Chapter 823: Naval Defense Meeting
May 7, 1934, Palais des Nations, St. Arthur's Castle, Australasia.
"Your Majesty, after many calculations, we have found the real reason for Moss's failure." Einstein sat on the sofa in the palace with a formal face and reported to Arthur with a serious face.
"Oh? What's the reason?" Arthur asked with interest.
On the day of the nuclear test, Arthur had received all the data from the nuclear test, including the final estimate of the power of the nuclear explosion.
Obviously, the actual power of the explosion is very different from the power estimated by the nuclear weapons research and development test team.
Although an atomic bomb with an explosive yield of several thousand tons of TNT is still the most powerful weapon currently built by mankind, such an outrageous uranium-235 utilization ratio is unqualified for the weapon itself.
The most important thing now is to determine whether the problem causing this result is serious for the theory of atomic bomb.
If it is not serious, you may just need to change your thinking to build a more powerful atomic bomb.
But if it is very serious, there is no other way to improve the utilization rate of uranium-235 except overturning the existing atomic bomb theory.
"According to our calculations, the real reason why the uranium-235 utilization rate is only 1.2% is because of the gun-type structure in the atomic bomb design we used." Einstein took out a piece of information and tried to tell Arthur Explain clearly: "
Your Majesty, please see, this is the structure of the gun-type atomic bomb we have adopted. Although this successfully detonated the entire atomic bomb, the initial reaction energy caused most of the uranium-235 to rapidly expand, reducing its density and preventing it from reaching the critical state.
In layman's terms, most of the uranium-235 was blown away by the violent explosion before they had time to react. This is the real reason why the power of the Moss explosion, our first atomic bomb, was far lower than expected. "
After hearing Einstein's explanation, Arthur finally felt less nervous. If it were just a mistake in the design of the atomic bomb, it could be completely remedied.
After all, just follow the chain reaction, and there are so many atomic bomb designs to choose from.
"Does the research and testing team have a new atomic bomb design?" Arthur asked.
"Your Majesty, please take a look. This is the second atomic bomb design we have proposed, the wraparound type." Einstein took out the design drawing of the second atomic bomb and introduced it to Arthur with a smile on his face: "
Considering that the uranium blocks of gun-type atomic bombs are easily blown away by internal explosions, we decided to use a layered explosion method from the outside to the inside.
Once the entire atomic bomb is detonated, the shock wave generated by the explosion will squeeze all the nuclear fuel inward into a complete body.
According to our design, the push body is made of easily deformable aluminum. Continuous explosions will expose more neutrons to our uranium 235, which theoretically can significantly increase the utilization rate of uranium 235. "
Arthur nodded and ordered Einstein: "In that case, create a test object for the atomic bomb as soon as possible and start the relevant explosion tests.
If the explosion power meets our expectations, the formal production of atomic bombs can begin. "
Einstein nodded, but his feet that were supposed to leave did not move.
"What's wrong? Is there anything else?" Arthur looked at Einstein, who was obviously hesitant, and asked with a smile.
"Your Majesty, do you think the development of atomic bombs is a good thing for mankind?" Einstein hesitated, but still had the courage to ask this question.
Even though he knew there might be a risk of offending Arthur, he still wanted to figure out the problem in his heart.
"Strictly speaking, nuclear weapons are like a double-edged sword with clear advantages and disadvantages to mankind." Arthur said with a smile: "If used rationally, nuclear weapons can not only become the most powerful weapon for mankind, but also develop nuclear weapons. The chain principle can also allow mankind to have energy far beyond oil and coal.
Applying it to the field of steam as we know it is a huge revolution for mankind's future energy.
Therefore, the pros and cons of the atomic bomb are not important. What is important is how we should use such weapons.
I believe you are no stranger to the European war that broke out before. A war involving multiple powers can easily cause tens of millions of human casualties, which is far more terrifying than an atomic bomb.
If we can possess atomic bombs, we can avoid such wars to the greatest extent, which is beneficial to mankind.
As for avoiding possible casualties caused by war, compared to the tens of millions of casualties in a large-scale war, this is no longer important, is it? "
Einstein nodded and exited Arthur's office with a thoughtful look on his face.
