145: Chapter 145 sequel

"Regarding the carrier-based aircraft for the aerospace carrier, I would like the leadership to arrange for the country's most powerful fighter jet manufacturing plants to produce several prototypes first, based on my blueprints."

"After all, aircraft are different from other things; we need prototypes to verify certain performance aspects. While our Research Institute can establish R&D teams on-site for other weapons and equipment, we can't do that for fighter jets. That field is too specialized and complex."

Chu Ge had his own plans; if the drones produced by the Military-Industrial System could directly enter service in the current Air Force, it would undoubtedly significantly enhance the Air Force's strength.

Chu Ge felt that the current global combat model would likely not see major changes in the short term, and the Air Force still played a decisive role. Without Air Force support, ground troops would find it difficult to move an inch.

The most obvious example was the conflict between Bear Country and its neighbor some time ago. Although they generally held the initiative, their ground personnel suffered significant losses.

A major reason was that their Air Force was somewhat lackluster. Whether it was support operations by fighters and bombers or accompanying operations by army aviation attack helicopters, the performance was somewhat underwhelming.

They failed to immediately eliminate the enemy's effective Air Forces and anti-tank squads, leading to relatively large losses for subsequent ground units, especially armored units.

"That's no problem. The Armaments Department will help you contact Chengfei and Shenfei later. You can interface with them directly and strive to build the prototypes as quickly as possible."

Next, the various heads gave brief reports on the progress of their current projects. Chu Ge took out his notebook; this meeting was exactly what he wanted, saving him the trouble of inquiring with each department one by one.

The main production workshop of the shipyard could basically be completed after National Day. The auxiliary factory buildings might be slower, but this would no longer affect the construction of the aerospace carrier.

Chu Ge was a bit surprised to hear this. This was a full three to four months ahead of the original schedule. Knowing that time is life right now, these saved months were incredibly important to Chu Ge.

"Chu Ge, any problems?"

Academician Chen turned to ask Chu Ge. After a moment's thought, Chu Ge spoke up, "The timing is fine. All data and drawings regarding the hull are ready. Once the construction equipment and workers are in place, we can start work immediately."

"Equipment and personnel are no problem, Academician Chu. These are special equipment pre-ordered according to your requirements. We have already contacted the manufacturers, and installation after National Day will be no problem," the head of the shipyard factory answered immediately.

Chu Ge nodded. Next were the progress reports from the various research groups of the Research Institute and the base regarding the sub-systems of the aerospace carrier. Just as Chu Ge expected, no one was lagging behind; everyone was progressing rapidly.

In fact, Chu Ge had left them a certain amount of buffer time. After all, conventional hull construction usually takes about two years, followed by over a year of outfitting. However, China was utilizing its full potential to build the aerospace carrier, so the timeframe had been greatly compressed.

Otherwise, according to conventional progress, even with the efficiency of a 'infrastructure maniac,' building a modern aircraft carrier would take three or four years, let alone an aerospace carrier.

The aerospace carrier was about seven to eight times the size of the largest modern aircraft carriers, and its complexity was countless times greater. Yet the construction period was compressed to the extreme. This time could only be squeezed out of the construction teams. In peacetime, the military-industrial efficiency of various countries generally remains at a very low level, but wartime is different.

Regarding the aerospace carrier, the military had given a 'do-or-die' mission. Therefore, all parties were operating at full throttle, with all resources tilting toward this project. This was more extreme than wartime, which resulted in the rapid shaping seen now.

The leader was very satisfied. In his final concluding speech, he praised all participants in the aerospace carrier project and particularly affirmed the achievements of Chu Ge as the chief engineer. After all, he had single-handedly created this myth.

The briefing ended amidst warm applause. Everyone stood up, and Chu Ge stood up as well, but Academician Chen whispered something beside him.

"The leaders have gone to the small conference room. Come with me in a moment. The large meeting is over, but a small meeting is waiting for you."

Chu Ge nodded. A meeting within a meeting—this was getting interesting.

When Academician Chen and Chu Ge entered the small conference room, the top leader and several leaders from the Research Institute were already waiting for them.

"Chu Ge, come and sit next to me."

"Yes."

"The purpose of today is twofold: first, to understand the progress of the aerospace carrier; second, to inform you of some resolutions regarding the Lunar Base."

After the top leader finished speaking, he nodded to Secretary Qu beside him. Secretary Qu quickly took a document out of his briefcase.

"This is some data detected by the lunar orbiter. You can take a look first."

Chu Ge took the document and began to read it carefully. The meeting did not stop and continued while he looked through the materials.

"After our evaluation of the Lunar Base plan, we can now formally inform you that we agree with Academician Chu's plan. Relevant documents will be issued to the relevant units in the near future."

"Chu Ge, the construction of the aerospace carrier will begin after National Day. I want to hear your future planning."

Chu Ge put down the document. He had browsed through it and already had the important data memorized.

"In one year, when the kunpeng takes flight, its first mission will be to transport relevant construction personnel to the moon for the Lunar Base construction task. During the construction of the aerospace carrier, I will complete all the blueprint planning and design for the Lunar Base."

"The Lunar Base consists of several parts: one part for scientific research, and another for the exploration and development of heavy metals, various minerals, and Helium-3 energy, with the latter being the priority."

"A transport corridor needs to be established between the Earth and the Moon. Based on engineering transport ships, it will transport construction materials to the base and later transport lunar energy back to Earth."

"The Lunar Base will be large in scale, similar to one of our current large-scale industrial bases. It will be equipped with a small ecosystem, gravitational wave devices to simulate Earth's gravity, and a full set of living and leisure areas to meet basic permanent residency requirements."

Chu Ge laid out the general appearance of the Lunar Base in his mind in one breath. The technical personnel attending the meeting were clearly unprepared, and they all showed surprised expressions. They hadn't expected Chu Ge's Lunar Base to be such a grand plan.

Chu Ge's base report had only focused on the reasons for building the Lunar Base and the potential results. As for what it would be built like, the report hadn't mentioned a word.

"Gravitational waves that simulate Earth's gravity? Does Academician Chu mean that we can walk and run in the Lunar Base just like on Earth?" a middle-aged man in military uniform asked.

"Yue Minghui, from the Armaments Department," Academician Chen introduced from the side.

"Yes," Chu Ge answered firmly. Regarding the garrisoning of the Lunar Base, he had secretly asked System Big Brother. There was indeed such a set of devices to simulate the Earth's environment, so that humans could avoid the various adverse effects caused by the weightless environment of space stations.

"Good, just hearing it makes one's blood boil. Chu Ge, I'll be waiting for your Lunar Base to be completed. When the time comes, we old folks will go up and experience it too. After all, it's part of our China's territory, isn't it? Haha."

Everyone laughed along. It definitely was. If the US could claim a spot just by sticking a flag there, then sticking a base there was even more of a given, right?