Chapter 1707 Risk Prevention
A few minutes later, four helicopters landed one after another on a pre-hardened temporary landing pad outside the power plant area.
The strong wind stirred up by the rotor gradually subsided. Chang Haonan opened the side door of the cabin and jumped out of the plane first.
On the ground, a group of people had already been waiting there, ready to receive the inspection from the project manager.
Among the crowd, in addition to Wang Long, the future operations director of the demonstration reactor, and several main persons in charge of the construction site, the most eye-catching person was a senior military officer wearing the latest camouflage uniform.
This man has a tall and straight figure and a capable temperament, and stands out among a group of engineers and technicians wearing safety helmets.
Seeing Chang Haonan's gaze fall on him and linger for a moment, he took the initiative to step forward, saluted with a standard military salute, and introduced himself in a loud voice:
"Reporting to Academician Chang! I'm Shen Xiting, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Northern Theater Command. I've been ordered to be responsible for the security and protection of the area surrounding the 'Energy Condensation No. 1' project!"
Of course, Chang Haonan knew early on that the Northern Theater Command would provide protection for the demonstration reactor project.
But on the one hand, he did it to avoid suspicion, and on the other hand, he was not a professional commander after all. In short, he seldom asked about the specific military deployment.
So this is the first time I met Deputy Chief of Staff Shen.
Chang Haonan looked him up and down and nodded politely: "Chief of Staff Shen, thank you for your hard work. Comrades, you have all worked hard."
Shen Xiting subconsciously prepared to give the standard answer of "serving the people", but before he could open his mouth, Chang Haonan continued to speak:
"Everyone is well aware of the current situation. Soon, a decisive battle will break out between us and our opponents... And, I can absolutely guarantee that the winner of this technological competition will be China."
The latter paused for a moment, glanced at the crowd in front of him, and then continued:
"But precisely because of this, the closer we get to victory, the more likely our adversaries are to resort to extreme measures... Therefore, we must ensure that nothing goes wrong and provide 100% safety for the fusion demonstration reactor. We cannot take any chances and leave any blind spots in our defenses."
In fact, Chang Haonan did this simply to enjoy the feeling of giving instructions.
But Shen Xiting saluted again with a serious face:
"Please rest assured, Academician Chang! The theater commanders have long been fully aware of this and have already made the highest level of mobilization and deployment and the most thorough ideological preparations!"
After saying that, he turned sideways and took a military tablet computer from a colonel next to him, quickly turned on the screen, and called up an encrypted three-dimensional electronic map.
"Academician Chang, this is a comprehensive defense situation map of the entire Liaoxi war zone and the surrounding area of the demonstration reactor." Shen Xiting placed the tablet in front of Chang Haonan, and then used his fingers to enlarge several key areas on the map.
Several war game symbols representing different air defense units were clearly displayed on the screen.
"Deployed here is a mixed air defense brigade drawn from the army and air force, equipped with the Hongqi-19 high-altitude terminal anti-missile interception system, the Hongqi-9B long-range area air defense missile system, and the Hongqi-17AE short-range air defense missile system."
"The three are deployed in a high-low configuration to form a tiered interception network that can independently and effectively respond to almost all types of air threats, from medium- and short-range tactical ballistic missiles, various cruise missiles, fighter jets, helicopters, to small drones and cruise missiles capable of low-altitude penetration, with coverage ranging from ultra-low altitude to near-space."
His finger slid across the screen, pointing to a more peripheral area:
"At the same time, my headquarters can connect in real time with the missile defense early warning and interception network deployed in northern Liaoning and eastern Inner Mongolia through the theater data link. This includes large phased array early warning radars and Hongqi-26 strategic missile defense interception positions. As long as the presence of an intercontinental ballistic missile threat is detected, we can obtain early warning information in its mid-flight phase and organize at least two rounds of effective interception with a high probability."
