The 8-knot speed of the Great Wall Boat is the maximum underwater speed that can be achieved with sufficient concealment. The boat belongs to the Type 041, which is the most advanced model in the Yuan-class (external ship class code) series, and has only been in service for three years. Because it uses the AIP power system, it can sail underwater for a long time.

Traditional conventionally powered submarines are powered by battery electricity when navigating underwater, so it is necessary to float up from time to time and use diesel engines and other internal combustion engines to charge the batteries. This approach seriously affects the advantages of the submarine's strong concealment.

The emergence of AIP is to solve this problem, "does not rely on air propulsion devices", does not need to float to charge and does not need to float to obtain air to allow submarines to sail underwater for a long time. The speed of 8 knots is also the maximum speed that the Great Wall Boat can achieve when the battery pack is full.

If you don't take into account the power of the battery, the Great Wall boat can reach a maximum speed of 20 knots underwater.

The mysterious "partner" was also sailing in the same direction at the same speed, in a parallel line with the Great Wall boat, only 8 nautical miles away. The noise level of the Great Wall boat was very strong, and Tu Meiri was sure that the other party did not find him, but the other party had a communication three hours ago, so Tu Meiri knew that there was such a submarine with the performance that was not inferior to his own.

What is certain is that if the Great Wall boat takes the initiative to communicate with the shore, its whereabouts will definitely be exposed. Therefore, after receiving the order from the previous commander, Tu Meiri had already made up his mind not to make any communication response.

But now he was faced with a very difficult multiple-choice question.

The atmosphere in the combat command center under the submarine's enclosure was so solemn that almost no sound could be heard. The shoes of submariners are even specially made and do not make any sound when they walk around. Most of the facilities and equipment in the boat, such as pipeline lines, are not covered in a regular manner, one is to avoid internal sound resonance, and the other is to facilitate emergency maintenance. As a result, the interior of the submarine looks chaotic and not as neat as the interior of a surface ship.

The sonar room kept track of the unidentified submarine, the torpedo department was in combat condition and ready to attack, and there was no doubt that the Great Wall boat was in the upper hand.

But Tu Meiri needs to make a decision as soon as possible.

"Operation Nishitai Justice, the purpose of the operation is to capture Tojo Kazuki, an important leader of the Nishitai pirates. This person is the military advisor of the Western Pacific pirates, and catching him is equivalent to breaking the brains of the Western Pacific pirates, and the superiors are determined to win. ”

Tu Meiri leaned over to look at the chart and said in a deep voice, "The front commander asked us to provide support and cover for the arrest operation troops at any time. The Capture Force arrived in the Overlord Islands at 20:30 and planned to end its mission at 23:30. It is now 19:45, and the former commander has asked us to ensure the smooth withdrawal of the arrest operation troops, and at the current speed, we will not be able to reach the established sea area before that. ”

8 knots is equal to 8 nautical miles, and although the former finger knows the particularity of the submarine and does not specify the arrival time, at the current speed, it will not be able to reach before the end of the mission of the capture operation force in any case, let alone cover the evacuation, let alone provide support.

The submarines of the Great Wall boat can launch submarine-launched missiles through torpedo tubes and can attack surface and land targets, but the Great Wall boat commanded by Tu Meiri only carried 20 torpedoes of 533 mm caliber. Therefore, according to Tu's analysis, the intention of the foregoing finger is to let the Great Wall boats intercept the enemy's surface and underwater targets, support the capture of the operation force, or cover its evacuation.

Huang Jinhua looked at the hand-drawn situation map and was silent. The unidentified submarine was 8 nautical miles to starboard and headed in the same direction as the main submarine, so it was not difficult to determine the purpose of the unidentified submarine. He had a clear suggestion in mind, but he hadn't figured out whether to make it official.

Deputy Captain Xie Huarong had limited experience, and he basically did not dare to put forward operational proposals under such circumstances, and he was still in the learning stage.

But Tu Meiri had the intention to test him, and asked, "Xie Huarong, tell me your opinion, what should I do?" ”

Xie Huarong pondered and said, "I think we should carry out the order of the previous finger and immediately increase the speed of the ship and rush to the designated sea area within the specified time." ”

"What about the unidentified submarine on the starboard side?" Tu Meiri asked.

Xie Huarong said, "Regardless of them, they will not take the initiative to attack our boat." ”

Tu Meiri and Huang Jinhua glanced at each other, both smiled slightly, Tu Meiri said, "Lao Huang, you don't have any other suggestions?" ”

Huang Jinhua smiled and said, "My inclination should be the same as yours, Captain. ”

Tu Meiri nodded slightly and said, "I'll go and discuss it with the political commissar." ”

He turned and walked towards the quarters. He and the political commissar took turns on duty to ensure that there was a commander who could be in charge of the command at all times.

