Multifunctional Air Defense Weapons, Draw the Sword!

Text and images by Zhao Qiansong, Lan Kun, Huang Zhenyu

Smoke fills the air, cannon fire shakes the heavens

Recently, a certain air defense unit of the 71st Group Army

organized a full-element live-fire shooting assessment

focusing on testing the combat effectiveness of various air defense weapon systems

and the all-time, all-domain autonomous air defense capabilities

and rapid response abilities of the officers and soldiers—

▲ Target aircraft taking off.

▲ Rapid maneuvering.

After the assessment began

the officers and soldiers quickly deployed according to the predetermined formations

with each combat unit closely coordinating and operating efficiently

data flowing in the command post, orders transmitted rapidly

the commander closely monitoring the screens

analyzing the situation and assessing intentions

one order after another reaching the combat end

▲ Implementing concentrated fire on the target.

“The ‘enemy’ aircraft are using multiple aircraft formations,

launching multi-route assaults,

to harass the air defense positions.”

Suddenly, an air situation arises

inside the command module, the radar quickly scans

the screens flashing continuously

the operator closely watching the display

accurately locking onto the target

▲ Implementing concentrated fire on the target.

With the commander's launch order

multiple anti-aircraft guns fire simultaneously

shells bursting forth

weaving a net of fire coverage

precisely intercepting the incoming aerial targets

▲ Implementing concentrated fire on the target.

As one wave subsides, another rises

the ‘enemy’ aircraft's electronic interference quickly strikes

the radar operator responds swiftly

manipulating the equipment to tightly “bite” onto the target

the commander closely watching the radar screen

“Launch!”

several missiles soar into the sky

screaming directly towards the target

the ‘enemy’ aircraft bursts into flames

after one round of confrontation

the red and blue sides switch attack and defense roles

a new round of cloud-based competition immediately unfolds

▲ Striking the target.

This live-fire shooting assessment

adopted a method of on-the-spot target designation

with immediate engagement

highlighting the testing of tactics and training

without prior notice of air situations

and without preset plans

to evaluate the weapon strike effectiveness of the troops

under complex environmental conditions

Air defense unit, always ready for battle