Chapter 553: Changing the soup without changing the medicine
“Stoner, why do you think they did this?”
Rear Admiral Benelli, who was sitting on the captain’s seat, said with some confusion. Asked, at this time he had already put on the cabin suit and fixed himself on the chair.
In fact, after discovering this huge 'light ball' that suddenly appeared, the 17th and 18th fleets issued a 'full combat readiness' order to prevent emergencies from occurring in time. response.
“Perhaps you want to hide your true fleet number?” Stoner replied:
"Through this method, we really can't judge the number of warships on the opposite side, but what's the point? Generally speaking, this method is used to let the enemy know that our fleet is weaker than the enemy's. I can't figure out my true strength."
"Wait!"
Stoner's words suddenly made Bernard realize something and interrupted the former's speech.
“Could it be that the commander of the Atlas fleet chose to conceal the true number of the fleet for this reason?!”
“But no matter what, they all After annihilating the garrison fleet of this galaxy, is it still a standard fleet in terms of numbers?”
Stoner was a little afraid to make a conclusion now. Although his experience and skills in fleet command were higher than those of Benelli, the younger new commander, in terms of overall style, he was still relatively Conservative.
"Who knows? Maybe they adopted some kind of surprise attack tactic? What's more, the strength of the galaxy defense fleet is just like that~"
Benelli, the young fleet The commander felt that he might have caught the truth, and his whole body suddenly became excited.
“Think about it, although Atlas Group has rapidly expanded in strength during this period, it takes time to build or purchase warships, as well as train crews
Navy The Intelligence Ministry has never believed that they can quickly expand the fleet in such a short period of time, so the size of the Atlas manned combat fleet has always been judged to be no more than 3 standard fleets.
As for the three renegade unmanned fleets, according to the previous information, they should still be in the process of jumping, so they will not appear in the Rubian system yet.
Based on the above points, coupled with the situation of the warships that the Atlas Group needs to deploy in other areas, I personally think that in the Lubion system, the opponent’s fleet is as large as the sky, which is just one fleet. Standard fleet, maybe not even there yet! ! ! "
Stoner must admit at this moment that this junior's analysis is not unreasonable, but his cautious character has penetrated into his bones after all, so he still put forward another guess.
"Benelli, is there a possibility that the other party's commander wants you to think so, so that you will attack freely and then be ambushed by their hidden superior forces"
"The probability of this is too small! How could a mere commander of a corporate fleet accomplish such an exhaustive strategy? !
Believe me, this is the time to attack boldly to maximize the results! ”
There was a hint of unnaturalness in Burnelli’s tone, because he knew that what Stoner said was possible.
But this proud navy man The fleet commander does not think that a fleet commander from a private company can achieve this level. In terms of strategy and tactical arrangements, is he better than a fleet commander with a serious academic background?
What an international joke.
"Since the probability is not zero, it means that this situation is very likely to happen to Major General Bonelli. We cannot gamble with the 17th and 18th main fleets."
Stoner The addition of military rank when calling Benelli means that he was very serious and serious when he said this.
It also means that he does not agree with Burnelli's risky plan.
According to Marshal Trafalgar's explanation before the two fleets set off, when the 17th and 18th fleets make major decisions, both fleet commanders must agree before they can be implemented.
So as long as Stoner disapproves of Benelli's plan, the latter will not be able to let the fleet attack - even if only the Seventeenth Fleet attacks alone.
After hearing Stoner's words, Benelli was stunned for a moment, then sighed and said resignedly:
"Then what do you think we should do, Major General Stoner."
"Continue to implement the current combat plan, and first pass through the field at high speed to see the situation. If it is as you guessed, it is not too late for us to turn around and launch an attack, isn't it?"
——< br>
“Report, the federal fleet has still not changed its formation. According to the calculation results of the shipboard control personality, the federal fleet should still plan to conduct armed reconnaissance while passing through the field at high speed!”
On the bridge of the Infinity, after hearing the report of the tactical information coordination officer, Randall, who also changed into cabin clothes at the captain's seat, nodded.
"Received, all ships continue to maintain their current status. By the way, where did the plasma torpedoes and anti-ship missiles fly to?
" Report to the captain, the first batch of ships are currently sending signals to the opposing fleet. The launched plasma torpedoes and anti-ship missiles have already approached their left and right hemispheres and are about to enter the final impact range!
