Chapter 1360: Attack and Defense From Outer Space

at the same time.

North America, Colorado.

In the combat center of the Space Command Reconnaissance Bureau located underground in the Cheyenne Mountain, Major General John Raymond was sitting in front of the podium with a serious face, staring at the scene on the large LCD screen in the distance.

According to the employment practices within the army, General Lance Lord promoted the confidant to a first-level military rank in the last year of his career and helped him to an excellent position that was relatively easy and easy to achieve results.

If nothing unexpected happens, Raymond will make a smooth transition to the new position of the Director of the Reconnaissance Department for 2-3 years, and then enter the management of the Space Command.

In the best case, he may even become the new commander in about 10 years.

Even if it didn't go so smoothly, there would be no problem with retiring as the rank of lieutenant general.

However, perhaps some people are in trouble.

Raymond has only taken office for less than half a month, and before he even waited for General Lord to retire, he had already encountered the most complicated situation since the end of the Cold War...

In the past few months, China's Second Artillery Force has experienced intensive activities that have not been seen since 1996.

Although most of the actions are concentrated in the northwest and central China, and there is no evidence to be related to intercontinental ballistic missiles, the Pentagon is still worried whether the other party wants to take advantage of the white house change in 2008-09.

So, the heavy burden was on Raymond, who was not yet fully familiar with the business.

If something goes wrong in this matter, don’t think about promotion.

Go directly to the Logistics Second Department to report...

Therefore, Raymond mobilized almost all the available resources at hand, not to mention obtaining a 100% accurate result, but at least he had to ensure that the report he submitted was procedurally impeccable.

"General, the data returned by RUBY-07 satellite has been analyzed..."

Colonel Devin Kenton, the head of the intelligence analysis department responsible for image data processing, came to the major general and reported in a deep voice.

Although the United States already has the most complete space-based reconnaissance network in the world, it is still unable to perform real-time monitoring. The preparation time required for solid fuel missiles is very short and have strong maneuverability. It is entirely possible to find a way to seize the opportunity. The gap between the satellites over the top completed the launch.

For this reason, they temporarily launched this new satellite code-named "Ruby".

Raymond took a deep breath:

"Quick, put it on the big screen!"

He smelled the familiar breath of anxiety in the air, the smell of imaging analysts applying mint urinary ointment.

As a female captain next to him drew five parallel trajectories on the touch console, the processed satellite photos unfolded one by one on the screen like playing cards sent by the dealer.

On the infrared imaging image, several eye-catching scarlet spots were squirming on the vast Gobi Desert, and the tail of each spot was dragging the comet-like afterglow.

Raymond was a civilian, and in his opinion, this was completely incompatible with the general signal characteristics of missile launchers. It was like some kind of high-energy laser weapon charging.

However, he also knew that this speculation was unreasonable, and rashly speaking would only bring ridicule.

So, I just waited quietly for the other party's further explanation.

"This is the latest technology on the Ruby 07 satellite...it can go back to a certain extent and capture some features that are impossible to capture by both optical and radar."

Colonel Kenton was a standard technical officer, not caring about his leadership being like an ant on a hot pan, and was still introducing the magical satellite.

Raymond was a little overwhelmed:

"Daven, we know your ruby ​​is very powerful...but the situation is urgent, so it's better to go straight to the conclusion."

Kenton, who was interrupted, had no temper, but turned to look at the female captain who was in charge of the operation just now:

"Ms. Levito, add the spectral analysis."

His voice almost calmed the buzzing of the air conditioner outlet.

The screen on the big screen seemed to have stuttered for a few seconds, but it was soon covered by a rainbow-like light belt.

"It must be admitted that the Chinese have good training level, and the entire transfer and launch process avoided all satellite surveillance... Of course, it is also because our satellite network neglected maintenance after the Cold War."

Kenton pointed to the locations of the spots just now and said:

"But we still found some clues, such as the nitrogen oxide concentration at this location exceeds the standard by four times, and typical residues after metal burning..."

He said as he came to the operating table and took over the keyboard and mouse from Captain Levito.

