Chapter 290: Hunter-Killer System Test

Three days later, overwhelming news spread across the globe:

Di Guo announced the implementation of a "comprehensive strategic resource blockade" against Long Country, cutting off trade channels for almost all high-tech products and key raw materials.

Vassal states like the Dog-Rich and the Kangaroo Country were forced to follow suit, announcing the suspension of key material trade with Long Country.

Multiple maritime routes were blockaded by Di Guo warships, and several land routes were also cut off.

Within Long Country, this news did not cause much panic.

After all, the country was already in a state of being blockaded, and the populace had long been accustomed to a life of hardship.

In the Military Industry Commission conference room, Minister Zhang put down the telegram and looked at Li Mingyuan, "Di Guo finally couldn't sit still."

The corners of Li Mingyuan's mouth lifted slightly, "As expected. They finally realized what Integrated Circuit means."

"Will it affect our plans?" a committee member asked worriedly.

Li Mingyuan shook his head, "Not in the short term. We have already mastered the core technology of Integrated Circuit, and most of the raw materials needed for production can be self-supplied domestically. Their blockade, on the contrary, forces us to take the path of independent innovation."

"Let's go, let's go see our new gadget." Li Mingyuan stood up, a mysterious smile hanging on his lips, "The second batch of 'Fierce Dragon' tanks rolls off the line today; there are some things that make the enemy more restless than an embargo."

……

At a military factory in Dongbei, inside the massive Final Assembly Workshop, the lights were bright.

A tank with a formidable appearance slowly drove off the production line, its brand-new camouflage paint gleaming with a cold luster under the lights.

This was the second batch of 'Fierce Dragon' tanks; compared to the first batch, its turret was more streamlined, the main gun caliber was larger, and most conspicuous were the four mysterious small launching devices installed on each side of the turret.

The workshop was packed with people watching the ceremony: Military Industry Commission representatives, high-ranking Military generals, engineers, and technicians, all looking at this new type of weapon with great anticipation.

"Is this the 'Fierce Dragon' tank you designed?" Minister Zhang leaned over to Li Mingyuan's side and asked in a low voice.

Li Mingyuan nodded, "Yes, it incorporates many new technologies, the most critical of which is the Active Defense System—the 'Hunter-Killer System'."

"Hunter-Killer System? What is that?" Minister Zhang looked puzzled.

"Simply put, it is a defensive device capable of actively intercepting incoming Anti-Tank Missile and armor-piercing shells,"

Li Mingyuan pointed to the small launching devices on both sides of the tank turret, "These are the interceptor missile launchers, which, when paired with the millimeter-wave Radar on the roof, can destroy enemy missiles before they hit."

Not far away, several veteran technicians were whispering to each other, their expressions clearly carrying skepticism.

"Active defense? Sounds like a fantasy," an old engineer with a gray beard shook his head, "Rocket Shells fly so fast, there's simply no time to react."

"Exactly, it doesn't make sense theoretically," another technician chimed in, "Besides, even if it could detect them, what would it use to intercept? You can't use a cannon to swat a mosquito, right?"

Li Mingyuan keenly caught these discussions and walked straight up to this group of technicians.

"Do you old comrades have any questions?" he asked with a smile.

The old engineer was a bit embarrassed, but still spoke his mind:

"Chief Engineer Li, I have worked at the tank research institute for thirty years and have never seen a system that can intercept anti-tank shells. That thing flies too fast; it's impossible to react in time."

Li Mingyuan was unhurried, "Old comrade, back in the day, people didn't believe planes could fly or submarines could dive. Science is the process of constantly breaking through common sense."

"That may be so," the old engineer said stubbornly,

"but the laws of physics are there. From launch to impact, an anti-tank shell only takes a few seconds; radar detection, calculating the trajectory, launching the interceptor, hitting the target... how could this series of actions possibly be completed in such a short time?"

The surrounding discussions grew louder, and many people began to nod in agreement with the old engineer's point of view. Even some Military Representatives showed signs of doubt.

Li Mingyuan looked around at everyone and suddenly smiled, "Rather than arguing, it's better to witness it with your own eyes. I propose we go to the shooting range right now and conduct a live-fire test."

The scene suddenly went quiet, and people looked at each other.

"This... test it right now?" Minister Zhang was somewhat surprised.

"Yes," Li Mingyuan said confidently, "Let everyone see the power of the 'Hunter-Killer System' for themselves. Lao Liu, notify the shooting range to prepare for an Anti-Tank Missile test. Prepare a few more rounds; today, I want to convince everyone."

A burst of whispering broke out in the crowd; there was anticipation, skepticism, and even more curiosity.

The old engineer puffed out his chest, "Fine, then I must see just how miraculous this so-called 'Hunter-Killer System' really is."

Li Mingyuan smiled slightly, "Please wait a moment, everyone. We will prepare, and I'll see you at the shooting range in twenty minutes. I believe that after today, everyone's understanding of modern tank defense will be completely changed."

At the shooting range, the early winter wind blew through the withered grass, making a rustling sound.

The 'Fierce Dragon' tank sat steadily in the center of the field, its turret slowly rotating to adjust to a combat-ready position.

Three hundred meters away, the Anti-Tank Missile launcher had already been set up, aimed at the tank.

The spectator stands were full of people—Military Representatives, engineers, leaders from various departments, and even some ordinary workers had squeezed in, all wanting to witness this "miracle" or "farce" with their own eyes.

"Comrades, today we will conduct a live-fire test of the 'Fierce Dragon' tank's Hunter-Killer System," Li Mingyuan stood before the crowd, his voice steady and powerful,

"This system represents a major breakthrough in Long Country's tank defense technology; it is capable of intercepting and destroying enemy anti-tank shells before they hit."

A buzz of skepticism came from the audience.

"Before we begin, I would like to ask, who is willing to sit inside the tank?" Li Mingyuan looked around at everyone and asked with a smile.

The scene went silent instantly. Sit inside a tank about to be hit by an anti-tank shell? Who would dare!

"What, aren't you confident in your own technology?" a Military Representative taunted.

Li Mingyuan raised an eyebrow, "I'll do it myself." Saying this, he strode toward the 'Fierce Dragon' tank.

"Wait!" Minister Zhang hurriedly stopped him, "It's too dangerous, what if..."

"There are no 'what ifs'," Li Mingyuan said firmly, "I have absolute confidence in the technology. Minister Zhang, if we don't believe in our own technology, how can we make the soldiers believe in it?"

The crowd was stunned by his words.

Li Mingyuan nimbly climbed onto the tank, crawled into the cabin, and closed the hatch.

"Everyone," he spoke through the loudspeaker, his voice spreading across the entire shooting range, "The Hunter-Killer System is activated; the test can begin."

The shooting range was in Silence, all eyes focused on that lonely tank and the rocket launcher in the distance preparing to fire.

"Fire!" the order was given.

The Rocket Shell tore through the sky with a whistling sound, heading straight for the tank with a trail of fire!

The audience at the scene almost held their breath, and some even subconsciously closed their eyes.

Just as the Rocket Shell flew to within about fifty meters of the tank, suddenly—

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!" The launchers on both sides of the tank turret spewed out several trails of white smoke, and several small interceptor missiles headed toward the incoming Rocket Shells at extreme speed.

"Boom!" A loud explosion erupted in the air; the Rocket Shells were intercepted mid-air, turning into a fireball and fragments that fell scattered onto the ground around the tank. The tank itself remained completely unscathed.

The scene was deathly silent.

Everyone stared with wide eyes, unable to believe everything they had just seen.