Hearing General Crook's words, Fang Lang smiled and did not answer hastily. Instead, he picked up the cigar and took a deep breath. It was discovered that General Crook still seemed not to have thought that the destroyer could develop in that direction.
He didn't show off, picked up the tea, took a sip and said:
"I wonder if the general has paid attention to the V2 rocket invented by the Germans in the latter part of the war."
As the Minister of the Navy, General Crook was a rare man of action. He also paid a lot of attention to the new weapons born during the war. Hearing this, he immediately understood what Fang Lang meant.
blurted out:
"You mean that in the future the enemy will use missiles to directly launch attacks from long distances?
But how can the accuracy of missiles be ensured to hit warships sailing in the sea? "
Fang Lang looked at the surprised General Crook, smiled lightly and said:
“In fact, the HS-292 missile invented by the Germans had already proven its practical value at the end of the war.
This anti-ship missile sank many Allied transport ships in actual combat.
Since he can sink transport ships, he can also sink warships.
From here we can see that on the future battlefield, missiles will become the key weapon that determines victory or defeat.
So let's go back and look at our warships. Do we have any means to deal with missile attacks? "
When General Crook heard this, his expression changed drastically. He stood up from his seat with a roar, and the cigar in his hand fell to the ground. But at this moment, General Crook seemed unaware and began to pace back and forth in the office.
Seeing his performance, Fang Lang didn't say anything, but continued to take a puff of his cigar unhurriedly and blew a smoke ring into the sky. Watching the smoke rings getting bigger and bigger in the air, and finally slowly dissipating.
General Crook, who was feeling inexplicably horrified by the scene just described by Fang Lang, suppressed the restlessness in his heart after seeing Fang Lang's movements, turned to Fang Lang and asked:
"Fang, do you mean to research a destroyer that can defend against missile attacks?"
Fang Lang was stunned when he heard this. After a long while, he shook his head and said:
"No, Your Majesty General, with the current technological strength, we are still unable to intercept missiles. But we must master the right to launch missiles."
It is of course possible to intercept missiles, as can be seen from the various anti-missile systems in the future world. But it is definitely not possible now. If interceptor missiles are taken as a research target now, it will probably take decades to achieve success.
In this case, the production time of large warships in our own shipyard will be postponed indefinitely. This was not the result Fang Lang wanted.
However, directly studying warships carrying missiles is not an impossible task. You must know that the first guided missile destroyer "Mitchell" class built by Americans in later generations began to be built in 1950.
Officially commissioned in 1953, at first, this destroyer was only equipped with an "A weapon", which was the MK-108 Alfa anti-submarine rocket launcher.
It was later converted into an 8-unit Aslok anti-submarine missile and a MK13 single-arm missile launcher used to launch Tatar anti-aircraft missiles. Became the world's first guided missile destroyer.
The U.S. Navy's Koontz-class destroyer, which was actually equipped with anti-ship missiles on warships, was built in 1957. It was an excellent warship that served in the 1990s.
Fang Lang's current goal is to be the first to propose the concept of guided missile destroyers, and then, with the support of the Brazilian Navy, invest funds to start research.
After all, if this kind of project was developed entirely with his own private funding, it would definitely be unacceptable. If he could use the country's money to research new products for himself, why not do it!
As for whether it can be exported to the outside world after the research is completed, it depends on whether everyone can sit down and discuss it carefully.
Fang Lang believed that with the stubbornness of Brazilian government officials, as long as the money was in place, nothing would be impossible.
After General Crook heard Fang Lang's words, he immediately grasped the key point.
"You are right. Regardless of whether we can intercept the missile attack, we must first have the right to launch missiles."
Then he said as if he remembered something:
"But we don't have the ability to develop missiles at all!"
Hearing this, Fang Lang smiled and said:
"Your Majesty General, as long as the government can provide sufficient support, I can organize manpower and start researching missiles.
Whether it is anti-aircraft missiles, anti-ship missiles or ground-attack missiles, one method will work for all.
Only when we master this brand-new weapon can we have our own voice in the world. Otherwise, we may have to purchase their missiles from European and American countries.
But strong national defense cannot be bought. My idea is that we must independently have our own national defense industry, and our Fangyuan Group is willing to shoulder this important task.
However, all this must be supported by the state. "
General Crook understood what Fang Lang meant and also knew Fang Lang's personal selfishness in this matter. But I have to say that what Fang Lang said is very reasonable.
If Brazil can really have its own defense industry, Brazil's international status will inevitably be rapidly improved. This is an opportunity that no patriot is willing to give up.
General Crook was just such a patriot, so after hearing what Fang Lang said, he was extremely excited.
Suppressing the restlessness in his heart, General Crook slowly sat down on his seat, picked up the tea in front of him, drank it in one gulp, and then looked at Fang Lang and said:
“I very much agree with what you said, but this matter is obviously beyond my scope of authority. This matter needs to be discussed with Marshal Moraes and President Dutra before a final decision can be made.
