Listening to his companion Johnson's words, Underwood not only frowned, but immediately looked down at the mission statement, which clearly stated that there were three goals, but now he only found one. Where are the other two?
Is it the use of civil aircraft as a cover?
Unlike the Saudi Air Force, the Royal Air Force developed a very rigorous tactical habit because it had to fight with the bombers and fighters of the Soviet air force all year round during the cold war.
Because of this, they specially found Sheikh and Gamal for a brief exchange before the drill in order to understand the specific circumstances of their failure.
In addition to Sheikh and Gamal's carelessness and lack of radar irradiation warning system for flying fighters, the most important reason is the other party's flexible tactics. For example, the tnb-31 "loyal wingman" actually used the civil aircraft as a cover to avoid the radar search of the "gale" fighter.
This situation made Underwood and Johnson very vigilant. Because of this, at the beginning of the drill, they repeatedly asked for complete clearance around the airspace where the drill was located and no civil aircraft were allowed to enter.
Of course, the reason is high sounding, for safety, but in fact, they are just to prevent each other's old skills from being repeated.
Because of this, the idea of using civil aircraft to cover the approach only appeared in Underwood's mind and was rejected by him for a moment.
There's no hair on the two civil airliners around. What's the other side's cover?
What's more, the ecr-90 "catcher" Doppler pulse radar used by their "typhoon" fighter has a detection range of more than 240 kilometers for large targets such as airliners.
The target of fighter is 130 kilometers.
Obviously, if it was a civil airliner, they knew it long ago. How could they wait until it was posted more than 100 kilometers away?
Obviously, the other party is their own right this time!
"Do you want to shoot a 'meteor' empty bullet?" Johnson said impatiently at this time. Obviously, the wingman wanted to try his hand.
However, Underwood hesitated out of caution. After all, it was clearly marked in the mission statement that there were three goals, but now there was only one. As a last resort, Underwood still wanted to start after confirming the other two goals.
However, Johnson's words made Underwood's cautious attitude begin to waver.
"Before the drill, the general hoped that we would show the 'meteor' medium range air-to-air missile. I think now is a great opportunity!"
Underwood frowned deeply and involuntarily. Indeed, before departure, Brigadier General Hopkins, the British Air Force Chief in the Middle East who was responsible for contacting them, specially found them and hoped that they would not only fully demonstrate the excellent performance of "typhoon" fighters, but also show the excellent performance of "meteor" medium range air-to-air missiles.
No way, as an advanced medium range air-to-air missile that took Europe more than ten years to suppress, its performance was almost exaggerated by Europe.
But the problem is that Europeans look at the "meteor" medium range missile is very beautiful, but other regions outside Europe are full of doubts about this medium range air-to-air missile.
This is mainly caused by the power assembly of the combination of ramjet and solid rocket motor used by the "meteor" missile, which is not seen by the outside world.
Although the ramjet is used, the range of the "meteor" missile has been greatly increased, so that it can reach up to 150 kilometers, which can be called the leader of the medium range missiles in active service.
But correspondingly, the huge inlet of ramjet also destroys the simple aerodynamic structure of the projectile, resulting in large shape resistance and affecting speed and maneuverability.
So that the nominal maximum speed of the "meteor" missile can reach Mach 4 and the maximum overload can exceed 40 g, but in fact, the "meteor" needs an acceleration time of up to 30 seconds to reach this value, and it can't last too long.
This has led to the failure of the "meteor" missile to carry out effective target attack within the range of 30 to 40 kilometers, because the fucking "meteor" missile is accelerating at this distance.
The American made aim-120d missile developed at the same time as the "meteor" missile takes only 3 seconds to accelerate to Mach 4. Precisely because of this, the minimum range of aim-120d missile can reach 15 km. When necessary, it can be used as a combat missile, with great task flexibility.
Because of this, many countries that intend to purchase "typhoon" fighters have certain objections to "meteor" missiles. They prefer to use American made aim-120d missiles rather than "meteor".
Anyway, the Typhoon fighter is compatible with both missiles. Why not use one with greater mission flexibility?
The Saudi Air Force thinks so. Although they buy defense products like toys and never lose money, they naturally don't want to use bad products if they can buy useful things. After all, Saudi money is for enjoyment, not for sin.
Therefore, Saudi Arabia requires us made aim-120d medium range air-to-air missile instead of European "meteor" in the configuration of "typhoon".
The British bea system company, the main manufacturer of the "meteor" missile, was hurt, but Hamilton had to use various relations to lobby Saudi Arabia to accept the "meteor" missile; On the other hand, Underwood and Johnson are required to shoot two "meteor" missiles in joint training with Gulf States, so that Saudi Arabia and other countries can see that the "meteor" missile is invincible and lonely like snow 40 kilometers away.
Unfortunately, for so many days, the so-called training of the Gulf Air force is entirely three days fishing and two days drying the net. It takes much more time to form a team and revel at night than take off. Underwood and Johnson just want to play "meteors" and don't have that chance.
I thought that they were arranging in a few days, but I didn't expect this opportunity to come so suddenly.
Although brigadier general Hopkins said it very vaguely, Underwood and Johnson were not stupid. They knew that if they didn't let the "meteor" missile show their face again this time, even if they went back without punishment, they would be wearing small shoes everywhere.
I can't help it. I gave you a chance, but you didn't seize it. Who can blame?
I can only blame myself for being useless!
So Underwood thought for a moment and finally opened his mouth: "how much is the distance?"
Knowing that his fighter had agreed to the attack, Johnson quickly said, "the distance is 73 kilometers!"
"Fast enough!" Underwood said to himself, and immediately his eyes were cold: "you launch, I'll cover!"
"OK ~ ~ ~" Johnson answered, immediately opened the launch insurance, locked the target with the radar, and then pressed the launch button. He only felt that the fuselage trembled. The two "meteor" air-to-air missiles under the wing dragged a long tail flame, leaving a straight track in the air and stabbing the target.
At the same time, Underwood piloted his plane to make alert action, frequently searched the front with radar, and always protected Johnson who used radar to guide missile attacks.
Soon, Johnson's delighted voice came through the headset: "hit, thank God ~ ~ ~"
Underwood also breathed a sigh of relief, because he also found the disappearance of a suspicious target on his radar screen, but when Underwood was ready to search for two other targets, there suddenly appeared another target just where the target disappeared.
Judging from the reflected signal of the radar, this target is the suspicious target that was shot down just now.
Is it a missile miss or a strange rebirth?
Underwood just felt a little numb on his scalp