Chapter 445: We Cannot Continue to Fall Behind

The Chief took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down: "From this moment on, initiate the 'Thunder Project', with the highest national priority. The goal is twofold: first, improve upon our existing ballistic missile technology to ensure range and penetration capabilities, considering multiple warheads or decoy systems; second, immediately form a specialized team to study the feasibility of low-altitude cruise missiles."

He looked around at everyone in the room: "I want the nation's best scientists and engineers to participate in this project, at any cost, to achieve a breakthrough as soon as possible. Is that understood?"

"Understood, Comrade Chief!" everyone replied in unison.

"Very well," the Chief stood up, "Comrade Sokolov, Comrade Lebedev, you two stay behind; we need to discuss some specific details."

After the others had left, the Chief's expression became even gloomier: "I want you to understand that the future of Beijixiong Guo depends on the success of the 'Thunder Project'. If Long Country acquires a strategic strike capability that we do not have, it will be a fatal threat to our national security."

"We fully understand, Comrade Chief," Sokolov nodded solemnly, "I will immediately begin forming the team and mobilizing all necessary resources."

"Not enough!" the Chief slammed the table, "I don't want to hear excuses like 'insufficient resources' or 'technical difficulties'! I want results! Whatever is needed—manpower, equipment, funding—provide it all! You can even pull personnel from the Space Project; this project has a higher priority!"

The two were somewhat shaken by the Chief's outburst and could only nod in understanding.

The Chief turned and walked to a small liquor cabinet in the corner of the room, poured himself a glass of vodka, and downed it in one gulp: "We have already lost to Long Country in the space race; we must not fall behind again in the strategic weapons race. This is the honor of Beijixiong Guo, and it is our path to survival."

……

In less than a week, Star-Spangled Country established the "Falcon Project" command center within a secret military base in the Nevada Desert. This unprecedented project assembled the nation's best scientists, engineers, and military experts with only one goal: to develop Star-Spangled Country's own intercontinental cruise missile.

Inside the massive conference room, the atmosphere was tense and filled with debate. Dozens of top experts sat around an oval conference table, which was piled high with technical data and preliminary design plans.

"Gentlemen, thank you for setting aside your current work to participate in this highest-priority national project," said Doctor Mongomery, head of Advanced Weaponry R&D at the Department of Defense, standing before the projection screen with a serious tone, "I will be blunt—we are facing an unprecedented challenge. Long Country may be developing a cruise missile capable of intercontinental range and ultra-low-altitude penetration, and we must catch up."

A low murmur of discussion broke out in the conference room.

"This sounds like a fantasy," Professor Wilson, a propulsion systems expert from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, couldn't help but say, "With current technology levels, achieving intercontinental range for a cruise missile is almost impossible. Fuel efficiency, engine weight, and reliability are all massive obstacles."

"Six months ago, everyone also said it was impossible for Long Country to launch a satellite before us," Mongomery said meaningfully, and the murmurs immediately quieted down.

He brought up the first slide: "According to our preliminary analysis, an intercontinental cruise missile needs to overcome four key technologies: high-efficiency lightweight propulsion systems, precision guidance systems, ultra-long-range design, and low observability."

"The propulsion system is the biggest challenge," interjected Doctor Thompson, an aviation engine expert, "Existing turbojet engines are too heavy and inefficient to support flights of thousands of kilometers. We may need to develop entirely new types of engines."

"I am more concerned about the guidance system," frowned Collins, a navigation expert, "Without GPS, how can we ensure the missile can precisely find a target thousands of kilometers away? The cumulative error of the Inertial Navigation System is too great."

"We could consider terrain-matching technology," suggested an engineer from Lockheed, "Pre-store terrain data for the target path and perform real-time comparison and correction during flight. Of course, this requires massive amounts of terrain mapping and advanced computing power."

"Low observability is also key," added Doctor Green, a radar expert, "We need special airframe designs and materials to reduce the radar cross-section."

The discussion became increasingly heated, with more and more points of contention: Should they choose turbojet or ramjet engines? Which technical bottleneck should be prioritized? How to achieve a breakthrough in limited time? The atmosphere in the conference room grew increasingly tense, and everyone's face was etched with pressure.

Doctor Mongomery stood up again, signaling for everyone to be quiet: "Gentlemen, I understand the severity of the technical challenges, but I must emphasize the urgency of time. We are not working at a normal scientific research pace, but in a life-or-death race."

He looked around at everyone in the room: "The President has issued clear instructions—at any cost, achieve a breakthrough as soon as possible. This means unlimited funding support, the highest level of equipment and manpower allocation, and administrative procedures simplified to the extreme."

"But the laws of physics will not change because of the President's orders," Professor Wilson couldn't help but mutter.

"No one expects the laws of physics to change, Professor Wilson," Mongomery stared at him sharply, "but history tells us that when national security is threatened, scientists and engineers can create miracles. The Manhattan Project went from theory to reality in just a few years, and I believe everyone here can likewise complete this seemingly impossible task."

The room fell silent again, each person lost in their own thoughts.

"Alright, now we will divide into four core teams," Mongomery continued, "Propulsion Systems Group, Guidance and Navigation Group, Aerodynamic Structure Group, and System Integration Group. Each team has clear phase goals and schedules."

He checked his watch: "The first round of technical assessment reports needs to be completed within 72 hours. From this moment on, the 'Falcon Project' is officially launched. Gentlemen, good luck to us."

