Chapter 309: Graphite for Anti-aircraft Use

The atmosphere in the conference room suddenly became heated. "Destroy Long Country's technological hub!" Major General Linke said excitedly, "Cut off the snake's head!"

Wilkes took a deep breath and made up his mind.

"Fine, let's do it. General Jackson, mobilize the entire strength of the fleet immediately and prepare to launch a surprise attack on the rear of Long Country. Focus on striking their military industrial bases, power facilities, and transportation hubs." He emphasized specifically, "Especially those facilities that may be related to the research and development of Integrated Circuit."

"Yes, sir!" Jackson gave a military salute, his eyes flashing with the light of battle.

Wilkes added, "Remember, this operation must be kept secret to give Long Country a surprise blow. If successful, it will not only slow down their offensive but may even turn the entire tide of the war."

After the meeting ended, Jackson immediately summoned the fleet's staff group and began to formulate a detailed combat plan.

In a certain sea area, the Di Guo fleet flagship, the aircraft carrier "Ye Qi".

Admiral Jackson stood on the bridge, looking out at the calm sea through the huge observation window.

On the deck, dozens of fighter jets were neatly arranged, and ground crew members were busy carrying out final inspections and loading ammunition.

"Everything is ready, sir," the Chief of Staff reported, "The battle group is fully in place, with a total of over 200 carrier-based aircraft of various types available for deployment. Target intelligence has been distributed to each flight squadron."

Jackson nodded with satisfaction, "Very good, 'Lightning Operation' will begin at 0400 hours tomorrow morning. The first wave of targets is the military factories and power facilities in the Dongbei region of Long Country, the second wave targets transportation hubs, and the third wave will conduct precision strikes on their military command centers."

"Sir, the intelligence department just sent the latest news," the Communication Officer interjected, "They have confirmed Li Mingyuan's location. He is currently at a certain Northeast Military Industrial Base guiding the research and development of a new technology, codenamed 'Dawn Project', which is suspected to be related to the Third Generation Integrated Circuit."

A cold glint flashed in Jackson's eyes, "List this base as the highest priority target. Send our most elite pilots and ensure it is completely destroyed."

"Yes, sir. However, intelligence indicates that there may be a small amount of anti-aircraft fire around the base."

"So what?" Jackson waved his hand dismissively, "Old-fashioned Anti-aircraft Gun pose no threat to our carrier-based aircraft. Proceed according to plan."

Just then, another officer hurried over, "Sir, the meteorological department reports that there will be dense fog in the region from tomorrow morning until noon. Visibility may be affected."

Jackson frowned, then shook his head, "This is actually to our advantage. The dense fog can cover our planes as they approach the target. Tell the pilots to use Radar to guide their bombing."

"Yes, sir."

Jackson turned to the large screen at the fleet command center, which displayed a detailed map of the coastal area of Long Country, with dozens of red dots marking the predetermined targets. A cold smile appeared on the corners of his mouth.

"The people of Long Country think they have won, but they have forgotten one thing—we are still the masters of the sea. Once their factories are turned into ruins, their supply lines are cut, and their frontline troops run out of ammunition and food, let's see how arrogant they can be."

The Chief of Staff looked slightly worried, "Sir, what if Long Country's Graphite Weapon can pose a threat to our carrier-based aircraft?"

"Impossible," Jackson flatly denied, "First, Graphite Weapon requires close-range release to be effective, while our planes will be bombing from high altitude and will not enter their effective range at all. Second, even if hit, our planes have a Mechanical Backup System that can ensure basic flight and return capabilities."

He patted the Chief of Staff on the shoulder, "Don't worry, this time we will give the people of Long Country a big surprise. They are showing off on land, but they have forgotten that the sea is the real battlefield."

Meanwhile, at a certain Northeast Military Industrial Base in Long Country.

Li Mingyuan was in the midst of intensively assembling the Third Generation Integrated Circuit research and development team.

In just a few short days, top experts from all over the country had arrived one after another, and in the temporarily constructed laboratory, equipment installation work continued day and night.

"When will the Lithography Machine be ready?" Li Mingyuan asked.

"It will take at least another week," the engineer replied, "We are retrofitting existing domestic precision machine tools, but the precision requirements are too high, and the debugging work is very complex."

Li Mingyuan nodded, "Start preliminary tests with the existing equipment first. Remember, time is life; we must make a breakthrough in the shortest possible time."

Just then, an officer hurried into the laboratory, "Chief Engineer Li, urgent notification. According to an early warning from the intelligence department, the enemy country may be planning an air raid on our rear areas."

Li Mingyuan frowned, "Is there specific intelligence?"

"Not yet certain, but the enemy battle group has gathered at sea, and their activities are unusually frequent. Considering that our rear anti-aircraft forces are weak, the higher-ups are very worried."

Li Mingyuan pondered for a moment, "If they really dare to attack, they will definitely prioritize striking military industrial facilities. We must prepare for air defense."

"But, Chief Engineer Li, our Anti-aircraft weapon here are very limited, with only a few Old-fashioned Anti-aircraft Gun and a small number of anti-aircraft machine guns; they simply cannot withstand the attack of modern fighter jets."

A trace of determination flashed in Li Mingyuan's eyes, "Then we will respond in our own way." He quickly picked up the phone,

"Contact the Graphite Bomb research and development group immediately. I need them to produce a batch of Improved Graphite Bomb in the shortest possible time, specifically for anti-aircraft use."

A surprised voice came from the other end of the phone, "Graphite Bomb for anti-aircraft use? This... is it possible?"

"Of course it's possible," Li Mingyuan said quickly, "We just need to adjust the release mechanism so that the graphite cloud can disperse at a higher altitude. Once enemy planes pass through the graphite cloud, all electronic equipment will fail. Even if they have a Mechanical Backup System, they will be unable to conduct precision bombing."

"Understood, we will start the modification immediately. About how long will it take?"

Li Mingyuan looked at the calendar, "24 hours at most. I have a premonition that the enemy will act very soon."

After hanging up the phone, Li Mingyuan immediately contacted several other research and development departments to arrange for emergency evacuation and data backup work.

Four o'clock in the morning, before dawn, the sea was pitch black.

"Take off!"

As the order was given, on the deck of the enemy aircraft carrier "Ye Qi", the first A-4 "Skyhawk" attack aircraft roared off the runway and took to the sky.

Immediately after, the second, the third... one fighter jet after another took off in sequence, and soon, more than sixty fighter jets of various types had assembled in the air and were flying toward the Northeast of Long Country.

"Attention all aircraft, fly according to the predetermined route. The target is the Northeast Military Industrial Base of Long Country, especially the research center where that guy named Li Mingyuan is located."

The commander gave the final order over the radio, "Remember, blow up the power facilities and communication center first, then concentrate on bombing the research building!"