Chapter 324

Chapter 324: The Gift from the "Dark Sabre"

Airdrop technology is a fundamental skill for carrier-based aircraft, used as a powerful means to target ground or sea objectives.

While launching missiles is certainly safe and convenient, most of the payload capacity is taken up by rocket engines and propulsion fuel, leaving little room for actual explosive materials that can create a substantial impact.

Although direct drops may seem basic, they are unaffected by any electronic jamming.

The airdrop pod, designed in a thick cylindrical shape, is not explosive. Its exterior features an orange shark-repellent coating. Once deployed, it automatically opens a parachute and, upon entering the water, a life raft tied to the pod inflates, allowing it to float on the sea surface.

On June 30th, at 9:14 AM, the weather conditions were excellent, with an east wind at Force 3, and an altitude of seven thousand meters.

“32 kilometers to Andaman Reef!”

Lin Mo’s gaze passed through the sparse puffs of clouds as he looked down at the sea surface. In the shallow waters, the seawater was no longer the deep blue but was interspersed with light blue areas—these were the spots where islands, reefs, beaches, and banks were most densely located.

The coordinates of Andaman Reef are at 10 degrees 21 minutes north latitude and 114 degrees 42 minutes east longitude.

Lin Mo’s Light Mirror Technique revealed a few artificial structures resembling reef fortifications; these were concrete tanks for storing fresh water. If they were to airdrop, they needed to avoid these tanks, or it would lead to a major catastrophe.

Andaman Reef is close to Balan Reef and Dunqian Sandbank, situated at the eastern end of the Zheng He Atoll. Lin Mo had a trainee codenamed “Reader” flying as his wingman, forming a two-aircraft formation alongside the helicopter group to deliver supplies.

There were two other carrier-based aircraft formations, fully leveraging their long range to extend the transportation radius to areas unreachable by helicopters.

The two "Dark Sabres" were equipped with one airdrop pod, two small fuel tanks, and basic weapon systems consisting of rocket pods and short-range air-to-air combat missiles.

The helicopters had a simpler method for airdrop, gently releasing large containers directly onto the platforms or rooftops of supply stations and simply severing the ropes to depart leisurely.

Almost all island and reef supply stations were equipped with small boats and inflatable rubber dinghies, allowing personnel to row out to retrieve any airdropped materials. The discarded airdrop pods could even be repurposed as bathing tubs or water storage barrels, ensuring that the stationed troops would not waste anything that fell from the sky.

“Dragon Knight, I see it too!” Reader confirmed the coordinates through satellite images, the light representing the fighter jet nearly aligning with the dot for Andaman Reef on the map.

Carrier-based aircraft flew quickly, covering a kilometer in just two or three seconds. In just this brief time, they could visually identify the buildings on the reef.

They were the advance team, and the main transport helicopters would arrive shortly afterward.

From high above, the part of Andaman Reef that revealed itself above the water resembled a thin plume of incense rising from a burning stick or the outline of a whole chicken leg.

“I see them! They raised the red flag and are signaling us!”

Lin Mo smiled. For those who abandoned a comfortable life to stand guard at this uninhabited and perilous marine outpost for the sake of national sovereignty, even without resounding achievements, they were still heroes.

“We’re ready to start; be careful not to hit their houses.”

“Don’t worry, instructor! I’m an expert now.”

“Let’s drop everything quickly so we can head back sooner!”

“No problem! You go first? I go first?”

“You first!”

Because of the special geographical needs of ocean combat, the skill level of carrier-based aircraft pilots tends to be higher than that of land-based fighter pilots. In a sense, Lin Mo being assigned to the Shilang was also a form of advanced training.

As the wingman, the "Dark Sabre" rolled over and broke away from formation, quickly circling around Andaman Reef before dropping to an altitude of just over 100 meters, releasing the airdrop pod that was hung under the belly.

The airdrop pod could carry a maximum weight of one ton, loaded with various medicines and alcoholic beverages.

Although the soldiers stationed on the reefs seemed to enjoy the beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and the meeting of sea and sky during high and low tides, with regular supplies brought by boats or helicopters, their lives were not easy. They faced common health issues like stomach ailments, kidney stones, and arthritis.

Lin Mo continued on without any diversion; his target was the other end of Zheng He Atoll, specifically the Nanking Reef located west of Andaman Reef.

Nanking Reef is located at 10 degrees 13 minutes north latitude and 114 degrees 12 minutes east longitude, at the southwestern tip of the Zheng He Atoll. It is a large reef flat, with two areas exposed during low tide.

The Nanking Reef also features a third-generation elevated permanent structure and a supply platform. The reef lacks a freshwater source, relying entirely on boat transport for supplies. Viewed from above, it resembles an ancient castle, with the words "Guarding the Horizon" written in red on one wall, while the other wall reads "Patriotic Love for the Reef."

