Chapter 528: Flying Skimming the Sea? What the Hell Is That?

Li Mingyuan did not answer directly, but instead said: "Please keep the communication lines open; the upcoming footage might be quite spectacular. Pangu, end communication."

Inside the command center, everyone looked at each other, not knowing how to handle this situation. Finally, the old Commander sighed: "What is that kid planning? Could he really be intending to expose 'Kunpeng' voluntarily?"

Minister Zhang shook his head: "I don't think so. Although Lao Li is sometimes whimsical, he never does things he isn't sure about. I think... he might be planning to give the people of the Star-Spangled Country an unforgettable 'surprise'."

On the command center's large screen, the blue dot representing "Kunpeng" suddenly accelerated, charging straight toward the red zone representing the Star-Spangled Country's aircraft carrier strike group.

On the ocean, Li Mingyuan's hands steadily controlled "Kunpeng," a mysterious smile hanging on the corner of his mouth.

"Pangu, reduce flight altitude to 3 meters, increase airspeed to 280 knots, activate full-band signal absorption mode, and maintain absolute silence."

"Understood, altitude descending... altitude stabilized at 3 meters, airspeed increasing... 280 knots stabilized, full-band signal absorption activated, silent state confirmed."

Li Mingyuan felt the lift fans at the bottom of "Kunpeng" adjust their angles, causing the entire platform to fly almost pressed against the sea surface. This altitude was a suicidal choice for any conventional aircraft, but for "Kunpeng," which was specifically designed for ground effect, it was the most ideal state—it could maximize the lift provided by the ground effect while almost completely evading Radar detection.

"How far is the Star-Spangled Country aircraft carrier strike group?"

"137 nautical miles. Calculated at current speed, arrival at the nearest intercept point is expected in 6 minutes."

Li Mingyuan nodded slightly and began to study the detailed deployment of the "Haowei" aircraft carrier strike group. In the 3D holographic projection, that massive fleet was sailing slowly in a standard defensive formation, completely unaware of the "surprise" about to arrive.

"Look at their Radar parameters," Li Mingyuan ordered, "I want to know where their blind spots are."

The Pangu System immediately displayed a set of complex Radar waveform charts and coverage models. Li Mingyuan studied them carefully for a few seconds, then pointed to an area in the model: "Here, at a 45-degree angle to the port side of the aircraft carrier, below 3 meters in altitude, is the weak area of their Radar coverage."

"Confirmed, Radar signal strength in that area drops by 47%, and detection probability does not exceed 30%."

Li Mingyuan revealed a satisfied smile: "Very good, adjust the course; we will approach from this direction. Keep the distance at 5 nautical miles—close enough to make them panic, yet far enough to ensure safety."

"Course adjusted, expected to enter their long-range detection range in 2 minutes."

Li Mingyuan leaned back in his seat, an expression of anticipation on his face like that of someone watching the climax of a blockbuster movie in his past life: "Next, let's see the performance of the Star-Spangled Country Navy. I bet their Radar Operator will be so scared they'll wet their pants."

Meanwhile, on the bridge of the Star-Spangled Country aircraft carrier "Haowei," the atmosphere was relaxed and lazy. It was a sunny day with calm seas and clear skies, the perfect weather for routine cruising.

"Standard course, standard speed, everything is normal," Captain Thompson said with satisfaction, sipping his coffee, "Looks like another peaceful day."

"Yes, sir," the first officer replied with a smile, "The weather forecast shows stable winds and waves for the next 24 hours, perfect for flight training."

The Captain nodded: "Very good, notify the flight deck to prepare for this afternoon's takeoff and landing training. We need to keep the pilots in shape."

Just then, a hurried call suddenly came from the Radar room: "Bridge! Radar room! Anomaly detected!"

The Captain frowned and set his coffee cup aside: "What anomaly?"

The Radar Operator's voice came through the communicator, sounding both confused and nervous: "Sir, we have detected an unidentified target on the port side, at a distance of about 27 nautical miles... it... its behavior is very strange."

"Explain specifically," the Captain walked toward the Radar display, his voice becoming serious, "What type of target is it?"

"That's the problem, sir," the Radar Operator's voice was clearly trembling, "The target is very small, the signal is weak and unstable, but the speed... the speed is incredibly fast! Over 250 knots!"

"What?" the Captain asked loudly in disbelief, "250 knots? Are you sure it's not a Radar malfunction or a flock of birds?"

"Ruling out malfunction, sir, we have cross-checked three independent Radar Systems, and all show this target exists. Furthermore, its flight altitude is extremely low, almost skimming the sea surface... no more than 10 meters!"

A Silence fell over the bridge; everyone was shocked by this incredible intelligence. The Captain's expression became grave: "This is impossible... no known aircraft can maintain this speed at such a low altitude."

Just then, the Radar Operator's voice came again, this time almost screaming: "Sir! The target has changed course! It... it is coming right at us! Current distance 19 nautical miles, speed increased to nearly 280 knots!"

The Captain grabbed the communicator: "General quarters! Repeat, general combat quarters! Potential unknown threat! CIC, report the situation to fleet headquarters immediately!"

The entire aircraft carrier instantly entered a state of combat readiness, alarm sounds blared across every deck, and crew members ran to their respective battle stations. The Captain rushed into the Combat Information Center (CIC), which was already crowded with officers and technical personnel, all of them staring at the main Radar screen at that erratic little bright spot.

"What's the situation?" the Captain asked sternly.

The CIC director, an experienced Lieutenant Colonel, pointed at the screen with a grave expression: "Sir, this target... its behavior completely defies all principles of aerodynamics we know. It is flying at sea level at a speed of nearly 300 knots, at an altitude of less than 10 meters, and its maneuverability is astonishing."

"A new type of Missile from Beijixiong Guo?" the Captain guessed, his voice full of worry.

"Doesn't look like it, sir," the Radar expert shook his head, "We are very familiar with the signal characteristics of Missiles, and no known Missile can maintain this kind of sustained flight. This target has been flying at high speed for over 3 minutes with no signs of slowing down."

"Then what could it be?" the Captain asked the question on everyone's mind.

Just then, a report came from the sonar room, making the situation even more baffling: "Sir, we haven't detected any typical propeller noise or jet engine sound, only a kind of... low humming and the sound of high-speed water flow!"

"That's impossible!" the Captain was almost roaring, "What kind of aircraft can fly at high speed without making engine noise?"

On the Radar screen, the mysterious bright spot suddenly performed an incredible maneuver—it made an almost right-angle turn while flying at high speed, then circled the outer defense perimeter of the carrier strike group in a perfect arc, consistently maintaining a distance of 5 nautical miles.