Chapter 1137: Taking off the Underpants of David
As a small country, the east-west span of the UAE is only about 400 kilometers. We also have to take into account the security issues of the two major metropolitan areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Not enough early warning aircraft radar to give full play to its performance.
So, the test location was actually chosen over the Rub al-Khali Desert, which straddles Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
There is no human habitation here, and there is no need to worry about the impact of ground clutter on the fairness of the test results.
About 40 minutes after takeoff, a report from the pilot was received in the command module.
The aircraft has arrived over the predetermined area and can start testing at any time.
Sabach, the representative of Party A who took off randomly, checked the time, then picked up the radio and began to give instructions to the ground according to the form:
"UAV No. 1 is ready to launch, set the altitude. 19,000 meters, starting point 21,30, KM17 area, course 355, break away from the northeast..."
The combat effectiveness of the UAE army is of course poor, but as an ally of the US military, the training standards it receives are indeed top-notch. Middle top.
This paragraph actually refers to the nine-line briefing used for close air support, and skips the part involving target attributes.
It shows that the UAE Air Force has actually mastered quite advanced air-ground coordination tactics.
Even to a certain extent, it is far ahead of the Chinese Air Force, which is still stumbling to adapt to precision guided munitions.
Fan Jimin, the representative of Electronic Technology Group sitting next to him, secretly noted this detail.
The Nine Lines Briefing itself is public information and of course anyone can use it.
The high-throughput data link that has always been absent in the past has gradually begun to be rolled out in some pilot units.
But how to transform technology into tactics requires long-term learning and adaptation.
It is impossible for Americans to teach the Chinese army directly with good intentions.
Direct military exchanges with European countries are also a bit too sensitive.
But it doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t learn from other places in a roundabout way.
Of course, the first priority right now is to ensure the successful completion of this test.
The flying speed of the unmanned target drone is similar to that of the early warning aircraft in cruising state, but because it can fly less distance, it only took about half an hour for the early warning aircraft to receive the report that the high-altitude target test project had officially started.
However, the radar display on the display console did not yet show the echo signal from the target aircraft.
"Next...just wait until the target enters the search range?"
Sabah turned to Fan Jimin and asked.
“The height of 19,000 meters is somewhat beyond the search range in normal mode, so it needs to be switched to wide-angle scanning state...”
While talking, Fan Jimin personally sat behind the radar console and flipped the two switches in front of him.
The search range displayed on the screen instantly expanded from 120° on both sides to 150° on both sides.
Correspondingly, the radar marking range is slightly shortened.
But the impact is small.
Seeing this scene, Sabah's eyes widened slightly, obviously he had never seen this kind of gameplay before.
However, in addition to surprise, the most important thing is doubt:
"But what does this range have to do with height..."
The eldest father of Party A spoke, and Fan Jimin immediately explained:
"The wide-angle scanning state will not only affect the plane search range, but also expand the longitudinal scanning angle by about 20%..."
In order to focus on the performance of the "gaoming" radar, the early warning aircraft at this time It was flying at an altitude of about 3,500 meters, so that the turbulence in the cockpit was somewhat obvious.
This is not the typical cruising altitude of early warning aircraft, but the unmanned target drone can only fly up to 20,000 meters. In order to maintain a sufficient altitude difference, this choice can only be made.
As if to confirm Fan Jimin's statement.
After adjusting the search mode, just a few seconds later, a very conspicuous echo signal appeared on the edge of the radar screen.
The altitude calibrated in the information box is 19,300 meters, and the speed is 730km/h.
Obviously, as a target drone, the target height setting system is not particularly accurate.
Fortunately, it did not exceed the detection range of the early warning aircraft.
At this time, Casore, who had been silent just now, said:
“The airborne integrated display and control system is developed by Thales. As you can see, the interface The style and operating habits are very similar to the Mirage 2000-9 aircraft that has just been put into service in your country, as well as our newly developed Rafale fighter jets.”
“Of course, considering that all of your country’s early warning aircraft operators are in Saudi Arabia. For training on the local E3A, we also provide another more...traditional default plan. "
The so-called tradition, to put it less euphemistically, means backward.
