"They have recently started conducting weapons experiments in the South China Sea again."
In the Sasebo Port Naval Base, an intelligence officer wearing a blue navy uniform looked at the various reports in front of him and said to the base's top commander, Mike.
When they conducted weapons experiments before, they did not obtain much detailed information because they did not send any aircraft or warships for reconnaissance.
But this time when Qin Ming and others conducted weapons testing, they had divided the military restricted area for the exercise in advance and restricted the navigation of many ships.
The naval base also dispatched many ships and aircraft to track.
Although they did not actually enter the military restricted area they designated, they still obtained a lot of data through various observation methods.
The first is the test distance of the weapon. According to the data obtained from several of their monitoring ships, the distance of the four target ships ranges from 300 kilometers to 600 kilometers.
"So, they really developed a hypersonic missile?"
Mike looked at the intelligence summary in front of him, and he couldn't believe his own judgment.
Not to mention their commander, the intelligence officer is the hardest to believe.
Because according to the information obtained by the intelligence department from various aspects, Longguo's anti-ship missiles are basically subsonic anti-ship missiles.
Not only is the speed not high, but the range is also not far. Judging from the YJ-8 anti-ship missiles they currently display, the longest range is no more than 100 kilometers.
Judging from the long-range weapons with a maximum range of nearly 600 kilometers this time, it has undergone earth-shaking changes.
"Is it possible that it is an upgraded version of the 'Eagle Strike-8'?" At this time, the intelligence officer gave an answer that in his opinion was still possible.
At this time, although the upgraded version of the YJ-8, the YJ-83, has completed its research and development work, it has not yet been publicly displayed on various occasions.
Therefore, from the information obtained by intelligence officers from various channels, they knew that Longguo was currently developing an upgraded version of the YJ-8 anti-ship missile.
However, he did not know the specific performance of the upgraded version of the YJ-8 anti-ship missile, so the guess he made seemed a bit wild.
But it's not without a little possibility.
"This probably shouldn't be very big."
After thinking for a while, Mike gave his own judgment.
It's not like he has never seen YJ-8 missiles that have not been upgraded.
After all, Longguo has exported a large number of this missile in the past ten years.
In many countries, there are considerable inventories.
They also obtained a few rounds from third-country channels and tested them.
I found that there is not much difference in performance compared to our own Harpoon anti-ship missile, and it is actually lower in all aspects!
"The YJ-8 is a light and small anti-ship missile. No matter how it is improved, it is impossible to suddenly increase its range by more than ten times!"
As the top person in charge of an overseas military base, Mike is not one of those losers in the rear.
He has a very good understanding of the opponent he will face.
Of course, this is what he thought he knew, and now his former knowledge has become a fog that prevents him from discovering the truth.
"But judging from their final radar detection, it still fits the characteristics of ultra-low-altitude sea-skimming anti-ship missiles."
The intelligence officer also gave his own evidence at this time. At this time, there were not that many anti-ship missiles capable of ultra-low-altitude sea-skimming flight.
Among the weapons arsenal of the Dragon Kingdom they learned about, the only one that seems to be more consistent with this point is the YJ-8 anti-ship missile.
"Judging from the speed measured based on distance, the possibility of YJ-8 anti-ship missiles is basically ruled out!"
What Mike said makes sense, because based on their average flight speed calculated from the test distance and flight time, the average flight speed of Dragon Kingdom's latest test weapon reached Mach 7!
The speed of the YJ-8 anti-ship missile is generally Mach 0.9.
The difference between the two is nearly 8 times. It is difficult to believe that the latest test weapon is an upgraded version of the YJ-8.
"Calculating the size of the radar reflection signal, the length of the test weapon is probably longer than the original YJ-8."
At this time, the intelligence officer also gave some more critical information.
"Based on the radar information and the comparison of photos taken by our personnel, it can be concluded that the length of the weapon they tested is about eight meters."
"The diameter of the projectile is not much different from the YJ-8 we have encountered before."
"Could it be that they have made any major progress in the solid rocket motor technology of missiles?"
"Increased missile range and speed?"
"But is this level of improvement too exaggerated?"
The intelligence officer finally reached a conclusion that he himself could not believe.
At this time, Mike seemed to have remembered something and asked the intelligence officer beside him:
“Did they announce an unlikely-sounding space program last year?”
"What is it specifically, do you remember it?"
Although the intelligence officer is responsible for almost all intelligence information in the base, he is mainly biased towards military information.
In the understanding of military officers at this time, the space program was generally not used for military purposes.
Therefore, the intelligence officer could not remember for a moment what the commander was talking about.
After a while, he answered uncertainly:
"Are you talking about their space satellite communications plan?"
