Empire Conquest-Chapter 819 - 80: Lost Opportunity in the East (Part 2)
Thus, there came the Cruise Missile.
But the problem is, cruise missiles are really expensive. In a total war, they are simply unaffordable, and certainly cannot replace traditional bombs.
Because they are so expensive, cruise missiles cannot become the primary strike weapon.
In comparison, various low-cost guided bombs, such as inertial guided bombs using high-precision laser gyroscopes, have more development potential.
Additionally, the Empire invested heavily in building a global satellite navigation system, adopting an especially complex parent-child satellite system, and deployed valuable parent satellites in mid-high orbits unreachable by anti-missile missiles. To a large extent, the aim is to use this system to increase the efficiency of strategic bombing or, more accurately, to reduce costs, such as using satellite navigation to replace other complex and costly guidance equipment.
Not to mention, the Empire’s Air Force is developing several types of precision-guided bombs relying on satellite navigation, and the target price set by the Air Force is all below 10,000 Gold Yuan, with a clear requirement to use existing bombs, specifically to develop low-cost guidance kits for non-guided bombs.
All of this is essentially because cruise missiles are too expensive.
In a total war, large-scale strategic bombing still relies on the bomber, with mainly inexpensive bombs being used.
This means bombers still have to risk breaking through the air defense network.
Although precision-guided munitions can greatly enhance bombing efficiency, theoretically increasing it by hundreds of times, thereby reducing the need for bombers, for example, where previously 100 bombers were needed for a bombing mission, with precision munitions, perhaps only one is needed. However, this does not change the reality that bombers are easily intercepted and especially vulnerable to being shot down by air defense missiles.
In the Boi War, against a not-very-strong Boi air defense force, the Empire’s Air Force lost over a hundred strategic bombers.
One could say, this almost sentenced strategic bombers to death.
A loss rate exceeding 1% is simply unbearable in the Global War.
It’s not just that bombers are very expensive; if the pilot casualty rate is too high, by the time the bombers are produced, there might not be any pilots left to fly them.
In fact, it’s these real-world issues that force the Empire’s Air Force to seek ways to increase the survival rate of bombers.
After several unsuccessful attempts, the Empire’s Air Force finally found the right direction.
One could say, "Attack-11" is more like a stealth technology validation machine.
The "Hong-X" project and the "Attack-11" project were launched almost simultaneously. After weighing the pros and cons, the Empire’s Air Force decided to prioritize the development of "Attack-11."
The reasoning is quite simple: before the "Attack-11" took to the skies, no one knew how to achieve radar stealth, nor were they clear about the military value of "stealth." Even after the first flight of "Attack-11," many still doubted stealth technology.
This situation quickly turned around.
Before participating in the evaluation operation in Sri Lanka, "Attack-11" proved its value through action.
In the joint military exercise of New Calendar 145, four "Attack-11" successfully "destroyed" the headquarters of both sides of the exercise without pre-notification, and were undetected by either side. The military value of "stealth" was fully displayed in this exercise.
Otherwise, the Empire’s Air Force would not have dared to blatantly send "Attack-11" to suppress the revolt in Sri Lanka the following year.
In fact, it was in New Calendar 145 that the "Hong-X" project entered the fast track.
At that time, the Empire’s aviation enterprises, especially several major military aircraft manufacturers, already had a clear understanding of radar stealth through "Attack-11," and during the test flights of "Attack-11," many problems were discovered and solutions were sought.
Strictly speaking, the stealth performance of "Attack-11" is not perfect.
In eight specific directions, the radar signals reflected by "Attack-11" not only did not weaken but increased, so it is necessary to avoid aligning these directions with enemy radar as much as possible, or at least not align them for extended periods, which imposes higher demands on mission planning and the personal ability of pilots.
One could say it was on the basis of "Attack-11" that the current "Hong-X" emerged.
To Li Tianling, the "Hong-X" is not mysterious.
At the beginning of the year, after missing the opportunity to become a military test pilot for "War-X," Zhang Jiazhen even asked him if he was interested in being a test pilot for the acceptance of "Hong-X."
The result was, Li Tianling declined outright.
