrow morning we will conduct carrier-based aircraft takeoff and landing training at point C!"

"yes."……

……

At the same time, in the No. 17 war room, Zhang Jun also issued an order.

"The fleet will maneuver to the northwest at a speed of 18 knots. When the sun rises tomorrow, launch the carrier-based aircraft and start the alert denial training!"

Li Wenjun whispered, "When do we release Predator No. 1?"

Zhang Jun smiled, "Originally we still needed to wait for the 7th Wuzhen to be dispatched before we could grasp the exact location of the Nemitz strike group, but now the fog has dissipated.

Since the cards are clear to us, we must show weakness to the enemy and let them strike first.

Then, the king bomb will come out! "

Obviously, [Predator] No. 1 is the trump card in his hand.

Originally, the ship following the fleet, Dong Wu Wu, was the king bomb, but now it has become Mrs. Niu.

After all, this is a peaceful era, and the anti-ship ballistic missile on Dong Wuwu can only be used to bomb fish for fun.

But now that we have this sweet little girl called [Predator], there is no need to fry fish anymore.

After all, a missile is quite expensive, and it would be a waste if there are too many fried fish to eat.

After the formations of both sides were made, this is what the sea looked like from space.

You will find that the two tracks have changed from one retreating and one advancing to one advancing and one retreating!

Originally, the Nemitz strike group seemed to be retreating eastward, but at this moment it suddenly changed direction and moved westward.

Originally, the No. 17 formation seemed to be moving eastward, but at this moment it suddenly turned and retreated westward.

The night passed gradually between the advance and retreat of the two fleets.

As the sun began to rise, both sides began to launch carrier-based aircraft at the same time.

The Nemitz uses steam catapults, which are very efficient. Soon eight Hornets appeared in the air, and a Hawkeye early warning aircraft also took off.

Eight Hornets quickly escorted Hawkeye in the center.

When Hawkeye is launched, no large warship can escape its eyes within a 300-kilometer range centered on it.

It can detect any aircraft within 500 kilometers at the first opportunity and assess whether they are hostile to the formation.

As a result, the carrier-based aircraft around it will rush over immediately and eliminate the threat.

For the strike group, carrier-based aircraft are its sharp claws, which can tear the enemy to pieces as long as they are stretched out.

At this moment, in the Nemitz War Room, Sweeney saw the latest satellite images.

"Interesting, they actually backed out."

Hearing the words of the war intelligence officer, Sweeney shook his head and said, "You are wrong, they are coming in!"

The combat officer was immediately confused, "This...are they trying to distance themselves?"

"Of course not, because their target is not us!"

The combat intelligence officer hesitated for only a dozen seconds before reacting, pointing to a certain place and saying, "Are they trying to intimidate that place?"

"That's right. They will conduct a full range of combat training. Unit 17 should be responsible for blocking the eastern retreat route and keeping an eye on us!"

"Sir, what should we do then?"

"Notify the little birds to fly southwest on alert. Let them know we are watching.

In addition, send out the Roarer and cooperate with the birds to let the opponent feel the atmosphere of large-scale combat.

But be careful, never cross this E line! "

Sweeney drew an arc on the situation map along the islands on the edge of the trench.

"clear."

For Sweeney, he only needs to complete a monitoring task and there is no need to press too close.

If it causes unnecessary misunderstandings and triggers some tension, it will disrupt the deployment of the corner tower.

But as a front-line commander, Sweeney certainly cannot show too much weakness, as that is not in line with his usual style.

The position of line E is very good. You can attack if you advance, and retreat... it is impossible to retreat.

If it weren't for the hole-55, there would be no position for that formation in Sweeney's eyes.

"Or are they going to fry fish with the hole-five-five again?"

"Sir, urgent message!" A hurried report interrupted Sweeney's thoughts.

"Read!"

"Yesterday, my RC-135U seemed to have encountered the latest Howling Wolf. Its electronic jamming capability has been enhanced again. We were defeated. Please pay close attention."

Sweeney's pupils trembled when he heard this.

After a moment, he said decisively:
"Order, little bird, return to the nest. The strike group will make an S-shaped maneuver to the southeast, sail at full speed!"

(End of this chapter)