Chapter 675

Chapter 675: Lead Aircraft and Wingman

“No, no, no! This is the only way to truly match your fighter jets’ capabilities. Don’t worry, as long as we shoot down the opponent, we can earn back the points. It won’t be a loss.”

Yuri tried to persuade Lin Mo to accept his plan, understanding that having excellent air combat skills was essential.

However, in dogfights, the ability to swiftly take down an opponent is the most important factor.

As long as there is altitude, the battle is just beginning; this saying among aerial knights applies to both sides.

During a standoff, until an opponent is shot down, even a beginner can unexpectedly take you down in the next moment. Cannon fire will not be any less deadly just because the enemy is a novice.

Never underestimate your opponent, and do not give them any opportunities.

Yuri’s weapon configuration list was therefore a bit extravagant, focused solely on maximizing firepower to resolve battles in the shortest amount of time. Although this conflicted with the organizers’ advocacy for close dogfighting, the pilots had to consider their own survival.

“Hmm, it’s full of lavish capitalism.”

“Yasha” shook the weapon configuration list in his hand and made this comment before returning it to Lin Mo. “We don’t need such wasteful setups. Isn’t three short-range air-to-air missiles enough? Even for a 1VS2 situation, you only used one missile. At this rate, with three short-range air-to-air missiles, you can shoot down six opponents. Aren’t you good at close-range cannon battles? Just keep leveraging your strengths. Missiles beyond medium range are a pure waste, especially since they can’t hit better than the Gauss electromagnetic cannon. Besides, those opponents using medium-range air-to-air missiles haven’t been able to handle you at all.”

Practical as ever, “Yasha” felt that the Australian’s choices were simply overthinking a small matter.

Strikes beyond visible range are unreliable; if they miss, it would be a total waste of points. Medium-range air-to-air missiles aren’t cheap either—the least expensive costs 20 points, which could be exchanged for standard equipment.

Lin Mo’s skills had already been proven in previous combat scenarios. Even if the enemies fired medium-range air-to-air missiles, they may not pose a threat to him.

At this point, “Yasha” had developed an almost superstitious admiration for Lin Mo’s air combat skills, believing he could easily defeat every opponent.

Lin Mo could easily disregard air-to-air missiles of any range, using various methods to effortlessly eliminate threats.

Given “Yasha’s” full confidence in Lin Mo, it was indeed true that Yuri’s weapon list was excessive.

Lin Mo didn’t mind. His “assassin’s mirror” was two Gauss electromagnetic cannons, with a direct-fire range comparable to that of short-range air-to-air combat munitions. The initial speed of the explosive electromagnetic shells could even reach 3,762 kilometers per hour, nearly 3 Mach.

“Pay attention to the takeoff order. ‘Number 13,’ remember to take off behind ‘Raccoon.’”

Yuri’s voice came through the open radio channel between the two fighter jets. As a new team member in their first combined sortie, he still maintained a degree of attention. The other team members were also around, supporting the two comrades.

The aerodynamic designs of the two aircraft were different, requiring special care with the takeoff sequence.

“‘Number 13’ received; I’m trailing by 30 meters!”

“‘Raccoon’ received; I’m leading by 30 meters. The aircraft status is all good. Be careful, ‘Number 13’; don’t let your air intake enter my tail flame wake.”

“Raccoon’s” aircraft, resembling an F-117, had a different aerodynamic layout than the X-1, requiring it to be at the front of the takeoff sequence to avoid the interference of the tail flame from the forward aircraft.

The two visibly different fighter jets looked like a non-mainstream duo, contrasting sharply with the aerodynamic styles of most current frontline fighters, making them stand out.

This unconventional fighter jet duel attracted even more spectators, leading to increased crowd density at the mission center compared to usual.

“Raccoon,” piloting the cartoon-decorated “Little Cutie,” took off first. After climbing into the air, he suddenly glanced back at the almost synchronously ascending X-1 and said, “‘Number 13,’ your aircraft’s super-maneuverability surpasses mine. You take the lead for the main attack, and I’ll cover you as your wingman.”

“‘Raccoon,’ what’s going on? We discussed this, right? You have more experience; let ‘Number 13’ cover you. Our chances of winning would be greater that way.”

During the tactical discussion of this duel, Yuri and the other pilots had agreed that the most experienced participant in “Abyss Nirvana,” “Raccoon,” should lead the attack.