Beep, beep, beep!

Just as Lin Mo was about to drop the airdrop pod, an alarm sounded in the cockpit, and almost at the same moment, he heard the voice of a communication officer from the command center of the Shilang aircraft carrier.

“Warning, two Su-27s have entered our South China Sea airspace, flying at an altitude of 5,000 meters from west to east towards Hongxiu Island. Please pay attention, ‘Dragon Knight.’”

Hongxiu Island?

This is the closest island to Nanking Reef within the Zheng He Atoll, covering an area of 0.07 square kilometers. It is currently controlled by the Vietnamese government, which has established a mobile communication ground station on the island with the Vietnamese VinaPhone company. They have also built permanent facilities and administrative offices, even allowing immigration to the island.

This is also a result of the "shelve disputes and jointly develop" policy.

The Vietnamese have become bolder, daring to patrol over the South China Sea.

Lin Mo pressed the drop button, and the airdrop pod immediately detached from the aircraft, deploying a parachute that slowly descended to the sea surface. After sinking into the seawater, it floated back up with two large air sacs, drifting gently toward the dock at Nanking Reef.

Perhaps with little effort, it would just flow along the waves to the dock, requiring no time to retrieve it by boat.

The soldiers stationed on Nanking Reef were surprised to see the airdrop pod from their country’s carrier-based aircraft drifting toward them.

“I see it!” Lin Mo activated the phased array radar on the nose of the "Dark Sabre." In just one second, he locked onto two small dots over two hundred kilometers away.

The IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) system quickly confirmed their identities, cross-referencing with the Chinese military database via satellite, identifying them as belonging to the 2nd Squadron of the 1st Brigade of Vietnam’s 940 Fighter Aviation Regiment, known as "Conical Hat One."

Just as Americans love to gather information on Chinese fighter placements and pilot details, China also diligently collects military intelligence from neighboring countries. What Lin Mo was accessing now was China’s air force intelligence database.

“Report to the command center, target identified, requesting action plan…”

“Execute Harmony Plan Two!”

To enhance command efficiency, pilots are authorized to handle various flight emergencies encountered while piloting carrier-based aircraft. Thus, the operational command center of the Shilang aircraft carrier has prepared dozens of authorized action plans for the aviation crew, allowing for quick responses based on actual situations.

This avoids the lengthy process of multiple reports, approvals, and orders, adapting to the fast-paced response needed in modern operations.

“Plan confirmed! Starting execution now!”

The throttle increased, and the ailerons were adjusted to achieve a high angle.

The "Dark Sabre" quickly lifted its nose and climbed!

Not only did it gain the visual high point, but it also easily obtained a speed advantage.

“Dragon Knight, this is Reader. Do you need support?”

“No need, I can handle it alone!”

Lin Mo’s Light Mirror Technique quickly locked onto the targets—two Su-27s equipped with rocket pods and close-range combat missiles, matching the configuration of Lin Mo’s "Dark Sabre," except their wing-mounted fuel tanks were significantly larger.

The two Vietnamese Su-27s still seemed unaware of Lin Mo’s "Dark Sabre," flying eastward with unchanged direction and speed.

At this moment, the strengths and weaknesses of both sides’ avionics systems and stealth technology became evident.

“Report, ‘White Conical Hat,’ everything is normal; no Chinese aircraft detected. Expected to arrive over Hongxiu Island in ten minutes.”

“Red Conical Hat! Continue observing!”

“White Conical Hat, I heard that the Chinese aircraft carrier is busy delivering gifts, airdropping supplies and comforts to various islands and reefs. Even the stationed troops on Taiping Island received a big package.”

“Hmm!”

“Do you think our people on the island will also receive a gift?”

“Certainly!”

“What will it be? Chinese Maotai? Or Zhonghua cigarettes? Longjing tea? Or something else? It would be great to get a collection of Chinese beauty photos.”

“Dream on!”

“I can’t wait to see what the gift will be!”

“Aerial bombs!”

“@#$%^&…”

The Su-27 duo seemingly learned about the presence of the Chinese aircraft carrier nearby from some source, but they didn’t take it seriously.

They swaggered about while patrolling over the South China Sea as if it were their own territory. This had become a frequent occurrence for the Vietnamese 940 Fighter Aviation Regiment. Even though Chinese J-10s had periodically taken off from local clusters to lock onto Vietnamese fighters, they still couldn’t deter the Vietnamese ambition.

Suddenly, it seemed like the sunlight dimmed. The Vietnamese pilot in the Su-27 instinctively looked up at the sky and exclaimed.

“Enemy aircraft spotted! Enemy aircraft spotted! Quick, evade! Damn it, why didn’t the radar respond! It must be a stealth fighter!”

“Red Conical Hat! You go left, I go right, spread out, and use the encirclement tactic.”

“Understood!”