Mercenary I am the king

Chapter 1404 Asymmetric Suppression

One hour ago, at Ali Salim Air Base in Kuwait.

The runway lights and hangar area work lights were on, casting huge shadows of the aircraft on the hardened ground.

On the tarmac, the killing machine is ready.

Today's strike formations are larger than those configured for routine tactical missions, reflecting the significance of the targets and the level of threat assessment.

In the briefing room, the mission commander pointed with a laser pointer to the dense markings on a satellite map of the southeastern outskirts of Mosul:

"The target is the main force of the Iligor government's 10th Division and the 9th Brigade of the Koldyq forces, totaling about 6,000 men. They are equipped with tanks and artillery, and reliable intelligence confirms that they have acquired at least two complete modern air defense systems—the Russian Tor-M2 and Pantsir-S1. This means that we are facing a mechanized infantry division with comprehensive short- and medium-range air defense capabilities. Our mission is not harassment, but suppression and destruction."

To this end, the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing mobilized its most elite offensive forces.

As one of the core hubs of the US military in the Middle East, Kuwait is home to tactical fighter squadrons that carry out ground attack and air defense suppression missions.

This mission involved ten fighter jets, forming a fully functional "strike package":
4架来自“黑豹”第494战斗机中队F-15E“攻击鹰”。它们是今天的“拳头”，每架飞机机腹中线挂架是5000磅级的GBU-28“掩体粉碎者”激光制导钻地炸弹（用于可能加固的指挥所），两侧的保形油箱下方挂载了6枚GBU-38 JDAM500磅联合直接攻击弹药和2枚GBU-12“铺路II”激光制导炸弹。

The AN/AAQ-33 "Sniper" advanced targeting pod and the AN/ALQ-135 internal electronic countermeasures system have both been powered on and completed self-tests.

Their mission is to destroy command nodes, artillery positions, armored formations, and logistics centers.

Four F-16CJ "Wild Weasels" from the 77th "Gambler" Fighter Squadron. They are "Air Defense Hunters," designed specifically for Suppressing Enemy Air Defense Systems (SEAD).

Each aircraft carries two AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Missiles (AARGM) under its wings. These missiles can memorize and attack radars that are turned off, and can even attack known coordinates via GPS/INS navigation.

In addition, they also carry the AN/ASQ-213 HARM targeting system and AIM-120 medium-range air-to-air missiles and AIM-9X short-range air-to-air missiles for self-defense.

Their mission is to protect the entire formation and, once electronic jamming fails, immediately remove the enemy's "eyes".

Two EA-18G Growlers came from the 134th Electronic Attack Squadron. This was crucial to the success of the mission; they were the "electronic shield" and "spectrum master" of the formation.

They look bulkier than fighter jets, with five ALQ-99 tactical jamming pods (covering multiple frequency bands) mounted under the wings and on the fuselage, as well as two essential external fuel tanks, ensuring that they can loiter over the combat zone for extended periods to deliver jamming.

The wingtips house ALQ-218(V)2 tactical receiver pods, capable of listening to, identifying, and locating radiation sources with astonishing accuracy and sensitivity. These pods will weave an invisible electromagnetic net, covering the entire battlefield.

At this moment, the ground crew is conducting final checks.

On the dark green body of the GBU-28 bomb, the yellow "Operation/Danger" markings are particularly eye-catching under the lights.

The hydraulic arms of the bomb-loading vehicle emitted a slight hissing sound. Fuel probes connected to the aircraft from the fuel tanker, and the distinctive smell of aviation fuel filled the dry air.

The pilots had completed their briefings, were wearing anti-G suits and carrying helmets, and were conducting a pre-flight inspection around the aircraft.

Major Mike, the lead pilot of the "Black Panther" squadron, codenamed "Bayonet," patted the underside of the nose of his aircraft, "Death 01," with his nylon-gloved hand.

There was a ferocious black leopard's head painted there, with seven small bomb symbols below, representing his seven previous successful strike missions.

Tonight, he hoped to add an eighth. He checked that the front landing gear, navigation lights, and pitot tube covers had been removed, then nimbly climbed into the back seat.