"They are said to have high hopes for this project, and they just started the first phase of the construction plan not long ago."
"However, our country is currently not optimistic about Longguo's space satellite communication construction. After all, their technology is not very advanced."
After hearing this, Mike frowned and thought for a moment before asking:
"Do you still have an impression of their launch vehicle?"
"I remember they had a lot of bragging rights about their rockets."
The intelligence officer now also remembered the relevant information about this rocket that he had received before:
"It should be considered to have good performance. Last year, they launched two satellites we built for Southeast Asia."
"According to the intelligence information obtained from NASA, their rocket engines are also very advanced."
Hearing these words, Commander Mike hammered the steel table hard. He felt that he had discovered the truth of the matter:
"They must have used the technology originally used on launch vehicles on anti-ship missiles to improve the missile's performance so much."
At this time, although the intelligence officer wanted to remind his superiors that one of these two guys is a liquid rocket engine and the other is a solid fuel rocket engine, they are basically not the same thing.
But after looking at the fist marks that appeared on the steel table, he still remained silent.
"Get me through the old man in the white house. I want to report this to him personally!"
Mike seemed to have regained his composure at this time, looking at the intelligence officer with a gloomy face and said.
Although it was already close to midnight in Sasebo Port, it was just morning in the white house on the other side of the world.
As the top person in charge of an important overseas base, Mike's call was quickly answered.
"Ha, it turns out it was our little Mike who called me, this old man!"
The old man on the other end of the phone sounded pretty good, and even in the mood to joke.
Mike didn't really care. After all, the two families had a good relationship a hundred years ago.
In Mike's generation, the old man on the other side of the phone baptized him when he was just born and became his godfather.
"Sir, I am speaking to you now as the supreme commander of the Sasebo Port Naval Base."
In order to enhance the importance of his conversation in the heart of the old man opposite, Mike straightforwardly described his identity.
"All right."
"If there's anything important, please tell me!"
The person on the other end of the phone also became serious at this time.
"According to the latest intelligence we have obtained, the Longguo people have completed the development of hypersonic anti-ship missiles."
The term hypersonic anti-ship missile is too technical. Although the old man can understand each word, he doesn't know the specific meaning when combined.
"What does hypersonic anti-ship missile mean? Is it so powerful?"
The old man's confused voice came from the other end of the phone.
Mike also knew that the person opposite him was not born in the military anyway, so it was normal for him to be difficult to understand.
So after thinking for a while: "This is a missile with a speed exceeding 6 times the speed of sound, mainly used for anti-ship strikes."
"As for whether it is powerful or not."
"I can only say that we currently have no means to stop this attack!"
"Neither our anti-missile missiles nor close-in defense artillery can intercept such a high-speed target."
At this time, in the white house, the old man who was half-lying on the seat and just chatting with his juniors also sat upright.
"Fernando, bring us the information we have about hypersonic weapons."
The old man said to his assistant, who usually had almost no presence around him, but could arrange all the work in an orderly manner.
"Little Mike, continue talking about their hypersonic anti-ship missiles."
Mike didn't hide anything, but told all the information he had obtained, including all the previous speculations:
"Their anti-ship missiles have an average speed of Mach 7 and a range of up to 600 kilometers."
"And judging from our reconnaissance results, the accuracy is also very high. It can often completely sink a large warship in four rounds."
"And you know that our current Sasebo Port base is only over 800 kilometers away from their land!"
"This means that they don't even need to reach the middle line of the East China Sea to launch a devastating attack on our ships staying in the port!"
The old man on the other end of the phone was also shocked that Mike didn't even give an exaggerated description.
It just so happened that at this time, Fernando also sent the information he could find about hypersonic weapons, especially hypersonic anti-ship missiles, to the old man's desk.
Looking at the only two pages in front of him, the old man looked at his always capable assistant with some surprise.
Fernando also bowed apologetically:
"Sir, that's all the information that can be found."
The old man had no choice but to lower his head and look at the only two pages of information in his hand.
As a result, most of the above are various ideas about hypersonic weapons, and as for hypersonic anti-ship missiles, there is only a simple description.
The white-haired old man also understood at this time. Rather than relying on his assistant to collect information, he might as well directly ask Mike on the other side of the phone, which is more direct.
At least the other party is a front-line commander of the Navy, so he should not be particularly unfamiliar with these things.
"Mike, you've been talking about their hypersonic anti-ship missiles."
"Don't we have such weapons?"
"We are the most advanced country on the planet!"
Listening to the questions coming from the other end of the phone, Mike was silent for a while.
He himself didn't know how to explain that the Eagle Navy, which had the largest military expenditure in the world, was worse than the extremely poor Dragon Kingdom.
