Chapter 1325: There Was a Firework Display

Inside the destroyer Jincheng.

After the excitement of the encounter with the enemy fleet, the atmosphere on the entire ship returned to calm after nearly ten hours of boring sailing.

Compared with the explosive interaction within the first island chain, this sea area belongs to the pure high seas and oceans, and even the Americans can't find any reason to impose obstacles.

On the one hand, the Chinese side is restricted by the mission requirements, and on the other hand, it is the first time to run to a place so close to North America, and it is even more impossible to make any large-scale and intense actions.

In addition to outputting auspicious words to each other through light language, the navigation operation highlights a harmonious atmosphere.

Even Captain Zhang Xudong himself was a little tired because he stayed up all night last night.

"Xu Wei!"

He turned around and called the trainee captain behind him, ready to hand over the part of the command work that required concentration to the other party, and he would recover his energy a little.

But before he could speak, the situation on the electronic chart had changed.

At the same time, the voice of the pilot was heard:

"Captain, the two destroyers behind the enemy suddenly changed direction, and seemed to be intentionally breaking away from us."

This sudden situation instantly refreshed Zhang Xudong's spirit.

"Only two?"

Returning to the chart table, he saw that the trajectories of the two targets marked as Shope and Prebel had changed, turning from northeast to south.

"It seems that this is not a normal breakaway action..."

He began to quickly judge the situation in front of him.

The range of the Arleigh Burke is a disadvantage that is often overlooked, but it is not likely to run out of fuel so quickly.

If the test process is over and the warning zone is revoked, then the three warships should be evacuated together.

In fact, considering that this place is relatively close to the west coast of the United States, it is likely that we will continue to maintain tracking and surveillance until the target leaves or other ships arrive to take over the task...

"Report to the captain!"

Before Zhang Xudong made a judgment, the radar chief's report came to his ears:

"The radar detected a large aircraft, 270km away, 5500m high, 670km/h, heading 220, identified as P3C or EP3C..."

In fact, it was the communication aircraft specially modified by the US Navy to transmit the X51A test flight signal. At this time, according to Peter Pace's order, it was rushing to the area where the signal disappeared to check the situation.

But the radar does not know these details, and can only determine the signal characteristics of the L188 regional airliner platform.

The most common models of this platform are P3C and EP3C.

As an electronic warfare aircraft, the latter obviously has no reason to appear here.

Therefore, Zhang Xudong's mind was instantly alarmed.

"Heading 220..."

"Just now the other destroyer also turned due south..."

He quickly added several auxiliary marking lines on the electronic chart.

Sure enough, the tracks of the two finally converged at a coordinate point in the test warning area.

At this moment, several people nearby also woke up.

"Lao Zhang, has our submarine been discovered?"

Lv Yuanjie immediately made the most reasonable guess.

If the departure of the destroyer can still be regarded as a coincidence, then the appearance of the P3C anti-submarine patrol aircraft is almost equivalent to a clear card.

"It's not clear yet, but we have to be prepared..."

Zhang Xudong shook his head, and then made a judgment almost in a flash:

"Let the Coconut City turn around and follow, and delay the speed of the other fleet as much as possible!"

...

At the same time.

Huaxia, Huairou Science City.

Perhaps it was because the last live broadcast of the satellite interception was too painful, or perhaps it was simply because the confidentiality level of hypersonic weapons is higher than that of anti-satellite interception. In short, although the Pentagon and Boeing have done enough warm-up for this test, they still did not use live broadcast.

Instead, they announced in advance that a press conference would be held after the test was completed to explain the situation.

Even so, as the world's first practical air-breathing hypersonic project, the X51A's test flight has attracted widespread attention from peers around the world.

Chang Haonan even organized a small meeting and took several core R&D personnel to watch the entire press conference-

For concealment considerations, once the submarine sets sail, the only way to communicate with the ground is through a long-wave radio with a terrifyingly low information density and only receiving but not sending, so the information obtained by the Long March 9 must be at least until it meets with the surface ship formation before it can be transmitted back to the mainland.

If you want more detailed data, you even have to wait until you return.

It is definitely not as timely as the Americans' own response.

However, the United States still launched a surprise attack and temporarily announced that the press conference would be moved up half an hour.

So when Chang Haonan and others finished their work and turned on the TV, the face of the Pentagon spokesperson was already on the screen.

"Can this press conference be moved up?"

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Xing Muchun's expression was a bit tense:

"Generally speaking, after the test is over, the necessary data is sorted out to confirm that there is no problem and then the results are released immediately... Could this be that the test was completed ahead of time?"

After all, he used to work on rockets, so he was relatively familiar with this process.

"That's good... we don't have to read the red tape in front."

After all, they did make some advance preparations, so they didn't miss the most critical part.

Chang Haonan said as he turned up the volume of the TV.

Then he heard the spokesperson say:

"The first verification flight of the X51A provides a possible platform and technical support for achieving global rapid strikes, and proves the feasibility of sustained flight of aircraft powered by scramjet engines...At the same time, this test flight also created a series of new historical records, such as the scramjet engine working continuously for more than 140 seconds, greatly refreshing the 12s data of the X-43..."

"The X51A's ability to fly at hypersonic speeds in the atmosphere has an excellent penetration advantage, which can easily break through the defense of any advanced air defense system. It is a clear deterrent to any potential destroyer of the international order...In addition to military use, scramjet engines are also of great significance in areas such as space entry, reconnaissance, global arrival and commercial transportation..."

"..."

This statement can be said to be a full display of language art, which made several people in front of the TV look at each other in bewilderment.

They all saw confusion on the faces of the other people.

"Did I miss any part?"

Jiang Zonglin adjusted the few remaining hairs on his side:

"Why does it seem like... I didn't hear anything valuable?"

Generally, even if the content is released to the public, some symbolic and not so important test elements will be mentioned, such as what time and minute it starts, what time and minute it ends, what target it hits, what key indicators it achieved in the process, etc.

Even if the test fails, it won't make much difference, just change the last part to wait for the results of the investigation.

But what the spokesperson said today is like the kind of year-end summary that has to be written even though nothing has been done.

At first glance, it seems that there are a lot of things, but when you analyze it, there is nothing.

"Let's not talk about this for now..."

Xing Muchun's eyes are still fixed on the screen, and his tone is also a little confused:

"Did this test succeed or fail?"

Indeed, from this part of the press conference content, it is even impossible to determine the final result of the test.

Chang Haonan had not expected this situation at all. He lowered his head and thought about it for a moment, then analyzed:

"I guess...according to the American character, if it really succeeded, they would have to celebrate it. Now that they are talking about other things, it is probably not successful."

"And I remember the spokesperson mentioned just now that the scramjet engine worked for more than 140 seconds...even if it is calculated at Mach 6, it can only fly less than 300 kilometers, far from the previously announced 700-kilometer range..."

Xing Muchun laughed when he heard this:

"So, it really is a fireworks display for Mr. Chang's daughter?"

For a moment, the conference room was filled with a happy atmosphere.