Chapter 747: Interception

If the angle for entering the atmosphere is wrong, the small celestial body might be ejected by the dispersal layer, just like skipping stones across water. However, the asteroid fragment numbered S7241 entered at the perfect angle for entry.

NASA has always marked any small celestial body with a diameter greater than 10 centimeters to determine if it poses a threat to Earth.

To neutralize the threat of the asteroid fragment, it only requires shattering it in the space beyond the dispersal layer of the atmosphere, and even if it breaks into at least three pieces, the threat from this meteorite would diminish almost to nothing, possibly not even reaching the ground.

Yet, the laser cannon array did not hit it directly. Just as Lin Mo had anticipated, although the guiding light beam resolved the air refraction error—instantly crossing vast distances—the high-energy laser that lit up outer space merely vaporized the complex material enveloping the asteroid fragment. This vaporization created a large amount of thick black smoke, significantly depleting the energy of the laser beam.

Suddenly, the incoming electromagnetic railgun did not strike anything either, and the two shells were unaccounted for.

It is already challenging for shells to escape the atmosphere, and it’s unclear which research institution was treating this mission as practice.

For the Chinese military, targeting celestial objects in outer space was like a maiden’s first ride in a sedan chair.

Defending the territory is a duty, whether the invader is an Alien or an asteroid; whatever it is must not be allowed to land easily.

When a marker appeared on the radar screen indicating a ballistic missile, the inner weapon bays of the X-8 “Monstrous” opened, and two PL-13 long-range air-to-air missiles shot out.

This was a nearly non-stop, high-density, and saturating intercept attack. The costs for this interception were justified compared to the potential devastation caused by an assault on military bases on the ground.

Satellites from various countries in outer space quivered with excitement.

Unfortunately, one unfortunate satellite got grazed by one of the laser beams and predictably turned to ashes.

Watching the Chinese display their full arsenal of fireworks was a rare and spectacular sight, almost like watching a science fiction movie.

It is often said that the reserved Orientals prefer to keep their treasures hidden, but when they put forth their all, it truly brings delightful surprises.

Due to the high temperatures generated by high-speed friction with the air, the infrared response from the asteroid fragment required no filtering mechanism or anti-jamming algorithms. In the eyes of the infrared guidance head, it stood out vividly like a searchlight in the night.

Boom!

Before Lin Mo’s two PL-13 long-range air-to-air missiles reached their target, a massive fireball exploded in the distant sky.

One ballistic missile exploded violently in the dispersal layer of the atmosphere, following the tail of the asteroid fragment engulfed in blazing flames. Compared to the smaller air-to-air missiles, the power of the ballistic missile was much greater.

Only ballistic missiles from the Second Artillery could reach such heights, and their speed of 18 Mach left the fighter jets, which could only operate below the stratosphere, far behind.

Then another fireball erupted; it seemed that luck had not favored the Second Artillery today, as two consecutive ballistic missiles missed their targets, futilely chasing the tail of the meteorite without even threatening it.

The size of the asteroid fragment was too conspicuous; the X-8 “Monstrous” fighter jet easily locked onto the target. At the same time, the AWACS-2000 “South China Tiger” obtained the precise velocity value to the decimal point, which was astonishing.

55.02 Mach!

With a speed of about 18 kilometers per second, it could fly past the X-8 “Monstrous” in less time than it takes to blink, and the predicted trajectory indicated that the closest approach of the meteorite was only 2 kilometers away.

This was an extremely dangerous distance. If the meteorite were to suddenly break apart as it approached Lin Mo, the X-8 “Monstrous” would face a saturation attack from a wide meteor shower.

If it got any closer without a quick escape, this forward-swept wing fighter jet could be tossed around helplessly by the high-speed airflow.

Success or failure depended on aerodynamic properties.

The speed of the asteroid fragment’s descent was alarmingly fast, penetrating even into the ionosphere of the atmosphere. The Second Artillery had fired five ballistic missiles in succession but still achieved no success.

Hitting a target moving at 55 Mach with a missile traveling at only 18 Mach was incredibly challenging, especially when both were in high-speed motion.

Even intercontinental missiles, moving at 21 Mach, could hardly intercept, let alone the asteroid moving at 55 Mach; the Second Artillery was indeed taking a gamble.

If successful, it would deliver a significant deterrent to other countries. Any nation thinking of using ballistic missiles against China would have to consider whether they could withstand the fury of the Chinese.