Xie Huarong glanced at Tu Meiri's back and asked Huang Jinhua in a low voice, "Jinhua squad leader, what does captain mean by this?" It's not going to be hands-on, is it? ”

"Of course we won't fire the first shot, but if it turns out that the unidentified submarine belongs to the Western Pacific Pirates, then we have good reason to fire first." Huang Jinhua said solemnly, and then turned around and went to the sonar room.

The sonar chief and three sonar crews were on guard to keep an eye on the surrounding situation, and tracking the unidentified submarine on the starboard side was the main task. At this time, the sonar director was in full swing to identify the characteristics of the unknown submarine and judge the type of submarine.

Because the other side did not detect the Great Wall boat, the Great Wall boat apparently did not use active sonar, but enabled passive sonar to track the noise made by the target. However, if you want to carry out an attack, you must use active sonar, which is often referred to as attack sonar.

Sonar can be regarded as an underwater radar, but it emits not radio signals but sound waves, and the sound waves are reflected back when they hit the target and are accepted by the signal receiving and processing device, so that the process of underwater detection is completed.

The working mode is divided into active and passive, and the same can be referred to the working mode of the radar. Active radar will emit signals and naturally have no way to hide, while passive radar only accepts and does not emit, and is very hidden. The same is true for sonar, but passive sonar has a limited range and is closely related to the noise level of the target.

This is also because there is only a distance of 8 nautical miles, and if it is far away, the Great Wall boat may not be able to use passive sonar to track.

The sonar system of the Great Wall boat is very complete, including side array sonar, bow sonar, towed line array sonar, and a variety of functions and working methods.

In the discovery of the unidentified submarine, the sonar room made a great contribution. The signal is very weak, hidden in the clash of the seabed, the slightest negligence will be ignored, and even many people will mistake it for a large fish or something even if they hear it.

On duty at that time was the old sonar sergeant Li Xinnian who was sitting in the middle at this moment, he keenly found the trace of suspicious signal from the large amount of clutter, and immediately took measures to amplify and listen, and found that it was actually the sound of a propeller!

At that time, this discovery made Tu Meiri break out in a cold sweat.

Li Xinnian quickly determined that it was a submarine and not a surface ship, but he had not yet judged the model of the submarine. It is certain that it is not its own submarine, and every submarine that goes to sea will receive intelligence reports from the shore command from time to time, including the area where friendly forces are active.

There is only one boat in this area.

"Lao Li, is it right?" Huang Jinhua asked Li Xinnian in a low voice.

Li Xinnian shook his head slightly, "I have compared it three times, and I have not found a model that meets the noise characteristics." ”

"I just thought of a boat that wasn't in the catalog, you can judge." Huang Jinhua took the pen in Li Xinnian's hand and wrote down two words with a brush.

Canglong.

Li Xinnian was stunned for a moment, and then shook his head, "Without the information of this boat, there is no way to be sure." ”

"Elimination method, if the others don't match, then you can be sure that it is the Canglong." Huang Jinhua said with a smile.

Li Xinnian was about to say that this is not nonsense, but suddenly found that Huang Jinhua's smile was a little meaningful, and he was slightly stunned for a moment, then raised his eyebrows, nodded slightly, and said, "Well, it's a good way, now it is basically certain that the Canglong submarine purchased by the Western Pacific Pirates is the latest purchase." ”

"Just to be cautious, you check again." Huang Jinhua said.

"Yes." Li Xinnian quickly checked it, and after confirming that it was not any of the submarines in the catalog, he wrote the conclusion in the report that "it is suspected that the Canglong is the latest purchase by the West Pacific pirates".

This is what Huang Jinhua wanted, and he quickly returned to the command cabin with it in his hand. Tu Meiri was already there, and apparently his discussions with the commissar had come to fruition.

Li Xinnian and Huang Jinhua's judgment was very correct, the unknown submarine was the Canglong conventional submarine newly purchased by the West Pacific Pirates, and it was the most advanced boat in the underwater equipment of the West Pacific Pirates, with an underwater displacement of 4,200 tons, which was smaller than the Great Wall boat.

"Lao Huang, how's the situation?" Tu Meiri hurriedly asked.

Huang Jinhua handed over the report in his hand, "There are results, which is consistent with our guess." This Soryu is a great threat to our fleet, and I propose to take decisive measures. ”

"Judging by its course, it must be to support their main fleet, and it is in line with our operational principles to decisively defeat it." Tu Meiri said.