Why not, let's return to the issue of destroyer construction. If I understand correctly, you want to directly develop guided missile destroyers, right? "
Facing General Crook's gaze, Fang Lang did not dodge, but nodded firmly and said:
"Yes, General.
I feel that we should not be too presumptuous to tie our own hands and feet. It is absolutely possible to directly abandon the current old-fashioned destroyers and embark on the track of developing new guided-missile destroyers.
In this way, we can overtake in corners and avoid the embarrassing situation of being lagging behind developed countries in Europe and the United States. "
Looking at Fang Lang's firm eyes, General Crook showed a smile of relief on his face. After relighting a cigar, he took a deep puff and felt the fragrance of the cigar smoke left between his lips and teeth, and his mood improved. A little calmness.
After listening to Fang Lang's words, he became a little restless. After spitting out the cigarette in his mouth, General Crook said slowly:
"I can understand your mood and thoughts, but I believe you can also understand that the research on missile engineering cannot be completed in one day.
It's true that you want to overtake in corners, but I don't think we need to rush.
Even though we have seen through the inevitable trend of the development of war weapons, we do not need to be eager for quick success and quick success.
Instead, we should proceed steadily and step by step. Therefore, my opinion is that your shipyard can use this new destroyer construction task to start by imitating the US military's "Fletcher" class destroyer to exercise the shipyard's construction capabilities.
At the same time, a missile research team began to be established to conduct research and manufacturing of missiles while designing a new guided missile destroyer. "
Fang Lang understood that what General Crook said was out of good intentions. But Fang Lang is a little worried, because the current Brazilian government has a close relationship with the United States, its economy is developing rapidly, and its domestic economic strength is also steadily improving.
Moreover, Mr. President was also born as a military general and attaches great importance to military construction. With both the strength and the will, it may be able to agree to this series of military investments.
But after the change of office, there may not necessarily be as good a policy as now. By then, it will be a question of whether we can still get financial support from the government.
This was also the reason why Fang Lang rushed over, hoping that the Navy Department could resubmit a new performance requirement.
In Fang Lang's view, as long as a clear guiding document is issued or a formal document contract is signed during the term of this government, it doesn't matter how the subsequent government wants to deal with it. At least he has a legal advantage.
But General Crook obviously did not have such concerns, so he repeatedly emphasized the priority of stability.
Seeing that General Crook had already spoken to this extent, Fang Lang certainly shouldn't be too stubborn. After all, being an official is about human nature.
After pondering for a while, Fang Lang poured himself a cup of tea and thought:
"Your Majesty the General is right, I was indeed a little too hasty.
Thank you very much for your care for Fangyuan Shipyard. If I understand correctly, you mean, let us start pre-research on the next generation guided missile destroyer while replicating the "Fletcher" class destroyer, right? "
General Crook was very relieved to hear Fang Lang admit his mistake. He had to say that Fang Lang was indeed the best naval officer he promoted.
Before he could be happy for long, what Fang Lang said next stunned him.
What do you mean? When did I say that while imitating, we are also pre-developing the next generation?
Just when he was about to ask, Fang Lang slapped his thigh, stood up from the sofa, and said with surprise:
"I understand, what the general means is that our future military equipment must be "serviced for one generation, developed for one generation, pre-researched for one generation, and explored for one generation." "Yeah?
Now we are first commissioning the US-made "Fletcher" class destroyers, and at the same time we are conducting research and imitation. We are also going to start pre-research on guided missile destroyers, and we are also exploring interception of anti-missile destroyers.
Oh my gosh! This is what Your Excellency General concluded, is it the development pattern of our military's equipment manufacturing?
This is really forward-looking. I think this should be included in our "White Paper on National Defense Equipment Development." In the future, all military equipment development of our army should follow this rule.
Oh my gosh! General, you are too far-sighted. "
General Crook, who was listening to Fang Lang talking to himself, seemed a little dazed at the moment, his eyes unfocused. Looking at Fang Lang who was so excited in front of him, he didn't know what to say for a moment.
As Fang Lang completed his summary of the four generations and even mentioned the "White Paper on National Defense Equipment Development", his eyes slowly began to focus and his expression became more and more exciting. Later, his face turned red.
It has to be said that the four generations that Fang Lang summed up by him are indeed so forward-looking, almost pointing out the development direction for the entire national defense industry. It would be brilliant if he proposed it at a meeting of the Ministry of National Defense. .
Such an incisive summary and extremely practical development ideas will definitely be recognized by everyone. Once passed at the national defense conference, it will be the most representative political proposition in his personal military career.
With this political achievement, whether he wants to be promoted or enter politics in the future, it will be regarded as a major political capital.
(End of chapter)
