The US military reconnaissance aircraft are here again. On the morning of June 28, a US Air Force RC-135W electronic reconnaissance aircraft, and the US Navy an EP-3E electronic reconnaissance aircraft. Reconnaissance activities are conducted in the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and the area south of the Taiwan Strait. The former may be collecting electromagnetic spectrum signals from Chinese sea and air platforms, and the latter may be providing intelligence support to US military surface ships. This action can be said to be no surprise. After all, Sino-US air interceptions have been going on for more than half a century. They have been commonplace for a long time. The biggest core is how we respond.
Before the 1970s, the Air Force would directly shoot down U.S. military aircraft that dared to invade the airspace. In peacetime, the results were very fruitful. Later, during the honeymoon period of ten years, everyone stopped each other, but after entering the 1990s, the Cold War had ended and direct action was not allowed according to international practice, so the Air Force began to adopt common interception specifications and disposal procedures. Warn the aircraft that breaks into the airspace first, and repeatedly warn in Chinese and English that the sensible ones will leave normally. If you encounter a situation where you are desperate, turn on the fire control radar illumination. As long as you don't want to start a war, you will definitely speed up the departure.
Su-30 intercepted the WC-135W reconnaissance aircraft picture source network
In 1952, the MiG-15 made its debut, Yangtze Estuary shot down the RB-29 strategic reconnaissance aircraft
In 1950, with the outbreak of the Korean War Sino-US confrontation, the US military began Various aircraft were dispatched to conduct reconnaissance along the Chinese coast. At that time, it was not as simple as approaching for testing. Taking advantage of the fact that our homeland air defense had not been fully established, we directly invaded the airspace from time to time, such as intruding the Shandong Peninsula, East China coast, Shanghai and other areas. Since the U.S. military ranks first in the world in terms of strength, it simply looked down on the then-weak PLA Air Force. In addition to invading airspace for reconnaissance, it sometimes even opened fire directly.
Tolerance is completely unacceptable to the battle-hardened PLA officers and soldiers. The U.S. military soon ran into hard problems after getting used to its arrogance. In the early morning of September 20, 1952, the Shanghai Air Defense Warning Radar Station, 133 kilometers southeast of Shanghai, discovered an RB-29A reconnaissance aircraft flying at an altitude of 1,500 meters. The target of the opponent's flight was Shanghai. This model is a reconnaissance modification of the US-made B-29 strategic bomber . It is not much different from the prototype except that it is equipped with some reconnaissance equipment. Logically speaking, the safer flying altitude should be maintained at 4,000 meters, but the US military directly uses 1,500 meters like this Entering at ultra-low altitude without supporting escort fighters is either too ambitious or too arrogant.
B-29 strategic bomber
B-29
flying over the Huangpu River The Korean War is ongoing, and the US military has not forgotten to use atomic bomb and strategic bomber to carry out nuclear blackmail. But the B-29 dropped two atomic bombs that year. We must pay attention to this kind of killer weapon, so the 2nd Air Division scrambled off and two MiG-15s intercepted it, and the ground radar command found the target over Chenjia Town, Chongming Island. The distance between the two sides was 4 kilometers. The MiG-15 twin aircraft turned to its rear at high speed and launched an attack after taking up positions. Because the speed difference was too big, the lead aircraft He Zhongdao overran the position before he could take aim. wingman Li Yongnian saw this and took over, which was 500 meters away from the enemy. Aim and fire.
After several rounds of attacks, the RB-29A reconnaissance plane was first stunned. Seeing the two MiG-15s so domineering, they ran away without caring about face. The two sides launched a close-range pursuit, from an altitude of 1,500 meters to 200 meters. The fuselage of the RB-29A reconnaissance aircraft was also hit by many shells. It pursued all the way to 70 kilometers east of Shanghai and was finally shot down. However, the lead MiG-15 aircraft was still hit by one bullet. Due to the damage to the wing part and the machine gun attack, it was a skin injury, but the wingman returned safely to Jiangwan Airport without any damage.
RB-29A reconnaissance aircraft
attack reference picture
The entire air pursuit lasted 5 minutes. In the end, 4 of the 14 crew members of the RB-29 strategic reconnaissance aircraft were killed and the rest were captured, thus declaring the mission a failure. This is also the first time that the Chinese Air Force has shot down an invading US aircraft in its own airspace since it independently assumed the task of homeland air defense. Moreover, it was such a large aircraft. Dare to show the sword itself is a kind of courage and a deterrent for the US military.
Fighter wreckage reference
In 1953, the RB-29 strategic reconnaissance aircraft was shot down again, and 11 prisoners of war were exchanged for Qian Xuesen
Unwilling to be reconciled, the US military began to think of ways to retaliate in the face of the fact that it was shot down.
On the evening of January 12, 1953, Yokota Airport in Japan was brightly lit and very busy. The 581st Air Supply and Communications Wing was preparing to dispatch. Their mission was to airdrop 35 million leaflets. In order to better complete the mission, this time the wing commander John. Colonel Arnold was personally commanded. He was accompanied by 12 "crew members" and 1 CIA agent. The type of aircraft dispatched was still the RB-29 strategic reconnaissance aircraft. In fact, this is a spy force that is responsible for placing spy equipment and various psychological warfare propaganda materials, and is directly under the command of the CIA.