Even before the development of the atomic bomb, Arthur had already thought about the changes that the development of the atomic bomb would have on Australasia and the world.
It certainly made sense for Australasia to develop an atomic bomb. This not only represents an improvement in man-made weapon technology, but also represents human progress in science and technology.
Since the birth of the atomic bomb, previous military theories have become less important. In the absence of atomic bombs, the role of human sea tactics in war is also very important.
A country with a larger population will also have more advantages in war. After all, in addition to representing more sources of soldiers, it also means that it also has certain production capabilities when dispatching sufficient combat forces.
But after the invention of the atomic bomb, strength in numbers was no longer so important.
Even if it was just the first atomic bomb that failed to be developed, the killing radius of Moss was as high as 700 meters, and man-made buildings within about 2 to 3 square kilometers would face great damage.
This is just a test bomb with only one kilogram of uranium 235, and the utilization rate of uranium 235 is as low as 1.2%.
The Little Boy dropped by the United States in Hiroshima was equipped with a full 64 kilograms of uranium 235, and the estimated explosion power was equivalent to a full 15,000 tons of TNT equivalent.
As long as it can gain air superiority, such a nuclear bomb will be a huge blow to the enemy's important facilities and the enemy's ground forces.
But the use of atomic bombs also needs to consider one issue, that is, whether it will cause hatred with the bombing country.
After all, the casualties caused by atomic bombs far exceed those of previous weapons, and the subsequent radiation damage to the bombing area lasts even longer than the life of a country.
This also means that the areas bombed by atomic bombs in Australasia will still have nuclear radiation after dozens or hundreds of years.
However, no matter how many shortcomings there are, they cannot stop Australasia's determination to develop atomic bombs.
According to historical experience, while the United States was developing atomic bombs, Germany was also conducting related experiments.
Germany's atomic bomb development was even earlier than that of the United States. If Germany's offensive had not been successful at the time, and the rigorous Germans did not pin their hopes on nuclear weapons with a relatively slim probability, it might be the Germans who would eventually develop nuclear weapons first.
Needless to say, this has changed the world situation, and it can only mean one thing: any technology cannot relax its vigilance after taking the lead.
In general, the successful explosion of Moss is definitely good news for Australasia.
Although the gun-type structure will waste most of the uranium 235, it does not mean that it is not an atomic bomb that can be used on the battlefield.
As for the new enveloping design mentioned by Einstein, it depends on whether the next nuclear weapons experiment can achieve more successful results.
On the nuclear weapons research and development test team side, a lot of intense calculations and meetings are still going on.
In addition to designing and exploring new nuclear weapons design concepts, the next task of the research and development test team is to explore new nuclear materials.
Although uranium 235 can perfectly play the chain effect, it is also the initial choice in the Australasian nuclear weapons experiment.
But this does not mean that uranium 235 is the final answer to nuclear weapons. First of all, uranium 235 is not easy to fission, and its utilization rate in the current atomic bomb design is not high.
Even if the design concept of the atomic bomb is changed, the utilization rate that can be achieved is only about 10 times that of the gun structure.
This also means that only about 12% of the uranium 235 used to make atomic bombs can be used, and the rest is equivalent to being wasted in the design concept of atomic bombs.
It is not easy to extract enough uranium 235 from uranium ore, which also means that the current atomic bombs cannot be manufactured on a large scale and can only be used as a trump card weapon with a small number.
Gently shaking his head, these obviously brain-burning problems should be left to the nuclear weapons research and test team.
Arthur smiled and turned his attention back to the country.
The success of this unsuccessful atomic bomb test seemed to have lifted the burden on Arthur's shoulders.
Next, Australasia only needs to make conventional war preparations, build more warships whenever it is necessary, and let the army conduct sufficient training.
When the war breaks out, Australasia's aircraft carriers will show their power, and the atomic bomb will also play its unique strategic deterrent role when the war enters a stalemate.
As for whether the islanders will be like in history, even if the Americans dropped the atomic bomb, they still firmly believe that the Americans will not have a second atomic bomb of the same power, it depends on the choice of the islanders in this world.