The F-15E is a two-seat aircraft; the pilot is in the front seat, and the Weapons Systems Officer (WSO) is in the back seat.

His WSO, Lieutenant Jason, codenamed "Clerk," was already in the front seat initializing the avionics system.

"System checklist, from top to bottom."

Mike fastened his safety belt and connected his anti-G suit to the oxygen line.

"'Sniper' pod online, laser code set to 1688. JDAM coordinates have been fully injected, INS calibration complete."

"Received. Data link connectivity is normal, and Link-16 connections with 'Ghost' (Growler) and 'Gambler' (F-16) are stable."

Jason's voice came through the helmet headset, calm and clear.

Meanwhile, in the back seat of the Howler Ghost 01, Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO) Lieutenant Larson was intently focused on his screen-filled control panel.

On the monitor in front of him, preliminary data streams from satellites, early warning aircraft, and strategic electronic reconnaissance units were scrolling.

Several pre-set threat radiation source symbols have been marked on the screen, roughly located southeast of Mosul.

"ALQ-218 is receiving background radiation signals and establishing a baseline."

Larson spoke to the pilot in the front seat, Major Rodriguez, codenamed "Shadow".

"We've been able to pick up some intermittent civilian radar and communication signals. The signal in the target area... is still very quiet. They're observing radio silence, or they haven't turned their equipment on yet."

“Stay alert, Kyle,” Rodriguez replied. “'Doyle' and 'Armor' are fast to activate and have short reaction times. We need to cover them before they lock onto our people.”

"Attention all personnel, start the engines and prepare to slide out."

The mission commander's instructions were transmitted via encrypted radio.

In an instant, the tarmac was engulfed by the shrill whistle of the jet engines starting up and then the deep rumble that followed.

F-15E的普惠F100-PW-229引擎、F-16CJ的通用电气F110-GE-129引擎、EA-18G的F414-GE-400引擎相继点火，灼热的气流吹起地面的沙尘，让远处的景物都扭曲起来。

The bright blue flames from the exhaust vents were particularly dazzling in the darkness.

"Death 01 requests permission to slide out."

"Permission granted to taxi to the holding point on runway 03."

Mike released the brakes and pushed the throttle, and the fighter-bomber, weighing over forty tons, began to move slowly, turning toward the taxiway.

Ground guides held glow sticks and steadily made gestures amidst the engine airflow.

The entire formation of ten aircraft, like a giant steel dragon awakening from its slumber, taxied out of their respective parking areas one by one, lined up in a row on the winding taxiway, and headed toward the runway.

Two EA-18G Growlers were the first to enter the runway.

They need to take off first in order to arrive in the war zone in advance and establish an electromagnetic barrier.

"Ghost 01, takeoff clearance, wind direction 080, wind speed 8 knots."

Rodriguez pushed the throttle to the limit, and despite the heavy load, the two F414 engines provided ample power to the Growler.

The plane began to accelerate, its wings bending slightly under the lift. At about two-thirds of the way up the runway, the nose lifted, the nose wheel left the ground, and then the main wheels also left the concrete runway.

It climbed not rapidly, but steadily and powerfully, retracted its landing gear, turned northwest, and quickly blended into the brightening sky.

Next came four F-16CJ Wild Weasels.

They need to clear the way for the attack aircraft.

"Rogue 01, runway cleared, takeoff ready." Captain Daniels pushed the throttle, and the F-16 gracefully leaped into the air, demonstrating its outstanding acceleration and climb performance.

The other three followed closely behind at 15-second intervals, quickly forming a tight four-plane diamond formation in the air.

Finally, there were four F-15E Strike Eagles heavily armed with their weapons.

They are the core strike force of the entire operation.

"Death 01, prepare for takeoff."

Mike took a deep breath, pushed the accelerator to the military thrust position, and then slammed it into the afterburner position.

boom!
The two engines unleashed powerful thrust, and the immense overload pressed him firmly against the back of the seat.

The runway swept past the porthole at high speed, and the speedometer needle spun rapidly.

At speeds exceeding 170 knots, he gently but firmly pulled the lever back.

