Four hours after the regular meeting, Chen Nian received a technical development path suggestion from the core group.

As he expected, in terms of applied technology, the core group finally agreed to propose limited development of the space industry.

In terms of bias theory, nuclear fusion is widely expected and unanimously recommended.

Chen Nian didn't have much objection to the general direction of the core group, so he directly incorporated it into his plan.

Broken down, his technical goals have two more:

The space station project in one step, and the tokamak controlled nuclear fusion project.

Both of these projects consume more than four digits of source points, and the space station project is okay, only 1,200 source points are needed.

But the tokamak project consumption is a bit exaggerated, reaching 3400 source points.

Chen Nian does not intend to directly analyze the technologies involved in these two projects, because it is obvious that some of the technologies involved can be solved naturally in the subsequent development process.

For example, the confined magnetic field that needs to be realized by the tokamak device can be realized with metallic hydrogen superconducting materials at room temperature.

So, his work is also obvious next:

Continue to study in the field of materials science, brush the source point, and at the same time begin to contact the basic knowledge related to aerospace and tokamak devices, prepare to disassemble the two technologies, select the core of the technology and analyze them one by one.

After entering the latest task in the task manager, Chen Nian breathed a sigh of relief.

He vaguely felt that he had seen the prototype of the future.

Nuclear fusion solves the problem of energy production, and metallic hydrogen solves the problem of transportation and storage.

After the most basic problem of energy is solved, it will inevitably usher in the explosive development of other industries and other technologies.

——

However, it is too early to think about this.

Putting aside long-term tasks, the most urgent task now is to resolve the situation across the strait.

It is a pity that Chen Nian could not block the process of the other party's visit, nor could he participate in the military movement.

For the development of events, what he can do is actually not much better than an ordinary Chinese person.

Cheng Fei, in the laboratory of the Wuzhen-9 project.

Chen Rong, the chief engineer in charge of the project, stretched his arms in an attempt to regain the elasticity of his slightly stiff muscles after a night of overtime.

Opposite him, the assistant was reporting the latest progress information against the content summarized on the screen.

So the current situation is clear, the radar problem has been completely solved, and the low-detectability radar technology we use is provided by 14."

"The radar model is the KLJ-8 AESA radar, and it is equipped with low detectability power management technology."

"In full power mode, the radar detection range can reach 420 km, and in LPI mode, when detecting targets at a distance of 150 km, the receiver in the near sidelobe azimuth cannot receive the radiation source."

"In other words, if the LPI mode is used, after using the data link system to guide the approach, the target will not even be able to receive a continuous echo signal within a range of 100 km."

"In this case, whether it is close reconnaissance or surprise strikes, we can achieve extremely high efficiency."

"But in the final analysis, the Wuzhen-9 is mainly used as a reconnaissance aircraft, and this low detectability technology, in fact, I have always said that it can be dispensed with."

Chen Rong interrupted the assistant's words, and the latter was stunned for a moment, and then replied with a smile:

"If we had done what we had designed, we could have reduced the size of the radar to make room."

"But now, the size of the TBCC engine is lower than expected, and the space saved is not in vain."

"Otherwise, what can you do with nothing? The electronic jamming system has also been integrated, and the magazine is preset with space for two PL-15s, without the need for the pilot's cockpit"

"That's right."

Chen Rong nodded slightly, agreeing with the assistant's point of view.

In fact, this problem has been discussed many times in the early stage of the project, because the size of the TBCC engine is lower than the expected standard, Cheng Fei also quarreled with the power station to have a big one, accusing them of changing the design standards at will and delaying the progress of the project.

But the reason is very good, changing the body design is always simpler than changing the engine design, and the engine size is small, which belongs to the project optimization, can you say that the optimization is not good?

Therefore, in the end, Chen Rong still chose to compromise, but fortunately, there were not many changes that needed to be made, and in the end, he successfully ran in.

However, there are different perceptions of the space saved, both internally and externally.

Chen Rong himself advocated that the Wuzhen-9 should be flattened to obtain better speed performance, but most people opposed a major change to the frame of the body, and instead chose to change the logic of the project, changing the pure reconnaissance purpose to the integration of reconnaissance and fighting.

"What about the other parts? What are the baking test results? ”

"It's done, the heat dissipation efficiency of the corrugated structure and the new skin material is not much different from what was expected, but one thing that is not good is that the heat resistance of the variable wing connection is significantly weaker than that of other locations."

"In other words, this position becomes both a point of structural weakness and a point of thermal deposition, and material replacement may be necessary to ensure the strength of the body."

"But in any case, we can't solve the problem of stealth skin loss in the short term, and we can only make up for it after a few flights."

"The new aircraft is certainly not perfect."

Chen Rong was not surprised by this, he had already seen this problem in the early stage of body design, and he knew in his heart that this was a problem that could not be solved in the short term.

Therefore, what the project team has to do is not to find a way to solve the problem, but to achieve the same goal through logistics support and a relatively "stupid" method.

To put it bluntly, the Wuzhen-9 is not a main combat aircraft that needs to be put into large-scale service and equipped on a large scale, and its positioning is the same as that of the Blackbird and the F-111, which are all special strategic aircraft.

Not to mention that you will be able to make up the skin after flying a few times, even if you fly once to make up for it, the logistical pressure it brings is actually limited.

Skipping this question, the two continued to discuss other details, and in the end, the conclusions summarized by the two finally formed a number:

10 days.

According to the current efficiency of multi-system and multi-department synchronous operation, in a maximum of 10 days, the Wuzhen-9 will be able to complete the final assembly and enter the test flight link.

To put it all in the game, it took only 4 months from design to test flight, which can be said to be a record in aviation history.