If they still insist on the war, then Australasia can have sufficient reasons to drop more atomic bombs.
Even if the country is destroyed by atomic bombs, Arthur does not think it will be more crazy than throwing nuclear sewage in the ocean openly.
After all, destroying a country, especially a country that actively launches an aggressive war, does not cause much loss to mankind.
But if the nuclear wastewater full of radioactive elements that is difficult to decay for hundreds of years is discharged into the sea, it can really harm mankind.
On May 12, a few days after Einstein returned to the experimental team, Arthur convened a national defense conference at Fort Saint-Arthur.
There were many participants in the national defense conference, and there were dozens of senior generals at the general level.
The main officials of the Ministry of Defense, a series of staff members of the General Staff, subordinates of the respective headquarters of the Navy, Army and Air Force, etc., basically participated in this national defense conference.
The main goal of the national defense conference is to strengthen the country's national defense construction and readjust the country's strategic defense deployment.
Since the demise of the United States, Australasia's biggest competitor and potential enemy has become an island country.
Some of the previous defense tasks should also be changed. The country that Australasia is currently mainly guarding against should also be the island country that is waging war.
"Commander Daniel, how is the construction of the Hawaiian Naval Base?" During the meeting, Arthur looked seriously in the direction of the Navy, where the highest leader of the Australasia Navy, the Navy Commander, Lieutenant General Daniel, sat.
"Your Majesty, after renovating the Americans' Hawaii base, we have basically completed the construction of the Hawaii naval base." Navy Commander Daniel replied seriously: "
The current Hawaii Naval Base can already accommodate our fleet and has a complete radar warning system. "
"Which fleet does the Navy plan to station in Hawaii?" Arthur continued to ask.
"Your Majesty, the current plan of the Navy Department is to change the base of the Pacific Fleet to Hawaii, and the two aircraft carriers and two super-dreadnoughts under construction will also join the Pacific Fleet." Daniel replied: "
Our Pacific Fleet will have 7 aircraft carriers, 4 super dreadnoughts, 3 dreadnoughts, 5 battlecruisers, 17 destroyers and 217 submarines. There is no need to fear the island nation's fleet. "
Arthur nodded, not surprised by the huge naval lineup of the Pacific Fleet.
After all, before the United States was destroyed, such a Pacific Fleet was prepared to defend the American Pacific Fleet.
Now the enemy has become an island country, and theoretically it has been downgraded.
"Where is our Indian Ocean Fleet? How do you plan it?" Arthur continued to ask.
Compared with the Pacific Fleet, the Indian Ocean Fleet is not that large in size.
After all, apart from the Persian Gulf territory, there are only a few islands and archipelagos in the Indian Ocean, and there are no too powerful enemies.
"Our Pacific Fleet base is located in Qatar in the Persian Gulf. It has a total of 3 aircraft carriers, 4 dreadnoughts, 2 battlecruisers, 7 destroyers and 32 submarines." Navy Commander Daniel said: "Because there is no such thing in the Indian Ocean Our main enemy, in the next three years, the main battleships we build will be dispatched to the Pacific Fleet first."
This is the right choice for Australasia. After all, the Indian Ocean is very important to the British Empire, and the British certainly do not want to see Australasia have too strong a military in the Indian Ocean.
In addition, since the British have ships of sufficient size in the Indian Ocean and Australasia is an ally with the British, then Australasia's deployment of a large fleet in the Indian Ocean has no effect.
Anyway, it is impossible for the British to abandon the Indian Ocean, which also means that the west of Australasia is absolutely safe.
As for the possibility of enemy submarines crossing the ocean and coming to the Indian Ocean to harass Australasian merchant ships, this possibility is very low and will basically not happen.
You know, if you want to cross the ocean from Europe to the Indian Ocean, with the British blocking the Mediterranean, you can only bypass the entire Africa.
The time and material consumption required would be better than intercepting British and French merchant ships in the Atlantic.
Is it possible for a submarine from the island country to come to the Indian Ocean? The probability is actually not high.
Moreover, Australasia is ahead of the island nations in both technology and quantity of submarines. If there is a submarine war, Australasia has no fear of island countries.
This is the update today, my mind is a little confused.