The nose of the plane tilted up, the desert ground suddenly dropped, and a dull thud was heard as the landing gear retracted.

The morning light streamed into the cockpit from the side, illuminating the fluctuating data on the instrument panel and the clear flight charts on the multi-function display.

"Death 02 Takes Off the Ground".

"Death 03 Takes Off the Ground".

"Death 04 Takes Off the Ground".

Four F-15Es took off in succession, leveled off at an altitude of 1500 feet, and began formation.

They were paired up to form two twin-aircraft combat formations, maintaining visual distance from each other and leaving enough room for maneuver.

"Attention, everyone, this is 'bayonet'."

The microphone makes the call over an encrypted, jam-resistant tactical data link network.

"Formation formed, check data link status. Heading 340, initial climb to 25000 feet, cruising speed Mach 0.82. Estimated arrival time at target area: approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. 'Ghost' crew, you go first. We need to hear your spectrum assessment report before entering a 150-mile radius of the target."

"Ghost 01 understands."

Larsson responded quickly.

"We are already ahead and accelerating. ALQ-218 has begun full-band scanning. The electromagnetic environment is relatively clean at the moment, but in the target area... there are weak, irregular pulse signals flickering, like a heartbeat. They are probing, or searching with a low probability of intercept mode. We are analyzing the characteristics."

"Received. Stay alert."

Mike adjusted the layout of the displays in the cockpit, placing the main navigation and situational awareness information in the center.

Jason monitored the weapon systems and target data from the back seat.

"Rogue Squad, maintain positions to our left and right rear flanks, providing mid- and high-altitude cover, and be alert for any unexpected aerial threats, though the probability is extremely low. 'Death' Squad, check the final condition of the weapons."

A series of confirmation replies flashed on the data chain.

The mixed formation of ten fighter jets, like a sophisticated and deadly air combat system, advanced toward the airspace of Iligor in the northwest.

An hour later, the formation smoothly entered Iligo airspace.

"Rogue Squad, check weapon status."

Captain Daniels' voice broke the silence of the long-range cruise.

SEAD missions require readiness to react at any time.

"Rogue 02, HARM missile is powered on normally, seeker head cooling completed, ASQ-213 system online, self-defense jamming pod normal." "Rogue 03, status consistent, both AARGM missiles ready."

"Villain 04, ready to go, monitoring Radar Warning Receiver (RWR)."
Their radar warning receiver screens were relatively quiet, showing only faint civilian air traffic control radar signals.

"Enter within a target radius of 180 miles."

Mike watched the distance numbers shrink on the navigation display and the target area highlighted on the map. “'Ghost,' report. You should be able to see it more clearly now.”

"Bayonet, this is Ghost 01."

Larson replied over the channel: "We have advanced to approximately 40 miles ahead of formation. ALQ-218 is conducting a deep scan. Multiple radiation sources confirmed. *Classifying... Please wait."

In the back seat of the Growler, on Larson's screen, several prominent "ridges" began to appear steadily in the waterfall-like signal spectrum, marked and tracked by the system with colored boxes. A matching percentage popped up in the adjacent recognition window.

“Main threats confirmed,” Larson continued, speaking steadily but clearly.

"Signal Alpha: Center frequency approximately 5.4 GHz (C-band), Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF) approximately 1500 Hz, pulse width approximately 0.8 microseconds. The signal characteristics are highly matched with the Russian 9S18M1 'Tube Arm' (NATO designation 'Tube Arm') three-coordinate search radar, with a matching degree of 94%. This is the eye of the 'Tor-M2' air defense missile system. It is currently in a slow-rotating search mode with a scan cycle of approximately 6 seconds, which should be an early warning state."

"Signal Bravo: Center frequency approximately 16.2 GHz (Ku band), high pulse repetition frequency, continuous wave/pulse Doppler hybrid mode, scanning method is rapid sector scan. Its characteristics match the 1RS2-1E phased array fire control radar of the 'Pantsir-S1' missile-gun integrated system by 91%. It is performing a 360-degree panoramic search and its reaction speed will be very fast."