As the meeting ended, the experts quickly divided into groups and continued their in-depth discussions. The atmosphere in the conference room was tense and anxious, but also filled with a strange excitement—these top scientists and engineers were facing an unprecedented challenge, and the challenge itself was the best motivation.

On the other side of the base, Defense Secretary Maxwell was having a brief private conversation with Mongomery.

"How is the situation?" Maxwell asked straight to the point.

"Frankly speaking, the challenge is enormous," Mongomery gave a bitter smile, "Under current technology levels, achieving an intercontinental cruise missile is indeed fraught with difficulties. But we have assembled the nation's best talent; if anyone can do it, it is them."

Maxwell's expression turned serious: "Time, Mongomery, we need time! The President is asking about progress every day, and the intelligence agencies are constantly providing sporadic information on Long Country's 'Changfeng Project'. We must catch up, we must!"

He slammed the table, his voice rising: "Star-Spangled Country cannot afford the consequences of falling behind again! I don't care what method you use, you must accelerate the progress!"

Mongomery watched this usually calm and composed Defense Secretary lose his composure, realizing the pressure was beyond imagination: "We will do everything in our power, sir. But scientific research has its own laws..."

"Laws?" Maxwell almost roared, "Do you know what will happen if Long Country masters this weapon before us? The entire world order will change completely! The security of Star-Spangled Country will face an unprecedented threat! I don't want to hear about 'laws', I want results!"

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down: "Sorry, Doctor, I am too agitated. But please understand, the importance of this project to national security is beyond words. Having been beaten to the first satellite, we absolutely cannot lose the missile race as well."

Mongomery nodded solemnly: "I fully understand, sir. I assure you, every member of the 'Falcon Project' will give their all, day and night, until we succeed."

Maxwell rubbed his temples wearily: "I hope so, Doctor. I hope so."

……

At almost the same time, inside a secret military base deep in the Ural Mountains of Beijixiong Guo, the "Thunder Project" was also officially launched. Unlike the approach of Star-Spangled Country, Beijixiong Guo took a more forceful and direct method—the nation's top scientists and engineers were urgently summoned, some even "invited" out of their homes by security personnel in the middle of the night.

Inside the massive underground conference hall, dozens of scientists and military experts sat around a long table, their faces showing fatigue and confusion. Defense Secretary Sokolov stood at the front, his voice thunderous:

"Comrades, Beijixiong Guo is facing a severe challenge! Intelligence indicates that Long Country is developing a new type of missile with intercontinental range and ultra-low-altitude penetration capabilities, codenamed 'Changfeng'. If this weapon succeeds, it will pose a major threat to our national security."

He slammed the table: "The Chief has ordered the immediate initiation of the 'Thunder Project', with the highest national priority, and the goal is to develop our own advanced strategic missile system!"

The conference hall was silent, with scientists exchanging worried glances.

Sokolov signaled for the President of the Academy of Sciences, Lebedev, to introduce the specific plan. Lebedev walked to the front and brought up the first slide:

"According to the Chief's instructions, the 'Thunder Project' is divided into two parallel directions: first, rapid improvement based on existing ballistic missile technology, focusing on increasing range, penetration capability, and precision; second, exploring the technical feasibility of low-altitude cruise missiles."

He pointed to the diagram on the slide: "The first direction is relatively mature; we can consider multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles, maneuvering warheads, or decoy systems to improve penetration capability. The second direction is an entirely new field, requiring the resolution of multiple technical difficulties such as propulsion systems, guidance systems, and range."

Chief Engineer Karpov of the Missile Design Bureau interjected: "Frankly speaking, comrades, with our current technology levels, achieving an intercontinental-range cruise missile is almost impossible. Engine efficiency, fuel capacity, and guidance precision are all massive challenges."

"Impossible?" Sokolov's voice was as cold as the ice of Siberia, "Six months ago, you also said it was impossible for Long Country to launch a satellite before us, and what was the result? I don't want to hear the word 'impossible'!"

Karpov shrank his neck and stopped speaking.

"What about the specific technical route?" asked a Military Representative.

"For the cruise missile direction," Lebedev explained, "we need to develop new high-efficiency engines, possibly improved versions of turbojet or ramjet engines; at the same time, the guidance system is also key, requiring consideration of a scheme combining inertial navigation with terrain matching."

Professor Kozlov, a propulsion systems expert, raised a question: "But this requires a large amount of preliminary research and testing, and the time cycle is very long."

"Time?" Sokolov roared, "How much time do you think we have? Every single day, Long Country's 'Changfeng Project' is advancing! We must catch up, we must!"

The atmosphere in the conference hall became even more tense. The scientists looked at each other, and no one dared to raise any more objections.

Sokolov looked around at everyone in the room: "From today on, you will live in this base until the project achieves a major breakthrough. All necessary equipment and resources will be provided, but I want to see progress, rapid progress!"

He walked to the liquor cabinet on the side, took out a bottle of vodka and several glasses: "Come, comrades, let us toast to the success of the 'Thunder Project'! Let us toast to the security and honor of Beijixiong Guo!"

The scientists stood up mechanically and took the glasses. No one dared to refuse, even though many had eyes full of worry.

After three rounds of drinks, the meeting officially broke into group discussions. The air was permeated with the scent of vodka and a high-pressure atmosphere. The scientists were divided into several Hexin teams, with each team responsible for a key technical field.

In a corner, Lebedev and Sokolov were talking in low voices.