The second batch of plasma torpedoes that have detoured through Lubion 5 has now completed three-quarters of its detour path. According to calculations, it will successfully launch an attack from the side and rear of the left hemisphere of the opponent's fleet! ”
So far, Randall has heard good news from the Tactical Information Coordinator and other bridge officers that ‘everything is going well’, but he is still a little panicked in his heart.
After all, the fleet that the Federation killed was more than twice that of the Third Task Force. As long as the battle continued normally, even with the Infinity at its command, the Third Task Force would never escape being annihilated.
Maybe he will also offer the 'first kill' of the endless super flagship.
So Randall does not want this to happen no matter what, this is what he racks his brains to think about. Try to figure out the reasons behind it.
Time passed by minute by second in this somewhat anxious atmosphere. As the distance between the fleets of both sides became closer and closer, the Federation fleet also took the lead in discovering the closer fleet in front of them. The fleet seems to be just a bait.
This guess was answered after several battleships executed the flagship order and used the bow heavy particle cannon to conduct 'diffused irradiation'.
Those baits equipped with corner reflectors obviously cannot withstand the metal jets swept out by heavy particle cannons, even in diffusion mode.
So soon, the detection results of the superconducting quantum interference magnetic measurement systems of these battleships were transmitted back to the two flagships.
“Large areas of chaotic magnetic field and plasma ripples?”
“It is suspected that the main thruster exploded, causing magnetic field disorder in the target area!”
Superconducting quantum interference magnetic measurement The results of the system, as well as the judgment made by the system based on the characteristics, directly made the two fleet commanders laugh.
"How long has it been since the feature database and result judgment logic tree of this system were updated? It actually came to such a funny conclusion."
Rear Admiral Benelli complained speechlessly, because a serious battleship Even the smallest frigate cannot be blown up by the spread of heavy particle cannons.
So this is obviously the opponent's bait being detonated. "It has been a long time since we updated, but now is not the time to worry about it. At least we know that the fleet in front of us is mixed with a lot of bait."
Rear Admiral Stoner thought habitually. He touched his chin, but it was blocked by the mask of the cabin suit. He retracted his hand in embarrassment, and then continued:
"Then we now have a new question, what is the size of Atlas's fleet?"
"What the hell, if you ask me to say we should launch a direct attack now! I still stick to my point of view just now, There are definitely not many battleships on the other side!”
Rear Admiral Bonelli became excited again, because he found that the current situation seemed to be confirming his suspicion just now.
To be honest, at this time, Stoner was actually a little shaken, and he began to feel that now might be a good opportunity to annihilate the enemy fleet.
But as soon as this idea came to his mind, the alarm suddenly sounded on the bridge.
"Warning! A large number of unknown units have been detected that are rapidly approaching both wings of the fleet! Based on characteristic comparison, they are judged to be plasma torpedoes and heavy anti-ship missiles! The total number is 3326!"
"I knew it! It's not like that. Simple!”
Stoner wanted to stand up excitedly, but was pressed back by the captain’s seat belt, but he still waved his hand and continued to order:
"The fleet is preparing to carry out air defense operations. The fourth and fifth driving escort detachments maneuver to the outside of the formation!"
At the same time, Benelli on the flagship of the 17th Fleet also issued almost the same order.
This time, the destroyers and frigates in the two fleets finally showed serious fleet air defense capabilities.
After maneuvering to the periphery of the fleet, a large number of destroyers and frigates immediately used their large number of rapid-fire weapons and anti-aircraft missiles to prop up the fleet's air defense network.
Thanks to Amber's ability to break into the fleet with a single machine and tear apart the air defense network that he has shown many times before.
Coupled with the combat data obtained after the Enterprise Combined Fleet was 'disintegrated' outside the A. Bawa Ku Fortress, the Federation Navy Fleet significantly increased the air defense capabilities of the fleet after a certain point in time. priority.
Not only has the air defense weapon configuration of destroyers and frigates been improved, and the air search radar has been upgraded (mainly used to detect small targets such as torpedoes, missiles, and HCPs), it has also significantly increased the number of air defense commanders. The authority allows this position to mobilize more resources to support the battle after the fleet enters air defense operations.
"All attention, prepare to intercept!"
The voice of Kyle Stone, the air defense commander of the Seventeenth Fleet, was conveyed through the communication channel to every warship responsible for air defense operations.
His voice was calm and firm, as if the thousands of targets that were attacking were under his control.
