133: Chapter 133 The Eagle's Claw Strikes, the Sky System's First Cry

Andaman Sea, USA Navy Seventh Fleet, "carl vinson" Carrier Strike Group.

At 4:00 AM, the aircraft carrier's flight deck was brightly lit, as if it were day. Ground crew members in different colored vests scurried about amidst the deafening roar of engines. F/A-18E/F "Super Hornet" and F-35C "Lightning II" fighter jets were being lifted from the hangar by elevators, lined up on the deck, and prepared for today's mission.

On the second level of the island, the Combat Information Center.

Fleet Commander, Vice Admiral James Harris, stood before a massive electronic nautical chart, his expression stern. This 58-year-old naval officer had participated in the Gulf War and the Afghanistan War, and had commanded three carrier deployments, but this mission today made him feel unprecedented pressure.

"General, all combat units are in position," the Chief of Staff reported. "Carrier Air Wing 17, two 'Super Hornet' squadrons, one F-35C squadron, totaling twenty-four fighter jets, have all finished arming. The Ticonderoga-class cruiser 'Antietam', and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers 'Mustin' and 'Benfold' have completed combat readiness, and their missile systems are in standby mode."

Harris nodded, his gaze fixed on the Myanmar coastline on the nautical chart.

"What is Washington's latest directive?" he asked.

"Joint authorization from the White House and the Pentagon: conduct 'limited, precision' strikes on Zhang Cheng's military facilities." The Chief of Staff pulled up the target list. "Priority targets include: the Bangkok Camp command center, artillery positions on the Lashio front, the Salween River crossing, as well as Zhang Cheng's logistics supply lines."

"Limited?" Harris sneered. "Those politicians in Washington want to flex their muscles but are afraid of getting burned."

He walked to the porthole, looking at the murderous fighter jets on the deck.

"But since the order has been given, we will execute it. Tell the pilots: This is the first time the USA Navy has conducted an airstrike against a non-state armed group within the territory of a sovereign nation since the 1999 Kosovo War. Success is the only option; failure is not permitted."

"Understood."

"Additionally," Harris turned around, "how is the electronic warfare preparation?"

"The 'Growler' squadron has already taken off." The Chief of Staff pointed to the radar screen, where several blinking dots appeared. "Four EA-18G 'Growler' electronic warfare aircraft are circling fifty kilometers outside the Myanmar border. They will suppress Zhang Cheng's radar and communication systems, opening a safe corridor for the strike formation."

Harris nodded in satisfaction.

The EA-18G "Growler," the world's most advanced electronic warfare aircraft, is equipped with the ALQ-99 tactical jamming system and the ALQ-218(V)2 tactical receiver, capable of jamming and monitoring hundreds of frequencies simultaneously. Under its cover, the F-35C's stealth advantages will be maximized.

"Zhang Cheng..." Harris muttered to himself, "I want to see if that junk air defense system you bought on the black market can stop the world's most advanced fighter jets."

He picked up the intercom and connected to the flight deck control room: "Attack formation, take off as planned. May God bless the USA."

... At the same time, Bangkok Camp underground command center.

Zhang Cheng sat before the main console. The screen in front of him was divided into over a dozen feeds: frontline combat situation, logistics dispatch, satellite intelligence, electronic spectrum monitoring... In the very center was a three-dimensional air defense situation map.

On the map, over the eastern part of Myanmar, dozens of red dots were gathering and forming a formation. Those were the US military's fighter jets.

"Master, the position of the US aircraft carrier 'carl vinson' has been confirmed," Old K's voice was steady. "It is 320 kilometers from the Myanmar coastline. Currently, twenty-four fighter jets on the deck have completed takeoff preparations, including eight F-35Cs, twelve F/A-18E/Fs, and four EA-18Gs."

"EA-18G..." Zhang Cheng narrowed his eyes. "Electronic warfare aircraft. It seems they want to use electronic suppression to blind and deafen us first, then let the stealth fighters come in to sneak an attack."

He turned to the system panel. Last night, when satellites detected the US carrier strike group changing course and approaching the Myanmar coastline, Zhang Cheng knew it was time to use that trump card.

"System, redeem 'Sky Dome' integrated air defense and anti-missile system."

