Chapter 68: Take Aim, Panda!

  Defy the order? Arslan wasn't afraid for the first time, pilots should have this kind of domineering air to be the master of the sky, what's there to fear? Especially this time, he was going to challenge the authority of the pandas, and felt even more hot-blooded.

  The air force should be like the Israeli Air Force, with a bold and daring style, using me in the first battle, I must win! The air force is the spearhead of all national defense forces.

  To quickly reach the battlefield, the wing's sweep angle was adjusted to its maximum of 74 degrees, which is very beneficial for rapid assault. Just a moment ago, he briefly opened up the afterburner, letting him get a taste of low-altitude high-speed flight, but it was immediately stopped. Although Arslan wanted to quickly reach the battlefield, he also knew that supersonic flight at low altitude would be terrifying for people on the ground. The shockwave produced by breaking the sound barrier would blow roofs off houses. Therefore, supersonic flight is strictly prohibited at low altitudes. However, Arslan liked that feeling, speed and passion combined.

  Arsalan glanced down at the crude navigation equipment, hoping to get guidance from ground radar soon. He had already preheated the missile and was ready to open the Whip's crude radar for guided missile operations.

  "Fly Tiger, Iranian aircraft has entered airspace 4, still 150 kilometers away from you, turn right by 80 degrees, heading 187, be aware of visual contact with the other party." The voice came from the control tower on the radio.

  "Understood, blue sky." Arslan immediately adjusted his course, preparing for battle.

  A distance of one hundred and fifty kilometers is just a matter of ten or so minutes for an airplane flying at high speed.

  The most thrilling battle is about to begin!

  The earliest MiG-23s to enter Iraqi service had extremely outdated electronics, consisting only of a simple VOR/ILS navigation system, UHF radio and an SRO-3 IFF transponder compatible with Egyptian and Libyan aircraft of the same type. There was no radar warning receiver or radar. This equipment suite was identical to that fitted to the MiG-21MF, and was far inferior to what the Soviets used themselves. The only useful piece of equipment in the Iraqi Air Force's possession was the IFF transponder, which at least allowed them to avoid friendly fire.

  Later, under strong pressure from the Iraqi Air Force, a second batch of more advanced MiG-23BNs were fitted with a simplified "High Lark" J-band radar, with a search range of 85 km and a tracking range of 54 km. A laser rangefinder, "Sirena" radar warning system, and Doppler navigation equipment were also added under the nose.

  The MiG-23 flown by Al-Arsalan was just such an aircraft, and in fact he was not very satisfied with this plane. Two years ago, he had gone to France with his unit on a reconnaissance mission, where he had been full of praise for the excellent avionics equipment on French-made planes. However, the Mirage F1s that Iraq had recently imported from France were not equipped with his squadron.

  Although dissatisfied, Arslan has never given up and fully exerting the potential of his weapons is his greatest wish.

  Arslan knew that he had only one chance, and if he missed the first shot, he would have to utilize the excellent acceleration performance of the MiG-23 to escape quickly. Engaging in a dogfight with the J-10 was simply suicidal.

  The Iranian strike formation was still flying at an altitude of 9,000 meters, although it had already entered Iraqi territory. However, as the leading Panda Four aircraft opened their radar, all surrounding Iraqi planes had fled, clearing the airspace. The only thing they needed to face was the ground-to-air cannon fire attack. Especially in Baghdad, where the annoying SAM anti-aircraft missiles were waiting for them.

  So, when still 200 kilometers away from Baghdad, the formation descended to an altitude of 4,000 meters and prepared to lower its altitude again for a low-altitude breakthrough.

  The bear, however, began to climb up to an altitude of 10,000 meters, ready to shoot down any Iraqi plane that dared to take off. This sky was their backyard!

  If they completed half a week of defense and then turned back, the radar would discover an Iraqi plane that had launched a low-altitude surprise attack. All radars were installed in the big nose of the aircraft, which means that any fighter can only detect targets within a 150-degree fan-shaped area in front of it (limited by the mechanical rotation device of the radar, it is impossible to make the radar antenna and the fuselage perpendicular). Therefore, the pandas who were on air defense duty had not yet discovered any suspicious targets in the air.

  They were very careful not to get close to Baghdad's air defense missile range.

  "Fly Tiger, be advised, enemy aircraft are divided into two batches. Four climbing pandas and a dozen or so low-flying ground attack aircraft. Distance twenty kilometers, one o'clock direction, prepare to accelerate, open radar." The voice of the ground personnel came through the headset again, providing Arslan with the most information.

  The moment of waiting is now! Arslan knew that although he couldn't see the distant planes with his naked eye, the enemy plane was right in front of him, and the moment to shoot down the enemy plane was now!

  Arsalan stepped on the gas and started a full-speed charge, low-altitude supersonic flight? Get out of here!

  Before launching a missile, the carrier aircraft must reach its maximum speed as much as possible. This allows the missile to acquire the speed of the carrier aircraft before launch, increasing its range.

  Arslan didn't want to turn on the radar, once turned on, his target would be exposed, he had to wait until the speed accelerated to the maximum, and then open the radar, lock the target, and launch the missile in the shortest time!

  The object of combat, choose high-altitude pandas or low-altitude aircraft? Arslan chose the panda without hesitation.

  First, his intention to take off was to shoot down a Panda and gain merit. He didn't even look at those other planes. Secondly, the radar of the MiG-23 is too simple, and those low-flying attack aircraft have already entered the ground clutter, which can't be filtered out at all. Even if he wanted to lock on, it was impossible.

  Sneaking up on pandas is his heart's desire!

  The aircraft began to shake violently, Arslan looked down and saw that the speed had almost reached the limit of low-altitude flight.

  He pulled up the machine head, then opened the radar.

  At that moment, four bright spots flashed on the radar screen, which were the four pandas flying in high altitude. At this time, the distance between them was only twelve kilometers, within the range of P-23.

  Two P-23s, fire at will! Arslan chose his own attack mode.

  A sneak attack only has one chance, two missiles, aiming at a target, I don't believe it can't hit. How much does a missile cost in rubles is not what he cares about, since it's hung on his plane, it's for him to use.

  Under the aircraft belly, two missiles emerged with thick smoke, one after another, leaving the launch pad and rushing towards the high-flying panda.