"Just like usual training, follow the plan and don't let the opponent's torpedoes and anti-ship missiles break through the air defense net!"
At the same time, on the huge holographic projection screen in front of him, It also began to display the trajectory map of the enemy's weapons, with dense red light spots quickly moving towards its own position.
As his order was issued, the anti-air defense system of the 17th Fleet was instantly activated. With the maneuvers of a large number of destroyers and frigates, an invisible air defense firepower network was constructed.
These small anti-aircraft defense fleets that maneuvered to the outside of the fleet quickly adjusted their positions and soon formed the first line of defense.
The first to launch the attack was the anti-aircraft high-energy laser defense array that had just been installed on the ship. This weapon derived from the high-energy laser turret gave up its anti-ship combat capability and instead Begin to specialize in air defense operations.
"Phoenix, port side 45 degrees, distance 8,000 kilometers, multi-target lock mode!"
On the Haiyan-class destroyer 'Phoenix', a young female officer is the anti-air weapons officer She loudly reported from her fighting position. Although her voice was a little trembling, it was still clear and powerful.
"Target confirmed, start attack!" Her superior, who was also the destroyer's air defense staff, responded immediately.
Following this, beams of slender red light beams cut through the void, lighting up clusters of blue-white fireballs in the deep sky further away. They were plasma torpedoes and counterattack weapons equipped with plasma warheads. Characteristics of intercepted ship missiles.
A large number of air defense combat ships, organized by the fleet air defense commander, launched attacks on the targets coming from both wings.
Countless slender and blazing beams of light are intertwined like a web, forming a gorgeous but deadly barrier in the void. Each hit is accompanied by a short and intense flash, which will try to cross the defense line. The target burned through and detonated.
However, not all threats can be solved so easily.
The stealth plasma torpedoes currently installed on a large scale by the Atlas Combat Fleet have greatly improved their warhead defense capabilities in previous upgrades. They cannot be directly destroyed by just one or two high-energy laser irradiations.
The stealth plasma torpedo, which uses a stealth configuration and special coating, was originally designed to break through conventional air defense means. It has taken a lot of effort for air defense ships to discover these 'little cuties' , coupled with the fact that the damage effect of the laser defense array is not as good as the air defense commander imagined.
So after several rounds of interceptions, there are still a large number of targets tenaciously approaching the core area of the fleet.
At this time, the second line of anti-air defense that responded quickly also joined the battle, that is, the charged particle cannons equipped on these destroyers and frigates, as well as the deeper cruisers, which had completed the split Electromagnetic reconnection cannon.
The lethality of point-to-point irradiation by charged particle cannons is naturally higher than that of laser defense arrays. However, after the cruiser-driven electromagnetic reconnection cannon launches a dedicated anti-air programmed warhead, the damage caused by it is high. Kinetic damage is the most deadly for plasma torpedoes.
"This long-distance strike tactic of the Atlas Combat Fleet is indeed as threatening as the rumors."
On the flagship of the 18th Fleet, Major General Stoner was closely watching the air defense situation. , couldn’t help but sigh in a low voice.
Although the main fleet of the Federation Navy has greatly improved its air defense capabilities, and the effect is very significant, in the face of Atlas's unreasonable 'full bomb launch' attack, It's still a bit difficult.
In just this moment, nearly 30 plasma torpedoes and anti-ship missiles had broken through the air defense network, and successfully caused the 18th Fleet to lose one heavy cruiser, three light cruisers, and seven destroyers. Frigate
This is not because the fleet's air defense firepower is not strong enough, but mainly because the angles of these attacks from the flanks are too tricky, making it impossible for many air defense combat ships to use all anti-air defense weapons.
Only Serena, a high-level shipboard control personality created by Lilith, can calculate such an attack path.
If we switch to the conventional attack mode of other fleets, we will definitely not be able to achieve this effect
However, with the first wave of plasma torpedoes and heavy anti-aircraft missiles attacking from both sides of the federal fleet, All the ship's missiles were intercepted, and Major General Stoner couldn't help but have a sneer on his face.
"Humph, it's just a change of the soup without changing the medicine. We have to thank Atlas for prompting our fleet to improve its air defense capabilities~"
Then he waved his hand and gave the order in a deep voice. Road:
"Attention, the entire fleet, keep the course normal line unchanged, prepare to adjust the main gun firing axis, open all gun doors on each ship! Prepare to fire a salvo!"
(End of this chapter)