"Signal Charlie and several secondary signals: frequency between 2-3 GHz (E/F band), signals are old, possibly old Soviet-made P-18 or similar meter-wave early warning radar, with long range but poor accuracy, low threat level. In addition, several low-power, wide-band transient signals were detected, suspected to be thermistor activation of man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) or simple communication devices, vigilance is required."

He paused for a moment, seemingly checking the data.

"Conclusion: At least two fully operational Tor-M2 systems and one Pantsir-S1 system have been confirmed, all located within the coordinate grid of the southeastern suburbs of Mosul, overlapping with the main assembly area of ​​the 10th Division. The Tor system does not appear to be in a high-altitude state, while the Pantsir system is relatively active. No missile guidance radar lock-on signal has been detected."

"Roger that, Ghost. Well done."
Mike answered.

All the pilots who heard the intelligence were on high alert.

The intelligence was confirmed; the worst-case scenario had come true.

"Attention all units, we have confirmed the presence of a high-value threat. Once within a 150-mile radius, we will be at the edge of the maximum theoretical range of the 9M331 Tor-M2 missile. Ghost continues surveillance and prepares to execute the Wild Weasel standard electronic attack procedure (EA). Rogue squad, prepare your 'highways' (referring to AGM-88 missiles) and await my orders. Death squad, maintain formation and prepare to determine the attack route based on the effectiveness of electronic suppression."

"The ghost understands. It is calculating the optimal interference parameters and timing."

Larson began operating the control console to set up the mission for the ALQ-99 jamming pod.

He needs to select the most effective jamming style based on the characteristics of the radar signal: it could be a blocking noise jam covering a specific frequency band, making the radar screen completely white; or it could be a more sophisticated deceptive jamming that generates a large number of false targets, consuming the opponent's tracking and attack channels.

“The villain squad understands. The HARM is warmed up and ready to fire at any time.”

Captain Daniels checked the threat location indicators on his display. Four F-16CJs, like vigilant falcons, were spread out to the flanks and rear of the attack formation, their sensors also locked onto the directions of those radiation sources.

"Death Squad received. Weapon system final check complete, target data updated."

Jensen confirmed from the back seat. The GPS coordinates or laser codes of the various bombs they were carrying had been fine-tuned based on the latest intelligence.

The formation continued to steadily approach its target.

The distance is gradually decreasing.

160 miles...

155 miles...

150 miles.

The world has shrunk to symbols on a screen, fluctuating numbers, and the piercing alarm that may sound at any moment in headphones.

The radar warning receiver (RWR) screen remained calm, but everyone knew that beneath that calm, two deadly air defense systems were scanning the sky, searching for their trail.

An invisible electromagnetic game has already begun in a realm unseen by the naked eye.

Southeastern suburbs of Mosul, air defense positions of the 10th Division.

Beside the Tor missile launcher, radar operator Jassim stared intently at the circular screen of the 1L122-1E radar display.

At the edge of the screen, the light spot representing a US military aircraft is steadily approaching.

"Target group, altitude 25000 feet, speed approximately 500 knots, distance 160 kilometers," Jassim reported to the commander.

Second Lieutenant Amir, the tank commander, leaned closer to the screen.

"Keep tracking them, but don't lock on. Wait until they're within 70 kilometers."

The Tor-M2 system is theoretically capable of striking targets within 35 kilometers, but to ensure accuracy, Amir wanted to target even closer. The system's 9M331 missile has a maximum speed of 850 meters per second, requiring nearly 40 seconds of flight time to engage targets 30 kilometers away, enough time for US fighter jets to react.

Two kilometers away, the operator of the "Pantsir-S1" system also spotted the target.

这套俄罗斯制造的弹炮合一系统更加灵活，其1RS2-1E相控阵雷达能同时跟踪20个目标并引导导弹攻击其中4个。

“American planes,” the operator said nervously. “They’re really here.”

In the command post, Brigadier General Samir put down his binoculars and turned to Song Heping: "The radar has identified a large number of aerial targets, including electronic warfare aircraft. They will be in attack positions within twenty minutes."

Song Heping stared at the table in front of him.

