Legendary Captain

Chapter 397 Operation SEAD

"Take down the S-300 air defense missile sites? They really have the nerve to ask!" Xu Xian sneered disdainfully.

The S-300 air defense missile system is a top-tier air defense system in the world. The government forces must have been very troubled by it before. This is a good opportunity to let others help remove this thorn in their side. Why not?

However, rationally speaking, Xu Xian felt that the government army did not have the guts to do this intentionally; it was just that they were incredibly lucky this time, and the opportunity was handed to them.

"What does that mean?" Xu Xian asked. "The S300 is no easy target!"

"I know the S300 is difficult to deal with. However, the government forces are indeed limited in their capabilities. Without eliminating that air defense missile site, they simply cannot launch air strikes against the rebels besieging the airport." Wang Zhaoxin pursed his lips. "Moreover, the higher-ups are willing to take on this real-world combat mission!"

Xu Xian was taken aback: "Isn't this just being used as a pawn?"

"You can't say that! Your vision is too narrow." Wang Zhaoxin shook his head: "Konbang is using us as pawns. Their vision is limited to the gains and losses of that one missile site. But our army can use this opportunity to sharpen its skills. The S300 is a good whetstone."

"Sharpening the knives!" A thought flashed through Xu Xian's mind: "Does the higher-ups want to use this opportunity to conduct practical training for SEAD operations?"

"That's right! Ground-to-ground air defense fire suppression operations!" Wang Zhaoxin straightened up gradually. "Although our military has conducted many SEAD (Self-Defense Assistance) exercises, we've never conducted them in actual combat. This time, Konbaung has given us a legitimate opportunity, so it would be a disservice to ourselves not to conduct a real SEAD operation. The S-300 air defense missile system is already a very capable air defense missile system internationally, and it has great practical value. Don't you agree? Simulated exercises are never real; only real combat can bring about a transformation!"

Xu Xian's heart skipped a beat; he hadn't really considered this. Indeed, no matter how well the exercise went, it couldn't compare to a real battle. Konbaung was a small country, close to China, and everything was within a controllable range. This time, at the request of the government forces, it was perfectly legitimate. It would be a shame not to seize this opportunity for real combat and refine his SEAD tactics.

It can only be said that Xu Xian's perspective was somewhat limited due to his position. He only saw the shamelessness of the Konbaung government army in taking advantage of the situation, but failed to see the valuable opportunity for actual combat contained within it.

"Is that a soft kill or a hard kill?" Xu Xian asked.

There are two methods of killing enemy air defenses: soft kill and hard kill. Soft kill involves interfering with or suppressing the enemy's electronic systems, thereby rendering them incapable of combat. Hard kill, on the other hand, is much more direct, involving the use of anti-radiation weapons to directly destroy the enemy's electronic equipment, physically eliminating the threat.

Compared to the straightforwardness of hard-kill attacks, soft-kill attacks have a more serious problem: the possibility that the enemy's air defense systems can be restored. High-power microwave bombs are a typical example of soft-kill methods. While they can disable enemy electronic systems for a period of time, they don't completely destroy them, so the enemy has the potential to repair them.

However, while hard kills are simple and brutal in their effects, they are also more difficult to execute.

"Of course, we need to inflict heavy casualties!" Wang Zhaoxin said. "Those government troops are useless. Even if we disable the rebels' missile defense system, they might not be able to seize the opportunity. Let's finish them off once and for all, and eliminate any future troubles."

Wang Zhaoxin had little confidence in the combat capabilities of the Konbang government forces. He feared that if he temporarily crippled the S-300 air defense missile base, the Konbang government forces wouldn't be able to seize the opportunity. Wouldn't that mean all their efforts would be wasted?

Instead of pinning their hopes on the unreliable Konbaung government forces, it would be better to simply destroy the S-300 air defense missile sites.

"Should we request electronic warfare aircraft from the Northern Air Force?" Electronic warfare aircraft should be central to SEAD operations. However, electronic warfare technology is not yet mature, and to counter radar systems like the S-300 with stronger anti-jamming capabilities, more advanced electronic warfare aircraft are needed to electronically suppress enemy air defense radars. But as far as Xu Xian knows, only the Northern Air Force possesses such high-level electronic warfare aircraft; the Western Air Force certainly doesn't.

In fact, equipping C-15s or C-16s with electronic warfare pods does provide a certain level of electronic warfare capability. However, the electronic warfare capability gained from this method of adding electronic pods is insufficient to effectively counter air defense radars like the S-300. Dedicated electronic warfare aircraft are still needed.

Since this is a rare opportunity for actual combat, adhering to the consistent combat style of our country, we must make a decisive and spectacular strike. This time, we must destroy the enemy's missile positions with overwhelming force. To ensure a high success rate, the advanced electronic warfare aircraft of the Northern Air Force are indispensable.