This way, they would have more strategies when facing those tricky opponents from the Anti-Government Forces while minimizing the chance of Lin Mo making a mistake in formation combat.

No matter how well-trained a rookie is, the tradition has always been to let seasoned veterans lead team tasks.

Unexpectedly, just as the fighter jets lifted off the ground, “Raccoon” inexplicably changed his mind.

“No problem! Thank you!”

Lin Mo surprisingly agreed without hesitation.

Although the previous tactical plan only placed him in a wingman role for covering attacks and reloading, even if “Raccoon” didn’t bring it up, Lin Mo never intended to strictly follow this tactic during the fight.

The reason Lin Mo didn’t oppose Yuri and the others’ plan before takeoff was that everyone hadn’t completely, and could not fully, understand each other’s abilities yet.

Additionally, as a newcomer integrating into this team, Lin Mo chose to be a bit low-key and submissive to gain acceptance more easily.

No team likes a person who is arrogant and boastful; to earn everyone’s respect, one must prove their strength and achievements.

So, Lin Mo could only accept the plan quietly for the time being.

“No need to thank me. I just remembered before takeoff that a pilot capable of handling a Forward-Swept Wing Fighter Jet with such maneuverability is the most suitable for the attacking role, and combat experience is essential. I believe you can do it.”

“Raccoon’s” deep laughter echoed through the radio channel.

The Dragon Knight is the fiercest attacker among all Air Knights, and “Raccoon’s” suggestion was very timely.

“Well, okay then!”

As a temporary teammate, Yuri chose to fully trust “Raccoon.” This experienced Canadian pilot always had his reasons for suggesting something.

However, there were still some shortcomings in his unreserved acceptance of their plan.

Whether in another world or this one, only the lead aircraft in an attack formation could allow Lin Mo to unleash his full power and attack freely.

Yuri then asked, “‘Number 13,’ ‘Raccoon,’ do you both have the information on the two opponents memorized?”

Executing the tactical plan is very important; although the roles had changed, their mission remained the same: shoot down the opponents, preferably exterminating them to earn more valuable points and chances for survival.

Pilots are both honored and unfortunate warriors; they appear to live glamorous lives with enviable benefits, but once they take to the skies, they constantly dance with death. A small mistake could even leave them without a burial place.

“Thanks for the reminder, ‘Yuri.’ I’ll remember it; as long as I’m careful, it should be fine. ‘Number 13,’ make sure to watch out for that UFO. It has 360-degree attack capabilities with no blind spots. Be cautious and don’t try to engage it from six o’clock as you would with a conventional fighter jet.”

Although Canada is a neighbor to America, “Raccoon” showed Lin Mo complete trust as a comrade and reminded him of some crucial information he had.

This time, their formation’s opponent included a UFO-shaped fighter aircraft, which, like the Forward-Swept Wing Fighter Jet, had undergone extensive research internationally regarding its aerodynamic properties.

Many aviation and military enthusiasts can find various bizarre experimental aircraft types online, including some truly unbelievable forms. There’s nothing that can’t be made, only what can’t be imagined.

Even if an aircraft has a range of flaws, as long as it possesses a unique aerodynamic advantage that others cannot match, continuous investment in its improvement and experimentation could bring it to a production level, potentially compensating for some shortcomings, thus transforming it into an impressive fighter jet.

Just like the X-1 that Lin Mo was currently piloting, once its fundamental and fatal flaws related to the forward-swept wings are resolved, the performance of its production version would undoubtedly make any existing fourth or even fifth-generation fighters green with envy.

“Thanks, ‘Yuri’ and ‘Raccoon.’ I know how to deal with it. The UFO can attack at 360 degrees, but the pilot does not have 360-degree vision. I will find its blind spots.”

Lin Mo, along with Yuri and the others, had researched that apparently threatening UFO-shaped fighter aircraft, understanding both its strengths and weaknesses and having some countermeasures ready.

Assessing the situation from various angles, the super-maneuverable X-1 Forward-Swept Wing Fighter Jet holds a more advantageous position against such aircraft.

As Lin Mo stated, no matter how incredible the pilot’s vision may be, they still have normal human eyesight. Once an enemy aircraft enters its blind spot, the 360-degree firepower is essentially useless.

What everyone else did not know was that the only one who truly possessed a 360-degree perspective was Lin Mo, who could unleash the magical Light Element Magic known as the Light Mirror Technique.

Thus, when facing such a unique opponent, Lin Mo felt even more confident.