Chapter 1189: Deploy F22 in Advance (New January, Please Give Me Monthly Votes)
Chapter 1189 Deploy F22 in advance (New January, please vote for me~)
For this last suggestion, John Jungper actually had a bit of a bad taste in it.
As Chief of Staff of the Air Force, he deliberately proposed a plan that was feasible but related to the Navy.
Of course, how much resources can be extracted from the hands of the Secretary of Defense depends on the capabilities of the Navy colleagues.
In any case, it is better than throwing hundreds of billions of dollars into that outrageous Littoral Combat Ship project.
However, the Minister of Defense sitting opposite did not seem to care about this.
He actually spoke directly and asked the air force officer in front of him:
"You mean the sea-based Standard 3 missile? But it hasn't completed testing yet."
As the head of the service in charge of the strategic defense work of the US military, Jiang Po actually does not lack understanding of the situation in the navy.
But he is not prepared to dwell too much on this issue:
"The deployment of the anti-missile interceptor itself can be adjusted based on the specific circumstances of the development schedule, but we can make some gestures in advance."
The admiral shrugged and quietly brought the focus of discussion to the allies:
"For example, first sell the baseline 7.1C system with an open architecture to the Japanese and Koreans. The key is to provide a sea-based anti-missile interception system (BMD) that supports standard 3 launches at the software level. This can at least comfort us. Two allies, and they can also share part of the pressure of early warning and reconnaissance and surveillance missions..."
"As for Standard 3... it can be used as our next bargaining chip. Whether it is for China or Japan and South Korea, we will decide whether to sell it based on the future situation."
Although the original intention was just to change the topic, it has to be said that Jiang Po's suggestion is very feasible.
In particular, providing the software first in stages and then providing the operation of the missile itself is almost equivalent to the marketing routine of accumulating money to unlock xxx.
It can not only enhance the control of allies, but also betray a wave of teammates when necessary, and express one's sincerity in "easing tension with China" by advancing two steps and retreating one step.
Therefore, although the Minister of Defense sitting opposite did not give direct feedback, his sudden twitch of facial muscles and slightly narrowed eyes showed that he was quite interested in this proposal.
Although the SBX radar has impressive performance and claims to be able to monitor a tennis ball running in low-Earth orbit, it is too expensive after all, and its deployment in the first island chain has more symbolic significance than actual combat significance.
Moreover, the first radar is expected to be deployed around Alaska for the most traditional and critical defense of the Arctic.
Although allies and overseas bases are important, they are not as significant as the homeland.
More importantly, the so-called "protecting allies" is nothing more than an excuse.
The real purpose is to take the opportunity to form a radar detection network close to China's mainland to obtain China's missile test data and provide reaction time for anti-missile interception from the rear.
And if several Aegis ships that can intervene in the BMD system can be deployed in Japan and South Korea for a long time, combined with the two Pave Claw radars sold to a certain region last year, it can basically cover the entire missile testing direction of China.
As for whether standard 3 is really deployed...
On the contrary, it is not the key.
"I would recommend that the White House consider this recommendation."
The Minister of Defense nodded and his expression gradually softened:
"Well, you two, let's finish this matter here first...The next step is about our aviation force."
He said and took out another document from his desk:
"Lockheed Martin and General Motors have basically confirmed that the backup power of the JSF project, that is, the development process of the F136 engine has been blocked. There is a high probability that we will not be able to maintain the dual-engine backup strategy on the F15 and F16..."
This time it was completely Jiang Po’s specialty. He didn’t even pick up the document:
"The technical route of the F136 is too radical. In fact, we stopped having expectations for this model a long time ago..."
"The question now is that the vertical takeoff and landing versions of the F136 and F135 use the same lift fan, so will the JSF vertical takeoff and landing version be affected by this?"
When he said the second half of the sentence, the admiral suddenly showed a somewhat gloating smile——
Fuck you, the vertical take-off and landing model is equipment of the Marine Corps. What does it have to do with our Air Force?
When the JSF was selected, the Navy and Air Force strongly opposed the so-called design that was common to all three services. They believed that the Marine Corps model was too different from the other two versions and the equipment was small, which would completely increase the burden.
How good is it now? Have you been slapped in the face? However, Secretary of the Air Force Pete Teeter, who had been silent next to him, suddenly spoke:
"However, Pratt & Whitney has informed us that the original pre-deformation design of the lift fan has proven to be completely unable to meet the requirements. Therefore, Rolls-Royce's lift fan needs to be significantly modified, which will also affect the development progress of the F135 itself."
"?"
For a moment, the smile on Jiang Po's face froze.
Tite showed a helpless expression, and then added:
"The good news is that there is a high probability that it will not affect the progress of the first flight, but it may be like the F22. The first two batches of aircraft offline do not have complete combat capabilities in terms of hardware and can only be used for training..."
Jiang Po was already a little unable to hold himself tight:
"In this case, can we consider adding some orders for F22 fighter jets?"
"The current estimated equipment volume of F22 is only 187, including 24 early block 20 aircraft... If the JSF cannot be put into service before 2010 as planned, then there may be problems with our fleet update."
As he spoke, he held out two fingers:
"Many F15Cs and F16Cs in the main fighter squadrons have been in service for more than 20 years. Even after upgrades, it is difficult to cope with our main opponents... According to information provided by the intelligence department, the Chinese Air Force has served about a hundred aircraft in the past five years. Although the third-generation model still lags behind us in terms of quantity, it is no longer inferior in small-scale confrontations and can even suppress the Air Self-Defense Force.”
In fact, his statement was somewhat embellished.
For a high-tech branch like the Air Force, it is not just about sending out fighter jets.
On the Chinese side, many units that have just changed their equipment in the past two years are still in the equipment adaptation period and have not yet begun to undertake combat readiness tasks.
Those who are really fighting against each other in the east and southeast are mainly those old troops.
It is certainly not as unilaterally disadvantaged as it was ten years ago, but to suppress the Self-Defense Forces and even the US Air Force is still a bit too reluctant.
What really worries Jiang Po is this trend of waxing and waning.
The inexperienced Tite was obviously a little frightened and froze in his chair, unable to speak.
But the Minister of Defense was an experienced veteran after all. He just pushed up his glasses and replied without changing his expression or heart:
"Unfortunately, orders for the F22 can no longer be increased."
Jiang Po frowned and was about to speak when he saw the other party raise his hand, interrupting his intention to refute:
"This time, it's not...at least it's not all about funding."
"The vast majority of F22 parts suppliers are domestic, and production costs and efficiency have completely failed to keep up with the times..."
“The Accountability Bureau conducted an investigation at the end of last year, and the results showed that many suppliers have actually gone bankrupt, and the parts production they are responsible for are also outsourced... In fact, even the current 187 aircraft The production of the order is very difficult. Only considering the reputation of F22 and Lockheed Martin, this report has not been made public for the time being.”
But Jiang Po still doesn’t want to give up just like that:
"But even if we switch to JSF, wouldn't the situation be the same?"
"Of course not..."
The Minister of Defense shook his head:
"JSF is a multinational cooperation project...many parts are produced by our allies, and the supply chain can fully maintain normal operations...Of course, the expected cost is much lower than F22."
"As for what you just said, the Chinese Air Force may break the balance of air power in East Asia..."
He thought for a while:
"Perhaps... the F22 can be approved for an overseas deployment in advance!"