The northern plateau in April is still covered in snow.

The south is already full of flowers, and the heating is still burning in the base every day.

Otherwise, the cold can make people unable to work.

"This damn weather, it's starting to snow again!"

Qiao Yang grumbled and walked in from outside the house.

While dusting the snowflakes off his body.

While putting the many documents in his arms on Zhang Xingyang's desk with a "bang".

"This cold spring is indeed a bit surprising."

Zhang Xingyang looked at the gradually growing snowflakes outside the window and said.

Originally, the vicinity of the base already felt like spring.

On the nearby grassland, all kinds of messy grass sprouts have grown.

But I never thought about it.

A sudden cold air.

Overnight, it was winter again.

"Who would have thought that this cold air would come so suddenly."

Qiao Yang couldn't help but complain:

"Fortunately, our meteorological satellite has discovered the meteorological anomaly in Siberia before this."

"Otherwise, in a snowstorm overnight, I don't know how many people will freeze to death!"

This time, the temperature dropped very quickly.

In just 12 hours, it dropped by more than 20 degrees!

All of a sudden, it dropped from about 10 degrees Celsius to more than 10 degrees below zero!

"Don't talk about that, how is the wind tunnel that let you blow it?"

"After this time, it's almost time for missile experiments."

"Have faith?"

Zhang Xingyang said to Qiao Yang with a smile.

There has been a great breakthrough in all aspects of the second-generation hypersonic missile.

The most critical breakthrough is missile speed.

In particular, the terminal penetration speed of the missile.

Reached an unprecedented Mach 19!

Dramatically increased speed.

The biggest problem is in aerodynamics/thermals.

That's why hundreds of wind tunnel experiments have been conducted.

"This is a data report from this wind tunnel experiment."

Qiao Yang took out a report from a large pile of documents and put it in front of Zhang Xingyang:

"To say that you have no faith is a lie."

"We have done so many experiments and burned hundreds of millions of dollars, of course, it is not in vain."

Most of the funds here are experimental consumables.

The cost of electricity is actually calculated at a discount.

Because the thermal power plant of the base, is its own.

There are also several coal mines in the surrounding area that are specially supplied to the base thermal power plants.

This part is almost as long as the cost price.

"Let me see if you're bragging."

Zhang Xingyang smiled and then flipped through the report handed over by Qiao Yang.

The focus was on a few key data and stopped for a moment.

Then quickly turn to the next page.

In a few moments, hundreds of pages of the report were read.

In fact, most of the content of the report has not changed much in the last few experiments.

Zhang Xingyang quickly skipped all of these.

"Compared to the previous wind tunnel experiments, it seems that the progress is really not much."

After recalling the previous data, Zhang Xingyang raised his head and said:

"But in terms of stability, it's really good."

"It's kind of barely passing."

After Qiao Yang heard this, he was a little relieved.

Although the two are about the same age, they have been in the job since he entered the workforce.

Zhang Xingyang did teach him a lot.

So in Qiao Yang's heart, he has always regarded Zhang Xingyang as his mentor.

Just now, although Qiao Yang was very confident on the surface, he believed that the second-generation hypersonic missile had reached the expected goal.

But without Zhang Xingyang's affirmation, it still made him feel uneasy in his heart.

"And when are we going to start the first test launch?"

After Qiao Yang quietly breathed a sigh of relief, he hurriedly asked.

The extent to which the second-generation missile can reach still depends on the situation of its test launch.

As the saying goes, it's a mule or a horse, pull it out and slip it on!

Zhang Xingyang stood up from behind his desk and walked to the window.

After looking at the heavy snow outside the window, he said:

"If you're going to experiment here, you'll probably have to wait a little longer."

The impact of the heavy snow is still very strong.

It's not just for people, it's tough.

For all kinds of high-tech equipment.

It's also very hard to get through.

"This time there are a lot of things to prepare for this strike experiment.

I don't know until I apply to the upper level when I can conduct the trial. ”

Second-generation hypersonic missiles.

Much more complex than the first generation of hypersonic missiles.

And the range has increased a lot.

