Chapter 17: Soldiers and Scores (2)

Near Ruoshui River, about 200 kilometers south of Juyanhai in the northwest of Ningxia Province, is located in a large military forbidden area covering an area of ​​more than 2,000 square kilometers, centered on a place originally called "Green Garden" by the locals.

This base, mainly implements the "Changhong Guanri" plan and is code-named "Dongfeng". It is located in the depths of the Badain Jilin Desert, with an altitude of more than 1,000 meters. It has a flat terrain and sparse population. It has little rain throughout the year. It has long days, and the temperature and humidity are suitable. On average, rocket launches and other related tests can be carried out every year. In original history, it was also the famous Jiuquan satellite launch center in later generations.

Although the Dongfeng Base is now connected to Jiuquan on the Lanxin Line, Zhao Zhenzhong was in a hurry and wanted to experience the performance of the helicopter himself. After saying hello to the base air defense alert forces, he took two helicopters to fly directly from Anxi to the base.

On the helicopter, Zhou Mingyuan saw that his flight was stable and learned that the aircraft's maximum flight speed was more than 280 kilometers per hour, the maximum range was 740 kilometers, the practical ceiling was more than 6,000 meters, and the load capacity was nearly three tons. He blurted out: "This yz-1 is very good, much better than I expected!"

According to various indicators, Zhou Mingyuan privately believes that this helicopter has far exceeded the level that this era should have, and its overall performance is close to the Aquaman helicopter developed in the 1950s in history. This is certainly due to the technical solutions provided by Zhao Zhenzhong, but also the years of hard work by Li Yunshan, Xu Wenchang and others.

"This is a transportation type, and the attack type seen at the Anxi drill base are derived from the z-1. However, it is called z-1, but this is the code name after formal installation. Before that, we have verified four different models!" Li Yunshan remembered the technical difficulties he had overcome with Xu Wenchang, chief engineer of the "Bamboo Dragonfly" project, based on the solution provided by Zhao Zhenzhong, and proudly sighed, "First it was the theoretical verification machine, then a small machine using a piston engine, and then a large number was amplified in proportion. After these three were successful, they made great efforts to improve the engine and turn from the piston to the turboshaft. This turboshaft engine alone took more than two and a half years! After the turboshaft was successful, a series of verifications were carried out in combination with the fuselage, and the z-1 was created after many improvements!"

"In about six years, the development of the first and last five models has been completed, and the production, assembly, and two-way use, you are really awesome!" Zhou Mingyuan smiled and gave Li Yunshan a thumbs up.

"It's not just six years? If we start from the fact that Mr. taught us to focus on engine research in the United States, it's been nearly ten years!" Li Yunshan sighed and continued: "Although Mr. was talking about piston machines at that time, it was precisely because of those foundations that our first three models would be quite smooth. The problem is still on the turboshaft machine, which is a brand new topic in the world today, which is the research direction provided by Mr. to provide guidance, and we have worked hard to win it! Fortunately, the current results are still satisfactory, and it's not in vain!"

"After years of hard work, the 'Spark Plan' has achieved a series of gratifying results, and the central government is very satisfied with this!" Zhao Zhenzhong turned his head and said to Li Yunshan, "At the Third Congress of our Party this fall, we must concentrate on commending units and individuals with outstanding contributions, and award medals to encourage everyone to create greater achievements in the future! Of course, some achievements can only be commended internally due to the needs of military secrets. I hope that relevant units and individuals can understand them, and Yunshan must also do a good job in everyone's ideological work."

Li Yunshan waved his hand and smiled, "If it weren't for the technical solutions provided by Mr. and Mingyuan, we wouldn't have made a comprehensive breakthrough in a few years. Mr. and Mingyuan were willing to stay behind the scenes and give the honor to everyone. This is already ashamed. For the need to keep confidentiality, there is nothing to misunderstand!"

The straight line distance from Anxi to Dongfeng Base is less than 400 kilometers. While Zhao Zhenzhong and others talked, the two transport helicopters took less than an hour and a half to carry everyone to their destination.

After meeting with Liang Xiao, the base director who was greeted at the airport in advance, Ling Kong, chief engineer of "Changhong Guanri", and others, Zhao Zhenzhong and his party drove straight to the base's shooting range under the guidance of Liang Xiao, preparing to learn about the killing effect of the new weapon code-named "Hellfire".