Xu Xian only knew that the electronic warfare fleet of the Northern Air Force was located at the Northern Air Force Base Airport, a military airfield near Hanjing Airport. It was a full three thousand kilometers from there to the Soviet Union, which was not something that could be covered in just one or two hours.

Moreover, SEAD operations typically require the deployment of an entire electronic warfare squadron, not just a single electronic warfare aircraft. This significantly increases the scale of the operation. As the flagship of the Northern Air Force, the electronic warfare fleet's dispatch procedures are likely quite complicated, inevitably causing considerable delays.

Moreover, and most importantly, the Northern Air Force and the Western Air Force have never conducted joint operations. Once the Northern Air Force's electronic warfare aircraft arrive in this area, it will take time to figure out how to coordinate and how to fight effectively.

But the people at the airport couldn't wait. Even though government soldiers were stationed at the airport and could temporarily put up a fight, Xu Xian was convinced that this wouldn't last long.

Sending electronic warfare aircraft from the North Aircraft Factory was indeed a safe move, but Xu Xian believed that this action would miss the opportunity to win the battle.

"That's natural. Domestically, only the Northern Air Force's electronic warfare aircraft squadron has the capability to suppress the S-300 air defense radar. This strike operation against the rebel air defense missile sites is a rare cross-border combat operation, so naturally, we can't afford any mistakes." Wang Zhaoxin sighed, "When will our Western Air Force also have a viable electronic warfare aircraft squadron?"

To be honest, the Western Air Force plays a marginal role in the overall Air Force deployment, while the Northern Air Force is basically treated like a favored son. After all, the Air Force Command is only a 20-minute drive from the Northern Air Force Headquarters.

"But isn't it too late to use the electronic warfare aircraft from the North Air Force? Leaving aside the lengthy application process, their joint operational plan with us hasn't even been finalized yet. Are we going to have the General Staff formulate an operational plan on the fly? Moreover, our pilots from the Western Air Force have very little experience in joint operations with electronic warfare aircraft. Even if an operational plan is finalized, how much of its essence can be implemented in actual combat?" Xu Xian shook his head: "Too many problems! I don't think temporarily allocating the North Air Force's electronic warfare aircraft is a good idea."

"There's nothing we can do. The rebels' attack on Kampong Airport was too sudden and disrupted our plans. We also didn't expect the Kampong government forces to request that we strike the rebels' air defense missile positions." However, Wang Zhaoxin had to admit that the Western Air Force Staff had made some miscalculations this time.

As for the lack of experience of pilots from the Western Air Force in joint operations with electronic warfare aircraft, there is really nothing that can be done about it; it is an objective equipment problem.

The most critical issue is that the Western Air Force lacks a capable electronic warfare squadron. How can it conduct joint operations with its own combat aircraft? Joint operations between conventional aircraft and electronic warfare squadrons require practice; otherwise, they will be completely clueless, and the electronic warfare squadron may even cause false interference to friendly aircraft. If other aircraft get too close to the electronic warfare aircraft, the massive noise waves generated by the electronic warfare aircraft can burn out the electronic equipment of friendly aircraft. If this were to happen, it would be a real blow to friendly forces.

Xu Xian had participated in joint combat training with electronic warfare squadrons because the Gengdu carrier strike group of the Southern Fleet had such a squadron. Moreover, the level of the electronic warfare squadron in the Gengdu carrier strike group was no weaker than that of the Northern Air Force. But such operations to suppress enemy air defense firepower couldn't rely on just Xu Xian's fighter jet, could they?

Domestic electronic warfare aircraft are mostly modified from transport aircraft platforms and do not have the capability to carry and launch weapons. While domestic electronic warfare aircraft might be able to handle soft-kill objectives independently, hard-kill objectives require fighter jets carrying anti-radiation missiles.

Some domestic electronic warfare aircraft can simultaneously carry anti-radiation missiles, enabling them to perform electronic suppression and electronic destruction simultaneously. Currently, China does not have a dedicated electronic warfare platform. However, it is almost certain that future electronic warfare aircraft will possess a certain strike capability; after all, learning from others is time-saving and efficient, so why not?

"Our pilots in the Western Air Force have long lacked joint electronic warfare experience, which is limited by the size and type of our fleet. The problem you mentioned does exist. Even if the electronic warfare squadron from the Northern Air Force were to come, there wouldn't be any corresponding fighter pilots to coordinate with them." Wang Zhaoxin pondered for a moment, then said, "If it really doesn't work, we could directly apply to transfer another squadron of fighter pilots from the Northern Air Force to form a joint attack force with the electronic warfare squadron? This time, the Western Air Force won't participate! As for the distance issue, the Air Force Command is currently calculating it. If they really feel that transferring from the Northern Air Force is too far and troublesome, they could consider transferring an electronic warfare squadron and a fighter squadron from the Southern Ship Gengdu Carrier Strike Group."

If the Northern Air Force can't be relied upon, then the only option left is to ask the Southern Fleet for help. The Southern Fleet's Gengdu carrier strike group also possesses considerable electronic warfare capabilities.