Even though Chang Haonan was used to big scenes, he was still shocked by the configuration specifications on the screen that could be described as "iron wall".
China's new generation of air defense and anti-missile weapons are more or less related to the Torch Laboratory and Aviation Power Group.
Therefore, he was very clear about the performance limits of the equipment in front of him.
So he half-jokingly commented: "It seems that the only threat to us is hypersonic cruise missiles that fly entirely within the atmosphere."
Finally, Shen Xiting smiled for the first time.
"Indeed." He reached out and adjusted the edge of his helmet. "It's a pity that the Americans didn't... and neither did their allies."
When talking about this topic, a happy atmosphere suddenly filled the air around.
Chang Haonan smiled when he heard this, and said "hmm" softly, expressing his approval: "That's true."
Shen Xiting then switched the layers on the tablet, displaying another set of deployment signs.
"This unit is responsible for ground security and surveillance," he continued. "It's a reinforced deputy division-level PAP detachment, with seven combat battalions and one engineering and chemical defense battalion under its command. It's responsible for ground security around the power station, guarding key areas, and counter-infiltration and sabotage missions."
Having said that, he looked at his watch:
"According to the daily patrol plan, there should be a patrol team operating in the nearby area right now. We should be able to see them soon..."
As soon as Shen Xiting finished speaking, Chang Haonan vaguely heard a low and powerful engine roar coming from the distance, accompanied by the unique sound of heavy tires rolling over gravel and frozen soil on the ground, which quickly became clearer from far away.
The texture of the sound is completely different from the gasoline engine of a common small passenger car. It seems richer, heavier and more powerful.
He subconsciously turned around and looked in the direction of the sound.
However, what came into view was not the expected light patrol car or "Mengshi" armored vehicle.
Instead, they were two 8x8 wheeled infantry fighting vehicles painted with PAP markings.
On the remote-controlled weapon station at the top, the barrels of the 30mm machine gun and the coaxial machine gun were still emitting a faint cold light.
Behind them, there is a 105mm wheeled tank with the same chassis but a larger turret and a thicker gun barrel!
???
This scene completely confused Chang Haonan.
How can this be called a patrol team?
It is clearly a mechanized infantry platoon with infantry and tanks working in coordination!
After a long moment, he retracted his gaze and looked back at Shen Xiting: "Chief of Staff Shen, didn't you just say... this is a PAP detachment?"
"Isn't this equipment configuration... a bit too 'solid'?"
Shen Xiting seemed to have anticipated this situation and asked calmly, "Perhaps Academician Chang has heard of... the PAP's mobile detachment?"
"I've heard of it." Chang Haonan nodded subconsciously: "Back then, the army units were directly transferred... But weren't those units all in the northwest?"
"So this mobile detachment was specifically transferred from Northern Xinjiang..." Shen Xiting explained, "They have more experience in emergency response than regular army units, and their equipment is more suitable for protecting the demonstration reactor."
Chang Haonan was stunned after hearing this.
It took a while for him to come back to his senses, and he suppressed his surprise: "That's good. It's better to be prepared."
Then, he changed the subject and dropped a more important message: "In fact, the core components of the demonstration reactor, including the main cabin, first wall module, and some magnetic field coils, will soon be shipped from various manufacturing bases."
"Several key components are too large and heavy to be transported by air, requiring specially modified heavy-duty road transport vehicles. The security burden along the way will be immense. Your 'unusual' mobile detachment will be of great use."
This time, it was Hu Changgui and Shen Xiting's turn to be shocked.
"Wait..." The former stretched out his hand and gestured in the air several times before finally stumbling out, "Academician Chang, didn't you say before... 18 months?"
Shen Xiting's reaction was not so exaggerated, but the word "unbelievable" was written on his face.
"I mean within 18 months..." Chang Haonan deliberately emphasized the last two words.
Then, he looked at the date on the tablet:
"Well, it's only been nine months now, so it's definitely within 18 months..."
