Chapter 1593 Winning is a necessity

Seeing that Gates had calmed down a little, Prabhakar quickly glanced at Woodruff and signaled him to add something.

Woodruff calmed down and quickly replied:

"Yes, Minister. Although HMMS is rocket-powered, it is not an ordinary ballistic missile."

He opened the report again and pointed to the "Technical Route Selection" column and explained:

"It uses a new solid charge and a double-cone aerodynamic shape, and has the ability to maneuver and change trajectory at the edge of the atmosphere. Most importantly, its flight speed is stable in the range of Mach 5.5 to 6, which fully meets the speed definition of hypersonic weapons by the Ministry of Defense and is difficult to be predicted and intercepted by existing anti-missile systems."

Gates' breathing was still heavy, but he did not speak again.

Seeing this, Prabhakar sighed slightly, with a hint of urgency in his tone:

"Your Excellency, China has deployed at least three hypersonic weapon systems with different technical paths and covering different ranges. On the other hand, Russia's 'Zircon' and 'Vanguard' projects have also entered the testing phase and may be put into service at any time."

In fact, she slightly exaggerated the severity of the situation—

China currently has only two types of hypersonic weapons deployed, both of which are of the gliding type.

Similarly on the other side, the gliding Pioneer has indeed begun testing, but the air-breathing Zircon is still in the research and development stage.

At least not tested yet.

Of course, the general direction is correct.

"Secretary, the reality is that in the key area of ​​hypersonic weapons, which will determine the rules of future warfare, the United States has lost its lead and can even be said to have fallen behind."

Prabhakar leaned forward slightly and emphasized his tone:

"Congress, the media, and even the public are questioning our huge investment in this area and the delayed results. Huge pressure is imminent."

She paused for a moment to let the weight of her words sink in:

"Against this backdrop, what we most urgently need is a successful, public flight test that can demonstrate the United States' hypersonic strike capability, a 'victory' that can boost confidence and buy time and budget for subsequent more advanced projects!"

Woodruff also struck while the iron was hot:

"The rocket power + double cone configuration is the solution with the highest technical maturity, the lowest risk, and the fastest way to achieve a successful test launch. It is also the best solution for us under the tight time window... In order to produce a real object that can fly, fight, and hit as soon as possible, we must... be flexible."

Gates was silent.

He leaned back in his chair, took off his glasses, and rubbed his brows tiredly.

Although he was reluctant, after his initial anger, he had to admit that what the other party said made sense.

In fact, it is not just Prabhakar and Woodruff who need to achieve results.

This also includes the entire Department of Defense.

After a while, Gates put on his glasses again, opened the HMMS report again, and jumped directly to the evaluation part at the back.

"Range...about 900 kilometers?"

This range has very limited tactical value in the vast Pacific battlefield.

He also noticed that below the table was a small 3D rendered launch vehicle.

Gates cast his sharp eyes on Woodruff again:

"Todd, the INF Treaty explicitly prohibits us from developing and deploying land-based ballistic missiles and cruise missiles with a range between 500 and 5500 kilometers. How do you plan to circumvent this problem?"

Woodruff was prepared and answered immediately:

"Mr. Secretary, HMMS was designed with multiple deployment methods in mind... Although it has the potential for land-based mobile launch, we will clearly position it as an air-launched weapon system during the testing phase and even in the initial deployment concept."

In fact, by around 2010, the existence of the INF Treaty was already in jeopardy.

More than one piece of intelligence shows that the 9K720 missile system equipped by the Russian army does not even need to change any hardware. It can reach a range of 750km or more by adjusting the launch parameters.

The United States is also looking for an opportunity to completely overturn this agreement to counter China's growing intermediate-range missile threat.

"Air-launched?" Gates pressed. "From what platform? B-52? Or B-1B?"

"The current plan is to launch it from an F-15 fighter jet," Woodruff explained.

"F-15?" Gates seemed a little surprised. "Why this one?"

