Chapter 1112 Encounter 2

Two J-16 Vultures quickly climbed to an altitude of 8000 meters in a pair-plane formation and established patrol airspace on the side and front of the transport aircraft's scheduled route.

The lead plane pilot, Major Li Rui, also known as "Vulture 1-1", habitually scanned the air situation information on the integrated display screen. This airspace was still full of unknowns for them.

Suddenly, the airborne active phased array radar (AESA) issued a short beep, and a synthesized female voice reported:

"Warning, unidentified aerial target detected. Bearing 075, distance 135 kilometers, altitude 6000. Number 3. Pattern identification: Large low-speed platform 1, high-speed platform 2."

Li Rui's spirits perked up. Something was happening! He immediately ordered, "1-2, maintain alert, and focus on monitoring the unknown target."

"1-2 understand."

Almost in the next second, the tactical data link projected the preliminary analysis results onto his screen:

"Preliminary signal feature comparison: The large target is suspected to be a Y-9 series special platform. The high-speed target is suspected to be a G10 series fighter. Feature match: 78%."

"Y-9? G10?" Li Rui's heart skipped a beat, a surge of irrepressible excitement welling up inside him. The appearance of these two distinctly military aircraft in this airspace, formerly belonging to the Eastern Theater Command, was a truly significant development.

"1-2! Did you see the data? It's most likely a plane from the Eastern Theater! We may have found the real culprit!" His voice was filled with a barely perceptible excitement.

"Got it, leader! Damn, finally some clues!" The wingman's response was equally excited. Finding the main force of the Eastern Theater was one of their core missions in this area.

The technological advantage now brought an information advantage. The J-16's AESA radar, in passive mode, had already completed long-range detection and preliminary identification, while the enemy remained completely unaware.

"Command post, Vulture 1-1 calling! Major discovery!" Li Rui suppressed his excitement and reported in a professional tone.

"At position 075, a distance of 135 kilometers, an unidentified aerial formation has been spotted. Preliminary identification suggests one Y-9 series special aircraft and two G10 series fighter jets! Highly suspected to be from the Eastern Theater Command's aviation forces! Requesting instructions!"

The rear command post was clearly aware of the importance of this discovery, and the command came quickly, with a hint of caution:

"Vulture 1-1, confirming the nature of the target is the primary priority. Permission is granted to proceed forward for confirmation and attempt non-hostile contact and identification. However, please remain vigilant, ensure your own safety, and avoid miscalculation. Deterrence is primary, with repelling as a secondary measure."

"Vulture 1-1 understand. Execute contact identification procedures."

Li Rui pushed the accelerator, and the two J-16s accelerated forward silently like ghosts, occupying a favorable tactical position and preparing for close-range confirmation.

Meanwhile, inside the Y-9JB Stargazer, the routine reconnaissance remained peaceful. Until—

"Warning! High-energy, unknown model radar scan detected! Signal characteristics cannot be identified! Two source targets, approaching at high speed! Azimuth 255, distance approximately 110 kilometers!" The electronic reconnaissance officer's exclamation broke the silence, his voice full of shock and confusion.

Immediately afterwards, in the cockpits of the two G10A "Blades", the shrill radar warning receivers (RWR) beeped wildly!

"Warning! Locked by fire control radar! Warning! Locked by unknown high-priority target!!"

The G10A lead pilot "Blade 1-1" was shocked when he saw the frightening "UNKNOWN" logo and the clear locked direction on the RWR screen.

He tried to search with the onboard radar, but found nothing! The unknown enemy and unknown technology instantly made him feel a huge pressure.

"Blade Formation! Emergency! Unknown target locked! Prepare to defend!"

Just as the G10A pilot was nervously maneuvering and releasing jamming chaff in an attempt to break free from the lock—

A clear, calm voice came from the public emergency channel, but it didn't seem... hostile?

