Chapter 477

Chapter 477: Who is the Fiercest Eagle in the World

The F-22 “Raptor” truly deserves its place among the world’s top ten fighters, exhibiting unparalleled agility between heights of 2,000 to 10,000 meters. It moves with the flexibility of a real bird of prey, fiercely swooping down on its targets, a fitting name assigned by Lockheed Martin.

Even though the Japanese version of the Raptor is a downgraded model, modified using Japan’s advanced electronics technology, it retains much of the original F-22’s performance.

If America publicly announced Japan’s successful purchase of the F-22, it would surely create a sensation internationally. However, the Japanese were left unsatisfied with only a few F-22s, merely a handful as a consolation prize.

But what good did that do? Even if Japan deployed all four of its F-22s in formation, they would still fall short against a squadron of J-10s launching PL-12 “Pang” medium-range and PL-13 “Pang” long-range air-to-air missiles simultaneously.

The Japanese took a straightforward approach, announcing to the world, “We also have Raptors; the Americans sold them to us,” using this tactic to distract the public from discontent over the government’s massive spending on fighter jet programs while simultaneously declaring to the Americans—especially those who opposed Japan’s acquisition of the F-22—that their attempts to block were in vain.

The Japanese had pulled this trick many times before, whether during the “918 Incident” with the Liutiaohuyang event or the ongoing Diaoyu Islands dispute.

The historical lesson for resolving such issues is singular: fight!

Make them feel pain, make them cry out for help, cause chaos, and leave them with no descendants.

On the surface, it might seem like Lockheed Martin was suppressing a promising new manufacturer, but in reality, it was a competition among international aerospace producers.

Although the experimental rights for the J-14 are held by the National Defense Star, ownership belongs to Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. Without approval from either the Chinese military or Shenyang Aircraft, Lin Mo’s casual challenge wouldn’t be taken seriously; at most, they might lend him his privately-owned P-51 “Mustang” as a decoy. If something were to go wrong with the J-14, the National Defense Star and Shenyang would be devastated.

Those in the know could sense that another round of competition was brewing between China’s Shenyang Aircraft and America’s Lockheed Martin.

The J-14 “Eagle Falcon” was originally developed as a response to the F-22 “Raptor,” and they would eventually face off, only the timing was in question.

With Japanese pilots from the Blue Impulse flying team piloting the Raptor in challenges, Shenyang simply played along, while Lockheed Martin probably remained unaware that the Chinese pilot they were attempting to target was precisely one of their intended casualties.

Even if Americans and international intelligence agencies were tracking the situation, they would likely never guess that Lin Mo reached France through military transfers.

In combat, every inch matters; longer reach means more strength, but shorter distance poses greater risks.

This adage applies well to fighter jets.

According to French military regulations, both aircraft can only compete within designated areas and must not exceed boundaries, with multiple radars and surface-to-air missile systems placed around the periphery. Any accidents would result in immediate missile launches, disregarding pilot safety.

After all, if an unarmed fighter were to crash, the explosive impact wouldn’t differ significantly from that of a missile.

Given that neither combatant was French or European, prioritizing the safety of its citizens and important clients at the aerospace exhibition over the two foreign pilots was entirely justified.

Moreover, the Americans were responsible for covering the costs, and both parties signed undisclosed liability waivers for the event.

The French government reveled in watching a clash between these two great powers, considering it a golden opportunity for their domestic fighter manufacturers to glean valuable experience. Even the European aerospace and defense company indicated covert support.

This fortuitous situation, complete with perfect timing and positioning, ensured that, regardless of the outcome, the current aerospace exhibition would be significantly enhanced, undoubtedly drawing in spectators enchanted by the spectacle of fighter jets.

Restricted by the scope of their activities, although both jets specialize in supersonic cruising, they nevertheless maintained a subsonic competition. This was partly due to the ground-based air defense radar systems monitoring them, and partly because a slight miscalculation could result in flying out of the engagement zone, potentially turning into fireworks over Paris.