He knew at the time that the "Hong-X" was a typical heavy strategic bomber, with a maximum takeoff weight exceeding 250 tons and a maximum bomb load of at least 30 tons. Under the standard configuration, for example, carrying 12 "Snake Spear" level cruise missiles, or 24 short-range air-to-ground missiles, or 36 glide guided bombs, the bomb load controlled within 20 tons, the range would not be less than 12,000 kilometers, and with one aerial refueling, it could reach 20,000 kilometers. Even when fully loaded, that is, carrying 72 500-kilogram air bombs with a bomb load reaching 36 tons, the range could still reach 8,000 kilometers, and after refueling could reach 14,000 kilometers.
As for other performances, there is nothing much to boast about.
Due to the restrictions of the flying wing layout, the "Hong-X" certainly cannot fly at supersonic speeds, and its maximum ceiling is between 12,000 meters and 15,000 meters.
Additionally, the "Hong-X" could very likely become the first strategic bomber of the Empire’s Air Force to require only 2 pilots.
"So, how’s the nickname ’Boomerang’ suit it?"
When the officer came over to greet him, Li Tianling returned to his senses.
"Wang?"
The person was Colonel Wang Qing’en, Li Tianling’s classmate at the Air Force Flying Academy, and previously also an outstanding fighter pilot.
"I heard from General Zhang that you’re unwilling to fly this kind of bomber."
"You don’t understand him; he’s proud," Zhang Jiazhen said at that moment: "There are a total of 4, all have undergone necessary modifications, installed with weapon control systems. The second purpose is to test the performance of ’Hong-12A’ in actual combat, especially its stealth capability. If the opportunity arises, ’Hong-12A’ will also achieve the first purpose, which is to bomb the frontline headquarters of the West Continent Group."
"Has it been finalized?"
"The tests have ended, and upon completing the final procedures, it will be formally finalized," Wang Qing’en answered Li Tianling’s question.
"Lacking pilots?"
"Don’t dream," Zhang Jiazhen laughed. "I brought you over just to let you know that this mission is not meaningless sacrifice. If we can destroy the West Continent Group’s frontline headquarters in one strike, we have a great chance to hold Astrakhan, and even hope to launch a strategic reprisal before winter arrives. If everything goes well, the Beigu Group might not even have a chance to join the war."
Upon hearing Zhang Jiazhen say this, Li Tianling immediately furrowed his brows.
"You two haven’t seen each other for many years, have you? There is still half a day until the operation starts. You two have a good chat. I have other matters, so I won’t ramble on."
"Take care, General Zhang," Wang Qing’en very courteously saw Zhang Jiazhen to the door.
Despite being classmates with Li Tianling, he doesn’t have Li Tianling’s background; he is a genuine civilian officer.
Of course, Li Tianling was not so polite.
It’s not that Li Tianling was impolite, but his attention was still on that bomber.
Actually, he felt a bit regretful. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦
If he had known earlier that the "Hong-X" would be finalized within the year and could catch up with the Global War, he definitely would not have refused Zhang Jiazhen’s proposal.
One could say that bombers are the great generals of the military.
In modern warfare, stealth bombers like the "Hong-X" can take the enemy’s top brass’s head amidst thousands of troops as easily as picking something out of one’s pocket, acting as Invincible War Generals.
Flying a bomber over the enemy’s head, dropping bombs before leisurely leaving.
It’s definitely more thrilling than flying a fighter to perform escort missions!
The key is, the significance is even greater.
Unfortunately, there’s no medicine for regret in the world.
Even if pilots were not in short supply, it wouldn’t be Li Tianling’s turn.
Just familiarizing with the flying methods would take several months, not implying that just because Li Tianling is a pilot, he can fly a bomber into battle.
Clearly, there is no time for Li Tianling to master the skills to fly the "Hong-X."
Thinking of this, Li Tianling secretly sighed.
"You don’t need to sigh either. I heard the ’War-20A’ is also about to be finalized, entering the pre-production stage within the year, and will be equipped in the troops by early next year at the latest."
"Is the information reliable?"
"I also heard about it, but it should be very reliable."
This prompted Li Tianling to feel slightly better.