Of course, such efficiency is closely related to its peculiarity.

Green light in key technical areas, maximum resource support, and unmanned solutions that do not need to be considered for personnel safety

But anyway, it was born.

The moment it flies into the air, no one will see it, but all enemies will be shrouded in its shadow.

New York International Airport.

Pickering was already sitting in the airport lounge, and in two hours, he was about to board this special flight to begin his fateful trip.

At this time, he seemed a little restless, and even the hand holding the coffee was trembling slightly.

It is impossible to say that he is not nervous, after all, judging from the situation in the past few days, the danger of his visit is too high.

Both the Corner Tower and Congress have refused to endorse their actions, and have even made public statements that their trips are entirely personal during the holidays.

Hua Xia issued several warnings in succession, warning him that if the plane entered the airspace controlled by the other party, he would bear the consequences.

What does it mean to "bear the consequences at his own expense"?

This sounds simple, but it actually has a deep meaning.

The core point lies in the word "self".

This means that some kind of tacit understanding has been reached, and he has taken the initiative to cut himself off from the official.

And the consequences of the cut are

All consequences shall be borne by yourself.

Of course, Pickering believed that if that happened, it would be almost impossible for the higher authorities to sit idly by.

But the question is, without the pressure they exerted, once they really do it, what room do they have to regret it?

Give a life for nothing?

You know, the USS Roosevelt has not moved for a long time, and it is almost certain that it will not participate in this operation.

At the same time, the attitude of the Austronesian side is also extremely ambiguous.

On the one hand, they strongly supported the trip.

On the other hand, Pickering's request for escort was rejected.

What is it called?

The risk is all on themselves, and they don't even want to reach out.

Pickering wanted to cancel the trip at one point, but the situation was obviously too smooth in the early stage, and the impact of the event expanded beyond his expectations.

He was already on fire, and everyone was watching his next move.

For him, in a so-called "democratically elected government" like the United States, once he admits defeat, it means the complete end of his political career.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

Then, he turned to the security guards accompanying him and asked:

"Webb, are you afraid?"

David Webb shook his head silently and replied:

"I'm not afraid."

"Why?"

"Do you know that there is a risk that our flight will be shot down directly?"

Pickering asked nonchalantly.

When a person's fear reaches the extreme, the best way to eliminate the fear is to share their fear with others.

"I know—but I also know that we're not going to get there."

"What do you mean?"

Looking at Weber's extremely calm expression, Pickering couldn't help but be curious.

"Do you think that Huaxia doesn't dare to do it? Or will the Corner Tower strike at the last minute to keep us safe? ”

Hearing his words, Weber shook his head helplessly and replied:

"Mr. Pickering, although I am just an ordinary agent, I still have a basic understanding of some things."

"They don't dare to do it? Do you think it's possible? ”

"It has been done to this extent, and the only reason why there is no friction between the two sides is the restraint of the South Island."

"In this case, do you think they will not dare to do it? Anyway, it seems to me that there is no difference in essence between one enemy and two enemies. ”

"I think it's the same for them."

"As for the corner tower. You may not be familiar with the military dispatch process, but I want to tell you that if they are going to participate, the briefing will be sent to your computer at least a week in advance. ”

Pickering pursed his lips tightly, and Webb's words were arguably the last fluke he had.

He became more and more restless, and finally swallowed a sip of coffee before continuing to ask:

"So why on earth?"

Weber looked at him with a smirk, and said in a slightly mocking tone:

"Isn't the answer obvious?"

"The Chinese people will give you a chance, and I believe that you will definitely seize this opportunity."

As soon as he said this, Pickering fell silent.

yes

For him, whether to board the plane or whether to fall to the ground is actually two different things.

What he is most worried about is that the other party will not give that one chance.

If possible, he even hoped to have the pilot go around the Americas and then drop straight back to New York.

But unfortunately, there are too many people who pay attention to this matter, and he can't make such an opportunistic operation.

Pickering silently clenched his fists, and he prayed silently in his heart.

And the content of his prayer is "the mercy of the enemy".

Two hours later, Pickering's plane took off on time.

And after the answering signal of this Boeing 737 appeared on the flight tracking website, almost the eyes of the whole world were attracted by this flickering point of light.

There is no doubt that judging by the course, it is indeed flying towards the Pacific Ocean, towards the island.

Four hours later, the point of light crossed the American continent and flew out of U.S. airspace.

After that, the flight passed over Alaska, and the trajectory arc gradually began to "fall" southward.

Eight hours later, the flight reached the waters of the western Pacific Ocean, with less than six hours left to reach its final destination.

Under the deliberate suppression, whether it is the official media or the Internet, the discussion of this matter within Huaxia does not seem to be too hot.

Some people have even begun to conclude that the Chinese side has already backed down in fact, tried to downplay the impact, and will eventually let the plane land.

Perhaps, only the corner tower, who is secretly monitoring the movements of the Huaxia side, knows how dangerous the current situation is.

They know their opponents too well.

When they are constantly speaking and shouting hard, it often means that they still have room to "do business" than to flip the table.

But when they suddenly fell silent, everything was different.

That shows that they are ready and that something big is going to happen.

Ten hours later, the point of light made a small circle over the western Pacific Ocean.

Everyone believed that this was the last course adjustment before landing, to avoid the dense air and sea reconnaissance of China in this area.

——

However, things turned out beyond everyone's expectations.

At that moment, the point of light representing this Boeing 737 suddenly disappeared.

There were no signs.

At the same time, the voices of the South Island media disappeared.

A minute ago, the TV program was jubilant about the trip.

A minute later, the footage is cut off and replaced with scenery and animation.

(End of chapter)