Do you have to say it yourself, in fact, all the navy's military expenses are spent on drinking with Sakura Girl?
"The Navy once had a plan to develop hypersonic anti-ship missiles, but it was rejected by Congress during the review."
In desperation, Mike could only find a reason to explain why there were no hypersonic anti-ship missiles.
Although they didn't really think that it would be passed when they submitted this development plan to Congress, they didn't delay using it as an excuse to fool an old man who didn't know much about military affairs.
"This is incredible!"
The old man said in surprise on the other end of the phone.
"Are all those people in Congress a bunch of stupid pigs?!"
"Can't they see that we are lagging behind in this regard?!"
Mike wanted to say at this time that no one thought at that time that there was such a stupid young man in this world who could develop such a perverted weapon.
This is also an important reason why it failed to pass the review. After all, no one wants to spend a lot of money to develop a weapon that may not be used in the future.
But Mike didn't say much. After all, this was a good opportunity for Congress to pass a plan to increase military spending.
"The amount of money required to develop hypersonic weapons is simply too great. They may want to save us money."
Mike not only failed to defend himself, but also threw a wave of fire at Congress.
"Then how did Long Guo develop hypersonic anti-ship missiles?"
The white-haired old man also felt that something was wrong at this time. If the research and development funds for hypersonic anti-ship missiles can make him feel the pain, then where will the money of Longguo come from for development?
"They may have applied certain technologies on high-thrust rockets to hypersonic anti-ship missiles!"
Although everything Mike said was possible, the old man on the other end of the phone sounded as if he had obtained confirmation.
"The warships in the Sasebo Port Naval Base should go to a farther military port before they have sufficient protection."
After thinking for a while, the white-haired old man gave his own suggestion.
However, he then made a promise:
"I will get Congress to pass funding for the development of hypersonic weapons as soon as possible."
——
Next Monday, in an inconspicuous conference room.
The white-haired old man stood on the podium with a heavy face and spoke generously about the threats the navy faced in the east.
At first, the congressmen in the audience did not believe the authenticity of this matter.
Just think of it as a lie spun by the Navy to increase its funding.
After all, the threat theory of Dragon Kingdom is not a particularly new topic these days.
But when the white-haired old man took out the many photos obtained by the Sasebo Port Intelligence Department about Ryugu's hypersonic anti-ship missiles.
Most of the people present were dubious.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Dragon Kingdom's hypersonic anti-ship weapons have now entered the weapons testing stage, and our weapons development plan has not even been passed."
"Everyone, aren't you ashamed?"
Although the old man was very excited on the podium, most people in the audience remained unmoved.
After all, the research and development plan proposed by the Navy requires too much funding, reaching tens of billions of dollars.
Even if Yingjiang has a rich family, he can't withstand such a torment.
After the old man finished speaking, a typical white elite stood up and asked:
"Sir, can you guarantee that after we develop hypersonic weapons, we will avoid their weapons from hitting us?"
The issue pointed out by this white elite is very critical.
It's like two people facing each other with spears. Originally, everyone's spears were very short, and it was difficult to hurt each other without being close to each other.
But suddenly one day, one of the parties upgraded their spear and was able to poke the other party without having to get close to him.
At this time, should the first thing the other side has to do is upgrade their spears to ensure that they can hit the opponent?
Shouldn't we improve our protective capabilities first?
"Sir, please allow me to explain to you."
At this time, an officer who had been sitting in the front row stood up and began to explain to everyone in the conference room.
"Unlike traditional weapons, the positioning of hypersonic weapons is closer to our mushroom eggs."
"Faced with mushroom eggs on land, we can build underground nuclear bunkers to avoid strikes."
"But we are now facing attacks from the sea. Except for submarines, all our current ships are within their attack range."
"We have no way to defend against such a naval attack."
"Then we can only develop the same weapons and maintain mutual deterrence with each other!"
"Like a nuclear deterrent between us and them!"
The white elites had nothing to say at this time, after all, the other party had brought out such a big flag as a mushroom egg.
However, a congressman who looked like he weighed 300 pounds stood up and spoke again at this time:
"Even if we want to develop such a weapon, how long will it take?"
It’s still the naval officer who answers everyone’s questions:
"The timetable we are currently referring to is to develop our first hypersonic missile within five years."
"Gentlemen, now this country needs such weapons to defend its security and defend against the threat of powerful enemies in the east!"
Far away in the horizon, Zhang Xingyang, who is busy with rocket launches, doesn't know yet.
Inadvertently, he made Long Guo a powerful enemy in the eyes of others.
As the saying goes: I sat up in shock after waking up from a dream in the middle of the night, the great powers are actually myself? ! ! !
(End of chapter)