[Ding — Command detected.] ['Sky Dome' Integrated Air Defense and Anti-Missile System (Host Customized Version)] [Includes:] [1. 'Sentinel' Active Phased Array Early Warning Radar System x 4 sets (Detection range: 120 km for stealth targets, 450 km for conventional targets)] [2. 'Falcon' Multi-function Fire Control Radar System x 12 sets (Can track 48 targets simultaneously, guide 96 missiles)] [3. 'Thunder' Long-range Air Defense Missile System x 8 sets (Missile model: TY-30, range: 300 km, altitude: 30 km, speed: 6 Mach, capable of anti-missile defense)] [4. 'Sharp Sword' Medium-range Air Defense Missile System x 24 sets (Missile model: TY-15, range: 150 km)] [5. 'Stinger' Short-range Air Defense System x 48 sets (Missile model: TY-05, range: 20 km)] [6. 'Vega' Electronic Countermeasures System x 6 sets (Capable of full-band jamming, deception, and suppression)] [7. Integrated Command and Control System x 1 set] [Total redemption points: 1,200,000 points] [Confirm?]

Zhang Cheng looked at the 1.2 million price tag, his mouth twitching. Expensive. But worth it. "Confirm redemption. Deployment locations: Pangkham, Lashio front, along the Salween River. Effective immediately."

[Command received. Points deducted: 1,200,000 points.] [Current point balance: 866,800 points.] ['Sky Dome' system deployment started... Deployment complete.] [All radars powered on, missiles in standby.]

Almost the instant the system prompt finished, the air defense situation map on the command center's large screen suddenly became clear! The previously blurry, jammed radar signals were now as clear as day! Every US fighter jet's position, altitude, speed, and heading were displayed on the screen in real-time, and it could even identify the aircraft type — the radar reflection characteristics of the F-35C were specially marked as "High Priority Stealth Target."

Even more shocking was the electronic spectrum map. The communication and radar frequency bands that had been suppressed by the US EA-18Gs were now completely back to normal! Not only that, several blue waveforms were actively suppressing the US interference signals — that was the "Vega" system counterattacking!

"Master, 'Vega' system reports: it has locked onto the jamming source of the US EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft and is conducting directional countermeasures and signal deception," Old K reported. "At the same time, we have detected the US fighter formation beginning to move toward our national border. It is expected to reach the attack position in twenty minutes."

Zhang Cheng looked at those arrogant red dots on the screen and sneered coldly: "Open the full-band public channel. I want to say hello to that General Harris."

... Above the Andaman Sea, in the cockpit of an EA-18G "Growler" electronic warfare aircraft.

Electronic Warfare Officer Captain John Miller stared at the spectrum display in front of him, his brows furrowed. "Something's wrong... very wrong," he said into the microphone. "Sir, the electronic environment in the target area... has suddenly changed."

"What do you mean?" the lead pilot asked.

"Previously, our ALQ-99 system completely suppressed their radar and communications; the entire frequency band was filled with our jamming signals," Miller pointed at the screen. "But just thirty seconds ago, the jamming effect suddenly dropped by 70%! And... there is reverse jamming!"

"Reverse jamming?" the pilot was stunned. "You mean they are jamming us?"

"It's not just jamming," Miller's voice trembled slightly. "They are... mimicking our signal characteristics and sending deceptive information to our data link. God, how much electronic warfare capability would that require?"

Just then, a clear male voice in English with a Southeast Asian accent suddenly came over the public channel: "USA Navy Seventh Fleet 'carl vinson' Carrier Strike Group, this is the North Myanmar Joint Autonomous Region Air Defense Command Center. You have entered our Air Defense Identification Zone. Please change course immediately and leave this airspace. Repeat, please leave immediately."

The voice was calm but carried unquestionable authority.

The crews of the four EA-18Gs were all stunned. The public channel... was controlled by the other side? Furthermore, the other side not only knew their identity but also their exact location?

"This is impossible..." Miller muttered to himself, "Our electronic suppression should have..."

"Should have what?" the male voice rang out again, this time with a hint of mockery. "Should have made our radar blind? Made our communications mute? Sorry to disappoint you."

The voice paused: "Additionally, tell General Harris: If his fighter jets dare to cross the border by even one step, I cannot guarantee they will return safely. After all, an F-35C costs over a hundred million dollars; it would be a shame to crash them."