However, no matter what, Nishizawa will not be the main character in this operation.

Opportunities for actual combat are extremely rare; many soldiers may not even encounter one during their entire service. This time, the rebels' air defense missile positions were clearly adjacent to the western air force's territory. Their priority should have been with the western air force, but due to the western air force's weak electronic warfare capabilities, they had to relinquish this opportunity and become a supporting force. To be honest, Wang Zhaoxin felt wronged. But what could he do? He was outmatched and could only give way.

"I heard that the Gengdu carrier strike group has set sail again. If we want to apply for the deployment of the electronic warfare squadron and fighter squadron of the Gengdu carrier strike group, we need to do it in advance. Otherwise, the Gengdu carrier strike group is too far away, and it will be very troublesome for them to fly over here." Wang Zhaoxin sighed, sounding somewhat helpless.

"Is that what the Commander means?" Xu Xian stared intently at Wang Zhaoxin. "Does the Commander mean that the electronic warfare aircraft from the Northern Air Force or the Southern Fleet will be the main force in this operation?"

"That's right!" Wang Zhaoxin looked at Xu Xian: "What do you mean by asking this?"

Wang Zhaoxin keenly sensed that Xu Xian's words had a hidden meaning.

"Distant water cannot quench a fire nearby. Although theoretically the government troops stationed at the airport can put up some resistance, we should not place our hopes on them," Xu Xian said in a deep voice. "Whether we bring in electronic warfare aircraft from the Northern Air Force or from the Southern Navy, it will involve complicated procedures. Time is life now, time is everything, and we cannot afford to wait."

"What do you mean? Are we not going to wait for the electronic warfare aircraft and just rush the enemy's missile positions? But there's no terrain around the rebels' missile positions to approach them. Wouldn't rushing the missile positions be suicide?" Wang Zhaoxin said anxiously. "Xu Xian, I understand your anxiety, but we can't let this cause us to lose our composure. The S-300 missiles are not just for show."

If the rebels' anti-aircraft missile positions are located near undulating terrain, or in valleys or rift valleys, then fighter jets can use the terrain to their advantage, evading anti-aircraft radar detection. Once close enough, they can destroy the enemy in one fell swoop.

However, there was no terrain nearby to provide cover for the rebels' anti-aircraft missile positions. A direct assault on the missile sites would be tantamount to providing them with easy targets. Wang Zhaoxin could not accept such a suicidal attack method under any circumstances.

"This operation should have been the responsibility of my Western Air Force. So what if they don't have electronic warfare aircraft? I can still take them down!" Xu Xian squinted, a cold glint in his eyes.

Wang Zhaoxin's heart skipped a beat: "Without electronic countermeasures, how could an aircraft possibly bypass the enemy's air defense detection radar?"

"What's impossible?" Xu Xian raised his head slightly. "No electronic suppression? Then we'll saturate and occupy the fire channels!"

Operations Analysis Room, Western Air Force Command.

Liao Yuan, the commander of the Xi'an Air Force, was staring blankly at an electronic map when suddenly a person appeared behind him. It was none other than Jing Chenfei, the chief of staff of the Xi'an Air Force.

"Old Liao, Wang Zhaoxin just sent me a combat plan." Jing Chenfei handed a piece of paper to Liao Yuan, who had turned around. "This plan was proposed by Xu Xian and does not require the use of electronic countermeasures aircraft."

Liao Yuan stared at the paper for a moment, his pupils contracting slightly: "Saturation control of firepower channels?"

"That's right, saturation fire control channels." As the chief of staff, Jing Chenfei was naturally well-versed in various tactics: "This is also a classic tactic in SEAD operations. The S-300 fire control radar has a total of six fire control channels. As long as we occupy all of them, a seventh fighter can enter openly. This is a derivative tactic of saturation attack!"

"Is this method feasible?" Liao Yuan was not an expert in various combat tactics, but since Jing Chenfei said so, it was naturally not something Xu Xian had said without reason.

"I think it's feasible!" Jing Chenfei said. "Xu Xian's idea is to prepare for both possibilities. Transferring personnel from the Northern Air Force or the Southern Air Force is one aspect, but our Western Air Force also needs to start preparations. Isn't it more practical to take a two-pronged approach than to place all our hopes on others?"

Xu Xian did not deny the role of the electronic warfare squadrons of the Northern Air Force or the Southern Air Force, but due to the time-consuming deployment, Xu Xian wanted to prepare for both scenarios. The Western Air Force would organize a wave first, and if that failed, the Northern Air Force and the Southern Air Force would fill in.

However, there is a problem: the Air Force cannot accept failure. This requires Xu Xian's proposed solution to be sufficiently convincing.

Liao Yuan's eyes flashed with a sharp light: "This matter is of great importance. Submit the operational plan to the General Staff for a decision!"

(End of this chapter)