Chapter 131 — Clash Over the Okhotsk pt.2
"Eliminate radar-guided air-to-air missiles—break the opponent's radar lock!"
The AIM-7F missile utilized pulse Doppler and continuous wave guidance. Once within range of its target, continuous wave guidance took over. As long as the missile was illuminated by an opposing aircraft's radar, it could remain locked onto its target.
The Su-15 interceptors scattered apart, each pilot doing everything they could to shake off incoming missiles. Engines flared with afterburners as some fighters climbed, others dove, and a few took head-on approaches, gambling they could cross paths without impact. Overhead, flares and chaff were deployed in thick streaks, trying to break the missiles' guidance.
"Boom!" One Su-15, too close, was caught in a blast from a missile's proximity fuse. The interceptor was immediately torn apart by shrapnel.
The first salvo: one confirmed hit. Nathaniel, captain of the F-15 squadron, was pleased. A long-range shot, and still a takedown. Most of the other targets had evaded, but one had flown straight into the kill zone.
Still, it was enough to disrupt the Soviets' formation.
The F-15s maintained radar illumination longer than usual to guide their missiles. Once the Sparrow missiles completed their run, the American pilots finally broke off to maneuver. Without continuous radar tracking, the missiles would fail to find their targets.
This principle worked both ways. Soviet R-98s also required illumination. Many Soviet pilots had already begun evasive maneuvers the moment their missiles left their pylons.
However, unlike the American approach, Soviet missiles included both radar-guided and infrared-guided types in the same salvo. So while radar tracking may have been lost, infrared seekers continued the chase. As the F-15s countered with flares and aggressive turns, their flight paths twisted through the cold skies.
Infrared missiles were most effective from behind, but even a frontal hit was possible with enough luck.
With the initial barrage over, the American fighters reformed, pushing ahead. Targets now entered visual range.
"592nd Regiment, attention! Distance ten kilometers, six o'clock low!" came the alert from ground control.
The Su-15s had superior speed in a straight line, reaching Mach 2, but recent evasive action had bled both speed and altitude. The F-15s had caught up and were now within gun and missile range.
No time to reform a second interception wave. Captain Yuri of the 592nd made a split-second decision: no retreat—engage.
"Combat formation! Prepare to engage!"
Soviet hearts surged. The Su-15 wasn't built for dogfighting, but every pilot was ready to make a stand. This was the airspace above the La Perouse Strait. They were still over home ground.
Captain Osipovich pulled his Su-15 into a hard climb, searching for altitude and position. A shape emerged ahead: a heavy twin-tail jet. The F-15.
As Osipovich closed, a flash under the enemy's wing signaled launch. A short-range missile streaked toward him.
The AIM-9H—a deadly missile with excellent off-boresight and agility.
Osipovich didn't panic. He flew straight at it, waiting for the last second. As the missile filled his vision, he rolled sharply right, dumped flares, and cut throttle.
Nothing exploded. He exhaled.
But now the attacker had vanished from view.
"467! Six o'clock! Incoming missile!" crackled over the headset.
His wingman spotted it.
The F-15 had circled in behind him. Another AIM-9H launched.
Osipovich dove, his aircraft shrieking under the stress. The missile pursued relentlessly. As the sea filled his cockpit view, he pulled back with all his strength.
The Su-15 barely responded. At such low altitude and high speed, the airframe groaned.
Then a thunderous flash behind. The missile exploded in the water.
Osipovich survived. This time.
But others weren't so fortunate.
Across the sky, the American Eagles tore through the Soviet interceptors. The battle for Sakhalin had begun in earnest.