At this moment, Lin Mo’s two PL-13 long-range air-to-air missiles had arrived. This missile has a maximum range of 160 kilometers, with its no-escape zone under 120 kilometers. Guided accurately by the “Monstrous” and the “South China Tiger,” they headed flawlessly toward the asteroid fragment, with increased precision due to their closer attack range compared to the ground.

Boom! Boom!

Two fireballs accurately hit their target.

The X-8 "Monstrous" is still 75 kilometers away.

"Well done! You hit it!"

"Direct hit!"

"No, no, that’s incorrect! It was a frontal hit! This is useless!"

"It was a body shockwave; it didn’t hit the surface of the meteorite, but rather the shockwave. The armor-piercing high-explosive warhead couldn’t penetrate the shockwave."

"It only caused a slight deceleration; this is ineffective."

The communication channel resembled a completely open public chat room. Lin Mo heard many voices—some were cheering, some were surprised, while many others realized that the attack had no effect.

It seemed that not only the pilots of the aircraft in the sky were speaking in the channel.

Due to the asteroid fragment’s incredible speed, the air in front couldn’t disperse in time, stacking and compressing ahead to create a strong invisible shield, preventing the missiles’ armor-piercing warheads from delivering effective attacks.

Launch again!

Two more PL-13 missiles shot out. This time, the "South China Tiger" provided guidance assistance. The two missiles no longer headed straight for the meteorite but instead curved slightly at an angle.

"‘Center Forward’ begins launch! Four missiles!"

"‘Left Defender’ launch! Two missiles!"

"‘Right Defender’ launch! Two missiles!"

"‘Goalkeeper’ launch! Two missiles!"

Dense white smoke appeared in the sky as it ascended to higher altitudes. The ramjet engines easily propelled it to a speed of 4 Mach.

Several fighter jets below the X-8 "Monstrous" also surged forward. Thanks to the friend-or-foe identification system, Lin Mo didn’t need to worry about those missiles hitting him.

This was yet another grand-scale focused attack.

What began as an energy-directed tactical assault evolved into a volley of missiles, signaling China’s practical drill in responding to cosmic disasters.

But this was not over yet!

"High-energy electromagnetic railgun charged to 160%!"

Lin Mo showed no intention of halting his attacks; the asteroid fragment was less than three seconds away, and amid fierce friction and burning with the atmosphere, its size had shrunk swiftly from about 300 meters in diameter to roughly 20 meters. Even so, its destructive power remained immense.

The built-in weapon bay’s rotatable mount dropped down, revealing the electromagnetic railgun.

"‘Dragon Knight,’ electromagnetic railgun attack countdown begins! Three! Two! One! Fire!"

As the "South China Tiger" finished the countdown, Lin Mo pulled the trigger, and a red stream of energy shot out.

Not far away, the meteorite suddenly emitted a small spark, which was swiftly left behind.

This was no ordinary spark; the electromagnetic shell successfully penetrated the supersonic shockwave shield surrounding the target, causing a small fragment to break off.

Although it didn’t destroy the asteroid fragment, it was indeed good news. Compared to the ground-based electromagnetic railgun, the accuracy of such a close-range attack was significantly higher. Moreover, Lin Mo was known in the military as a cannon sniper, making the addition of the electromagnetic railgun perfectly harmonious.

"I hit it!"

Before the AWACS-2000 could cheer, Lin Mo activated the electromagnetic railgun for another attack.

As the second electromagnetic shell departed from the electromagnetic acceleration track, the X-8 "Monstrous" shook violently, an invisible shockwave caused the fighter jet to lose stability, as though it was caught in a violent tempest, rolling uncontrollably.

The cockpit filled with the shrill alarm sound of losing dynamic balance.

Amid thick smoke and flames, a meteorite, about the size of a bus, suddenly streaked past Lin Mo’s nose less than a thousand meters away.

Not far ahead, the air-to-air missiles fired by other fighter jets struck exactly at that moment. PL-13s collided with the asteroid fragment, creating bright fireballs in front of it.

The "South China Tiger," with its excellent computing capability, perfectly coordinated all the PL-13 long-range air-to-air missile attacks, missing none.

Even the asteroid fragment, moving at 55 Mach, couldn’t withstand such a barrage, shedding two uneven fragments, now only about ten meters in diameter, and clearly deviating from its original trajectory.

When falling from high altitudes, a slight error can lead to a significant deviation. Even a tiny shift at 20,000 meters can result in the final drop point being displaced by over a hundred meters.

…

"‘Dragon Knight,’ stabilize! Others, maintain your distance!"

Lin Mo heard the "South China Tiger" remind him. The X-8 "Monstrous," losing dynamic balance, was still expected, considering Lin Mo’s position was right at the forefront near the asteroid.