From the original 7,200 kilometers, it has reached 9,800 kilometers!

Almost a little bit, you will be able to achieve a small goal of 10,000 miles of strike!

Such a crazy range has already crossed the threshold of ICBMs.

If you talk about the previous hypersonic missile, it can be regarded as stepping into the door of an intercontinental missile.

Then the second generation of superb factors has missiles, which have already gone some distance in the door.

It doesn't matter where the missile is launched, where it is in the country.

Almost all of the landing points will cross the border.

This is also an important reason why Zhang Xingyang wants to apply to the top.

Because the destination can only be on the vast Pacific Ocean.

And the course of the flight of the missile.

Except in the middle segment of space.

It is better to avoid the territories of other countries.

In case, it will cause some unnecessary disputes.

"Don't worry, it won't be a long time, no more than a month at most!"

Zhang Xingyang walked up to Qiao Yang, patted him on the shoulder and said.

"During this time, we should pay close attention to the inspection of all aspects of the missile."

"Before, when I was on the test bench, the performance was not particularly good."

Missiles and rockets, in some respects are highly similar.

Even, at some point, the missile will make a cameo in the role of the rocket.

The testing process is almost identical until the actual design is finalized.

It's just that the missile lacks some safety testing.

"I understand that we will do another round of experiments before the first launch."

Qiao Yang's eyes moved down slightly, like a child being disciplined by a teacher.

Before that, the missile was tested.

Something went wrong.

The engine of the second-generation hypersonic missile is not quite the same as before.

Adopted combination engine.

First of all, the rocket engine is ignited, and then the scrambling engine is allowed to reach a scrambling state.

The scramble engine is the key factor in making the missile hypersonic high.

The missiles that were on the test bench at that time, in terms of the transition between modalities, there was a small problem.

I almost didn't make a smooth transition from sub-combustion to super-combustion.

The problem is not huge, but it does expose some problems.

That's the combination engine, compared to the engine they used before.

The technical difficulty is still relatively large.

"If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask me." Zhang Xingyang said softly.

Qiao Yang is very talented in aerodynamics.

Therefore, Zhang Xingyang almost cultivated him as his own closed disciple.

After Qiao Yang nodded yes, he didn't say anything and left the office.

There's a lot of work in the base, and there's nothing polite about everyone.

After Qiao Yang left.

Zhang Xingyang thought about it, and through the red line in the office, he connected to the old chief, who was thousands of miles away.

Inside the base, except for a few dedicated telephones.

There is hardly any signal.

It is very difficult to communicate with the outside world.

This is mainly due to the need for confidentiality.

After all, this is the most front-end strategic weapon in China.

"Old man, how is your health lately?"

Zhang Xingyang said after waiting for a few minutes after the establishment of the exclusive encrypted channel was completed.

"The doctor said that my health is not bad, and at least I can live for a few more years."

A very hard voice came from the other side.

"Little bunny, let's talk about something."

The old chief also knew that Zhang Xingyang called him, and it would definitely not be for such a trivial matter as asking how his body was.

"Our new burning stick is out of the oven, you don't know if you have time to take a look?"

Zhang Xingyang didn't care about what the other party called him, and still said with a smile.

"Oh?"

Although the old chief didn't say much, judging from his almost straight pitch, he was obviously extremely surprised.

"It's okay so soon?"

"Don't talk about it, I'll go to your side tomorrow."

Before Zhang Xingyang could say anything, the old chief on the other side stopped talking.

Just faintly heard.

"Tell the doctor I'm going to be discharged!"

Shaking his head, he hung up the phone a little helplessly.

The old chief had previously been in charge of missiles.

The two sides started with the initial ICBM sub-guidance technology.

A very deep friendship was formed.

The many follow-up missile projects were almost supported by the other party, and Zhang Xingyang was able to proceed smoothly.

It snowed heavily all day.

In the evening, it gradually stopped.

The whole land fell into a white vastness.

This also made Zhang Xingyang, who was a little worried about whether the old chief would be able to get along the next day.

I let go of my hanging heart a little.

The next morning, it was still overcast, and it was seven or eight o'clock in the morning.