The so-called "hellfire" is essentially a cloud explosion bomb. This thing uses a burning and explosion method, which is powerful and has strong lethality. It is known as a "subnuclear weapon" in later generations. Moreover, its main charge comes from alkylene oxide produced by petrochemicals, and can be produced in large quantities through relevant processes, which ensures the output of cloud explosion bomb.

In history, cloud explosion bombs were divided into three generations due to their different charging and detonation methods. Among them, the first two generations of cloud explosion bombs adopted two detonations, and their combat effectiveness was greatly affected by the weather. The third generation of cloud explosion bombs was changed to one-time detonation, making the shock waves generated by the explosion faster, have a longer effect, and have stronger destructive power. Taking the American blu-82 as an example, its killing radius can reach nearly 200 meters, which can blow up objects within a range of 500 square meters of the bombing point.

Although the cloud explosion bomb produced under the guidance of Zhao Zhenzhong directly uses a one-time detonation method, the weight of the bomb is limited to one and a half tons, which is far less than the weight of nearly seven tons of blu-82, and its killing radius is limited to between 120 and 160 meters, and the area of ​​destruction is about 300 square meters.

The weight of the cloud explosion bomb is not to save materials, but to consider the limited delivery tools and combat effectiveness.

Among the bombers currently loaded by the People's Party Air Force, the main force is the B-1, and dozens of B-2s are also equipped. Although the B-1 was changed based on the original B-17 in history, in order to increase its range, it increased the fuel carrying capacity and reduced its ammunition capacity to about six tons. This made the B-1 unable to carry a big guy like the Blu-82.

The b-2 can take on the task of carrying heavyweight cloud bombs, but this type of aircraft is late to be equipped and the number is limited, so it cannot take on the recent phase of the People's Party's combat mission against the Soviet Union.

Moreover, in terms of continuous combat effectiveness, it is better to carry more powerful and moderate weight than a bomber that only carries one or a limited number of large-power bombs.

Of course, with the increase in the number of b-2s and the enlistment of other new types of types, cloud bombs will definitely "benefit" in terms of weight and power.

After watching the actual scene of the cloud explosion with a telescope near the shooting range, and then inspecting it around the explosion point, Zhou Mingyuan, a group of people, had long known that Li Yunshan and Liang Xiao had seen some immunity once, Tian Yunyi, Zhang Mingrui, Yang Tianming, Chen Hailan and other party and government officials who had first seen the power of the cloud explosion bomb were all scared!

"My goodness! This thing is very powerful when exploded. More than a dozen are connected together. It can't even hide in tunnels or underground bunkers within its firepower range. This is too amazing, right?! If the Japanese and the Russians also equipped such guys, we will suffer a great loss!" Yang Tianming saw the goats placed in underground bunkers to verify the killing effect of cloud bombs. Now they have suffocated to death, scratched their heads and sighed. Tian Yunyi, Zhang Mingrui, Chen Hailan and others were also shocked.

Compared with bombs of the same weight, the power of the cloud explosion bomb can be more than three times, while the power of the cloud explosion bomb with special formula can be eight times higher than that of conventional bombs of equal mass! More importantly, the emergence of the cloud explosion bomb changed the combat method of both sides of the warheads and shrapnels to kill the enemy. In the past, the shrapnel had to contact the human body to achieve the effect of killing the enemy, but the cloud explosion bomb could kill the living forces hiding in the caves of the bunker tunnel through shock waves and hypoxia suffocation! This is no wonder Yang Tianming and others who first learned about it were shocked!

"Many people have seen this phenomenon of explosion ignition, but there is still a long way to go to turn it into a real weapon. As far as the technological level of the great powers is concerned, they do have the ability to produce cloud bombs, but if they want to pierce that layer of window paper and turn their abilities into something like the guys we are using, there are also many technical problems that need to be solved. As long as we have confidentiality measures in place, there will be no similar weapons in the hands of the great powers within at least ten years!" Zhou Mingyuan said with confidence.

In history, the Germans used flamethrowers in World War I, while the Americans began to use napalm bombs during World War II, and even intentionally or unintentionally created the killing effect produced by detonation. However, it was not until the Vietnam War that the Americans threw the cloud explosion bomb into actual combat. The "window paper" in the middle of this was not finally pierced, and the Americans explored for nearly 30 years before completing the transformation from napalm bombs to cloud explosion bombs.