"Attention, unidentified military aircraft ahead. You have entered the airspace of the Zhongzhou Theater Command. This is the Zhongzhou Theater Command Air Force. Please identify yourself and your intentions. I repeat, please identify yourself and your intentions."

'Zhongzhou War Zone? ? ?'

"Where's the Zhongzhou War Zone? Is it the Central War Zone?"

"Besides, what the hell do you mean by 'your airspace'? Isn't this our Eastern Theater Command? When did it become yours?"

The voice coming from the public channel made the crews of Y-9JB and G10A all stunned.

However, as they were locked in place, they had no time to think, fearing that a misunderstanding would lead to the other party's accidental attack.

In this emergency, the captain of the Y-9JB quickly weighed the options in his mind:

"Judging from the current situation, the enemy's aircraft are likely to have an overwhelming advantage over ours... If they truly harbored hostile intent, they would have already opened fire, leaving us no time to react..."

"Even more, the voice coming over the radio was in standard Chinese, so it's most likely a friendly force, so..."

"Blade! Resist! Stop the provocative actions! The other party is requesting identification!" He shouted into the communication channel, then took a deep breath and tried to respond:

"Zhongzhou Theater Command, this is the Eastern Theater Command's aerial reconnaissance unit. We are conducting a routine reconnaissance mission. I repeat, we are the Eastern Theater Command."

After hearing the other party's clear identity response, Li Rui and his wingman seemed to look at each other from a distance, and a hint of joy of "Found it!" flashed in their eyes.

"Command post, confirm the identity of the target! It is indeed a Y-9JB electronic reconnaissance aircraft from the Eastern Theater Command and two G10A fighter jets!" Li Rui reported quickly.

At the same time, as soon as the news of the suspected discovery of Eastern Theater Command aircraft was released, the Jinling Military Sub-district Command Center had already connected to the ground tower's communication channel.

"Vulture 1-1, maintain contact and further confirm its identity!"

Du Yuming, commander of the Jinling Military Sub-district, held the communicator tightly in his hand, his voice trembling with an imperceptible tremor.

No matter how hard you try, you won't be able to find anything, and it won't take any effort at all!

I thought I would have to wait until I had gained a foothold before casting my net, but I didn't expect the other party to come to me on their own!

In this way, the secret mission assigned to him by Army Chief Wang Tiefeng should be completed soon!

.....

"Eastern Theater Command, read." Li Rui's voice came through the public channel, maintaining his professionalism while softening his tone slightly.

"Please maintain your current heading and altitude. We will conduct escort identification. I repeat, please do not perform any threatening maneuvers."

This requirement is reasonable. When the identity details of the other party cannot be fully confirmed, visual identification during flight is a standard procedure.

Inside the Y-9JB cabin, the crew breathed a sigh of relief, as the other party was at least willing to communicate.

"We understand. Maintain the heading altitude." The captain responded and ordered:

"Stop electronic reconnaissance activities and turn off active radar emissions." This is to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.

The pilots of the two G10As were even more nervous. Being locked and accompanied by an unknown powerful fighter jet was like being followed closely by a tiger.

"Li Ren understands." The pilot of the lead plane responded with gritted teeth, holding the joystick firmly with both hands, not daring to make any unnecessary movements, but his eyes were fixed outside the cockpit, trying to find the invisible threat.

Soon, they saw it.

Above the sunlit clouds, two dark grey, slender figures appeared quietly like ghosts, occupying a favorable position above and to the side of them.

The smooth aerodynamic layout, low-visibility paint, and the large radar dome on the nose that is clearly different from any known aircraft model all exude a sense of technology that is ahead of its time.

"Oh my God...what kind of plane is that?" The G10A wingman pilot couldn't help but whisper in the internal channel.

"I've never seen it before... It's definitely not the G11 or SU-27 series... The aerodynamic shape is more similar... but the details are completely different, simpler, more..." The pilot of the lead plane couldn't find the right words. A huge gap in technology made him feel cold.

...