It can be regarded as a secret effort to suppress their American counterparts.
Of course, the French are unique in the field of cockpit ergonomics, and they do have the confidence to do so.
However, in order to avoid unnecessary digressions, Fan Jimin took over the conversation in time:
"Now, the projection distance between our early warning aircraft and the target is only 25km, and the altitude difference is 16km, which is equivalent to detecting targets on the ground and above 30,000 meters at the same time at a normal flight altitude..."
At this time, Sabah still didn't understand why this Chinese suddenly mentioned These.
But Fan Jimin's next words directly hit his heart.
“This means that we can get about two to three minutes of warning time during the ascent phase of short- and medium-range ballistic missiles...”
“!!!”
The only military threat the UAE may face in the foreseeable future is probably short-range ballistic missiles from Persia.
Although the technical level is not advanced, the advantage lies in large quantities and sufficient management.
For countries like the GCC that rely heavily on oil exports, it is basically the Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.
Even without a large-scale salvo, simply stealing your refinery today and blowing up your oil pipeline tomorrow would be enough to cause catastrophic consequences.
Therefore, when Fan Jimin talked about anti-missile missiles, Sabah became energetic almost instantly.
In 2003, even in the United States, mid-stage anti-missile interception technology was still based on PPT.
The response strategies of various countries to ballistic missiles are to rely on normal medium and long-range air defense systems.
And this relies heavily on early warning and reaction time.
Especially for Patriots who need to deploy positions in advance and launch at an angle.
If you wait until the ground radar detects the target in the descent stage of the ballistic trajectory, you will basically have only 4-8 launch opportunities.
But if an early warning can be given during the ascending stage...
The ability to resist saturation strikes can be doubled.
In fact, as someone who has been there, Chang Haonan knows very well that, let alone 2003, even in 2023, intercepting the intermediate missile will be a matter of pure luck.
But people in this era are different.
With decades of propaganda from Raytheon, they really dare to believe in Patriot’s interception efficiency against ballistic missiles.
So this targeted statement almost instantly tipped the balance in Sabah's heart -
Although he is not the final decision-maker, he has direct access to Crown Prince Mohammed.
The right to make suggestions is also very important.
Sure enough, after Sabah thought for a moment, he promised Marin and Kasore:
"I will report this situation specifically to His Excellency the Crown Prince..."
After a small interlude, the originally business-like atmosphere in the cabin seemed to become more harmonious.
Soon, the first unmanned target drone began to lower its altitude according to the predetermined route, and then circled several times in the test airspace, obtaining about 20 sets of valid data before entering the return route.
Almost at the same time, the second unmanned target drone at Albatin Airport took off, preparing to conduct a detection range test in a complex electromagnetic environment with the assistance of another F16.
The overall steps are almost the same as before.
Only this time, the target aircraft will choose several routes that are about 250-450km away from the early warning aircraft to fly separately. In the second half of each flight, the F16 will start the jammer to test how long it takes the high-definition radar to reposition the target, and how different the accuracy of the second positioning is from the first time.
Logically speaking, this is the most basic radar function test.
The electromagnetic interference was also specially requested by China.
So it should be absolutely certain.
Even Sabah gradually relaxed and began to chat with the other two people about non-confidential gossip.
……
About twenty minutes later.
"The target has entered the test airspace!"
Sabah put down the radio in his hand, sat upright in his position again, and stared at the radar display in front of him.
However, he still had a rather relaxed expression on his face, and he even hummed an off-key tune that only he could hear clearly.
Everything was as expected.
Within a few minutes, two targets located 250km away appeared on the screen.
Data shows that the two are 35km apart, but they are getting closer.
Apparently, one of them was the F16 responsible for exerting electromagnetic interference during the second half of the test.
Flying a manned aircraft with a drone for a long time is a very risky job, so when there is no need to activate interference, the F16 will stay a little further away.
However, just when Sabah thought everything would be over, the echo signal representing the drone suddenly stopped on the radar screen.
It's like network packet loss.
