Chapter 235: What is that thing?

With the roar of the engines, the B-26 Bomber fleet took off one after another, forming a massive "V" formation in the high altitude and flying toward the north.

Inside the cabin, the bombardier John was checking the release mechanism of the new Cluster Bomb.

This copied weapon looked almost identical to the Long Country version, but the internal structure had been improved, and it was said to have greater lethality.

"I heard this thing was copied based on the Long Country's bomb?" John asked curiously.

"That's right," the mechanic next to him said proudly,

"Our scientists only spent three weeks cracking all its secrets.

Who knows how much time the Long Country guys spent developing this weapon, but it only took us three weeks to get it done, haha!"

In the communicators, each flight crew began their routine reports:

"Red Eagle One, everything is normal."

"Thunder Two, fuel is sufficient, all systems are normal."

"Black Panther Three, ready, can drop bombs at any time."

Major Fox adjusted the heading and grinned:

"Calculating by the current flight path, we will reach the airspace above the target in 30 minutes.

Remember, maintain an altitude of 7000 meters, completely out of range of the Long Country's anti-aircraft fire."

"Didn't those guys come up with some kind of Drone last time?" Thompson asked with a hint of worry.

"Don't worry, the quantity of that thing is extremely small, and it requires a complex ground control system.

Our intelligence shows that the last bombing already destroyed most of their control equipment.

Besides, today we have fighters escorting us; even if there are any stragglers, they will be torn to shreds by our F-86 Fighter."

The bomber formation moved steadily forward, maintaining a flight altitude of 7000 meters, precisely avoiding all the Long Country anti-aircraft points marked in the intelligence.

Through the porthole, Fox could see the distant, rolling mountain ranges covered in thick white snow, sparkling under the sunlight.

"What a nice place for scenery," he muttered to himself, "it's a pity it's about to turn into a sea of fire."

A report from the reconnaissance plane ahead came through the communicator:

"Visibility in the target area is clear, no obvious anti-aircraft activity detected. Green light, repeat, green light."

Fox patted the dashboard: "Did you hear that, boys? This time it's as easy as dropping bombs on a training ground!"

……

Meanwhile, the atmosphere inside the Long Country Frontline Command was unusually tense.

"The enemy aircraft formation has entered our Radar monitoring range, numbering about 80, altitude 7000 meters, heading directly toward our army's rear supply distribution center."

The Communication Soldier reported, their voice calm and professional.

Li Yunlong frowned, staring at the sand table:

"Sure enough, these devils are back. They dropped so many bombs last time and still dare to come again; it seems they've tasted the sweetness."

Zhao Gang pushed up his glasses: "They clearly grasped our anti-aircraft layout this time; the flight path perfectly avoids all known anti-aircraft positions.

If we use conventional means, it is indeed very difficult to intercept."

"Conventional means?" Li Yunlong sneered, "Who said we only have conventional means?"

He picked up the phone and dialed the secret airfield:

"Hello, is Comrade Li Mingyuan there? The enemy planes are here, 60 of them, altitude 7000 meters.

It's time for our 'baby' to make an appearance."

On the other end of the phone, Li Mingyuan's voice was unusually calm: "Understood, the Jian-6 Fighter is ready and can take off at any time."

Hanging up the phone, Li Yunlong turned to the operations staff officer:

"Issue the order, all camouflaged anti-aircraft gun positions are to remain hidden, do not expose them.

Wait until the enemy planes flee back and reach the optimal range before firing all at once. What we want is the element of surprise!"

"Yes!" The staff officer immediately ran out to convey the order.

Li Yunlong lit a cigarette and took a deep drag:

"Zhao Gang, we've bet everything on this. You tell me, is that Li Mingyuan really that incredible?

A single person actually managed to come up with a jet fighter?"

Zhao Gang smiled: "I can't believe it either, but the facts are right before our eyes. That kid is just like a prophet; any technology that falls into his hands can be played with to produce wonders."

"As long as we can shoot down the enemy's bombers this time, we can turn the situation around." Li Yunlong's eyes flashed with fighting spirit,

"Let the enemy know that our sky is not a place they can come and go as they please!"

……

At the secret airfield, twelve Jian-6 Fighter jets were neatly lined up on the runway, their silver bodies sparkling in the sunlight.

Li Mingyuan stood on the control tower and issued instructions to all pilots via the intercom:

"Comrades, the enemy aircraft formation has entered our airspace, numbering about 60 B-26 Bomber aircraft, with F-86 Fighter escorts.

This is the first real combat for our Jian-6, and it is also a key battle in the history of our army's air warfare."

He paused, his voice firm:

"Remember the tactical points: use the altitude and speed advantage, approach quickly, concentrate fire, and defeat them one by one.

Your autocannon range and power far exceed those of the enemy planes, no need for close-quarters combat. Hit and run, do not get entangled."

The pilots climbed into their cockpits one after another; Wang Wei, as the squadron leader, checked the equipment one last time:

"Attention everyone, according to the predetermined plan, the first squadron is responsible for intercepting the enemy bombers, and the second squadron is responsible for pinning down the enemy fighters.

After takeoff, climb immediately to an altitude of 8000 meters to occupy the high-ground advantage."

The roar of the engines was deafening; twelve Jian-6 Fighter jets slid onto the runway one after another, accelerated, and took off, piercing the blue sky like twelve arrows released from their strings.

Li Mingyuan stood on the tower, watching the fighters disappear into the clouds, silently praying in his heart: "Everything goes smoothly."

……

Lieutenant Jackson, the F-86 Sabre fighter pilot responsible for forward reconnaissance, was cruising leisurely at high altitude, occasionally exchanging a few jokes with his wingman.

"This mission is as easy as a vacation," he teased over the radio,

"The Long Country folks' anti-aircraft fire has been mapped out by us completely; it's practically like taking a stroll in our own backyard."

"Don't be careless," the wingman reminded him, "didn't they come up with some kind of Drone last time?"

"That thing?" Jackson scoffed,

"It's nothing but a toy. Besides, the last bombing already destroyed most of their ground control equipment. Now, all they can probably bring out are a few decrepit anti-aircraft guns."

Just as he was speaking, the Radar Operator suddenly reported:

"Sir, the Radar shows unidentified flying objects appearing at 12 o'clock, quantity 12, distance 50 kilometers!"

"What?" Jackson was startled, "Confirm that again!"

"Confirmed, sir! 12 unidentified flying objects are approaching our position at high speed!"

Jackson quickly adjusted his heading, preparing to engage:

"They must be Long Country's propeller fighters; it's likely their last remaining assets, trying to put up a desperate fight."

"Notify the Bomber formation to maintain course; we're going to meet these fellows who don't know the immensity of heaven and earth."

He commanded into the communicator: "All F-86s, attention: enemy aircraft approaching, prepare to intercept. Do not get bogged down in combat; finish it quickly and protect the Bomber formation to complete the mission."

"Received!" the other fighters responded one after another.