Southern California Offshore Area, March 2001.

A huge stratofortress is flying slowly above the blue sea and blue sky.

After a while, from the large missile hardpoint under the strategic bomber, a large, unusual-looking missile hung out.

"ARRW first test, start preparing!"

The crew in the cabin received orders from within the rear command center via a data link.

Methodical preparation for the upcoming ARRW was started.

"Jason, what do you think the Congressional gang think, spending so much money to build this thing."

As the pilot of this behemoth, which had a take-off weight of more than two hundred tons, Baron said with some complaints after pouring himself a cup of coffee.

"Why don't you give us a new coffee machine!?"

Jason is the technical lead for the upcoming Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon, or ARRW, which will be tested.

Since Congress passed a plan to develop a hypersonic missile more than three years ago, Jason and they have been working on hypersonic missiles.

The original plan was to launch the first air-launched hypersonic missile in 2003.

But last year, I don't know what crazy people in Congress were.

They are required to come up with a hypersonic missile that can be tested within a year.

Jason, who was focused on scientific research, did not know that at that time, he had just learned about the successful experiment of the Dongfeng-17 hypersonic missile, especially after learning about its performance, and the old men of Congress could not sleep peacefully.

I'm afraid that at some point, a hot warhead will fall from the sky and pierce them.

The Dongfeng-17 hypersonic missile, which has a range of more than seven thousand kilometers, apparently has such capabilities.

capable of threatening their bustling West Coast areas.

But that's all information that Jason doesn't understand.

All he knew was that since then, Congress has not dragged on as much as it used to be.

With the blessing of money and the constant urging of people.

Their first air-launched version of the hypersonic missile was finally developed in March of this year.

Originally, Jason suggested that after a few ground tests, the actual tests should be carried out.

But apparently, the congressional lords don't think so.

They urgently need a hypersonic missile capable of equal countermeasures.

Although this missile is not capable of having an ultra-long range like the DF-17.

But as a country with countless overseas bases in the world, they use hypersonic missiles and don't really need that kind of ultra-long range.

Although Jason didn't want to directly conduct air-launch experiments, his opinion alone could not be screwed up by those military-industrial complexes that were blowing crazy wind in the ears of members of Congress.

He is even a member of this group.

As a result, this hastily baked air-launched hypersonic missile began its first test in a hurry.

Inside the Stratofortress strategic bomber, Jason was a little excited to complete the program self-test before the missile was launched.

After taking a cup of coffee handed over by Baron, he took a sip:

"Your treatment is good enough, the coffee beans are purer than ours!"

Baron laughed a few times and said, "It's delicious, this is authentic Brazilian coffee beans." ”

As one of the best-paid people in the Air Force, Baron uses these coffee equipment, which can be called sky-high.

A humble coffee cup alone can cost a whopping $1,700, which is not a small number even after decades of economic flooding.

As for the price of the coffee machine, it is more than ten times more!

However, Jason didn't know these details, he could only feel that the coffee beans were good, and the coffee was delicious.

"The missile self-test is complete."

After a cup of coffee, Jason reported to the rear and waited for orders.

"Approval of the ARRW launch!"

Jason confidently operated the missile launch procedure.

Although there had been almost no system-wide experiments before, Jason was unusually confident in the missiles he had developed.

Of course, his confidence is not entirely unreasonable.

At this time, Eagle Sauce's domestic manufacturing industry, especially the high-end manufacturing industry related to aerospace, is actually very strong.

It is not like in later generations, because the industrial center has transitioned to the financial industry, and it has become shrinking.

A hypersonic missile with an underwing length of 5 meters and a weight of up to five tons.

The booster ignites first, and the solid fuel undergoes a violent chemical reaction, bursting out with powerful energy.

Jason: They use the current popular boost-glide method to make the missile reach hypersonic speed.

Missiles, equipped with solid-fuel rocket engines, smoothly detached from under strategic bombers.

Then it turned into a white wave mark and streaked through the clear blue sky.

According to the predetermined procedure, the missile will reach an altitude of 400 kilometers in low-earth orbit under the propulsion of a solid-fuel rocket engine.

Then the missile's warhead, a hypersonic wedge, will be released from the fairing.

According to their thinking, because of its appearance, the warhead can maneuver at multiple angles in a dense atmosphere to avoid possible anti-missile strikes.

But Jason: Their expectations clearly didn't come true.

Less than three minutes after the missile was launched from under the strategic bomber, the missile suddenly exploded.

A beautiful orange-red fireball was streaked in the air.

Inside the bomber, Jason, who was still discussing which restaurant to eat at after completing the test.

Instantly petrified.

Obviously, such a result seriously surprised him.

According to his original idea, the missile would reach orbit smoothly and then release the missile's warhead, which would allow him to excuse himself even if it didn't hit the target accurately.

But the current situation is really a little difficult for him to accept.

But fortunately, Jason's psychological quality is still relatively strong.

There was no shouting, but after letting the bombers return.

Start leading your team to look for clues of failure in the data before the missile exploded.

"So, for this money, you might as well get us a better coffee machine."

After the missile's failed launch, Baron took a sip of his coffee and thought to himself with some emotion.

However, he didn't show the slightest hint of sarcasm on his face, and even cared a little about Jason.

I asked if I wanted a cup of coffee to slow down.

After getting the answer he didn't need, Shi Shiran walked back into the cockpit.

The strategic bomber, like an air fortress, slowly turned around and prepared to return to the air base.

Jason, who was in the bomber's equipment bay, was sweating profusely checking the data.

He had to find the possible cause of the missile's explosion before returning to the ground.

Otherwise, the situation he will face will be very unfavorable.

And now, time is running out for Jason! (End of chapter)