Chapter 695 Precision Guidance... Guidance Wrong
Thanks to the high lift-to-drag ratio of the flying wing layout and its weak sensitivity to crosswinds, the B2's take-off process is relatively smooth and fast, but once it leaves the ground, It was not an easy aircraft to maneuver in the air.
Especially because there is no vertical tail, B2 can only generate yaw moment by controlling the two outermost pairs of control surface slits. The control efficiency and stability of the yaw axis are very poor.
Therefore, throughout the climb, the two pilots were fully focused on their own control tasks, and there was no other communication except necessary passwords.
It wasn't until the Spirit of Kansas entered the cruising altitude that Colonel Statham relaxed a little and looked at the mission briefing placed on the left side of the cockpit.
"Brigadier General, our specific mission is..."
Marot next to him did not speak, still staring at the front attentively, holding the joystick tightly with one hand, and just used the other hand to hand over the document Statham was in the passenger seat.
In fact, although air force brigadiers and even higher-ranked air force commanders will theoretically retain their flying qualifications and planes, the number of usual training flying hours is far less than that of the flying backbone of the captain level. .
This is especially true in the strategic bomber force.
He must be the captain today simply because pilots with too low a military rank do not have access to enough confidential information.
Yes, even this mission briefing is still incomplete.
There is only simple content such as "how to fly and where to bomb", but there is no mention at all of the specific target to be bombed.
Therefore, after taking it apart and reading it from beginning to end, Statham was still confused.
According to the requirements, they will fly for more than 30 hours and conduct two aerial refuelings over the North Atlantic. However, the ultimate goal is to drop six 2,000-pound bombs on a seemingly ordinary coordinate. Guided bombs...
"Brigadier General, this target is specifically..."
When Statham asked this question, various possibilities including chemical weapons and dirty bombs flashed through his mind.
Otherwise it is difficult to explain why they were rushed to send them on a second mission less than a month after the first operational test.
Even if a second test is to be conducted, preparations should be started at least a few days in advance.
Especially when a stealth bomber was lost just a few days ago, we should be more careful.
After all, the B2 is not a tactical aircraft like the F117. If there is anything wrong with this precious little aircraft that has just been in service for two years and has only 21 aircraft in total, it will be a huge loss even for the wealthy US military.
Not to mention that if it is a battle damage, the continuous loss of stealth aircraft will also be a huge blow to the deterrence that the military has finally re-established.
Hearing his subordinate’s question, Marlott also felt a little overwhelmed. After thinking for a while, he still shook his head:
“I don’t know, just follow the instructions.”
Actually, of course the Brigadier knew it.
But he himself felt that this mission was really outrageous, and he was afraid that nothing would be left behind after it was completed. For Colonel Statham, who had a bright future, the less he knew, the better.
At least the psychological burden will be lighter...
"But don't worry, what happened to the Nighthawk before was because the idiots in the naval aviation took it upon themselves to reduce the mission frequency of EA6B, so that the other party's radar caught it Opportunity, this time the Joint Chiefs of Staff specially coordinated the 2nd Electronic Warfare Squadron of the Marine Corps. They will take off 4 EA6Bs and provide cover in two batches after we enter the theater airspace. Even if the early warning radar happens to still see us, the missiles It can’t be launched either.”
Although Statham didn’t ask, maybe it was to divert his attention, or maybe the brigadier himself was worried about the same thing. In short, Marlott changed the topic. He took the initiative to mention the F117 from before.
Since the Army and the Air Force are essentially the same thing, this blame is naturally thrown to the Navy.
As a professional soldier, Statham originally had no intention of pursuing the matter, but now his attention has been successfully diverted:
"If you let me say, it was not a wise decision for the Air Force to retire all EF111s the year before last. It is impossible to fully cope with the air defense pressure by relying on the F16CJ alone. As for asking the Navy or Marine Corps to provide us with electronic warfare cover, it is not a long-term solution... ..."
"It's too late to say this now, and it's not something you and I can decide."
Malot's mind is a little confused now, and he did not complain about the Congressman with his subordinates. Interested:
"This flight will last 30 hours. You should take a rest first. We will take turns to be responsible for the flight..."
...
15 hours later.
Over the Adriatic Sea.
An EA6B electronic warfare aircraft that had just taken off from the Roosevelt found the "mysterious target" that needed cover at an altitude of 8,500 meters according to the scheduled flight plan.
There is not much difference between using two aircraft and one aircraft for accompanying electronic cover. Therefore, the other Prowler that took off earlier has already gone to the combat airspace in advance to conduct air defense suppression operations against possible threats.
“AV12, this is Echo 01, we are about to enter the combat zone airspace, do you receive it?”
On the Spirit of Kansas, after hearing the call from the electronic warfare aircraft, the two pilots finally relaxed after being somewhat nervous along the way.
