Chapter 262: You say Long Country can intercept our bombs?

The system began operating again, and the barrage from the anti-aircraft machine guns formed a "net," shrouding the potential impact area of the shells. At the same time, anti-aircraft missiles were also launched, but due to the ballistic characteristics of the shells, the difficulty of interception increased significantly.

The final result proved Li Mingyuan's judgment—the system intercepted about 25% of the howitzer shells, significantly lower than the interception rate for rocket shells. But even so, it was far beyond the performance of traditional anti-aircraft systems.

"Not perfect, but already quite remarkable," Li Mingyuan said to the technical personnel beside him, "Next time we can improve the radar algorithm to enhance the predictive capability for curved trajectory targets."

He looked at his watch: "Notify the artillery regiment, it's our turn to counterattack!"

Long Country's "Fire Dragon" self-propelled rocket launchers responded quickly, and dozens of rocket shells accurately hit the enemy's artillery positions, forcing them to temporarily stop their attack.

Night fell, the enemy's Frontline Command was brightly lit, and an emergency meeting was underway.

"This is the clearest photo our reconnaissance plane managed to take at great risk," the Intelligence Officer said, pointing to the image on the projector, "The Long Country people have deployed some kind of unprecedented anti-aircraft system on the mountaintop, capable of intercepting our air-dropped bombs and rocket shells, and it also has a certain interception capability against howitzer shells."

"Absurd!" an elderly Colonel slammed the table and stood up in anger, "This kind of technology could only be realized at least twenty years from now! Our laboratories are developing similar concepts, but we haven't even built a prototype!"

Jackson said calmly: "Facts speak louder than words, gentlemen. Today we lost two bombers and a large amount of ammunition was wasted in vain, while the Long Country people's anti-aircraft system remains intact."

"We need to destroy this system!" the armored unit commander proposed, "How about sending special forces for a night raid?"

"Too risky," Jackson shook his head, "The Long Country people must be protecting this system closely. Moreover, our intelligence indicates that this is just their first prototype, and there may be more under development."

The conference room fell silent, the atmosphere oppressive. Finally, the Communication Officer raised a hand cautiously: "Sir, a secret telegram from General Maise has just arrived; he demands that we report today's situation immediately, especially every detail regarding the Long Country's new anti-aircraft system."

"Damn it!" Jackson rubbed his brow irritably, "Now the 'Thor Project' might be forced to be implemented ahead of schedule..."

Just at this moment, another emergency report arrived. The Intelligence Officer's face changed drastically: "Sir! Our reconnaissance plane discovered... the Long Country people seem to have assembled a large number of new self-propelled anti-tank guns at the front line! It looks like... my God, those barrels are at least 125 millimeters in caliber!"

Jackson stood up instantly, his face filled with disbelief: "What did you say? 125 millimeters? Our M48 armored units can't even withstand shells of that caliber! Quick, notify all armored units to retreat immediately!"

He slammed the table hard: "Where on earth did the Long Country people get these hellish new technologies? This defies logic! Just a few months ago they were still using equipment we phased out during World War II!"

At the same moment, inside the war room of the enemy's Presidential Palace, General Maise stared with a livid face at the photos and reports sent from the front line.

"You mean to say the Long Country people have developed an anti-aircraft system capable of intercepting our air-dropped bombs?" His voice trembled with anger.

The intelligence analyst replied cautiously: "Yes, General. Preliminary analysis shows that this system combines our AN/TPQ-1 radar technology with some kind of brand-new fire control system, capable of intercepting high-speed targets in mid-air. Our experts believe... this technology is at least ten years ahead of us."

"Nonsense!" Maise roared, "The Long Country people don't even have a decent industrial system! How could they suddenly master such cutting-edge technology?"

"Perhaps... someone helped them?" the adjutant tentatively suggested.

Maise's face was gloomy: "Beijixiong Guo? No, they don't have this technology either... unless..." He stopped suddenly, his eyes becoming sharp, "Unless someone stole our secrets!"

The intelligence chief shook his head: "There is no evidence that our technology was stolen. On the contrary, according to style analysis, these devices appear to be completely original designs, and they look more like... a system cobbled together temporarily rather than mature technology."

Maise was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked: "How is the deployment of the 'Thor Project' progressing?"

"About 40% complete, General. But if Long Country truly possesses this kind of interception capability..."

"Accelerate the deployment!" Maise interrupted, "At the same time, change tactics. Since they can intercept conventional ammunition, then try special ammunition! Prepare white phosphorus bombs and cluster bombs, and see if they can intercept those!"

The adjutant hesitated: "General, using white phosphorus bombs might violate..."

"Shut up!" Maise roared, "What do you think the Long Country people are using? Isn't their 'White Phosphorus Bomb' just white phosphorus bombs? Since they can use them, why can't we?"

He turned to the Communication Officer: "Contact the negotiator Smith immediately, tell him to continue delaying the negotiations; I need more time to complete the 'Thor' deployment! At the same time, have the frontline commander use every means to destroy this Long Country anti-aircraft system; I want to know every detail of it!"

The next dawn, Li Mingyuan was adjusting the radar parameters of the "Steel Umbrella" system, attempting to increase the interception rate for curved trajectory targets. Suddenly, an alarm sounded.

"Enemy aircraft formation, twelve o'clock direction, eight kilometers away!" the observation post reported urgently.

Li Mingyuan ordered quickly: "Everyone to your positions! Radar at full power! Machine gun teams, missile teams, prepare!"

Colonel Wang hurried over: "Engineer Li, intelligence indicates that the enemy aircraft might be carrying white phosphorus bombs this time! They want to use special ammunition to break through our defenses!"

Li Mingyuan's eyes sharpened: "Strengthen protection! Everyone put on gas masks and wear protective suits! Once white phosphorus touches the skin, the consequences will be unimaginable!"

He quickly adjusted his strategy: "Interception priority adjusted—first intercept potential white phosphorus bombs and cluster bombs, conventional bombs second!"

The enemy aircraft formation soon entered range and began dropping ammunition. This time they changed their strategy; the planes dispersed and attacked simultaneously from different angles, attempting to spread the firepower of the "Steel Umbrella" system.

In the sky, dozens of special bombs whistled toward the Long Country positions. Some were white phosphorus bombs, which would release burning white phosphorus particles after exploding; others were cluster bombs, which would disperse into hundreds of small bombs in mid-air.

"Steel Umbrella, fire!" Li Mingyuan ordered in a deep voice.

The system operated at full capacity, the anti-aircraft machine guns formed a dense net of fire, and anti-aircraft missiles were launched one after another. Because there were too many targets, the system had to make priority choices, intercepting most of the white phosphorus bombs first.