The duel between the F-22 “Raptor” and the J-14 “Eagle Falcon” was particularly captivating, but the initially awkward, lackluster start shifted dramatically with the J-14’s sonic boom.

The sudden sonic boom startled both the ground audience and Yamashiro Soichiro aboard the F-22, who quickly turned to look. He saw a white sonic boom cloud flash past him before losing sight of the J-14, which, while represented on the radar screen, offered no comprehensive three-dimensional scanning or representation.

When one thinks of eagles, their remarkable eyesight often comes to mind; they can spot small creatures from thousands of meters in the air, then dive down for the kill, followed closely by their iron-winged feathers.

In high-altitude flight, acute vision is crucial, and with the cockpit filled with the Light Mirror Technique array, Lin Mo capitalized on the merged advantages of both worlds, yielding extraordinary results.

As the J-14 “Eagle Falcon” entered supersonic mode, it circled the F-22 “Raptor,” always remaining in the enemy’s blind spot.

Onlookers on the ground wore expressions of sheer astonishment.

It was eerie!

It was surreal!

In an instant, the previously leisurely “Eagle Falcon” transformed with the sonic boom into an elusive phantom. Throughout the dogfight, it deftly remained within its opponent’s blind spots. This tactic, while not entirely uncommon, was incredibly extended in duration.

Hawks, including various raptors outside the owl family, often operate solo, showcasing impressive flying skills and being among the best-vision animals, standing as the proudest warriors of the sky.

Supported by fourteen aerodynamic control surfaces, the J-14 “Eagle Falcon” transformed into a nimble swallows, constantly rolling and tightly entwining with Yamashiro Soichiro’s F-22.

All advanced radars and fire control systems became ineffective in close-quarters dogfighting; success relied on the pilot’s vision, spatial awareness, and cannon. In this close distance, a spray of cannon rounds would suffice to settle the battle, relegating missiles to an auxiliary role.

“Damn it! Where is that guy? Come out and duel like a samurai!”

No matter how Yamashiro Soichiro maneuvered the F-22 “Raptor,” he could not escape the attack envelope of the J-14 “Eagle Falcon.”

He couldn’t ascertain whether his opponent lurked in his lower left or lower right; the only certainty was that the rival had him locked.

The alarms in his cockpit intensified rhythmically.

“Zing! Zing!”

Abruptly, a strange sound erupted from the radio channel in the F-22 cockpit. Yamashiro glanced down to see a high-frequency encrypted communication link request.

What was happening?

This was the specialized encryption device for the F-22, known only to the Japanese and Americans.

Though confused, Yamashiro Soichiro clicked to confirm the link, and a stranger’s voice in Japanese emerged in his headphones.

“‘Little bird,’ ‘Little bird,’ the enemy is at seven o’clock, 1,000 meters!”

“Where?”

Yamashiro’s eyes widened in shock; someone was tipping him off? He yanked on the control stick, and the “Raptor” responded instantly, rolling into a dive. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a shadow.

From the maneuvering path of the opposing aircraft, it had just been at the seven o’clock position of the “Raptor.”

The J-14, as nimble as a wraith, vanished from view again the moment Yamashiro reacted, seeming exceptionally adept at ambush tactics. The alarms blared again in his cockpit.

Yamashiro felt a surge of hope—it was real.

The voice on the radio continued, “Directly below you, flying level, at 1,500 meters. It’s about to climb vertically.”

His hand on the control stick, he pulled left and right, leveling off to ascend. Yamashiro pulled back once more, aligning his nose level before quickly turning to execute a tight radius turn.

After executing that series of sharp maneuvers, Yamashiro indeed found the J-14 soaring vertically before him, its body swiftly magnifying in his view. Gray shadows flashed, and before he knew it, the F-22 “Raptor” narrowly avoided collision with it.

The explosive air currents generated by their dual approaches sent the F-22 into a series of shakes, causing Yamashiro to feel as if he might lose control, quickly performing a half-hearted evasive maneuver to level out, while simultaneously dodging the rival’s equally swift turn to counterattack.