At 21:30 that night, the RB-29 reconnaissance plane took off and flew westward with 14 US troops. The first half of the flight went smoothly while dropping leaflets. However, something went wrong when we entered Dandong and were about to return. This reconnaissance aircraft had actually been discovered by air defense radar. The lighting team chose the most suitable time to turn on the lights to lock it. Two MiG-15 fighter aircraft also Emergency launch to intercept. After being surrounded like the RB-29 before, the US military began to fly away quickly in the beam of light. At the same time, the turret on the aircraft also fired wildly at the MiG-15 trying to block it.
John Arnold
B-29 strategic bomber
RB-29's maneuverability was too poor. The MiG-15 easily escaped the interceptor fire network and appeared directly on the upper right side of the RB-29 reconnaissance aircraft. The leader of , , immediately put it into the scope and fired violently. Two 23mm caliber artillery fired a salvo. It was so powerful that it directly beat the RB-29 into billowing smoke. Alvin Dyer, the shooter of the tail turret, was killed on the spot. . Then the wingman also began to attack and accurately hit the left wing of the RB-29. The severely damaged RB-29 began to spin and fall. I thought I was going to die, but unexpectedly, the American pilot turned left in desperation and climbed to level. The two MiG-15s adjusted their attack formation and attacked again. After a fierce attack, all three engines of the RB-29 caught fire and finally lost control and crashed. .
Before the RB-29 crashed, the crew members began to parachute to escape. In fact, 11 people were successfully rescued and captured (including Colonel Arnold), and the other three paid the price for their crimes and landed in boxes. Because they were engaged in sabotage activities by enemy agents, and there were even CIA agents who were not suitable to serve as ordinary prisoners of war, they were not included in the repatriation list. These 11 people were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 4 to 10 years. In July 1955, China and the United States reached an agreement to exchange these 11 people for Qian Xuesen's return to China. This shows that shooting down a US plane is not terrible. It can not only suppress the other side's arrogance, but also exchange us for a top scientist.
A MiG-15 shot down a B-29
lined up for trial
A plane crashed in the South China Sea in 2001, but he was too weak to bear it
After entering the 1990s, with the end of the Cold War, the United States began to dominate the world. Since there were no opponents, it could bully anyone it wanted. Unfortunately, we have also become targets of suppression. On April 1, 2001, China and the United States collided with each other in the South China Sea. On April Fool's Day, the West left us with two extremely frustrating numbers, 81192 and 34567.89. The former belongs to the J-8II number of the crashed plane, and the latter is an insulting compensation amount deliberately given by the United States. Because the strength gap between the two sides was so large at that time, it could only tolerate it.
The US Navy EP-3 electronic reconnaissance aircraft conducted close range reconnaissance in the airspace around Hainan that day. Hainan Airlines immediately took off two J-8IIs to intercept and drive away. To position the J-8II at high altitudes and at high speeds, it is difficult to accompany and monitor such a slow-speed propeller aircraft. It requires a large angle of attack or a small radius change back and forth. During the escort flight process, the US aircraft suddenly turned and pressed against the J-8II fighter by virtue of its large size and slow speed. The incident occurred suddenly and without warning, the J-8II was hit by the vertical tail and eventually lost control and fell into the sea. Unfortunately, the aircraft crashed and everyone died.
Plane collision in the South China Sea
J-8II fighter jet
The EP-3 electronic reconnaissance aircraft that caused the accident was unable to return due to damage, so it directly invaded the airspace without China's permission and made an emergency landing at Hainan Lingshui Airport. The 24 crew members were detained. The US military was once very arrogant and said that it was wronged. This is like a gangster on the street beating someone and then going to the other party's house to eat and drink and demand compensation.The shameless behavior matched the more rogue attitude of the United States. After the incident, it looked innocent and refused to apologize. At the same time, on the grounds of "monitoring the development of the situation," it dispatched the destroyer and to the South China Sea again the next day to deter it by force.
Due to the unequal strength of the two sides at the time, our counterattack methods were quite limited. Therefore, the two sides launched extremely difficult negotiations and changed the draft six times. The final result ended with a vague "apology letter" from the Americans, plus a humiliating compensation amount of 34567.89. All we can do is to dismantle the EP-3 electronic reconnaissance aircraft, and then let the United States rent a plane. Pull back.
Dismantling of EP-3
US military crew
In 2014, the J-11B "barrel maneuver" scared away US aircraft
10 years later, the People's Liberation Army has long entered the era of standard third-generation aircraft, with advanced models such as J-10 and J-11 Lots of gear. High maneuverability, large range and high bomb load can give full play to its powerful performance advantages in the process of air interception and eviction. Moreover, since the collision incident, low-altitude flight training has been strengthened so that it can more effectively deal with the pervasive harassment of US aircraft.