"If we want to prevent the enemy's powerful weapons from being thrown into our territory, the most reliable way is to continuously enhance our strength and defend the enemy outside the country's gates! Of course, we must not only have long-range weapons and equipment, but also beware of similar means from the enemy. This requires us to continuously develop long-range strike forces, but also have the 'Classic Eye' and 'Shun Wind Ear' with a farther distance!" Zhao Zhenzhong looked at Zhou Mingyuan, Ling Kong and others, and said, "Everyone has seen the 'Hellfire'. Now it's time for Chief Engineer Ling to introduce to you the implementation of the 'Changhong Guanri' plan."

At the beginning, Zhao Zhenzhong originally wanted Zhou Mingyuan to choose one of Feng Yifei and Xu Wenchang to follow modern Rocket pioneer Robert Huggins Goddard to learn related theories and practices, but Feng and Xu were more interested in the plane, so the candidates to learn from Goddard were determined to be volley.

From studying aircraft manufacturing to transferring rockets, Lingkong stayed in the United States for eight years. After returning to China in the summer of 1934, he was so proud of his research on rockets and guidance materials provided by Zhao Zhenzhong, and was identified as the chief engineer of the "Changhong Guanri" program in 1935.

With sufficient theoretical foundation, as well as the practical knowledge mastered by Goddard for four years of study, as well as the correct rocket research direction and the support of Northwest Industry, the "Changhong Guanri" plan has requested Goddard from the beginning to move towards the development path of combining liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen from the beginning. After about six years of unremitting efforts, the "Changhong Plan" has made breakthrough progress and entered the practical application stage.

"According to the instructions and requirements of the gentleman, we focused on rocket research at a distance of 400 kilometers at the beginning. After the experiment was successful, it further increased to 800 kilometers. After five experiments, by the beginning of last year, the delivery target of 800 kilometers was also successfully solved." Lingkong briefly explained the previous results and said excitedly, "What we are going to conduct a rocket launch experiment at a distance of 1,200 kilometers today. This is also our first time to conduct a secondary rocket launch experiment and the first time to use room temperature liquid fuel! The target area is the Tarim Desert west of Ruoqiang, Xinjiang!"

"Wait, General Manager Ling, what do you mean is that as soon as we open the fire here, we can hit Ruoqiang 1,200 kilometers away?" Chen Hailan widened his eyes and asked in disbelief. Tian Yunyi, Zhang Mingrui, Yang Tianming and others also had almost the same expression.

He nodded heavily in the air and corrected: "It's not Ruoqiang, it's the Tarim Desert west of Ruoqiang!"

"Just just by General Manager Ling's mouth, I'm afraid you can't convince you." Zhao Zhenzhong looked at Chen Hailan and others in a sceptical way, and smiled, "When hearing it is false, seeing it is true. General Manager Ling, I'll take you to the near the launch site and let everyone open their eyes!"

He was able to shock the people's party and military and political leaders in one fell swoop, and Lingkong felt proud in his heart. So he nodded with red light and responded: "No problem!"

The launch site is a distance from the shooting range, but there is a car to carry it, so it doesn’t take much time on the road. When it is still a distance away from the launch site, Zhao Zhenzhong and others saw the standing launch tower through the car window and the rocket that was erected to launch after being replenished with fuel on the launch tower.

"That big guy who is several stories high is a rocket? Can he fly 1,200 kilometers?" Yang Tianming asked curiously.

Ling Kong nodded with a smile and said, "This is only the first time we have used room temperature liquid fuel and conducted a secondary rocket launch experiment. As long as we gain successful experience, we can develop rockets with greater thrust and longer ranges on this basis!"

After taking Zhao Zhenzhong and his party to the observation room near the launch site, Lingkong went to the launch command center to work with the staff there to make final preparations for the launch countdown. Zhao Zhenzhong and others watched the launch tower and rocket through the telescope.

At around 5 pm, red and brown smoke suddenly appeared around the ready rocket. Just when Zhang Tianming and others thought there was a malfunction, with a roar like thunder rolling on the ground, the standing giant began to leave the ground, and rose into the air with the flames that kept spraying backwards, and finally crossed the sky like a meteor, roaring towards the southwest!

"This is simply a large 'Zhitian Monkey'!" Yang Tianming shouted excitedly, "But can that big guy really fly 1,200 kilometers away?"

"Sir, what is the red-brown smoke that was emitted before? It could not be leaked from a rocket failure, right?" Zhang Mingrui asked with concern.

