Seeing the off-road vehicles racing across the ground, the two Cobras in the sky immediately split up. One searched for the fleeing Iraqi soldiers while the other followed the two trucks.
The pilot pushed down on the joystick, and the agile Cobra dipped its nose. The massive rotors blew weeds and dust into the air, making it look like a falcon pouncing on its prey.
The weapon operator in the front seat connected the fire control system to the rockets.
Compared to the expensive "TOW" anti-tank missiles, unguided rockets were much cheaper.
A single TOW anti-tank missile cost $150,000. This was the internal price from when the Pahlavi Dynasty had friendly relations with the United States. While it was worth it against armored targets like the three-million-dollar Chieftain, it was a bit wasteful against off-road trucks.
In contrast, using unguided rockets was not only inexpensive but also produced an indescribably good effect. From the sky, it was simply a pleasing sight to behold.
Watching the straight tire tracks, the weapon operator skillfully flipped the safety switch for the rocket launcher.
The pilot in the back dipped the nose. A flash of fire erupted from beneath the short wing on the right side of the Cobra as over a dozen rockets scrambled out of the launcher pod, lunging toward the two off-road vehicles on the ground.
In just two seconds, the spectacle of rockets blossoming everywhere would be visible.
Hades looked into his side mirrors; the Cobra behind him had already begun spitting tongues of fire.
What he feared most was the Cobra using missiles against him, so he had "obediently" driven along the tire tracks. Although he was fast, his path was predictable.
Finally, the Cobra fired its rockets.
Hades gritted his teeth and violently swung his hands, spinning the steering wheel with all his might.
The front wheels jerked to the left, hitting a large ridge. With the high speed and powerful momentum, the 6x6 all-wheel-drive off-road truck veered sharply off its previous path and into the marshland.
The front wheels lifted high off the ground. Just as Hades thought he was about to flip, they slammed back down. The jolt lifted his seat from the chair, but he kept his hands firmly on the steering wheel and his foot pinned to the gas pedal, not daring to let go.
American goods really were high quality; the massive suspension springs didn't snap. The front of the truck just bounced once before it started racing again.
"Boom, boom, boom." At that moment, the rockets plowed the spot where he had just been into flat ground.
The second off-road vehicle behind him didn't have time to react and was instantly consumed by a sea of fire.
Rockets lack a control system, so their accuracy isn't great. However, this is also one of their strengths. By using multiple rockets, a large area can be effectively controlled. Multi-barrel rocket launchers are the ultimate choice for providing fire coverage over an enemy.
While one Cobra was playing a game of cat and mouse, the other had already begun searching the reed beds.
Although they were far away when the missiles were fired, all pilots have excellent vision. They had already seen several people jump off the off-road trucks and hide in these reeds.
Not a single one could escape; they all had to die!
The weapon operator in the front switched on the M61A1 "Vulcan" airborne cannon under the nose. This was a 20mm Gatling-style six-barrel cannon developed by General Dynamics. When firing, the six barrels rotate in turn to increase the rate of fire. It can fire thousands of rounds per minute, providing immense firepower, and is standard equipment on almost all American fighters.
The dense rain of bullets was the arrival of the Grim Reaper!
The weapon operator set the fire rate to 4,000 rounds per minute. This ensured that during rapid firing, the ammunition belt wouldn't snap from excessive tension and cause a jam. This was a common problem with the Vulcan, which wasn't solved until later versions switched to drum-fed systems.
There was no reaction from the reeds ahead, but the two men on the Cobra knew the enemy was hiding inside.
If they wouldn't come out, he would force them out.
The weapon operator pressed the button and began to swivel the cannon.
"Rat-tat-tat..." Due to the Vulcan's high rate of fire, the human ear couldn't distinguish the interval between shots. It sounded somewhat like a heavy-duty concrete drill.
Instantly, the reeds ahead were shredded, with bullet tracks everywhere.
Unfortunately, it didn't meet his expectations. He thought that under his fire, some enemies would be unable to suppress their fear and stand up to run. He loved that feeling—following behind and mowing them down mercilessly like harvesting wheat.
One more time! He pressed the button again.
Qusay was very nervous and also very excited. The helicopter was only a few hundred meters away. As long as he fired the SAM-7, he could definitely bring it down.
But he couldn't. If he stood up, he would be turned into a sieve before he could even shoulder the missile.
The earlier probing fire had hit one of the soldiers. A 20mm high-explosive shell had mercilessly blown off his leg, but the soldier remained motionless and didn't make a sound. Qusay was deeply moved.
With soldiers like these, they would surely win the war!
He knew he only had one chance. If he didn't grasp it, all his team members would die with him.
Another burst of fire came through. Fortunately, no one was injured.
The weapon operator on the Cobra was puzzled. Was it really just his imagination? Or had the enemy already slipped away quickly through the reeds?
The pilot carefully lowered the altitude and circled over the reeds. The rotors blew the reeds back and forth, but still, nothing was found.
We'll have to let you go for now, damn Iraqis.
The two men on the Cobra knew they didn't have much time. The battle ahead was waiting for them. They had to support an armored division that had run out of fuel. They needed to get them out of danger and wait until nightfall when CH-47 helicopters would rush in ammunition and fuel to save them.
The pilot moved the control stick and flew eastward.
Good, the opportunity has come!
This was the moment Qusay had been waiting for.
Now, the sun in the west was casting its final rays of light. Against the backdrop of the setting sun, Qusay suddenly stood up.
With the sunlight as cover, even if the helicopter to the east noticed something wrong, it would be difficult for them to spot him quickly.
Moreover, it was already flying back, leaving its tail exposed to him. Unless the pilot had eyes in the back of his head that could see through the fuselage, he would never notice him.
After standing up, Qusay quickly shouldered the SAM-7, switched on the power, and aimed visually. Hearing the familiar "beep" in his headset, he pressed the launch button.
A thick cloud of smoke billowed from the launcher. Carrying Qusay's fury, the SAM-7 flew out of the tube and toward the retreating Cobra.
In the midst of military reforms, the "New Three Strikes and Three Defenses" had been put on the army's agenda. Being from the special forces, Qusay possessed extensive knowledge and theory on how to combat armed helicopters.
Infantry usually have very little chance against helicopters. In open areas, helicopters are the masters of the infantry; one could say attack helicopters were born to suppress them.
However, it's not impossible for infantry to take down an attack helicopter. In Afghanistan, the Taliban often used RPGs to attack helicopters. The key is concealment and catching the opponent off guard.
If unguided rocket launchers can do it, anti-aircraft missiles are even more capable. While helicopters are agile compared to ground infantry, no matter how high their G-load, they aren't as nimble as fighter jets. Even fighter jets can be shot down by shoulder-fired missiles at low altitudes, so attack helicopters are certainly no exception.
It can be said that as long as infantry have the chance to fire a man-portable air-defense missile, an attack helicopter has almost no way to escape.
"Boom!" A beautiful spark appeared in the sky as the Cobra exploded in mid-air.
The SAM-7 is an infrared-guided missile. The heat from the Cobra's two turboshaft engines at the top became the most obvious target. The SAM-7's high-explosive warhead slammed into the engine, shattering it instantly. Leaking aviation fuel ignited, causing the explosion.
The two crew members on the Cobra never dreamed this would happen. They had only been looking for trouble for others. In their haste, they had ignored this group of Iraqi remnants, never expecting the enemy to have anti-aircraft missiles!
You see, anti-aircraft missiles aren't just handed out to any unit. Even the 35th Armored Brigade they were facing was only accompanied by a few small-caliber self-propelled anti-aircraft guns.