In 2014, the US military P-8A reconnaissance aircraft came to harass again. Naval aviation took off J-11B to intercept and drive away. Of course, the "Flanker" has super maneuverability. Finally, I can let go of my hands and feet, and use the "barrel roll maneuver" to let the American aircraft experience what it means to fly professionally. From the perspective of the American aircraft taking pictures, it can be seen that the J-11B carries PL-8 combat bombs and PL-12 medium-range bombs. . Fully armed, coupled with the use of "Taihang" engine and domestic pulse Doppler radar, its performance is much better than the prototype Su-27. The most direct comparison is the "Barents Sea scalpel" incident. At that time, the Su-27 used its vertical tail to make a big hole in the Norwegian P-3 engine. The Su-27 had a rough skin and thick flesh and returned slightly safely. It also originated from the Su-27. The J-11B with -27 technology is even more powerful.
Barents Sea scalpel
J-11B intercepted P-8A
According to the description of the US military pilot afterwards, the J-11B rolled from the left side of the P-8A to the right, then approached from a distance of 15 meters to 6 meters, and then rolled again to the right and maintained Both sides flew parallel. This is no longer the same level as the J-8II barely following the flight. The dual-engine heavy-duty fighter , which weighs dozens of tons, under the control of a highly skilled pilot, flipped over in a flexible attitude from only 6 meters above the head of the P-8A. Maneuver. Imagine a fighter jet more than 20 meters long and a pilot staring head-down at the U.S. plane. For the pilot of the U.S. plane so close at hand, it is completely stressful with a sword above his head.
Rolling barrel maneuver
Rolling barrel maneuver
Of course, as long as it is a disadvantageous action for the US military, it is a "dangerous and unprofessional" action in their eyes.
Demonstration of interception
In 2017, the J-10 braked suddenly in the air and drove away the US aircraft with a "dangerous and unprofessional" action.
After the Flanker series demonstrated its high maneuverability, the J-10A also began to show off its local strength. In 2017, an EP-3 electronic reconnaissance aircraft of the US Navy appeared over the East China Sea. The J-10A, which had been in service for many years, finally ushered in its highlight moment. According to what the U.S. military later said, China's interception operation was "dangerous and unprofessional." As soon as you read this word, you knew that the Americans were at a disadvantage again. Normally, they would get an advantage and behave well.
illustrates with an on-site restoration picture. The J-10A accelerated from underneath the EP-3 reconnaissance aircraft to the front, and immediately slowed down to make an emergency farewell in the air. The closest distance between the two sides was only 91 meters. Flying in the same direction this distance is a test of technical and psychological endurance. It is basically an aerial assassination to see who is braver. With the superb technical support of Chinese pilots, the J-10A's high maneuverability was fully unleashed. Faced with this situation, the EP-3 electronic reconnaissance aircraft had no power to fight back. It had no choice but to break away if it did not want to collide with the aircraft, and was forced to change its course and return home to complain. .
Forcing the EP-3 to change its course
The J-10 threw the auxiliary fuel tank to expel it
The J-10 responsible for interception at that time was the early A-type. If compared with the current C-type in terms of performance, there is a big gap, but this does not affect the rapid development of the navy and air force. The process does not affect the interception and repelling ability.Compared with the J-8II back then, the J-10A has a longer range, stronger maneuverability, and richer ammunition. It is fully capable of carrying out long-term aerial companionship and evacuation. The equipment system of the People's Liberation Army is also undergoing major changes. On the other hand, the US military still has a standard three-piece set, such as the common EP-3, P-8, U-2, RC-135 and other reconnaissance aircraft. The advantages and disadvantages of knowing ourselves and the enemy have long been interchanged.
J-10A fighter jet
Conclusion
For more than half a century, China’s interception of US military reconnaissance aircraft has become the norm. As the strength of the two sides gets closer, the United States, which feels threatened, will conduct reconnaissance more frequently. Moreover, it is no longer mainly about invading airspace during the Cold War. After all, this kind of work can now be done by satellites. It is mainly about close-to-face reconnaissance. As long as it does not enter the airspace, there is nothing you can do against it. Of course, the United States is not so polite. In the process of constantly slicing sausages to test the bottom line, it will still conduct flying tests like flying on the wall, such as invading a short section of airspace and immediately dodging people.
When the US military engages in provocative actions around the world, such small actions have always existed. Therefore, on the premise that it cannot legally shoot down, the People's Liberation Army must show various "professional" maneuvers. After all, only by hurting the US military will the other side stop. . You can refer to the J-16 interception of Canadian and Australian reconnaissance aircraft some time ago, such as throwing interference bombs in front of the reconnaissance aircraft, using the debris to let the opponent's engine experience a big gasp in the air, or more exciting "barrel maneuvers", etc. It wouldn't be bad to accidentally cut the engine again. Back then, conditions allowed for attacking US military reconnaissance aircraft. Now it must return to the international order and focus on interception and expulsion. Anyway, you fly yours and I fly mine. With the blessing of more advanced equipment and technology, the People's Liberation Army is becoming more and more confident in executing the mission of intercepting US aircraft. .
Throwing interference bombs
In the future, the J-20 will also become the main interceptor
