Chapter 1188 Anti-missile Threat
It is similar to Chang Haonan’s previous estimate.
This model of Dongfeng 3A is really not very sensitive.
Although some countries have expressed diplomatic concerns about this test launch, anyone with a discerning eye can see that this is purely oral gymnastics and does not really attract any additional attention.
Only Japan jumped out and carried out a relatively serious protest.
Of course this is not difficult to understand.
After all, they are really just within the range of Dongfeng 3A.
However, Chang Haonan is not really a mastermind after all.
Some things below the water still exceeded his expectations.
……
About two hours after the successful launch test.
The Pentagon.
U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General John Jungper and Air Force Secretary Pete Teeter, who were pulled up from their sleep by their assistants, walked into the office of Defense Secretary Rumsfeld.
Although voices calling for the latter's resignation are rising one after another in the United States due to the quagmire of the two wars, he is still quite powerful thanks to the support of the White House and some financial groups, as well as his excellent political skills. One of the defense chiefs.
He even intervened in the work of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to a considerable extent.
"Please take a seat first."
Seeing the two people walking into the office, the defense minister reached out and motioned to the two chairs opposite the desk.
However, before the two of them could sit down, he picked up a piece of material from in front of him, then turned it 180° and pushed it to the other side of the desk:
"What's the matter?" An hour ago, the Chinese side notified us of a high-ballistic missile test in accordance with relevant agreements. "
The US military does not have a separate service branch like the Strategic Rocket Force or the Second Artillery Force, except for its strategic strength. Except for nuclear submarines, all are included in the Air Force's establishment.
Therefore, only two people were present today.
Furthermore, this is also the usual style of conduct of the chief of defense -
Try to prevent any subordinate from being exposed to the full picture of the work, thereby ensuring that all tasks must be carried out with himself as the center.
Jiang Po, who is relatively senior, has long been accustomed to this. After hearing the words of the defense minister, he just frowned slightly:
"Is it the kind of long-range missile that we are already familiar with? Or is it the kind of long-range missile that we are already familiar with? Is there a new improved model? ”
As he spoke, he picked up the report in front of him.
Then he was stunned:
“Dongfeng 3?”
His first reaction was that the report was wrong.
“It’s either Dongfeng 31 or Dongfeng 3...”
Rumsfeld took off his glasses and wiped them lightly with a cloth:
"Theoretically, this model can carry a nuclear warhead, so it is also within the scope of the test launch notification."
Jiang Po looked at the content on the paper and then looked up at his leader
Although he did not speak, the meaning in his eyes was obvious -
Are you serious?
"If I remember correctly, the range of this model is less than 4,000 kilometers, and the circular probability error is more than 300 meters. It is really difficult to regard it as a threat..."
He has not finished speaking. , was interrupted by Rumsfeld:
“However, apart from what the other party reported to us, we know almost nothing about the circumstances of this test launch, and we did not even receive an early warning. "
Jiang Po spent a lot of effort not to look at the fool -
In fact, not only him, but the entire US military was already close to attacking this only man. The amateur minister who knew how to mess around couldn't bear it anymore. But after all, it's not time for a showdown yet.
So Jiang Po still suppressed his anger and explained:
"Mr. Minister, the current strategic early warning system is only effective over North America. The range of this missile is not enough, and it also has a high trajectory. From launch to landing point, there are only Just a few hundred kilometers, even on the other side of the earth..."
"Of course I know..."
Rumsfeld nodded leisurely, and then asked somewhat mysteriously:
“But is it possible to change this situation?”
After finishing speaking, he paused for a short while and then continued to add:
"Although it is difficult for their missiles to threaten our homeland, it is still very worrying for several allies in East Asia. ...And to take a step back, after all, we have deployed troops in East Asia and Central Asia, and we cannot let them always be in the shadow of missile attacks."
It must be said that Mr. Defense Minister is extremely good at words. game.
Just by simply adjusting the description, I put myself in the position of a weak, pitiful and helpless victim.
But he never mentioned why a circle of military bases should be built around China.
But now, Jiang Po also understood what the other party meant:
“You know, the construction efficiency of the Theater Missile Defense System (TMD) lags far behind the National Missile Defense System (NMD), so currently we can only To provide terminal defense forces such as Patriot PAC3 to overseas troops and allies, it is difficult to provide early warning and interception in the early and middle stages of missile launch..."
This sentence is of course answering the question, but it is also Express dissatisfaction secretly.
After Rumsfeld took office, he misappropriated many research and development funds for armament projects in the name of the war on terrorism.
Many models that are close to being put into service have even been directly cut off and replaced with some equipment that is inexplicable to insiders.
Mr. Defense Minister also knew that he had no sense in this matter, but he still frowned and seemed a little unhappy.
Fortunately at this time, Peter Teeter, who had been silent next to him, suddenly spoke:
"Mr. Defense Minister, I have an idea..."
The Secretary of the Air Force is originally a purely civilian official, and Teeter temporarily topped up the tank after his predecessor James Roach resigned due to the aerial tanker selection scandal, so he actually does not know the specific situation very well.
However, he knows his leader very well.
The other party took such a big detour, obviously he had an idea in his heart, but he didn't want to say it out of his own mouth, so he wanted to find someone else to say:
"Can we take this opportunity to talk about it in the first place?" Assist several of our allies to build a preliminary missile warning system within an island chain?”
Sure enough? After hearing this suggestion, Rumsfeld’s expression quickly changed from gloomy to bright:
“I think this is a very responsible proposal out of the obligation to protect allies and overseas troops.”
In the power structure of the US military, although the Chief of Staff of the Air Force has a high status, his decision-making level is actually very low.
Seeing the two men next to him singing and cooperating tacitly, Jiang Po knew that it was useless to play devil's advocate now.
We can only start to think about how to implement it.
Besides, he was also happy to take this opportunity to ask for more funds:
“Last year we sold two AN/FPS-115 “Pave Claw” large phased array radars, which caused a lot of controversy. A big storm... Therefore, continuing to build a new large-scale fixed early warning radar on the first island chain may be difficult to operate, and it will be completely within the fire coverage of the Chinese, and it is not tactically appropriate..."< br>
“In comparison, land-based AN/TPY-2 and sea-based SBX radars that can be deployed mobilely may be better choices...especially the former can be quickly deployed by transport aircraft after completion, leaving China The response time is also relatively short... It’s just that the entire THAAD system has entered the adjustment stage since last year. To ensure the development progress, I am afraid more funds will be needed..."
Seeing that he kept talking about funding, Rumsfeld's eyes changed slightly:
"I will submit suggestions to the White House to increase investment in this area in the next fiscal year..."
“But before the development of the THAAD system is completed, we need a response method that can be put into use immediately.”
After getting what you want, Jiangbo no longer takes any detours:
“ In this case... the SBX radar is currently undergoing sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico and can be deployed in advance after the experiment is completed. ”
"In addition, South Korea and Japan are planning to build a new batch of Aegis destroyers. I think they may also be allowed to undertake some anti-missile interception tasks..."
(End of this chapter)