Although the location is still updating, it is very slow and occasionally jumps.
“Huh?”
Seeing this scene, Sabah’s face instantly became serious.
Although detection distance is not the only factor that determines the performance of an AWACS, if an AWACS cannot even perform this most basic function well, it will definitely not be able to meet combat requirements.
Kasore, who was sitting two seats away, had received a reminder from China earlier. Although he was mentally prepared for this meeting, he could not help but feel nervous and looked at Fan Jimin between the two with a little guilt. .
Fortunately, the latter is as stable as a rock at this time, and there is no trace of panic.
Of course Fan Jimin knows the tricks here, but he still has to act when it’s time to act.
So he tried his best to pretend to be surprised:
"Mr. Sabah, did you carry the electromagnetic interference pod directly on the drone?"
" How is that possible? ”
Sabah was confused when asked:
“The power of AN/ALQ-131 and AN/ALQ-184 are several kilowatts, and the energy supply system of the unmanned target drone cannot carry it at all. "
"No..."
Fan Jimin shook his head and continued to pretend not to know:
"I'll tell you everything, AN. /ALQ-131 and AN/ALQ-184, we have rich experience in fighting... Although the interference characteristics are similar to this, the intensity is definitely stronger than this.”
"Anyway, this level of interference can be quickly eliminated by temporarily adjusting the preset waveform."
While speaking, he moved the trackball on the table and quickly modified two changes on the screen. Scan settings.
It’s like following your words.
As expected, the target trajectory on the screen became clear again, and the lag quickly weakened and gradually disappeared.
“Look.”
Fan Jimin spread his hands and made an expression of "I'll just say it":
"This is a typical intermittent sampling and forwarding coherent interference... If our early warning aircraft had not been specially optimized, the detection accuracy and target would be The refresh rate will be affected..."
A performance at the level of an Oscar winner, even Sabah was stunned.
As the actual person in charge of the selection and testing work, he has never arranged such a link.
But looking at Fan Jimin’s unfazed reaction just now, it does not seem like there is a problem with the early warning aircraft itself...
The air in the cabin became a little anxious.
Just at this time, a report of "preparing to start electromagnetic interference" sounded on the radio.
The distance between the F16 and the unmanned target drone is also close to less than 500 meters.
We have entered the cover area of the electronic warfare pod.
Sabah pointed at the radio, his meaning was obviously:
"Look, I just said there was no electromagnetic interference, right?"
But before he lowered his arm, almost the same situation as before appeared on the radar display again.
Stuttering and jumping.
And there is still blur.
It was as if it was covered by a thick cloud of chaff.
Two targets that were very close to each other directly merged together.
Fan Jimin shrugged:
"I just said, this is the characteristic of AN/ALQ-131 and AN/ALQ-184..."
Finished The preset waveform was adjusted again with ease, and the lever switch marked "Anti-interference" was turned on on the panel next to it.
Still the same as before.
The adverse effects caused by the interference gradually disappeared, and the two targets appeared clearly on the radar screen again.
Sabah opened his jaw slightly and stared blankly at the scene in front of him.
This is much more convincing than the few sentences just now.
Obviously, everything is exactly what Jimin said.
In the first half of this round of testing, the drone really released electromagnetic interference to the early warning aircraft.
It's just that anti-interference measures were taken to customer service.
“But...”
Sabah’s mind couldn’t turn around.
Next, the unmanned target drone conducted a second round of testing at a distance of 50 kilometers further.
The whole process is almost identical to the first round.
This left Sabah speechless.
"You two, I swear to Allah, there is absolutely no..."
Fan Jimin felt anxious when he saw that the other party was not on the road to life and death, and had the tendency to involve the situation in the field of theology. Want to curse.
But considering that the other party was a foreigner, I had to recite materialism silently in my heart, and raised my hand to stop Sabah from swearing:
"Mr. Sabah, of course we believe you. .”
"But..."
He and Kasore looked at each other:
"I suggest that after the second target drone lands, it should be controlled by your country's air force personnel immediately. Check if there is really any interference equipment installed on the plane that you don’t know about!”
(End of this chapter)