Chapter 337: Air Strike-1

"Time is tight; we have less than three weeks to complete all modifications and testing. Therefore, I have decided to divide the team into three groups: A Group is responsible for warhead modification, B Group for propulsion system upgrades, and C Group for guidance system optimization. Each group must work 24 hours a day without interruption; I want to see preliminary results within three days."

Everyone looked at each other; such work intensity and time requirements were an almost impossible task.

"Chief Engineer Li, this schedule... isn't it too tight?" Lao Liu asked hesitantly, "Normally, this level of modification would require at least a month..."

"There is no month," Li Mingyuan replied decisively, "The Di Guo chemical weapons could be launched at any time. Every day of delay adds another point of risk. I know this is difficult, but this is a mission concerning the lives of millions of compatriots; we must succeed!"

His gaze swept over everyone: "If anyone feels the pressure is too great, you can quit now; no one will blame you."

There was Silence in the laboratory; not a single person moved.

"Good!" Li Mingyuan nodded, "Since everyone has decided to stay, then act immediately. Zhang Gong, you are in charge of A Group; Lao Liu, you lead B Group; I will personally take charge of C Group. Every night at 8 o'clock, the three groups will report progress. Now, start working!"

The team quickly split up to act, and the laboratory suddenly became busy.

Li Mingyuan led C Group directly into the computing center.

The upgrade of the Guidance System was the most critical part of the entire modification, as it directly determined whether the Missile could precisely hit long-range fixed targets.

"The existing Guidance System is mainly aimed at moving targets at sea," Li Mingyuan explained to the team members,

"But now we are striking fixed structures on land. Although it seems simple, there are actually many new challenges."

He drew a complex coordinate system on the blackboard: "First, we need a brand-new geographic coordinate positioning system capable of precisely locating targets based on maps and intelligence information..."

Just as Li Mingyuan was buried in the improvements to the Guidance System, A Group and B Group were also fighting in their respective fields.

The engineers of A Group were designing a brand-new warhead structure capable of carrying enough high explosives to destroy sturdy underground facilities;

B Group was attempting to increase the maximum range of the Missile by improving the rocket fuel formula and optimizing the Engine structure.

Late at night three days later, the three groups reported their preliminary results in the main conference room.

"A Group reporting," Zhang Gong stood up, looking exhausted but spirited,

"We have completed the basic design of the new warhead. By adopting a brand-new ammunition layout, the explosive power has been increased by nearly 40% compared to the original version, enough to destroy most underground facilities. However, we still need to do some structural reinforcement to ensure the warhead can detonate normally after high-speed impact."

"B Group," Lao Liu continued, "We have improved the rocket propellant formula, and preliminary calculations show the range can be increased to about 550 kilometers. It is not yet the target of 600 kilometers, but we have found a breakthrough; give us two more days."

Finally, it was Li Mingyuan's C Group: "The basic framework of the Guidance System has been redesigned. We have adopted a brand-new hybrid guidance method, combining terrain matching and infrared imaging technology; theoretically, it can increase hitting accuracy to within 10 meters, basically meeting the requirements for precision strikes against fixed targets."

Minister Zhang and the Military Representative were also present; after hearing the report, Minister Zhang could not help but exclaim:

"To have such progress in three days is simply a miracle! Chief Engineer Li, you are truly the pride of Long Country."

The Military Representative, however, was somewhat worried: "Although it is optimistic technically, there are too many uncertain factors in actual combat. We need live-fire testing to confirm the performance of these improvements under actual conditions."

Li Mingyuan nodded: "I have already arranged it; the first live-fire test will be conducted at the Northern Test Range in three days. If it goes smoothly, we can complete all modifications within a week and then start production."

"The time is too tight," the Military Representative frowned, "Even if there are no technical problems, mass production also takes time..."

"I have already thought of a solution," Li Mingyuan said with confidence,

"Yesterday, I had the 'Iron Arm-1' robot moved to the production line; preliminary tests show that it can increase the assembly efficiency of Missile components by at least four times. If we add three more robots, we can complete the production of 20 'Air-Strike-1' within ten days."

Upon hearing this, everyone showed expressions of surprise.

The actual application effect of industrial robots was even better than expected.

After the meeting ended, Li Mingyuan remained in the laboratory alone, facing the design drawings of the modified Missile, lost in thought.

Early the next morning, Li Mingyuan gathered the Hexin team members and began to formulate a specific combat plan.

"According to intelligence, the Di Guo chemical weapons are mainly stored in three locations," he pointed to the red dots marked on the map,

"These are all logistics bases in the enemy's rear; when the chemical weapons come, they are most likely to be in these three places."

He used chalk to draw three routes on the map: "Our plan is to launch a surprise attack on these three targets simultaneously 48 hours before the Di Guo is scheduled to launch a chemical weapon attack. Each target is assigned at least 5 Missiles, attacking from different angles to ensure the complete destruction of the targets."

"However, the Di Guo's Anti-aircraft System is very powerful," the Military Representative raised a concern, "Can our Missiles break through their defenses?"

Li Mingyuan was confident: "I have designed a special flight mode for 'Air-Strike-1'. They will adopt ultra-low-altitude flight, using terrain cover to bypass the enemy's Radar network. At the same time, the Missiles will carry electronic jamming devices, releasing them when approaching the target to paralyze the enemy's local defense system."

He paused and added: "Of course, we have also made the worst-case preparations. Even if a portion of the Missiles are intercepted, as long as a few can hit the targets, it will be enough to destroy those facilities and stop their conspiracy."

The atmosphere in the conference room became solemn and tense. Everyone realized that this would be a battle concerning the survival of the nation, and not the slightest mistake could be tolerated.

"There is one more key question," the intelligence officer asked, "How to confirm the specific launch time of the Di Guo's chemical weapon plan? We need precise intelligence to determine the timing of the strike."

Li Mingyuan looked at Minister Zhang, who nodded: "We have strengthened intelligence collection on the Di Guo. At the same time, through the channels of the Polar Bear, we are also trying to obtain more details."

"We also need to formulate a backup plan," Li Mingyuan added, "If intelligence shows that the Enemy Country is acting ahead of schedule, we must be able to react immediately. Therefore, once the mass production of 'Air-Strike-1' is completed, it must be immediately deployed to the launch site and ready at any time."

Minister Zhang nodded in agreement: "I will arrange for special forces to provide protection to ensure the absolute safety of the launch site."

The plan gradually took shape, and a grand combat blueprint unfolded before everyone.