I can upgrade the shelter

Chapter 849 747: Shield Test

"The experimental aircraft Sky-Tian No. 1 is currently flying at an altitude of 40,000 meters and a speed of Mach 9.5, having reached the predetermined altitude. Please advise whether to activate the shield device as planned to conduct the shield operation test?" The pilot responsible for controlling the aircraft from the ground requested instructions loudly, seeing the aircraft had reached the designated test altitude.According to the predetermined test plan, this test flight of the aircraft was intended to test the shield system.

In fact, the shield system had been activated since the aircraft took off, and a series of tests had already been conducted during the ascent.

What was about to be tested now was whether the shield system could be turned on and off smoothly in a hypersonic flight environment.

Although theoretically, the shield system should not have any problems, even the technically mature fighter jets today can still experience engine shutdowns, stalling, power outages, and other malfunctions in the air. If the shield equipment is affected by such faults, whether it can be smoothly restarted is a crucial issue for the survival of the aircraft.

Moreover, even without malfunctions, whether the shield generator can be manually restarted smoothly in high-altitude and high-speed environments is still very important.

Therefore, the test plan included testing the power on and off of the shield equipment in high-altitude and high-speed environments.

At this moment, the pilot made a request for instructions, and the project leader in charge of command approved it according to the test plan. Receiving the instructions, the pilot immediately began operating according to the procedures.

Through the cameras mounted on the aircraft, Chen Xin and others could clearly see on the tower's display screen that, with the pilot's operations, a faint blue barrier quickly formed around the aircraft's body but soon dimmed, as if it were just an illusion.

However, both the sudden increase in energy consumption of the aircraft and the readings from various instruments and meters showed that the shield system had successfully restarted and was in good condition.

Everyone couldn't help but cheer, as the aircraft passing various tests in the high-altitude, high-speed environment not only marked a significant achievement for the Southern Celestial Gate plan but also signaled that humankind now possesses energy shield technology.

Seeing the shield equipment operating well, everyone congratulated and extended their best wishes to Chen Xin.

He was the overall leader of the entire plan and also the head of the shield project. The successful development of shield technology undoubtedly owed much to him.

Yet, Chen Xin remained very calm, merely offering a polite smile and, after accepting everyone's congratulations, ordered the pilot to continue with other tests.

However, with the major tests completed, the remaining tasks were just basic performance test items. Although they had to be completed, they did not affect the overall situation.

And due to the lack of weapons used in high-altitude, high-speed environments, it is currently impossible to conduct a practical combat test on the shield equipment. Therefore, after completing all the test items, Chen Xin instructed the aircraft to return.

"Speaking of which, can the air defense weapons we have now pose a threat to the aircraft?" With this question in mind, Chen Xin inquired with a nearby air force officer.

The Southern Celestial Gate plan was initiated by the air force, which was involved in various projects, and naturally, there were air force officers present during the test flight of the aircraft.

Upon hearing Chen Xin's question, the air force officer shook his head: "If the aircraft maintains its hypersonic flying speed, with our current air defense weapon capabilities, we have no way to shoot it down. It's too fast; even if the radar can lock on, the missiles can't catch up."

Hypersonic missiles were one of the most advanced types of missiles in the world before the disaster, and intercepting them with existing human air defense weapon systems was a very difficult task.

And when these hypersonic missiles are replaced with more flexible hypersonic aircraft, the difficulty of interception undoubtedly increases significantly.

Because the flight speed of hypersonic aircraft is so fast, when they maneuver in the air, they impose a tremendous tracking overload pressure on the intercepting missiles, which could be an astounding 80 to 90G—something beyond the capability of all operational air defense missiles worldwide.

Moreover, to intercept hypersonic targets, not only are missiles that can catch up needed, but also air defense radar systems that can lock onto them and guidance systems that can guide the missiles in tracking the target.

Only with these three aspects working together can there be a possibility of intercepting hypersonic targets.

However, even when these three conditions are met, it merely allows for the interception of hypersonic missiles.

Intercepting aerospace fighter jets that are specifically designed with stealth features, possess ultra-high maneuverability, and can perform high-altitude, high-speed penetration would require humans to develop even more efficient air defense systems.

Understanding this situation, Chen Xin quietly said something to the air force officer, who, upon hearing it, showed a very interesting expression on his face but quickly nodded in excitement before leaving the tower.

Many in the tower noticed this scene, especially several foreign researchers.

But at this moment, they all tacitly refrained from inquiring or even paying much attention to the scene. They pretended not to see it even if they had.

Nowadays, the balance of Blue Star relies on Flame Country. Offending Flame Country by probing into things unwarranted is not a trivial matter.

Not to mention they are working on Flame Country's territory now; recklessly probing could make them look like spies. Just provoking Flame Country enough to cut aid to their countries would return Europe to the brink of Hell again.

Besides, seeing Chen Xin's obvious unwillingness to divulge, they were even less inclined to pry into unwarranted matters.

So these foreign researchers simply focused inwardly, maintaining expressions of knowing nothing.

Chen Xin naturally noticed the attitudes of these foreign researchers but didn't show any particular reaction.

After all, what he mentioned to the air force officer wasn't something outsiders should know or inquire about. He even regretted bringing it up in such a setting, realizing that he should have chosen a safer occasion to bring it up.

However, since he spoke very softly just now and considering this was a Flame Country air force base, there was little chance that anyone would eavesdrop on their conversation.

And even if someone did manage to overhear their conversation, these researchers from Europe couldn't convey this information back. Knowing their every line of communication with Europe depends on Flame Country's channels, the intelligence department of Flame Country surely wouldn't allow them free use.

Therefore, Chen Xin quickly eased his mind. After waiting in the tower for the aircraft to return, he left the tower.