Chapter 1188 Anti-missile Threat


    It’s similar to Chang Haonan’s previous estimate.


    The Dongfeng 3A model is really not very sensitive.


    Although some countries have expressed diplomatic concerns about this test launch, anyone with a discerning eye can see that this is purely oral gymnastics and does not really attract any additional attention.


    Only Japan jumped out and carried out a relatively serious protest.


    Of course this is not difficult to understand.


    After all, they are really just within the range of Dongfeng 3A.


    However, Chang Haonan is not really a mastermind after all.


    Some things below the water''s surface still exceeded his expectations.


    …


    About two hours after the successful launch test.


    Pentagon.


    U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General John Jungper and Air Force Secretary Pete Teeter, who were roused from their sleep by aides, walked into the office of Defense Secretary Rumsfeld.


    Although voices calling for the latter''s resignation are rising one after another in the United States due to the quagmire of two wars, he is still one of the quite powerful defense ministers thanks to the support of the White House and some financial groups, as well as his excellent political skills.


    He even intervened in the work of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to a considerable extent.


    "Please sit down first."


    Seeing the two people walking into the office, the Defense Minister reached out and gestured to the two chairs opposite the desk.


    However, before the two of them could sit down, he picked up a piece of material from in front of him, then turned it 180° and pushed it to the other side of the desk:


    "A few hours ago, China notified us of a high-ballistic missile test in accordance with relevant agreements."


    The US military does not have a separate service branch like the Strategic Rocket Force or the Second Artillery Force. Its strategic forces, except for nuclear submarines, are all integrated into the Air Force.


    Therefore, only two people were present today.


    Moreover, this is also the usual behavior of the Chief of Defense—


    Try to prevent any subordinate from being exposed to the whole picture of the work, so as to ensure that all tasks must be carried out with themselves as the center.


    Jiang Po, who is relatively senior, has long been accustomed to this. After hearing the defense minister''s words, he just frowned slightly:


    "Is it the long-range missile that we are already familiar with? Or is there a new and improved model?"


    As he spoke, he picked up the report in front of him.


    Then he was stunned:


    "Dongfeng 3?"


    His first reaction was that the report was wrong.


    "It''s either Dongfeng 31 or Dongfeng 3..."


    Rumsfeld said as he took off his glasses and wiped them gently with a cloth:


    "Theoretically, this model can carry a nuclear warhead, so it is also within the scope of the test launch notification."


    Jiang Po looked at the content on the paper and then looked up at his leader.


    Although he didn''t speak, the meaning in his eyes was obvious -


    Are you serious?


    "If I remember correctly, the range of this model is less than 4,000 kilometers, and the circular probability error is more than 300 meters. It is really difficult to regard it as a threat..."


    Before he finished speaking, Rumsfeld interrupted:


    "However, apart from what was reported to us by the other party, we knew almost nothing about this test launch, and we did not even receive any advance warning."


    Jiang Po spent a lot of effort not to look at a fool—


    In fact, not only him, but the entire US military is close to having enough patience with this amateur minister who only knows how to mess around. But after all, it''s not time for a showdown yet.


    So Jiang Po still suppressed his anger and explained:


    "Mr. Minister, the current strategic early warning system is only effective over North America. The range of this missile is not enough, and it has a high trajectory. It is only a few hundred kilometers from launch to landing point, even on the other side of the earth..."


    "Of course I know..."


    Rumsfeld nodded leisurely, and then asked somewhat mysteriously:


    “But is it possible to change that?”


    After finishing speaking, he paused for a while and then continued to add:


    "Although it is still difficult for their missiles to threaten our homeland, it is still very worrying for several allies in East Asia... And to say the least, we have deployed troops in East Asia and Central Asia after all, and They cannot be left in the shadow of missile attacks."


    It must be said that Mr. Defense Minister is extremely good at word games.


    Just by simply adjusting the description, I put myself in the position of a weak, pitiful and helpless victim.


    But he never mentioned why a circle of military bases should be built around China.


    But this time, Jiang Po also understood what the other party meant:


    "As you know, the construction efficiency of the Theater Missile Defense System (TMD) lags far behind the National Missile Defense System (NMD), so currently we can only provide terminal defense forces such as Patriot PAC3 for overseas troops and allies. It is difficult to launch missiles Early warning and interception are provided in the early and middle stages..."


    This sentence is of course answering the question, but it is also a veiled expression of dissatisfaction.


    After Rumsfeld took office, he misappropriated research and development funds for many armament projects in the name of the war on terrorism.


    Many models that were close to entering service were even directly cut off and replaced with some equipment that seemed inexplicable to insiders.


    Mr. Defense Minister also knew that he had no sense in this matter, but he still frowned and seemed a little unhappy.


    Fortunately, at this time, Pete Teeter, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke:


    "Mr. Defense Minister, I have an idea..."


    The Secretary of the Air Force was originally a purely civilian official, and Teeter temporarily topped up the tank after his predecessor James Roach resigned due to the aerial tanker selection scandal, so he did not actually know the specific situation very well.


    However, he knew his leader very well.


    The other party took such a big detour. It was obvious that he had an idea in his mind, but he didn''t want to say it out of his own mouth. He wanted to find someone else to speak for him:


    "Is it possible to take this opportunity to assist several of our allies in building a preliminary missile warning system within the first island chain?"


    Sure enough, after hearing this suggestion, Rumsfeld''s expression quickly turned from gloomy to bright:


    "I think this is a very responsible proposal out of our obligation to protect our allies and our troops stationed overseas."


    In the power structure of the US military, although the Chief of Staff of the Air Force has a high status, his decision-making level is actually very low.


    Seeing the two men next to him singing and cooperating tacitly, Jiang Po knew that it was useless to play devil''s advocate now.


    We can only start thinking about how to implement it.


    Moreover, he was also happy to take this opportunity to ask for more funds:


    "Last year we sold two AN/FPS-115 "Pave Claw" large phased array radars, which caused a lot of controversy... Therefore, it may be difficult to continue to build new large-scale fixed early warning radars on the first island chain. And it is completely within the fire coverage of the Chinese, which is not suitable tactically..."


    "In comparison, land-based AN/TPY-2 and sea-based SBX radars that can be deployed mobilely may be better choices...especially the former can be quickly deployed by transport aircraft after completion, leaving less time for China to respond. Short...it''s just that the entire THAAD system has entered the adjustment stage since last year. To ensure the progress of research and development, I''m afraid more funds will be needed..."


    Seeing him talking about funding, Rumsfeld''s eyes changed slightly:


    "I will submit recommendations to the White House to increase investment in this area in the next fiscal year..."


    "But before the THAAD system is developed, we need a response that can be put into use immediately."


    After getting what he wanted, Jiang Po no longer beat around the bush:


    "In this case... the SBX radar is currently undergoing sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico and can be deployed in advance after the experiment is completed."


    "In addition, South Korea and Japan are planning to build a new batch of Aegis destroyers. I think they may also be allowed to undertake some anti-missile interception tasks..."


    (End of chapter)