Lu Zhou swore that this was the most spectacular fireworks he had ever seen.
Of course, it was also the most expensive one.
The airborne modules descending from the sky were like meteors that flew through the cold night.
Lu Zhou stood next to a military jeep and looked at the airborne modules through binoculars with a look of shock in his eyes.
After a while, he put away the telescope and spoke emotionally.
“… You guys actually made this thing?”
Lu Zhou was the “hostage” in this anti-terrorist training mission. Therefore, he was in the center of the action.
He had a front-row seat to the show.
Lu Zhou still remembered when they tested the escape capsule on the Skyglow test flight.
Back then, Lu Zhou and Director Li went to the Dzoosotoyn Elisen Desert to select a site for the Garden project. The second Director Li saw the escape capsule, he couldn’t keep his eyes off the thing, and he immediately asked about using it in the army.
Due to various reasons, Lu Zhou didn’t give him high hopes. He told the director that this thing was equivalent to a space return module with an engine. If the director could handle the costs, he was free to try it out.
Lu Zhou didn’t expect Director Li to actually consult an expert and create a military-use escape capsule.
Director Li stood next to Lu Zhou, also with a telescope around his neck. He smiled and spoke.
“Haha, I didn’t expect you to be surprised, it seems like the couple hundred million was well spent.”
“… Couple hundred million?”
“Yeah, that was the research and development cost.” Director Li looked at Lu Zhou and said, “Actually, when the Air Force Equipment Department talked to me about this, I was even more surprised than you.
“When this project was initially proposed, not many people were optimistic about it. I thought it was worth a try. I didn’t expect the academicians from the Air Force Equipment Research Institute actually made this thing.”
Lu Zhou: “This thing isn’t cheap, right?”
Director Li nodded and said, “It’s not cheap. Nothing military related is cheap. Fortunately, the aerospace costs aren’t high, and the cost of sending people to space is acceptable. Basically, an escape module is about the cost of a medium-range missile, and missiles are one-time use.
“Also, that’s just the module itself. If you add the accessories and equipment mounted to the module, it’s worth two missiles.”
After more than two years of development, the military version of the escape capsule had many advantages over the original “Lightning” capsule.
Just like its name implied, compared to the “Lightning” module, which emphasized on capacity and survivability of crew members, the “Thunder” module emphasized on its airborne tactical abilities.
The best kind of defense was offense. When the module was 50 meters off the ground, it would activate smoke bombs to stealth its landing. It could also discharge explosives and metal fragments for further damage.
The “Thunder” escape capsule also had less food, medicine, and survival tool storage than the Lightning escape capsule. The maximum number of occupants was also decreased from six to four people.
Director Li spoke emotionally.
“But… even though it’s a bit expensive, the value we’re getting from the airborne module is equivalent to 10 medium-range missiles!”
While they were talking, the airborne capsule descending from the sky had landed on a hill two kilometers away, releasing a cloud of smoke.
Lu Zhou felt the vibration of the ground as he spoke to Yan Yan, who was standing next to the jeep.
“Speaking of which, shouldn’t I act like I’m hurt and lie down on the ground?”
Yan Yan smiled and said, “You can, do you want me to help you?”
Lu Zhou looked at his shirt.
“Never mind, I like this shirt.”
Director Li suddenly remembered something and said, “By the way, if something does happen… Your life is more important than your shirt.”
Lu Zhou: “… I know.”
While they were talking, the group of soldiers armed with rifles already arrived at their target area, surrounding the jeep and everyone around it.
“The Thunder squad has reached the target area, target personnel is safe!
“Continue to the next exercise!
“Roger that.”
Lu Zhou felt like the captain’s voice sounded familiar, but because the soldiers were covered in gear, he couldn’t tell who the captain was.
Lu Zhou could sense the captain looking at him.
Lu Zhou smiled at him and didn’t interrupt their exercise. He watched as the group of soldiers disappeared into the woods.
It took 49 minutes and 27 seconds from launch for the airborne soldiers to arrive at the hostage area.
On the battlefield, time was everything. Even a 10-minute difference in evacuation time could change the entire battle.
The officer standing next to Lu Zhou looked at his watch and nodded with approval.
“It’s a lucky day. If it were raining, we would be in trouble.”
Lu Zhou: “It already feels like trouble.”
“Oh yeah.”
Director Li looked at the flares falling from the sky and nodded.
“Even the Americans can’t send a team of soldiers anywhere in the world in under an hour…
“But we can!”
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