"The size and weight of the HMMS have been optimized, and the F-15's belly attachment point is sufficient for this purpose," Woodruff replied affirmatively. "The key is that the F-15 is the only fighter jet currently in service in our military that can stably accelerate missiles to more than Mach 1.5 and climb to the ideal launch altitude..."

Then he pointed to a chart in the report:

"Only in this way can the range of HMMS be extended to more than 1300 kilometers, which means it will have substantial beyond-area strike capability and significantly enhance its strategic value."

In fact, when formulating the launch plan, the "Hailong" project team once envied the bulky but large enough MiG-31 interceptor.

Gates's eyes moved back and forth between the report and Woodruff.

As a launch platform, the F-15 is not as ideal as stealth fighters, but it does solve the two thorny problems of carrier speed and treaty restrictions.

The air-to-air range of 1300 kilometers is also beyond the strike range of any air defense weapon, or even most fighter jets.

The office fell silent again.

Prabhakar and Woodruff both held their breath, waiting for the final decision of the Minister of Defense.

This is not only about the life and death of the HMMS project, but also about whether the Pentagon can save face in the field of hypersonics.

Finally, Gates' eyes changed slightly, as if he had made a difficult decision.

"Okay, Director Woodruff. I understand the current strategic pressure and technical reality." He raised his head, his eyes returning to their usual calmness. "The HMMS project is moving forward as planned, and we are preparing for the test launch."

Woodruff and Prabhakar both felt relieved.

But Gates then emphasized: "However, this flight test must succeed, not fail!"

The U.S. military, and especially our Pentagon, can no longer afford another public, humiliating technological failure.

"Understood, Mr. Minister!" Woodruff immediately straightened his back and solemnly promised, "We will ensure the success of the test."

Gates waved his hand, looking a little tired: "Go ahead and do it. I need to see a detailed test plan."

"Yes!" Woodruff and Prabhakar stood up and saluted, then turned and left the office with a heavy atmosphere.

The heavy oak door closed behind them, and the relatively bright light in the corridor made both of them squint subconsciously.

After walking a few steps away from the sight of the guards in the minister's office, Prabhakar stopped and turned to call Woodruff: "Todd."

Woodruff turned around: "Ms. Elty?"

Prabhakar lowered his voice:

"I want you to tell me honestly. Put aside all the polite words. Are you really 100% sure that the test flight of HMMS will be successful?"

Woodruff shrugged and answered frankly: "In fact, the final formula of the propellant is still being fine-tuned based on the data of the last ground ignition test to ensure the stability of combustion and the optimal specific impulse..."

Seeing the tension rising in Prabhakar's eyes, Woodruff immediately added:

"Don't worry. Rocket engine technology is our most mature and reliable field, with decades of deep accumulation. The double-cone aerodynamic configuration has been verified in wind tunnels and actual flights countless times... At least the lower limit can be guaranteed."

He spread his hands and gestured a parabola: "In short, no matter what, the HMMS can ensure that it will fly the entire distance and hit the target, and it will not lose control and disintegrate in the air like the X-51A because it cannot start the scramjet engine or cannot reach critical flight conditions."

Prabhakar's tense shoulders finally relaxed slightly.

"That's good." She breathed a sigh of relief. "Stability is the most important bottom line. As long as we can fly and hit the target, even if the speed is a little slower, we still have room for maneuver."

She took a step closer and lowered her voice, with a tacit meaning:

"I have communicated with the head of the independent assessment office responsible for data interpretation in advance. As long as the missile's speed can approach the threshold of Mach 5, the radar will identify it as 'successfully breaking through the hypersonic threshold'... Do you understand what I mean?"

Woodruff certainly understood.

Under tremendous pressure, the wisdom of the bureaucratic system to survive is to make a little technical and explainable relaxation of the definition of "success".

"I totally understand." He nodded immediately.

But then, a key requirement was put forward:

"In order to ensure the absolute safety and smoothness of this test, without any...unexpected interference, I suggest that the first flight test be arranged at the Utah Test and Training Range inland."

Prabhakar got the message:

"Don't worry, I will contact the Federal Aviation Administration and the North American Aerospace Defense Command to coordinate airspace control."