The communication cut off. Dead silence. The crews of the four EA-18Gs looked at each other, cold sweat breaking out on their backs.

... "carl vinson" aircraft carrier, Combat Information Center. Harris received the report from the EA-18G formation, his face darkening until it seemed like it could drip water.

"Electronic suppression failed? And the enemy issued a public warning?" He gritted his teeth. "Where did Zhang Cheng get this kind of electronic warfare capability?"

The Chief of Staff said cautiously: "General, perhaps... it is the Dragon Kingdom providing support from behind the scenes. Their electronic warfare technology has improved rapidly in recent years..."

"I don't care who is supporting them!" Harris interrupted him. "Order the attack formation: Execute the mission as originally planned! I want to see if those air defense missiles of Zhang Cheng's can stop an F-35!"

He walked to the communication console and personally connected to the lead pilot of the attack formation: " 'Dagger' 01, this is 'Eagle's Nest'. You are authorized to enter Myanmar airspace and strike the designated targets. Remember, this is a moment to display the power of the USA. Do not let me down."

A calm reply came from the lead pilot over the radio: " 'Dagger' 01 received. The formation has reached the border and is preparing to enter. Expected to reach the first target in five minutes."

Harris put down the intercom and stared at the radar screen. On the screen, eight green cursors representing the F-35Cs were slowly crossing the virtual border line, entering Myanmar airspace.

... Pangkham Air Defense Command Center.

"Master, the US F-35C formation has crossed the border, altitude 8000 meters, speed 0.8 Mach, heading 075," Old K reported. " 'Sentinel' radar has stable tracking. Target radar cross-section: 0.001 square meters, confirmed as F-35C."

Zhang Cheng looked at those eight nearly invisible small red dots on the screen and smiled. A radar cross-section of 0.001 square meters is indeed indistinguishable from stealth for ordinary radars. But for the "Sentinel" active phased array radar — it wasn't enough. "Sky Dome system, engagement authorized," he said calmly. " 'Thunder' long-range air defense missiles, lock onto targets. Once they penetrate another fifty kilometers and enter the optimal kill zone, fire a salvo."

"Yes." The order was issued. On the Lashio front, in a hidden valley.

Three huge, sci-fi looking missile launchers slowly raised their launch tubes. Each vehicle carried four TY-30 long-range anti-aircraft missiles, 7 meters long, 0.5 meters in diameter, pitch black, with red warning signs painted on the warheads.

Inside the launch control vehicle, the operator stared at the eight target cursors on the screen, fingers hovering over the launch button.

"Target locked. Distance 180 kilometers, altitude 8000 meters, speed 260 meters/second. Missile preheating complete, seeker activated."

"Launch authorization confirmed."

"Countdown: 3, 2, 1 — Launch!"

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Twelve TY-30 missiles ignited simultaneously! The massive exhaust flames illuminated the valley, and the missiles streaked into the sky, leaving behind twelve beautiful arcs of white smoke as they sped toward the northwest!

Speed: Mach 6!

...

Over eastern Myanmar, the F-35C formation.

The lead pilot, Navy Lieutenant Commander Matthew Cooper, looked at the data on his helmet-mounted display, his mood complex.

As one of the top pilots in the USA Navy, he had been flying the F-35C for five years and had participated in numerous exercises and combat deployments. He knew the performance of this fifth-generation stealth fighter all too well—in past simulated confrontations, the F-35 simply crushed third- and fourth-generation aircraft.

But today, he felt something was wrong.

Electronic suppression failed, the opponent issued a public warning... everything felt eerie.

"Attention all aircraft, maintain formation, altitude unchanged." He ordered over the encrypted channel, " 'Dagger' 02, 03, prepare to launch 'tomahawk' anti-radiation missiles to suppress enemy radar. 'Dagger' 04-08, prepare to drop JDAM guided bombs."

"02 received."

"03 understood."

The wingmen replied.

Just then, the airborne warning system suddenly screamed!

"Warning! Radar lock! Warning! Incoming missiles! Twelve of them! Speed... God, speed is Mach 6!"

Cooper shuddered!

Mach 6? What anti-aircraft missile could fly at Mach 6?

