Chapter 1588 The SEA is the best friend (first update, please subscribe)
Washington in November has entered winter. Although the snow has to wait until December, the cold wind is ruthless. But it shows the chill of winter.
As before, Tom drove to the White House. When he got off the bus, he was holding a cup of coffee in his hand. In the past few years, Luckin and this paper cup of coffee have become popular in the United States. Just like McDonald's and KFC, it has even become a symbol of the United States.
As a professional bureaucrat in the White House, Tom has worked in the White House since Eisenhower's time and has never changed because of the change of White House owners. Even if he is the president, he needs these professional bureaucrats to provide professional advice.
As soon as we entered the White House, Tom asked:
"Is Donald Honning here?"
Donald Honning is the president's scientific advisor and chairs the President's Science Committee, which is the PSAC.
"He is already on the way and is expected to arrive at the White House at 9:15."
"Okay, tell Jones the news."
Jones is a White House office Director James Robert Jones, they are all the core of the president and follow the president's progress, but Tom...he is a White Household.
Soon, Tom Smith, the deputy director of the White House General Office who had experienced three presidents, led Donald Ho Ning into the Oval Office.
"Donald, I asked you to come here because I wanted to consult you something."
As soon as I saw Donald, Johnson said straight to the point:
" We got a news that the SEA has increased its military budget by 50% this year, almost $3 billion, and after the Pentagon expressed concern, they revealed the specific spending situation and we found a curious place. " Johnson turned his eyes to the Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara on the side and said:
"Robert, please introduce the situation."
"Okay, Mr. President."
Robert McNamara explained carefully. He, who was once the president of Ford, explained that he had been the president of Ford. It is not too easy to start the allocation of military budget:
"... From the perspective of military budget allocation, the increase in the budget they used for military equipment and other aspects has not exceeded 10% compared with last year, which can basically be regarded as normal However, they have increased their research funds by more than $1.5 billion.
More than one-third of their military expenditures are spent on various scientific research. Although only $3 billion.
But it is still extremely considerable for them. Their total military expenditure is only $8 billion. "
Essenting Robert's explanation, Donald asked.
"So what do you want to know? "
"We are very curious about what kind of idea they wanted to spend more than one-third of their military spending on scientific research. "
Johnson said, looking at his scientific consultant.
"This is a very puzzling thing."
Donald replied in response to the president's inquiry. "It's really confusing, but it's understandable to them." Donald was a member of the PSAC during President Kennedy's administration, but now he is still Head of the committee.
"They have gone from blank to the second largest economy in the Western world in 20 years. What do they rely on? They have never rely on cheap labor, but on technology.
Over the past two decades, they have relied on transistors, integrated circuits, and new household appliances. Successfully achieved economic breakthroughs. It can be said with great certainty. The basis of the equatorial miracle is science.
It is precisely because of this that they are happy. Just say that I am happy to increase my investment in scientific and technological research. "
Donald's point of view made McNamara agree.
"It's true, and the breakthrough they have made in the aviation field, they were the first to launch jets Their white swans have already flown the world while our Boeing company and Douglas are still arguing there.
And during the war, they also adopted many extremely advanced technologies. Tomahawk missiles, TV-guided gliding bombs, including the current global positioning system.
All of this is a breakthrough they have made through their continuous investments over the past 20 years ago. "
When expressing agreement, McNamara said again: "But the proportion of their investment in scientific research is far beyond our imagination, which is exactly what we are curious about." The reason. "
"No need to be curious, this is exactly the characteristic of everyone, that is, path dependence, just like the Soviets defeated the Nazis with tanks.
Then they applied a lot of military spending to the tanks.
This is just like we pursue air superiority, our investment in air power is also extremely huge, and in essence, all of this is path dependence. ”
Then Donald added:
"They have the current path dependence because of their past success, but how much reward can this dependence bring?
I personally think the rate of return is very low and the risk is very high. After all, they have applied a lot of money to the research field, which also means that their investment in the production field is far less than that of research.
Mr. Minister, you have been the president of Ford. If Ford spends 30% of their profits on research, can the company continue to operate? ”
As the president's adviser, Donald did not oppose scientific research, but he would calculate some research from an economic perspective, just like he once suggested that Kennedy give up the moon landing in the name of the President's Scientific Advisory Committee due to the huge economic costs. "Indeed, no company will do this, because the research cost should be proportional to the update of production equipment, and if they do this..." McNamara said looking at the president. "Obviously it is impossible to last. Maybe problems will arise in the next five to ten years, which may affect their economy and all other aspects." "I think so, Mr. President."