"That is a normal chemical phenomenon before rocket fuel ignition, not a fault. As for whether it can fly so far, the base has observers in Xinjiang, and news will be reported soon. Even if we go to Xinjiang tomorrow, we can learn about it on the spot." Zhao Zhenzhong explained a few words and said to several generals, "With the development of the times and the advancement of science and technology, future wars will not only be limited to land, sea, air, but also ultra-long-range strike forces falling from the sky! The main purpose of today is to let you broaden your horizons so that you can familiarize yourself with and master the future modern combat methods. It is said that you are prepared for danger in times of peace. Now we have not even fought the invading enemies and have not recovered the lost ground. We have not achieved this "safety" so that we must be even more vigilant!"

That night, Zhao Zhenzhong and his party held a dinner with scientific researchers and all officers and soldiers at the base to celebrate the successful launch of the new rocket. After the brief speech that Zhao Zhenzhong encouraged everyone to continue to work hard, Lingkong expressed his opinion on behalf of the scientific researchers: "It is difficult to open up a new path through continuous exploration, but if there is a ready-made road, it will be much easier to find out whether this road is feasible! The gentleman provided us with a safe and reliable, but fast-developing road. We have no reason to slow down our pace!"

After staying at the Dongfeng Base for one night, Zhao Zhenzhong and his party took a helicopter back to Anxi the next day. After replenishing the oil, they flew to the Lop Nur base in northeastern Ruoqiang, which implemented the "Sunset Gold Molten" plan.

"Theoretical verification is completely fine. The concentration of uranium-235 separated by high-speed centrifuge also meets the weaponization requirements. Now the entire atomic explosion test device has been fixed on the tower, and some destructive inspection materials have also been arranged around the explosion center. Now we are waiting for the countdown and detonation order. Please give the order!" Yuan Ziqing, chief engineer of the base, asked excitedly.

"We are just here to witness this glorious moment that is destined to be recorded in history, and we are not here to win the lead!" Zhao Zhenzhong laughed first, then patted the other party's shoulder, and said in a stern manner, "The honor of issuing the detonation order belongs to you, General Manager Yuan, belongs to thousands of scientific researchers who participated in the "Sunset Gold" program, and belongs to the workers who sacrificed their lives ten years ago!

Don’t worry, do it! It’s your credit for success. If you fail, we will support you here! Everyone will summarize the experience and lessons and start over again!”

After saying something, Yuan Ziqing felt warm in his heart. He suppressed his excitement and responded with a heavy emphasis: "I'm what I listen to!"

Yuan Ziqing was busy, but Yang Tianming said to Zhao Zhenzhong with some distress: "Sir, we still have many troops who are not equipped with these tanks and armored vehicles. It's a pity to use them for destruction tests like this! Can you find other things to replace them?"

"Don't be so petty!" Zhao Zhenzhong said with a glaring eyes, "Not to mention the price now, as long as we can blow up mushroom clouds, it is worth destroying several times the tanks and armored vehicles! This is a powerful weapon for us to transform from a big country into a strong country in the future!"

"Fortunately, I didn't bring Manager Zou here, otherwise he might feel sorry for him!" Zhou Mingyuan was on the side but couldn't help laughing out loud, then patted his forehead again to save trouble, and said to Zhang Mingrui and Yang Tianming, "I notify Dihua that the two war zones in the pass will increase their vigilance within a week after the explosion. If enemy planes enter the country to investigate, they will be shot down!

In addition, starting from 11:20, units at all levels with Lop Nur as the center and within a radius of 200 kilometers, except for leaving the necessary on-duty radio stations, will be turned off for 20 minutes to prevent the equipment from being damaged by abnormal electromagnetic reaction after detonation!"

"Mingyuan's words make sense, please execute it!" Zhao Zhenzhong also nodded and said.

Zhang Mingrui and Yang Tianming hurriedly left and issued relevant orders to the duty rooms of the two war zones through the base radio station. Chen Hailan grabbed Zhou Mingyuan and asked what happened.

"A nuclear explosion will cause atmospheric ionization, thereby causing damage to electromagnetic equipment in the surrounding areas. The machine will be shut down for ten minutes before and after the detonation time point, just a precaution." Zhou Mingyuan explained, "As for vigilance against foreign enemies for exploration, it is a concern that after the spread of radioactive dust, it will cause alertness from surrounding Soviet and other forces. Although the Soviet Union should now lack effective detection methods, even if there is one, it may not be arranged around Xinjiang, but we must not be prepared."

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Chapter completed!