Chapter 299

Chapter 299: B57 Nuclear Depth Bomb

Blocking nine "Super Sidewinders" for that J-15 "Dark Sabre" was likely just a coincidence. This wasn’t a circus act or a stunt; science and the military leave no room for jokes. No one would use a large number of "Super Sidewinders" for training, unless they also managed to bribe the Hornets squadron on their fleet, but that would be impossible.

It can only be said that the "Dark Sabre" pilot had an incredible observational ability to spot the "Gudgeon" about to break the surface of the water, and with lethal determination and fearless courage, he successfully used this unexpected shield to evade the "Super Sidewinders."

As judged by the elite pilots from the "George Washington," the pilot operating the "Dark Sabre" was absolutely an ace pilot from China, and one of the best.

Helicopters equipped with towed sonar quickly took off from the "George Washington" nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and nearby escort ships, scattering in different directions.

This towed sonar, capable of reaching 2000 meters in length, could monitor an area of 1000 square kilometers of ocean.

The helicopters dropped disposable aerial buoy sonar while flying.

Various detection devices were activated; sonar was not the only method of detection.

Although seawater can cause the energy of electromagnetic waves to diminish sharply—the higher the frequency, the quicker the decay—that did not mean radar had no utility. Electromagnetic waves with frequencies below 10 hertz could penetrate 5000 meters of seawater.

Special equipment like synthetic aperture radar, infrared sensors, odor detection systems, and laser detection could all play a role in marine detection.

Almost simultaneously, the ocean public radio channels and multiple channels within a radius of nearly 500 kilometers were filled with the repeated high-power signal calls from the U.S. carrier fleet.

“Warning! Warning! The George Washington carrier fleet is encountering an attack from an unidentified alien submersible. A temporary combat area will be established within a 30 nautical mile radius of longitude ×× east and latitude ×× north. We are counterattacking! We are counterattacking! All unrelated vessels please exit this area immediately. The United States will fight for the freedom of humanity!”

For an unidentified vessel with no nationality, it was a typical American response to strike first before a threat materializes, of course while also adding some reverse insinuations and nonsensical claims.

Wasn’t it true? The Chinese carrier-based aircraft that had "dodged a fare" was not shot down but rather was friendly invited by two F-35s to view the "George Washington" nuclear-powered aircraft carrier task force, without any damage at all.

Of course, if they were willing to land on the carrier’s deck, they would receive a grand welcome.

Didn’t the Americans use a casual excuse about large-scale chemical weapons to invade Iraq? Saddam was hanged, but not a trace of those "prohibited inhumane" weapons was ever found. In the end, even the Americans got tired of fabricating evidence; after all, to the victor belongs the spoils, and with the country defeated, no one could dare to step up and complain.

Afghanistan and Yugoslavia had been treated similarly; the Americans were indeed experienced at this.

As long as the target makes noise, it would be impossible to hide from the U.S. "tiered" global surveillance system. If it remained silent, the blame for the incident would fall squarely on it.

Surrounding countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, and China received broadcast messages repeated in English, Chinese, French, and other languages, as if Earth were facing an alien invasion, making it seem almost audible that the Americans were screaming at the top of their lungs.

A scene from a science fiction movie played out.

Aside from those three representatives, all countries were effectively represented by the United States.

The submarines beneath the sea, the various escort ships above, all sonar devices were turned on to full power. The active sonar waves caused unusual tremors on the surface, often causing fish to jump out of the water unable to withstand the forceful active sonar.

The "George Washington" nuclear-powered aircraft carrier task force was designed to defend against Chinese attack submarines, equipped with comprehensive underwater detection devices, including the most advanced gear available globally.

Various sonars quickly scanned the underwater space within a 200 nautical mile radius, and the first to initiate an attack were a few of the nuclear submarines in the fleet, nearly visible to the eye as trails of fine bubbles surged towards a certain direction.

Moreover, the Americans neither believed nor were willing to acknowledge that this was a special Chinese vessel, otherwise, they wouldn’t be foolish enough to surface. Aren’t all deep-sea strategic weapons hidden in the depths of the ocean? Underwater battles are primarily based on stealth; whoever conceals themselves better has the advantage.

Moreover, the target’s stealth capability appeared surprisingly poor, without any means to weaken sonar detection. If it weren’t for its speed, they would have discovered it much earlier.

Occasionally, muffled sounds could be heard under the sea, and white water columns shot up from the surface as the U.S. submarines’ anti-submarine torpedoes seemed to strike something.

"This is SSN-776, calling the ‘George Washington,’ completing the launch of one MK54 torpedo and one MK48-7 torpedo, confirming results, attack ineffective!"