The messy picture quickly became clear:

"This is the characteristic component left after the solid fuel engine is working... It can be basically confirmed that at most no more than three days ago, a missile launch had just been launched here, and there is a high probability that there is no real warhead installed, so there is no way. Clear landing marks were observed at several shooting ranges."

Kenton called out the optical images saved in the past and saw that there were only a few tents for the same coordinate points:

"About half a year ago, there were no traces worth analyzing here, so this time... or there may be several other test shots, which should be temporary plans, rather than normal training that was prepared for a long time..."

Although his speaking style is a little anxious, his ability level is absolutely unspeakable, otherwise he would not be able to do his current position.

A missile launch 2-3 days ago was detected by satellites and sounded unbelievable at first, but since the tracks of large ships can be discovered through bubbles in the wake, the residual material in the air will invert the work of solid engines. The situation is also very reasonable.

Therefore, Raymond nodded, accepting the other party's analysis results.

I lowered my eyelids and thought for a few minutes:

"In other words, the Chinese may be testing a new ballistic missile?"

In fact, by this time, he had already breathed a sigh of relief.

Although it is also very troublesome to test-fire missiles, it at least proves that the other party does not really want to live out the whole life in the southeast direction.

Kenton's expression was very twisted:

"It can only be said that this is the most reasonable speculation at present... but based on our experience, including their past habits, it doesn't look like a normal missile test."

There was silence in the huge underground command center.

Only the low buzzing sound from the ventilation system and computer operation is left.

A few minutes later, Colonel Kenton broke the silence to the point where it was almost frozen:

"Also, General, there is one more thing...it's just that it's not sure if there is any correlation."

He released another satellite image on the secondary display.

However, this time it is an ordinary optical image.

"Huaxia dismantled an abandoned antenna at Maodao radar station in Longyuan Province, and was obviously preparing to replace new radar equipment."

Kenton's laser pointer points to the upper half of the picture, and it is not difficult to see the new cutting marks on the reinforced concrete base:

"The base itself was built in the 1970s. The original plan was to install the second 7010 strategic early warning radar, but in the end, there was no further information for various reasons, leaving a semi-finished product... Although the subsequent radar station was put into use, All of them are equipped with radar models with certain maneuverability, and this base has not been moved until recently."

"recent……"

Raymond frowned slightly:

“That is, it hasn’t been built yet?”

"In fact, there have been obvious signs of construction in recent days, otherwise we should have discovered it long ago..."

Kenton switched the picture on screen No. 2 to the third picture:

"Of course, the equipment and supplies of this radar station are all reliant on external transportation. Usually, there are many heavy vehicles entering and leaving, and the main body of this radar is hidden inside the base, so it is possible that construction has started a long time ago. However, it has only recently begun to replace antennas on the surface... If this is the case, based on the efficiency of the Chinese, it will be completed in about 3-4 months."

Raymond lowered his head and glanced at the map of China on the screen in front of him:

"Do you think there is a connection between these two things?"

This time, Kenton did not give a direct conclusion, but just analyzed:

"The observed launch location is in the central part of Mongolia Province, and the effect shooting range is in the western part of Longyuan. Although the radar station is not on the flight path between the two, you also know that this size of radar is not sensitive to the position. The antenna is generally aligned, and there is almost no difference between 50 kilometers and 500 kilometers..."

From this sentence, Raymond felt some implicit sounds.

He has worked in an office for many years and is very familiar with such speeches.

"I can hear that you are inducing me to reach a conclusion..."

He looked at Devin Kenton, who was standing not far away:

"You might as well tell your conclusions directly, Colonel."

The latter, who was exposed directly, did not show any embarrassment, but just shrugged:

"I think China might be preparing to test a gliding hypersonic weapon, similar to our HTV-2."

Raymond's eyes narrowed instantly, and a reflection flashed under the light.

Based on the situation they observed in Huairou Science City, this conclusion is to some extent considered traceable.

But it takes only half a year to complete the whole plan, so I have to prepare for the test...

"Can it really be so fast?"

He asked to himself as he tapped on the walnut tabletop in front of him, making a rhythmic and dull sound.