And—how did the enemy lock onto them? The F-35's radar cross-section was extremely small; ordinary radar couldn't detect it at all!

"Release countermeasures! Evasive maneuvers!" He shouted.

All F-35s simultaneously deployed a large number of infrared flares and chaff, blooming into brilliant showers of light in the sky. At the same time, the fighters began violent maneuvers, attempting to break the lock.

But it was useless.

The TY-30 missile seeker used active radar + infrared imaging + data link composite guidance. Flares had limited effect on it, and the Mach 6 speed made the F-35's evasive maneuvers look like slow motion.

"Distance 100 kilometers... 80 kilometers... 50 kilometers..."

The warning system's sound became increasingly urgent.

Cooper stared at the rapidly approaching missile signals on the screen, cold sweat seeping from his forehead.

"Break away! All units, evacuate the battlefield immediately! Return to base!" He finally gave the command he least wanted to give.

But it was too late.

The first TY-30 missile hit "Dagger" 03.

"Boom—!!"

In the night sky, a massive fireball exploded! Debris from the F-35C scattered, gleaming with a metallic luster in the moonlight.

Immediately after, the second, the third...

"Dagger" 05 was hit, pilot ejected.

"Dagger" 07 was hit, exploding in mid-air.

"Dagger" 02 was hit, trailing black smoke as it plummeted toward the ground.

Cooper desperately pulled the control stick, the fighter executing a high-G maneuver. A missile grazed the fuselage, the proximity fuze detonating, and shrapnel tore several holes in the wing.

"Damn it!" He glanced at the instruments—left engine damaged, thrust reduced by 30%.

"Dagger 01 hit! Requesting rescue! Repeat, requesting rescue!"

He roared into the radio.

But the radio was silent.

He looked back—of the eight F-35Cs, only four remained, two of which were smoking.

And of the twelve missiles launched by the enemy, six were still in pursuit.

"This is impossible... this is impossible..." Cooper muttered, his eyes filled with despair.

...

The USS "carl vinson".

In the combat command center, there was dead silence.

On the radar screen, the eight green F-35C cursors had seen four extinguished in just one minute. The remaining four were fleeing east in a panic.

And the red trajectories representing the anti-aircraft missiles were still in pursuit.

"General... 'Dagger' formation reports the loss of four F-35Cs, three shot down, one heavily damaged." The Chief of Staff's voice trembled, "The remaining four... are fleeing the battlefield. But... the missiles are still chasing..."

Harris stood there, motionless.

His complexion turned from leaden to pale, then from pale to ashen.

Four F-35Cs... shot down?

Each cost $120 million, and with training and weapons, the actual cost per unit exceeded $200 million. Four of them meant $800 million.

That wasn't the most critical part.

The most critical part was—the F-35's invincible myth had been broken.

Broken by a warlord in Southeast Asia, using an unknown, terrifying anti-aircraft system.

"Order... order all fighters to return immediately." Harris's voice was hoarse, "Cancel all attack missions. Also..."

He took a deep breath:

"Notify Washington: We need to re-evaluate Zhang Cheng's military capabilities. His anti-aircraft system... is far more advanced than we imagined."

Just then, the communications officer suddenly shouted:

"General! Zhang Cheng... Zhang Cheng has opened the public channel again!"

Harris turned his head abruptly.

From the speakers came that familiar, mocking voice:

"General Harris, did you receive my 'welcome gift'? Four F-35s, consider it a small lesson for the taxpayers of the USA."

"Also, give a message to the President for me: If he still wants to play, I can play to the end with him. But next time, it won't be planes falling —"

The voice paused, enunciating every word:

"I will send the 'carl vinson' to the bottom of the sea to feed the fish."

"Static —"

The communication was cut.

In the command center, everyone was dumbfounded.

Harris slammed his fist onto the console, making the teacup jump.

"Zhang — Cheng —!"

He gritted his teeth, his eyes spitting fire.

But deep inside, a chill was slowly rising.

This opponent... was far more terrifying than he had imagined.

...

Thirty minutes later, Washington, Pentagon.

Secretary of Defense Esper rushed into the office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Milley, holding an urgent battle report.

"Four F-35Cs shot down? Are you sure this isn't a joke?" General Milley looked at the battle report, his expression changing drastically.