There are two satellite phones on it.

He was waiting for a phone call.

A very important phone call.

It's a matter of life and death.

The only sounds in the command post were the low hum of the generator and the occasional static noise from the radio.

"Are the air defense forces ready?" he asked.

“Both Tor systems are on standby,” Samir said. “But boss… we have to be realistic. Our air defense systems are simplified versions exported from Russia, while the US military has the latest electronic warfare technology. Once they start jamming—”

“I know the risks,” Song Heping interrupted him, “but I’m not betting on military superiority, I’m betting on political leverage.”

Samir hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

He knew his leverage—over a hundred U.S. military personnel and some government agents.

There are also the sensitive documents in Song Heping's possession.

He didn't know if these chips would work.

But can these really prevent an air raid?

If they fail, the US military will bombard them relentlessly. At that time, their 10th Division, along with the Koldy forces sent by Abuyu, will likely suffer heavy losses and be forced to become "enemies" of Ilig and the Koldy autonomous government.

Outside the airspace of Mosul.

The radio reported: "Target distance 120 kilometers, speed unchanged, altitude decreasing to 20000 feet."

"Entering within 120 miles of the target," Larson reported. "Increased target radar signal strength detected; Tor system switches to continuous scanning mode."

"Initiate jamming," Mike commanded.

"Ghost 01, begin executing standard jamming procedures."

Larson first activated the noise jamming mode of the ALQ-99 tactical jamming pod.

The traveling wave tube amplifier inside the pod generates strong electromagnetic noise, transmitting interference signals for both the C-band and Ku-band.

On the screen, the signal strength bar representing the Tor system radar began to fluctuate wildly.

The ALQ-99's jamming power reaches the kilowatt level, which is enough to generate noise at the radar receiver input that is dozens of times stronger than the real echo.

"The first round of noise interference has been deployed; assess its effectiveness—"

Larson switched to ALQ-218 receiver monitoring mode.

The screen showed that the pulse signal of the Tor radar began to become irregular, but it was still present.

"The target radar attempted frequency hopping countermeasures, but the system predicted it. Precision targeting jamming was initiated."

The intelligence of the ALQ-99 system lies in its ability to analyze radar signal characteristics and then transmit a deceptive signal that is synchronized with the radar pulse but out of phase.

This "coherent interference" can cause radar processing systems to generate incorrect target range and velocity information.

On the ground, Lieutenant Amir's radar screen suddenly showed a patch of static.

"Interference! Strong electromagnetic interference!" Jassim shouted.

The target light spot on the screen split into more than a dozen false signals, some of which were moving at high speed, and some of which suddenly disappeared and reappeared.

The radar automatic tracking system attempts to lock onto one of them, but each time it gets close to success, the target "jumps" to another location.

"Switch to the backup frequency!" Amir commanded.

The operator quickly adjusted, but the new frequency was almost immediately subjected to the same interference.

The U.S. military's ALQ-99 system can detect frequency changes and re-align within 0.1 seconds.

"No, all frequency bands are covered!" Jassim said desperately. "The system cannot establish stable tracking!"

Two kilometers away, the "Pantsir-S1" system encountered a more complex attack.

"Phantom 01 has detected a change in the radar signal characteristics of a second high-value target. The Pantsir system has switched to tracking mode and is attempting to lock onto our aircraft!"

Larson's voice was full of disdain.

After all, this outdated Soviet equipment was child's play in their eyes.

"Initiate targeted deception and interference."

The ALQ-99 system generates a "false target echo chain" based on the unique waveform of the Pantsir radar.

On the operator's screen of the armor, the originally single target suddenly split into four, flying in formation, each with seemingly realistic Doppler velocity information.

"Damn it, which one is real?"

On the ground, the armored operators cursed.

The system indicated that he could attack four targets simultaneously, but he knew that at least three of them were fake.

Inside the command vehicle, the commander tried to switch to electro-optical tracking mode, but the US fighter jet was still 40 kilometers away, beyond the effective recognition range of the thermal imaging system.

"Cannot lock! Repeat, cannot lock!"

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(End of this chapter)