Chapter 1137: Take Off David's Underwear

As a small country, the United Arab Emirates spans only about 400 kilometers from east to west. Considering the security issues in the two major metropolitan areas of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, it is simply not enough for the early warning aircraft radar to fully exert its performance.

Therefore, the test location was actually chosen over the Rub al-Khali Desert, which straddles Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

There is no human habitation here, and there is no need to worry about the impact of ground clutter on the fairness of the test results.

About 40 minutes after takeoff, a report from the pilot was received in the command module.

The aircraft has arrived over the predetermined area and can start testing at any time.

Sabah, the representative of Party A who took off randomly, checked the time, then picked up the radio and began to issue instructions to the ground according to the form:

"UAV No. 1 is ready for launch, set at an altitude of 19,000 meters, starting point 21, 30, KM17 area, heading 355, departing in the northeast..."

The combat effectiveness of the UAE military is certainly poor, but as an ally of the US military, the training standards it receives are indeed top-notch.

This paragraph actually refers to the nine-line briefing used for close air support, and skips the part involving target attributes.

It shows that the UAE Air Force has actually mastered quite advanced air-ground coordination tactics.

Even to a certain extent, it is far ahead of the Chinese Air Force, which is still stumbling to adapt to precision-guided munitions.

Fan Jimin, the representative of Electronic Technology Group sitting next to him, secretly noted this detail.

The Nine Lines Briefing itself is public information and of course anyone can use it.

High-throughput data links, which have been absent in the past, have gradually begun to be rolled out in some pilot units.

But how to turn technology into tactics requires long-term learning and adaptation.

It is impossible for Americans to be kind enough to teach the Chinese army directly.

Direct military exchanges with European countries are also a bit too sensitive.

But it doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t learn from other places in a roundabout way.

Of course, the first priority right now is to ensure the successful completion of this test.

The flying speed of the unmanned target drone is similar to that of the early warning aircraft in cruising state, but because it can fly less distance, it only took about half an hour for the early warning aircraft to receive the report that the high-altitude target test project had officially started.

However, the radar display on the display console did not yet show the echo signal from the target aircraft.

"Next... just need to wait for the target to enter the search range?"

Sabah turned to Fan Jimin and asked.

"The height of 19,000 meters is somewhat beyond the search range in normal mode, so it needs to be switched to wide-angle scanning state..."

While talking, Fan Jimin personally sat behind the radar console and flipped the two switches in front of him.

The search range displayed on the screen instantly expanded from 120° on both sides to 150° on both sides.

Correspondingly, the radar marking range is slightly shortened.

But the impact is small.

Seeing this scene, Sabah's eyes widened slightly, obviously he had never seen this kind of gameplay before.

However, apart from surprise, the most important thing is doubt:

"But what does this range have to do with height..."

Party A’s eldest father spoke, and Fan Jimin immediately explained:

"The wide-angle scanning state will not only affect the plane search range, but also expand the longitudinal scanning angle by about 20%..."

In order to emphasize the performance of the "smart" radar, the early warning aircraft was flying at an altitude of about 3,500 meters at this time, so that the turbulence in the cockpit was somewhat obvious.

This is not the typical cruising altitude of early warning aircraft, but the unmanned target drone can only fly up to 20,000 meters. In order to maintain a sufficient altitude difference, this choice can only be made.

As if to confirm Fan Jimin's statement.

After adjusting the search mode, only a few seconds passed before a rather conspicuous echo signal appeared on the edge of the radar screen.

The altitude calibrated in the information box is 19,300 meters and the speed is 730km/h.

Obviously, as a target drone, the target height setting system is not particularly accurate.

Fortunately, it did not exceed the detection range of the early warning aircraft.

At this time, Kasore, who had been silent just now, opened his mouth and said:

“The airborne integrated display and control system was developed by Thales. As you can see, the interface style and operating habits are very similar to the Mirage 2000-9 aircraft that has just entered service in your country and our newly developed Rafale fighter jets. "

"Of course, considering that your country's early warning aircraft operators are trained on Saudi Arabia's E3A, we also provide another more...traditional default solution."