After Donald agreed, President Johnson said: "So what should we do? Should we remind them, after all, they are our allies." "Mr. President, I Don't think we should do this."
Secretary of State Dick, who was standing by, said:
"Although they are our allies, to a certain extent, they are likely to become Our competitors. In fact, they compete with us in many areas, and in this case, I think they are on this wrong path. Instead, it is beneficial to our friendship. After all, we cannot ignore it forever The existence of competitors.”
McNamara also echoed: "Yes, Mr. President and Mr. Secretary of State are very right. Their economy has grown rapidly for a full 20 years, and in this case, they have suffered a certain amount of Strike is not a bad thing either.”
Shuha is a kind of wisdom!
Not everyone has this kind of wisdom. After all, not everyone can stand on the shoulders of historical giants, and choose stuart in the right field at the right time.
No mistakes, one poem, one post, one content, one in 6, one book, one bar, one read!
From a traditional perspective, sea is indeed in Soha Technology.
But, who dares to rush like this?
Even desperately, military construction was sacrificed to a certain extent.
So they discussed it, and came to a conclusion on the past - sea has embarked on a wrong path.
And they believe that in the near future, they will definitely pay the price for their choices.
After discussing this issue, Donald said looking at President Johnson.
"Mr. President, in fact, compared to them, I think the White House should care about another thing now."
"Another thing?"
President Johnson Looking at the scientific consultant in front of him, he asked curiously: "What's the matter?"
"Moon!"
Looking at Mr. President, Donald, the chief scientific adviser who once opposed the moon landing program, said bluntly. "We all know that a few months ago, the Soviets had completed several of the most important tests in their moon landing plan. If nothing unexpected happens, they will likely be heading to the nearest rocket launch. Moon."
Donald solemnly reminded:
"Although I don't know when the Russians will launch their moon rockets to achieve their moon landing targets. But Mr. President , I believe they will achieve this mission goal in the near future.”
In fact, the reason why the President's Scientific Advisory Committee was established was because of the impact of the artificial satellites launched by the Russians on the Western world. In order to better promote the development of science and technology, this scientific advisory committee composed of specialists was established.
In the past decade, the committee has made many contributions to promoting American scientific research. Now Donald mentions the Soviets' moon landing plan because the United States' progress is lagging behind Russian.
In this case, once the Russians rushed to launch the moon rocket before the United States and completed the moon landing mission.
Then, the impact on the Americans is no less than the artificial satellite launched by the Russians back then.
The time will definitely be another "Sputnik moment". In this case, the White House will definitely be criticized by the outside world, and he, the president's scientific adviser, will naturally be troubled by the outside world.
So he had to remind the president, reminding him what is the most important thing now?
Of course, this kind of reminder can also help him get rid of some responsibilities. In the future, when facing external difficulties, he can shirke it - I have done my duty to remind the president, but the Kennedy Launch Center The border is not good.
In this case, what is the use of me as a scientific consultant?
"Yes."
Espering Donald's reminder, President Johnson nodded and said:
"This matter is really important. I will send someone to dock with Von Braun to urge them to achieve this mission goal as soon as possible and send our people to the moon before the Russians."
Finally, they discussed the Russians and the Russians' plans to land on the moon. As for the sea being left behind by them, after all, they were doing stupid things over there and they would soon shoot themselves in the foot.
In contrast, the Russians' moon landing plan is the most threatening. Perhaps the moon landing plan cannot throw Russian nuclear weapons on the head of the United States, but if the United States loses this competition, , then it will bring an extremely serious blow to the morale of the United States.
So no matter what, the United States must win this race, especially for President Johnson, who does not want to give the glory of landing on the moon to the Russians or his successors.
"Mr. President, in a few days it will be the Russian Revolutionary Festival. According to their tradition, they will definitely strive to launch the moon-landing spacecraft before such a festival. If it can be launched, this will be a gift to the festival. ,”
McNamara, who was standing beside her, said.
"To find out they are not ready, I think we should use reconnaissance satellites to conduct a reconnaissance on their rocket launch site. In this way, at least we won't be caught off guard."
After hearing his suggestion, Johnson immediately agreed: "Robert, we should do this, and think clearly whether the Russians will launch their lunar spacecraft." (This chapter ends)