Based on past experience, except for the old rival Homeland Defense Force and the MiG-25 that came and went like lightning in Operation Desert Storm, no enemy has been able to be suppressed by the electronic suppression of EA6B Make effective resistance.
"Echo 01, AV12 received, we are about to descend to 5000 altitude."
JDAM of this era was not widely equipped with the later extended-range gliding kit, so the flight range and maneuverability were Limited, there are also strict restrictions on throwing height and speed.
"Received."
Brigadier General Mallot gently pushed the control column and retracted the throttle, piloting the aircraft into a shallow dive altitude.
At the same time, Statham, who was in the co-pilot position, began to set the aircraft's final attack route on the integrated display in front of him, and input the coordinate information of the target for the six JDAMs in the magazine.
On April 17, local time, at 23:40 late at night. The Spirit of Kansas begins its preset bombing route.
“AV12, Echo 02 reported a P-band radar signal source. The frequency band is difficult to interfere with, but it is preparing for destructive air defense suppression. Another C-band signal source has been completely blocked by us. Interference, no threat.”
Of course, the B2 aircraft is also equipped with a radar warning receiver, but as a stealth aircraft, this equipment is of little significance because it cannot be judged whether the radar wave has actually detected itself.
From the cockpit, you can see a flash of fire about a few kilometers away. It should be Echo 01 launching an AGM88 anti-radiation missile towards the signal source.
The overall performance of this model in this operation was poor, with a hit rate of only single digits, but at least it could force the opponent to shut down and move their position.
"Open the magazine."
As the command was given, Colonel Statham flipped the lever switch on the left-hand panel, and the four huge magazine doors on the belly of the aircraft opened.
This is the most vulnerable moment for stealth aircraft, especially when fire control radars deployed in the side direction can relatively easily capture continuous echo signals.
The F117 last month was shot down by an anti-aircraft missile during this process.
Fortunately, neither EA6B reported any other suspicious signals.
Marlot stared outside the cockpit. Although the ground was relatively dark due to the blackout, he could still see a sparkling river with the help of the moonlight.
That is a landmark of this mission.
"Drop the bomb."
At 23:43, Brigadier General Bonn Marot, commander of the 8th Air Force, and Colonel Sampny Statham, commander of the 509th Bomb Wing, pressed the bomb release button together. 6 A GBU31 aerial bomb roared down from the rack in the magazine and flew to the target set by the program.
“Huh——”
After dropping the bomb, Statham closed the magazine as quickly as possible, and then breathed a sigh of relief:
“It’s okay. All the best.”
"Just like half a century ago..."
The 509th Wing is the only unit in human history that has used nuclear weapons in actual combat, and it has always been the pride of this unit.
According to the flight plan, they will make a 180° turn and embark on a return journey in about two minutes.
“Can you see the situation on the ground?”
In order to achieve ultimate stealth, the B2 bomber is not equipped with a visible light sight that can be used for earth observation (it is not very dependent on dropping nuclear bombs) accuracy), and the first generation JDAM did not have a two-way data link, so the bombing effect could only be seen with the naked eye.
But at this time, Marlott had already controlled the aircraft to start climbing, and the flying-wing cockpit had almost no downward view, so Statham did not observe the effect of the bomb.
“Can’t see it, but since it has been successfully cast, there should be no problem.”
Statham shook his head:
“Wait a minute and let the nearby leaders Let’s check with the tactical aircraft with the pod.”
Marlot just asked casually, not really wanting Statham to see anything. When the latter said that, it was just. nodded.
"Sit tight and prepare to turn."
At the same time.
The six aerial bombs that were quietly approaching their targets in the night sky suddenly began to receive new GPS coordinates and determined that they had deviated from the "correct" flight path.
Under the control of the navigation system, the wings at the tail of the bomb began to move, trying to align the flight direction with the set target.
Obviously, this is where the GPS jamming equipment that had been sent nearby began to work.
Since all foreign institutions and media are located in this area, the coalition forces have never used weapons here in the past and have not found any abnormalities in the GPS signal here.
Of course, they will find out soon enough.
In fact, according to Chang Haonan's calculations on the map, when mode 1 is turned on for jamming, the bomb targeting the jamming device itself will be "transferred" to an open space a few kilometers away.
But after all calculations, he forgot that the JDAM of this era did not have an extended-range gliding kit, so it was impossible to make a big enough route change.
At 23:45, six bombs "accurately" hit the roof of the Falcons Hotel, the tallest building in the area.
Three of the bombs located slightly further away from the false target identified problems with their routes and turned off the fuzes before hitting the target.
But the other three detonated almost simultaneously after penetrating the entire floor.
For an ordinary civilian building, there is no difference between a 6-ton bomb and a 3-ton bomb.
And because the terrain is high enough, it happens to be the scene where many media are reporting or live broadcasting the Allied operations...
(End of this chapter)