"This is SSN-767, calling the ‘George Washington,’ completing the launch of one MK54 torpedo and one MK48 torpedo, confirming results, attack ineffective!"

The Virginia-class "Hawaii" nuclear attack submarine and the Los Angeles-class "Hampton" nuclear attack submarine, which had temporarily joined the carrier task force, simultaneously reported to Captain David, who served as the fleet commander.

Six S-3B "Nordic Pirates" anti-submarine aircraft took off from the flight deck, heading toward the target direction locked in by the dense sonar array.

“Reconfirm the target, moving east at a speed of 20 knots, depth of 180 meters.”

Strangely, the target “Gudgeon” did not exhibit its maximum speed of 177 knots, but instead moved leisurely downward at a constant speed.

This time, the "George Washington" aircraft carrier task force had not set off from the Yokosuka naval base in Japan to play hide-and-seek with the J-15 "Dark Sabre" carrier-based aircraft from the Chinese training ship; their actual target was that mysterious "Gudgeon," carrying ample anti-submarine equipment, and even some conventional depth bombs that the United States had ceased production on, along with a few "Ripple" series MK-11-3 type bombs sold by the U.K.

It seemed the target was sturdier than the Americans had imagined. In fact, when they saw that the target could absorb nine "Super Sidewinders" and still submerge without any damage, remaining active underwater made everyone gasp in shock.

What remarkable resilience! The pressure generated by an underwater explosion is inescapable and even more powerful than on land; water is the best pressure conductor. Even without a direct hit, detonating several meters away could damage a double-hulled submarine.

The Americans came prepared, dropping several MK-11-3 aerial depth bombs produced in the U.K. from the 37th anti-submarine helicopter squadron. These bombs exploded on the ocean surface, creating numerous water columns. However, the distinct and firm sonar signals continued to indicate that the target "Gudgeon" remained lively, showing remarkable vitality.

“Captain David, are we authorized to allow an F-18 to carry out an attack with B57 nuclear depth bombs?”

The tenacity of the "Gudgeon" had instilled a sense of fear in the Americans. It was uncertain if it was intentional or due to inability, but up until now, the opposing side had not retaliated.

With a speed of 177 knots, a depth of 5000 meters, and such horrifying defensive capabilities, this massive vessel indicated an unimaginable underwater endurance. Just one of these super submersibles could easily clear out all military forces on and under the surface of the Pacific, even directly block the United States’ west coast.

If equipped with a nuclear warhead, its combat power would surpass that of the currently largest fighting weapon—the aircraft carrier.

The Shu Road is difficult, harder than reaching the sky; yet compared to diving into the sea, how difficult could it be?

Even though humans can now wander through the sky or even space freely, the ocean remains a mysterious unexplored region. The immense water pressure, dimming light, complex ocean conditions, and underwater terrain make each meter down a challenge.

The anti-submarine tactics the "George Washington" aircraft carrier task force takes pride in repeatedly fail, as the target seems as indestructible as a cockroach, completely indifferent to the anti-submarine torpedoes that tickle it.

The suggestion to use nuclear depth bombs quickly made it onto the fleet commander’s decision agenda.

The B57 nuclear depth bomb, three meters in length and weighing 349 kilograms—equivalent to the weight of five adults—can reach a maximum depth of 1000 meters, with an explosion yield equivalent to ten thousand tons of TNT. The underwater explosion generates a shockwave much larger than a conventional bomb, capable of sinking submarines within a one-kilometer radius or causing severe damage—an astonishing weapon considered a devastating force for underwater attacks.

With such formidable weaponry, it’s no surprise the United States opted to abandon the development of conventional depth bombs and instead bought small quantities of reserves from their ally, the U.K.

An F-18 "Hornet" can carry two B57 nuclear depth bombs for an attack, and the quantity of nuclear depth bombs the "George Washington" could carry was ample enough to cover the entire fleet’s operational area.

“I’ll think about it!” The shock that the "Gudgeon" brought to Colonel David filled him and the others with deep apprehension; his fingers drummed against the stainless steel table as he pondered for some time before finally shaking his head in refusal. “This is the South China Sea; using nuclear weapons has too broad an impact. I oppose the use of nuclear weapons, and it is unnecessary.”

This proposal was stifled before even entering the nuclear weapons multi-decision group.

“Yes, Colonel David!” Colonel Harlick, the aviation department head, fully embodied the essence of military obedience, standing at attention and saluting, and immediately informed the pilots and weapons officers under him to relay the Captain’s decision.