Xie Huarong understood and said, "I agree, taking decisive measures while we are in an advantageous position is the best choice. After solving this threat, we can concentrate on carrying out the tasks of the former commander, and even take the initiative to contact the former commander to fully communicate the combat plan. ”

Tu Meiri glanced at it and said, "Since there is a consensus of opinion, then do it." ”

His face froze suddenly, and he said in a deep voice, "Battle alert! ”

"Battle-Fight Alert!"

"Battle-Fight Alert!!"

"Battle-Fight Alert !!"

The whole boat quickly moved into action, and the torpedo compartment in the standby state was ready for launch.

Tu Meiri ordered: "Slow down five knots!" ”

"Slow down five knots!" Huang Jinhua repeats the password.

Tu Meiri continued to order: "Turn right thirty degrees!" ”

"Turn right thirty degrees!"

The speed of the Great Wall boat slowed down, and the bow slowly turned to the right, pointing towards the course of the Canglong. The Canglong is still unconscious, objectively speaking, the noise level of this boat is relatively powerful, better than the Great Wall boat, and other aspects are also the world's advanced level, and the comprehensive can be above the Great Wall boat.

The problem is that the quality of the personnel who operate this boat is unsatisfactory, the technical level is not bad, but the awareness is not strong. Otherwise, with the noise level of the Canglong, it would be more difficult for the Great Wall Boat to detect it. Tu Meiri is very experienced, and how many places he has run since joining the army, that string has always been tight, and even concealment is the life of the submarine, so his awareness in this regard is very strong.

Huang Jinhua looked at the estimated course displayed on the tactical display, and when the route intersected with the course of the target boat, he reported, "Captain, the turn is complete." ”

The two submarines sailed in parallel and in the same direction at a distance of 8 nautical miles, and the Great Wall boat slowed down and turned to the right at 30 degrees, and the Canglong continued to sail at a speed of 8 knots unconsciously, so it entered the attack range of the Great Wall boat.

Tu Meiri looked at his watch and quickly calculated the distance and time.

The command cabin was so quiet that only the sound of everyone's controlled breathing could be heard, and the eyes of several staff officers were focused on Tu Meiri.

Tu Meiri made up his mind and said, "No. 1 Thunder No. 2 Mine prepare!" ”

The torpedo compartment quickly moved into action, and the fire control post of the command compartment locked on to the target, reporting: "Target locked!" ”

"The torpedo bay received a sight!" Torpedo compartment report.

Tu Meiri gritted his teeth and said: "Open the launch tube!" ”

Huang Jinhua pressed the button hard, and the lids of the first and second tubes opened.

At this time, the Canglong had already sensed the abnormality, first the sound of the attack sonar hitting the hull, and then the sound of the torpedo tube cover of the Great Wall boat opening. Any qualified sonar will be able to pick up these two unique sounds and quickly determine that this is an attack.

However, they no longer have a chance.

Tu Meiri roared and gave the order: "Two shots in a row!" No. 3 and No. 4 Ray prepare! ”

"Two shots! No. 3 and No. 4 Ray prepare! Huang Jinhua repeated the command loudly.

Two 533 mm Fish-5 heavy anti-submarine torpedoes were pushed out of the launch tubes, and then the engine ignition work propelled the torpedoes towards the target, rapidly accelerating to 65 knots. By this time, even if the Canglong could fly, it would not be able to escape such a pursuit.

The Yu-6 heavy anti-submarine torpedo has advanced performance and has become the main anti-submarine torpedo of the People's Navy since its entry into service in 2005, equipped with surface ships and submarines. This torpedo is the first torpedo designed by our army with a modular design and an open software architecture.

The highlight of this type of torpedo is that the guidance system it uses is very advanced, and the guidance system can be flexibly selected according to needs, and can use a variety of guidance methods such as wire guidance, active sonar guidance, and stern guidance.

Among them, the stern guidance method is more advanced, when detecting and passing through the wake of the ship, it will turn the direction to a certain angle, so that the torpedo head is facing the ship, this homing method can make the torpedo shuttle left and right like a snake to pursue the ship.

(Stern flow guidance mode, i.e., wake self-guidance)

In order to ensure that nothing went wrong, Tu Meiri immediately prepared the second batch of two torpedoes, and he used the line guidance mode for the second batch of two torpedoes, and he could guide the torpedoes to attack by sending commands.

Although a single Yu-6 heavy anti-submarine torpedo can send the Soryu to the bottom of the sea with more than 4,000 tons.