Capítulo 1762: Chapter 1679: Another Way to Empty the Magazine
Imdiately after the second thunder appeared, another destroyer next to it also launched a missile, the tail flas illuminating the gray sky, leaving a white smoke trail as it charged into the unseen distance.
The terrifying sound echoed above the transport fleet, and no one knew what would happen next. Only the sailors in orange life jackets leaned against the deck railing, curiously waiting for the next spectacular scene.
The Great Tang Empire’s anti-ship missile warhead configuration is sowhat different from Earth’s because in this era, the biggest defense asure for the Tang Army’s mariti opponents is still armor thickness.
The armor thickness on warships generally exceeds 200 milliters, and the thickness on so battleships is even close to 400 milliters, almost imagining themselves as turtles.
In such a situation, the Tang Army’s anti-ship missiles are generally equipped with armor-piercing warheads, emphasizing penetration performance. Of course, to deal with different scenarios, the destroyer’s anti-ship missiles generally have one or two equipped with high-explosive warheads.
After being launched, the two anti-ship missiles began to ascend. In this era, there was no need for sea-skimming attack capabilities, and the most primitive high-arc trajectory could instead gain more advantages.
On one hand, the high-arc trajectory could achieve a longer range and faster speed since there was no need to consider sea-skimming flight control, making it even cheaper in cost.
On the other hand, such a trajectory could gain better radar guidance, significantly improving missile hit rates in an era of low electronic levels.
anwhile, a descending attack targets the ship’s horizontal armor, which is obviously more effective than attacking the much thicker side armor…
The two missiles were actually attacking the sa target, an unknown target that appeared here for so reason. From the radar perspective, the target was not small in size and was a high-value target.
“Can the target identity be confird?” In the much more cramped bridge of the destroyer compared to the transport ship, the captain of the Heavy Hamr, responsible for escorting the fleet, asked his subordinate who was checking the data.
The officer shook his head, still comparing data in the signal manual: “Sorry, it doesn’t match yet… but judging by the size, it should be a battleship.”
“Prepare the second anti-ship missile! Tell the Boiling, we plan to launch another anti-ship missile!” The Heavy Hamr’s captain, feeling a bit uncertain, decided to play it safe, considering he had an entire transport fleet behind him.
No matter what that thing is, as long as he has anti-ship missiles, allowing it to co close would be his negligence.
“Contact Hotwind Port, and ask if they can fly aircraft over for support in this weather…” Cautious, he finally decided to find himself so help. If not for the main fleet being far away, he would have considered calling in more warships.
The other side clearly relied on bad weather to evade mariti detection and slip into such a troubleso position. If not for the radar detecting it, it might have continued approaching Hotwind Port.
This distance was indeed quite dangerous. When the damned target was discovered, it was less than 40 kiloters from the transport fleet—after identifying it as friend or foe, the actual distance was less than 35 kiloters.
“The first anti-ship missile hit the target!” The officer observing the missile situation loudly reported the attack’s success: “Damage effects pending verification.”
“Boiling reports their missile hit the target!” The communications officer, covering the phone receiver, shouted loudly along.
“Whew… Swoosh!” The second prepared anti-ship missile burst from the launch tube at this ti, adjusting its flight angle slightly in mid-air before speeding off into the distance.
“Enemy ship 30 kiloters away!” The sergeant staring at the radar screen reported the distance between the two sides once again, and indeed, this distance was relatively unsafe.
If the other side is indeed a battleship and equipped with sothing other than outdated 305 or 350 caliber cannons, this distance would already enable them to open fire.
Despite the fact that accuracy at maximum shooting distance was almost zero, the other side indeed had the capability to fire. Whether they had radar or shooting paraters was another matter.
It was also a lapse of the Great Tang Empire Navy’s vigilance, allowing such a dangerous target to reach such a position. In the past, it would have been discovered and sunk by the main fleet.
“Should we change the transport fleet’s course?” The sowhat hesitant first officer, newly promoted before this voyage and facing an enemy for the first ti, asked the captain.
If they let this enemy ship get closer, problems could arise. The transport fleet itself had a slow speed, and it was prudent to let them take action in advance.
The Heavy Hamr’s captain didn’t speak, and the Boiling also launched its second anti-ship missile. Accompanied by the deafening sound of the missile, he picked up the phone to contact the transport fleet’s flagship Rules.
“Enemy ship slowing down!” At this mont, the radar officer reported an exhilarating ssage.
The Heavy Hamr’s captain put down the phone receiver in his hand; he now had so confidence: as long as the other side wasn’t invincible and his anti-ship missiles worked, he was fearless.
“Prepare the third anti-ship missile!” He commanded loudly: “If the enemy ship breaks through within 20 kiloters… then inform the transport fleet to change course.”
The tense atmosphere in the bridge blurred people’s perception of ti; no one knew how much ti had passed when suddenly so shells fell, creating towering water pillars a few kiloters from the Tang Army destroyer.
Looking at the gigantic water pillars, it could be judged that the other side was equipped with at least 350-milliter caliber heavy guns, possibly 380 or even larger… From the counterattack, it was undoubtedly a battleship.
“Pretty accurate shooting.” The Heavy Hamr’s captain put down the binoculars he used to watch the water pillars and glanced at the weapons officer: “Don’t be stingy; give it the remaining one too!”
“Power up the fourth anti-ship missile!” The weapons officer imdiately gave the order. Simultaneously, the third anti-ship missile flew out of the launch tube, heading towards the distant target.
Under normal circumstances, a destroyer is equipped with eight anti-ship missiles, with four aid at each side of the ship. This configuration plan was finalized by His Majesty The Emperor. Among the four anti-ship missiles on each side, one is a high-explosive warhead, and the other three are armor-piercing warheads.
The Heavy Hamr’s captain didn’t order a course change after using up the armor-piercing warheads but decided to send the missile with the high-explosive warhead to the other side. This tactic is often used to unleash maximum firepower in the shortest ti.
“Enemy ship changing course!” The radar operator continued to report loudly.
“Missile hit!” “Boiling reports! They’ve launched the third missile!” The shouts in the bridge rged.
Once again, flashes illuminated the gray sky, and the waves seed to grow tumultuously more, making the slender, ivory white destroyer hull appear even sharper and fiercer amidst the waves.
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