"Satellite imagery has confirmed it." Esper's face was ugly, "Over eastern Myanmar, four F-35Cs were shot down by anti-aircraft missiles. Zhang Cheng's troops used some kind of... advanced anti-aircraft system we have never seen before."

"Provided by the Dragon Kingdom?"

"Doesn't look like it." Esper shook his head, "Our technical analysis department preliminarily judged that the performance parameters of that missile... exceed any existing anti-aircraft system, including the S-400 and the 'Patriot' PAC-3. Speed Mach 6, range over 200 kilometers, and it can stably lock onto an F-35..."

He paused, saying with difficulty:

"This technology... might be even more advanced than ours."

The office fell into dead silence.

Anti-aircraft technology more advanced than the USA's?

How could this be?

"Does the President know?" Milley asked.

"He has been informed." Esper smiled bitterly, "He... is tweeting."

...

The White House.

President Trump sat in the Oval Office, staring at his phone screen, his fingers trembling.

He wasn't afraid; he was furious.

Extremely furious.

Four F-35s shot down? The USA's most advanced stealth fighter, shot down by a "Third World warlord"?

This was simply an insult to the USA's military hegemony!

He opened Twitter and started typing:

"Just got terrible news! Our four F-35 fighters on a peacekeeping mission in Myanmar were attacked by Zhang Cheng's illegal armed forces! This is an open provocation to the USA! We have lost brave pilots and precious aircraft! This is unacceptable!"

He stopped here, then continued:

"But don't worry! The USA will not be intimidated! We have activated contingency plans! Zhang Cheng, you will pay the price for your actions! Soon, you will see what true USA power is! #MakeUSAAGreatAgain"

Click send.

As he expected, this tweet instantly blew up the internet.

"F-35 shot down? Is it real?"

"Zhang Cheng is this fierce?"

"The USA is going to retaliate! The war is escalating!"

The comment section exploded.

President Trump looked satisfied at the rising retweets and likes and said to his aide:

"Order the Pentagon: Initiate the 'tomahawk' cruise missile strike plan. I want Zhang Cheng to know the consequences of angering the USA!"

The aide asked cautiously: "Mr. President, Zhang Cheng might have an advanced anti-aircraft system. Won't the cruise missiles..."

"Won't what?" President Trump glared, "'tomahawk' cruise missiles fly at low altitudes, have a small radar cross-section, and can match terrain. Can he intercept them?"

He waved his arms:

"Besides, we are launching dozens at once, a saturation attack! How many can he intercept? As long as one hits, it can destroy his command center!"

"Execute the order!"

"Yes..."

...

Pangkham.

Zhang Cheng looked at President Trump's tweet and smiled.

"He's anxious, he's anxious."

Old K stood to the side: "Dominator, satellites detected the US destroyers 'Mustin' and 'Benfold' adjusting their positions. Based on the open status of their missile launch canisters, it is highly likely they are preparing to launch 'tomahawk' cruise missiles."

"How many?"

"Each ship carries a standard 96 vertical launch cells, some loaded with 'tomahawk'. Estimated... at least forty."

Zhang Cheng nodded and walked to the system panel.

"System, redeem 'Sky Dome' system anti-cruise missile module."

[Ding — 'Sky Dome' system anti-cruise missile module (Customized Version)]

[Includes:]

[1. 'Low-Altitude Sentry' phased array radar x 12 sets (specifically for low-altitude small targets)]

[2. 'Rapid-Fire Cannon' close-in weapon system x 36 sets (rate of fire: 10,000 rounds/minute, equipped with intelligent pre-fabricated fragmentation ammunition)]

[3. TY-05 missile anti-cruise missile specialized ammunition x 500 rounds]

[4. Integrated fire control system upgrade]

[Redemption points: 300,000 points]

[Confirm?]

"Confirm. Deploy immediately."

[Points deducted: 300,000 points. Current balance: 566,800 points.]

[Module deployment complete.]

Zhang Cheng looked at the new defense layer on the screen with cold eyes.

"Old K, notify all anti-aircraft units: The US military is about to launch a cruise missile attack. Initiate the anti-cruise missile protocol."

"Also..."

He paused, a cold sneer curling his lips:

"Open the public channel. This time, I'm going to live-stream the interception."