Chapter 1325: Fireworks really set off
Inside the destroyer Jincheng.
After getting through the exciting period of encountering the opposing fleet, the atmosphere on the entire ship returned to calm after nearly ten hours of boring sailing.
Compared with the gunpowder-filled interactions within the first island chain, this sea area is purely high seas, and even the Americans can't find any reason to impose obstruction.
On the one hand, China is restricted by mission requirements. On the other hand, it is the first time that China has traveled so close to North America, and it is even less likely to make any large-scale and violent actions.
In addition to outputting auspicious words to each other through lantern language, the navigation operation highlights a harmonious atmosphere.
Even the captain Zhang Xudong himself was a little tired from staying up all night last night.
"Xu Wei!"
He turned around and called the trainee captain behind him, preparing to hand over some of the command work that required concentration to him while he regained his energy a little.
But before he could speak, the situation on the electronic chart had already changed.
At the same time, the voice of the water conductor also sounded:
"Captain, the two destroyers behind the opponent suddenly changed direction and seemed to be intending to break away from us."
This sudden situation made Zhang Xudong feel refreshed in an instant.
"Only two?"
Returning to the chart table, I saw that the trajectories of the two targets marked as Shoop and Preble had changed, sailing from northeast to south.
"It doesn't seem like a normal breakaway action..."
He began to quickly assess the situation in front of him.
The Arleigh Burke's range is an often-overlooked disadvantage, but it doesn't run out of fuel so quickly.
And if the test process is over and the warning zone is cancelled, then the three warships should evacuate together.
In fact, considering that this place is relatively close to the west coast of the United States, there is a high probability that tracking and surveillance will continue until the target leaves or other ships arrive to take over the task...
"Report to Captain!"
Before Zhang Xudong could make a judgment, another report from the radar chief came to his ears:
"The radar detected a large aircraft, distance 270km, altitude 5500m, speed 670km/h, heading 220, identified as P3C or EP3C..."
In fact, it was the communications aircraft specially modified by the US Navy and responsible for transmitting the X51A test flight signal. At this time, following Peter Pace's order, he was rushing to the area where the signal disappeared to check the situation.
However, the radar does not know these details and can only determine the signal characteristics of the L188 regional airliner platform.
The most common models of this platform are P3C and EP3C.
As an electronic warfare aircraft, the latter obviously has no reason to appear here.
Therefore, alarm bells rang in Zhang Xudong's mind.
"Heading 220..."
"Just now the opponent's destroyer also turned due south..."
He quickly added several auxiliary marking lines on the electronic chart.
Sure enough, the two tracks finally converged on a coordinate point in the test warning area.
At this moment, several people nearby also suddenly woke up.
"Old Zhang, has our submarine been discovered?"
Lu Yuanjie immediately made what seemed to be the most reasonable guess.
If the departure of the destroyer can be regarded as a coincidence, then the appearance of the P3C anti-submarine patrol aircraft is almost equivalent to a bright spot.
"It's not clear yet, but we're just in case..."
Zhang Xudong shook his head, and then made a judgment almost in a flash:
"Let the Yecheng turn around and follow it, delaying the opponent's fleet as much as possible!"
……
at the same time. Huaxia, Huairou Science City.
Maybe it’s because the last live broadcast of intercepting satellites was too painful, or maybe it’s simply because hypersonic weapons have a higher confidentiality level than anti-satellite interceptions. In short, although the Pentagon and Boeing have done enough to warm up for this test, they still There was no live broadcast.
Instead, it was announced in advance and a press conference was held to explain the situation after the test was completed.
Even so, as the world's first practical air-breathing hypersonic project, the X51A's test flight has attracted widespread attention from peers around the world.
Chang Haonan even organized a small meeting and took several core R&D personnel to watch the entire press conference——
For reasons of concealment, once a submarine sets sail, it can only communicate with the ground through a long-wave radio station with a frighteningly low information density. It only receives but does not transmit. Therefore, the information obtained by the Long March 9 cannot be transmitted back until at least it meets the surface ship formation. to the mainland.
If you want more detailed data, you have to wait until you return.
It’s certainly not as timely as Americans’ own response.
However, the United States still made a surprise attack and temporarily announced that the time of the press conference would be advanced by half an hour.
So when Chang Haonan and others finished their work and turned on the TV, the face of the Pentagon spokesperson was already on the screen.
"Can this press conference be brought forward?"
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Xing Muchun's expression was a little tense:
"Generally speaking, after the test is over, the necessary data is sorted to confirm that there are no problems and then the results are released immediately... Could this mean that the test was completed ahead of schedule?"
After all, he used to be a Rockets player and is relatively familiar with this process.
"That's good...you can save yourself the red tape."
After all, they still played some advance, so they didn't miss the most critical part.
Chang Haonan said and turned up the TV volume.
Then I heard the spokesperson say:
"The first verification flight of the X51A provides a possible platform and technical support for achieving rapid global strike, and proves the feasibility of sustained flight of an aircraft powered by a scramjet engine... At the same time, this test flight also created a series of New historical records, such as the scramjet engine operating continuously for more than 140 seconds, greatly refreshed the X-43’s 12s data..."
"The X51A's ability to fly at hypersonic speeds within the atmosphere has excellent penetration advantages and can easily break through the defense of any advanced air defense system. It is a clear deterrent for any potential disruptor of the international order... and in addition to In addition to military applications, scramjet engines are also of great significance in areas such as space entry, reconnaissance, global arrival, and commercial transportation..."
"..."
This statement can be called full of language art, making several people in front of the TV look at each other.
They all saw confusion on the faces of the others.
"Did I miss any part?"
Jiang Zonglin straightened the few hairs left on his side:
"Why don't you seem to hear anything valuable?"
Generally, even if the content is released to the public, some symbolic but not so important test elements will be mentioned, such as when and where it will start, when and when it will end with what target, and what key points were achieved in the process. indicators and so on.
Even if the test fails, it won't make much difference, except changing the last part to waiting for the investigation results.
But what the spokesperson said today is like the kind of year-end summary that needs to be written even though nothing has been done.
At first glance, it sounds like there is a lot of stuff, but in actual analysis, there is nothing.
"Let's not talk about this for now..."
Xing Muchun's eyes were still staring at the screen, and his tone was a little confused:
"Did this test succeed or fail?"
Indeed, from this press conference, it is not even possible to determine the final results of the test.
Chang Haonan did not expect this situation at all. He lowered his head and rethought it for a moment, and then analyzed:
"I guess...according to American nature, if it is really successful, it must be celebrated in a big way. Now that you are looking at it, then 80% of it is not a success."
"And I remember that the spokesperson just mentioned that the scramjet engine worked for more than 140 seconds... Even if calculated according to Mach 6, it can only fly less than 300 kilometers, which is far from the previously announced range of 700 kilometers... ”
Xing Muchun immediately felt happy when he heard this:
"So, are you really setting off fireworks for Mr. Chang's daughter?"
For a time, the conference room was filled with happy air.
(End of chapter)