There was only a little light in the sky.

Most of the researchers at the base had only slept for two or three hours.

The hustle and bustle of helicopters.

It reached everyone's ears.

"Who is going to fly a helicopter early in the morning!"

Most people, after thinking about it in their hearts, turn over and go back to sleep.

Zhang Xingyang, who got the news early, was leading people to clean the helipad.

Give the other party a place to land.

Crawler bulldozer that will cover up to one meter of snow thick.

Push to the outside of the apron.

Fortunately, the apron of the base has more free places.

There is a place to pile up this snow for a short time.

However, after that, the snow must be cleared out of the base.

The roar of the helicopter is getting closer.

Almost all of the pilots who fly helicopters are veterans in the military.

Even in such an environment, the helicopter can still be safely parked on the temporarily cleared apron.

Wait until the helicopter is stable.

After the old chief jumped down from the helicopter, he hurriedly found Zhang Xingyang, who was still holding a shovel in his hand, and asked:

"Is the new hypersonic missile really successfully developed?"

There are a lot of things in the base that I couldn't go into detail before.

It's all about it.

"Yes, we have passed multiple rounds of testing."

Zhang Xingyang stuck his shovel into the snow next to him and said:

"The previous missile test and wind tunnel experiments were not too problematic.

Now it's time to get to the actual testing phase! ”

Before the shocked old chief could react.

Zhang Xingyang then said:

"We have another problem now that we need your help."

Only then did the old chief come back to his senses and say:

"What's the trouble!"

"What do you have to do with my old man, just say it!"

The old chief on weekdays has always been known for his ruthlessness with an iron face.

Never gave anyone who wanted to do anything through his hands, what a good look.

But today, it did surprise the guards around him a little.

It's the first time I've seen the old chief like this.

"That's a question that you might find funny."

Zhang Xingyang said embarrassedly:

"The estimated range of our missiles is a little bit farther than previously expected."

"How far?"

The old chief asked with some curiosity.

The first hypersonic missile was launched right under his nose.

He was well aware of the previous missile range, which was seven thousand two hundred kilometers.

"More than 2,000 kilometers away."

Zhang Xingyang touched the back of his head and said.

"Two thousand, that's fine."

The old chief didn't react at first, and it took a few seconds to come back to his senses.

Zhang Xingyang is not talking about two hundred!

It's two thousand!

"More than two thousand?!"

"Are you sure?"

The old chief's voice rose directly by a key, and he said in disbelief:

"You kid, you're not kidding me!"

"No, according to our calculations, the range of this missile may exceed 9,500 kilometers."

Zhang Xingyang didn't want the old chief to misunderstand him, so he hurriedly explained.

And in order not to exaggerate, he also said three hundred kilometers less.

"Nine thousand five hundred kilometers?!"

It took the old chief a while to digest the news.

"Even if it's a little bit closer, it can reach 10,000 kilometers."

"You did give me a big surprise for the old man."

After accepting this fact, the old chief smiled.

"But that's good news, what's the problem?"

Zhang Xingyang was puzzled: "The range is too long, and we can't find a suitable test site."

So I hope you are old enough to help us figure it out.

Let's see if we can conduct a long-range strike test.

The kind where the destination is in the South Pacific. ”

The old chief only reacted at this time.

This is indeed a serious problem.

Missile testing is not such an easy thing to do.

Especially with such a hypersonic ballistic missile, it is even more difficult to test it once.

Whether it is manpower and material resources, or the money spent, there are a lot.

Therefore, once you test it, you should try to test as much content as possible.

So it is impossible to actually have a maximum range of 9800 km, you only let him strike 5000 km.

That would be a waste.

And such a long distance has exceeded the span of most of the domestic test sites.

The strike site can only be set up at sea, and it must be in the open ocean.

"You can rest assured about this."

After the old chief understood this, he said angrily:

"I'll arrange it for you, you just have to wait!"

"I won't make you wait too long, it will be done in a month at most!"

After the old chief finished speaking, he pulled Zhang Xingyang and asked:

"Tell me, how did you manage to increase your range so much?"

(End of chapter)