Tradition, to put it less euphemistically, means backwardness.

It can be regarded as a secret effort to suppress their American counterparts.

Of course, the French are unique in the field of cockpit ergonomics, and they do have the confidence to do so.

However, in order to avoid unnecessary digressions, Fan Jimin took over the conversation in time:

"Now, the projection distance between our early warning aircraft and the target is only 25km, and the altitude difference has reached 16km, which is equivalent to simultaneously detecting targets on the ground and above 30,000 meters at a normal flight altitude..."

At this time, Sabah still didn't understand why this Chinese man suddenly talked about this.

But Fan Jimin's next words directly hit his heart.

"This means that we can gain about two to three minutes of warning time during the ascending phase of short- and medium-range ballistic missiles..."

"!!!"

The only military threat the UAE may face in the foreseeable future is probably short-range ballistic missiles from Persia.

Although the technical level is not advanced, the advantage lies in large quantities and sufficient management.

For countries like the GCC that rely heavily on oil exports, it is basically the Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.

Even without a large-scale salvo, simply stealing your refinery today and blowing up your oil pipeline tomorrow would be enough to cause catastrophic consequences.

Therefore, when Fan Jimin talked about anti-missile missiles, Sabah became energetic almost instantly.

In 2003, even in the United States, mid-course anti-missile interception technology was still based on PPT.

Countries' response strategies to ballistic missiles rely on normal mid- and long-range air defense systems.

And this relies heavily on early warning and reaction time.

Especially for Patriots who need to deploy their positions in advance and launch at an angle.

If you wait until ground radar detects the target in the descent stage of the ballistic trajectory, you will basically have only 4-8 launch opportunities.

But if we can give early warning during the rising stage...

Then the ability to resist saturation strikes can be doubled.

In fact, as someone who has been there, Chang Haonan knows very well that, let alone 2003, even in 2023, intercepting the intermediate missile will be a matter of pure luck.

But people in this era are different.

With decades of propaganda from Raytheon, they really dare to believe in Patriot’s interception efficiency against ballistic missiles.

Therefore, this targeted statement almost instantly tipped the balance in Sabah's heart——

Although he was not the final decision-maker, he had direct access to Crown Prince Mohammed.

The right to make suggestions is also very important.

Sure enough, after Sabah thought for a moment, he assured Marin and Kasore:

"I will report this situation specifically to His Excellency the Crown Prince..."

After a small interlude, the originally business-like atmosphere in the cabin seemed to become more harmonious.

Soon, the first unmanned target drone began to lower its altitude according to the predetermined route, then circled several times in the test airspace, obtained about 20 sets of valid data, and then entered the return route.

Almost at the same time, the second unmanned target drone at Albatin Airport took off, preparing to conduct a detection range test in a complex electromagnetic environment with the assistance of another F16.

The overall steps are almost the same as before.

Only this time, the target aircraft will choose several routes that are about 250-450km away from the early warning aircraft to fly separately.

In the second half of each round of flight, the F16 will start the jammer to test how long it takes the high-definition radar to reposition the target, and how different the accuracy of the second positioning is from the first time.

Logically speaking, this is the most basic radar function test.

The electromagnetic interference was also specially requested by China.

So it should be very sure.

Even Sabah gradually relaxed and began to chat with the other two about non-confidential gossip.

…

About twenty minutes later again.

"The target has entered the test airspace!"

Sabah put down the radio in his hand, sat upright again, and stared at the radar display in front of him.

However, he still had a rather relaxed expression on his face, and he even hummed an off-key tune that only he could hear clearly.

Everything is as expected.

Within a few minutes, two targets located 250km away appeared on the screen.

Data shows that the two are 35km apart, but they are getting closer.

Apparently, one of them was the F16 responsible for causing electromagnetic interference during the second half of the test.

It is a very risky job for a manned aircraft to accompany a drone for a long time, so when there is no need to activate interference, the F16 will stay a little further away.

However, just when Sabah thought everything would be over, the echo signal representing the drone suddenly stopped on the radar screen.

It's like network packet loss.

