Chapter 440: Helpless
America.
California, one of the new Pentagons, is located in a small town.
After receiving the urgent report from the Cape York Air Force Base in Kangaroo Country, Victor immediately took it seriously.
He immediately called over a dozen intelligence analysts and said, "Analyze this intelligence immediately and write a targeted assessment report."
A group of intelligence analysts took the documents.
"What? A giant airship three kilometers long?"
"Are you kidding? This thing is a target..."
"John, you underestimate Homo sapiens. Don't forget that they have gamma ray weapons."
These intelligence analysts discussed and thought about how to deal with this airship.
However, after racking their brains for a long time, they still couldn't think of many ways to deal with it.
The only feasible options at present are laser cannons and microwave weapons.
But as intelligence analysts at the Pentagon, they are very familiar with the performance of their own weapons and equipment.
The laser cannons and microwave cannons currently equipped by the US military have a hard-kill range of less than 20 kilometers. Microwave weapons can also be installed on missile warheads to achieve long-range target strikes.
The problem lies in the effective range.
There is no way to get within 20 kilometers of the Homo sapiens airship through direct attack.
Indirect attacks require the use of missiles, but missiles also have no way of getting close to the Homo sapiens airships.
What's more, at this stage, power is an obvious problem for laser cannons or microwave cannons. Even within this range, whether they can be effective against huge airships is indeed a question that needs to be discussed.
After all, Lucia has previously launched a vehicle-mounted laser cannon, claiming that it can hit targets within 10 kilometers. However, this target actually refers to small drones or personnel.
As for the XX laser cannon that has been hyped up online, it is claimed that it can be launched from the ground and directly destroy satellites in low-Earth orbit. This can indeed be done.
The problem is that the destruction method of this laser cannon is not the direct burning as imagined. Instead, it destroys the satellite's sensors through lasers, making the satellite ineffective, rather than actually blowing up the satellite.
This is a typical soft kill.
However, soft kill is not very effective for large targets. Not only does it require long-term exposure, but it also requires good weather and no anti-laser coating on the target surface.
After simulations, a group of intelligence analysts found that long-range soft-kill lasers could not threaten the airships of Homo sapiens at all.
The reason is very simple. Our side can use lasers to illuminate the Homo sapiens airship, and the Homo sapiens airship can also counterattack with death ray cannons.
Given the range of the Homo sapiens death ray cannon, if both sides irradiate each other, it is likely that the US military will be roasted first.
After listening to the discussion of a group of intelligence analysts, Victor asked: "If we concentrate multiple laser cannons, can we destroy this kind of airship?"
An intelligence analyst who specializes in cutting-edge weapon research shook his head and said, "It's difficult. The power of laser cannons at this stage is not enough, and the hard kill range is within 20 kilometers. We have no way to get dozens of laser cannons within 20 kilometers of the enemy."
"After all, the enemy's flying altitude is 25 kilometers above sea level. Coupled with the angle problem, it is basically impossible to approach within 20 kilometers of the enemy." Another intelligence analyst added.
Victor was a little unwilling: "Why can Homo sapiens use high-powered gamma-ray cannons? Can't we imitate them?"
"I have communicated with several weapons developers before. We do have the ability to produce gamma ray cannons, but..."
"But what?" Victor demanded.
The intelligence analyst spread his hands and said, "The cost is very high. Not only the production cost, but also the maintenance cost is very high."
"Cost? If we produce on a large scale, we should be able to reduce costs, right?" Victor asked.
However, the intelligence analyst smiled bitterly and continued to shake his head:
"The most suitable material for gamma ray exciters is cobalt-60. However, the production conditions of this material are very harsh and it is very dangerous. If there is an operational error or poor storage, you know the consequences."
"Cobalt 60?" Victor had naturally heard of this highly toxic substance.
"In addition, the half-life of cobalt-60 is only more than five years, which means that the excitation core must be replaced regularly. This is what I call maintenance cost. Even if it is not used after manufacturing, the gamma rays of the excitation core will continue to be released."
Victor was completely discouraged.
Unless cobalt-60 can be produced at low cost, based on America's current annual production of several hundred grams, it is estimated that it will take until the cobalt-60 decays completely before it can be equipped with enough for a high-power gamma-ray cannon.
After all, among the death ray cannons of Homo sapiens, the smallest model requires 0.5 tons of cobalt-60, while the largest model requires 5 tons of cobalt-60.
This is achieved by relying on the amount of cobalt 60 to greatly enhance the power and range of the death ray cannon.
Without sufficient resources, America would have no way to imitate.
Victor asked again: "Can I use the electromagnetic cannon?"
"The range of the electromagnetic gun is too short. A dozen kilometers is basically the limit."
Another short-legged player.
However, another intelligence analyst provided an idea: "If the electromagnetic gun can be installed in low-Earth orbit, perhaps the acceleration of gravity can be used to increase the effective range of the electromagnetic gun."
"It's a naive idea. Homo sapiens can easily attack satellites in low-Earth orbit. How can you ensure the safety of electromagnetic cannon satellites?"
"Also, have you considered the satellite's power supply and the recoil of the electromagnetic gun?"
As they talked, everyone started arguing again.
Faced with this quarrel, Victor had no interest in participating. He quickly left and went to Eduardo's office to report the situation.
Edward also received relevant information.
"What countermeasures does the intelligence analysis department have for the Homo sapiens' airship?"
Victor smiled bitterly and shook his head: "They are still arguing. There is no better solution for the time being. The only feasible solution is to equip more long-range laser cannons to destroy the electronic equipment and sensors of the airship."
“……”Edward had a very bad headache. Since taking over the Pentagon, he felt that he had lost a lot of hair. If this continued, he might become bald.
Victor made another conclusion: "In addition, judging from the direction of the opponent's flight, this airship fleet is very likely to be deployed in the New Granada region. We must increase our military investment in Latin America."
However, Edward looked helpless: "Victor, we have no money."
"How is that possible? Didn't they approve 250 billion yuan for the second quarter? How could there be no money?"
Edward explained: "Do you think that 250 billion can be used casually? Now we need to strengthen the military bases within the Free Federation, which will take up a large part of the funds."
"In addition, we will need a lot of money to repair the retired aircraft carriers and warships that were previously sealed and put them back into active combat order."
"besides……"
After listening to Edward's complaints, Victor said speechlessly, "Can you please stop buying those coffee machines that cost tens of thousands of dollars?"
Obviously Victor knew about the extravagance and corruption within the US military.
Now that the front line is so critical, these guys are still refusing to repent. He really can't accept it.
But Edward waved his hand and said, "Victor, our U.S. military has its own special circumstances. It is difficult for me to change this aspect. If I force it to be compressed, it may lead to mutiny."
He knew the problems within the US military, but he himself was one of the vested interests, so how could he possibly cut off his own financial resources?
Unless he wanted to commit suicide by being shot seven times in the back.