Although the location is still updating, it is very slow and occasionally jumps.

"Um?"

Seeing this scene, Sabah's face instantly became serious.

Although detection distance is not the only factor that determines the performance of an AWACS, if an AWACS cannot even perform this most basic function well, it will definitely not be able to meet combat requirements.

Kasore, who was sitting two seats away, had received a reminder from China earlier. Although he was mentally prepared for this meeting, he could not help but feel nervous and looked at Fan Jimin between the two with a little guilt.

Fortunately, the latter is as stable as a rock at this time, and there is no trace of panic.

Of course Fan Jimin knew the tricks involved, but he still had to act when it was time to act.

Then he tried his best to pretend to be surprised:

"Mr. Sabah, did you carry the electromagnetic interference pod directly on the drone?"

"How is that possible?"

Sabah was confused when asked:

"The power of AN/ALQ-131 and AN/ALQ-184 is several kilowatts, and the energy supply system of the unmanned target drone cannot power it at all."

"No……"

Fan Jimin shook his head and continued to pretend not to know:

"I'll tell you all about AN/ALQ-131 and AN/ALQ-184. We have rich experience in fighting... Although the interference characteristics are similar to this one, the intensity is definitely stronger than this one."

"Anyway, this level of interference can be quickly eliminated by temporarily adjusting the preset waveform."

As he spoke, he moved the trackball on the table and quickly modified two scan settings on the screen.

Just like the words are spoken.

As expected, the target trajectory on the screen became clear again, and the lag quickly weakened and gradually disappeared.

"Look."

Fan Jimin spread his hands and made a "I'll just say it" expression:

"This is a typical intermittent sampling and forwarding coherent interference... If our early warning aircraft were not specially optimized, the detection accuracy and target refresh rate would be affected..."

A performance at the level of an Oscar statuette, even Sabah was stunned.

As the actual person in charge of the selection and testing work, he has never arranged such a link.

But looking at Fan Jimin's unfazed reaction just now, it really doesn't seem like there's something wrong with the early warning aircraft itself...

The air in the cabin became a little anxious.

Just at this time, a report of "preparing to start electromagnetic interference" sounded on the radio.

The distance between the F16 and the unmanned target drone is also close to less than 500 meters.

It has entered the cover area of ​​the electronic warfare pod.

Sabah pointed at the radio, and his meaning was obvious:

"Look, I just said there was no electromagnetic interference, right?"

But before he lowered his arm, almost the same situation as before appeared on the radar display again.

Stuttering, jumping.

And there's still blur.

It was as if it was covered by a thick cloud of chaff.

Two targets that were very close to each other directly merged together.

Fan Jimin shrugged:

"Let me just say, this is the characteristic of AN/ALQ-131 and AN/ALQ-184..."

After saying that, he adjusted the preset waveform again with ease and turned on the lever switch marked "anti-interference" on the panel next to him.

Still the same as before.

The adverse effects caused by the interference gradually disappeared, and the two targets appeared clearly on the radar screen again.

Sabah's jaw was slightly open, staring blankly at the scene in front of him.

This is much more convincing than those few sentences just now.

Obviously, everything is exactly what Jimin said.

In the first half of this round of testing, the drone really released electromagnetic interference to the early warning aircraft.

It's just that anti-interference measures were taken to customer service.

"but……"

Sabah's mind was a bit lost.

Next, the unmanned target drone conducted a second round of testing at a further distance of 50 kilometers.

The entire process is almost identical to the first round.

This left Sabah speechless.

"You two, I swear to Allah, there is absolutely no..."

Fan Jimin was so anxious that he wanted to curse when he saw that the other party was not on the right track and was tending to involve the situation in the theological field.

But considering that the other party was a foreigner, I had no choice but to recite materialism silently in my heart while raising my hand to stop Sabah from swearing:

"Mr. Sabah, of course we believe you."

"but……"

He and Kasore looked at each other:

"I suggest that after the second target drone lands, personnel from your country's air force should immediately take control of it and check whether there is really any jamming equipment you don't know about installed on the aircraft!"