frightfiction Chapter 663 The helicopters in Southeast Asia are more advanced than ours
Chapter 663 The helicopters in Southeast Asia are more advanced than ours
“This is a social news item published in the Nanyang Evening News a month ago,” the intelligence officer explained.
The report stated that massive flash floods triggered by continuous torrential rains in the northern mountainous region of Siam have severely damaged roads and bridges, preventing rescue teams from entering.
The Nanyang government deployed a new type of rotary-wing aircraft, successfully airlifting urgently needed engineering machinery and relief supplies to the worst-affected mountain villages, buying precious time for restoring lifelines.
He read aloud the key paragraphs of the news article from the translated text:
"...In the disaster relief operation in northern Thailand, the Youlong-type rotorcraft, which was deployed for the first time in actual combat, played a decisive role."
This type of aircraft does not require a runway, can take off and land vertically, and can hover stably in complex mountainous terrain.
During this operation, the "Youlong" (a type of aerial vehicle) successfully and precisely delivered over fifteen tons of engineering equipment and supplies to several isolated villages, fully demonstrating its excellent field adaptability and technical reliability, and providing a brand-new means for my country to respond to natural disasters and special missions in the future..."
Truman listened, his face clearly puzzled: "What...what does this mean? An airplane that can lift bulldozers?"
However, the expressions of the military generals present changed instantly.
General Leahy looked sharply at Marshall, whose brows furrowed and eyes were filled with disbelief.
“Your Excellency,” Marshall took a deep breath, his tone grave, “if this report is true… then the people of Southeast Asia have already developed and are actually using a weapon that we are still testing under strict secrecy—the helicopter.”
In fact, the White Eagles were indeed developing helicopters at a rapid pace at the time.
Igor Sikorsky's VS-300 prototype successfully made its maiden flight in 39, laying the foundation for practical helicopters.
Its military variant, the Sikorsky R-4 "Wasp," began small-scale deliveries to the White Eagle Army Air Forces and Navy in 44, becoming the first helicopter to enter mass production on the planet at that time.
However, the R-4 is small in size and has a low payload, so it was mainly used for reconnaissance, liaison, and limited rescue missions.
The more advanced, larger, and more powerful R-5 and R-6 are currently being tested, but they are still far from being widely deployed.
It can be said that the entire helicopter project was kept highly confidential within the White Eagles at this time.
Although not as secretive as the Manhattan Project, it was still highly classified, with only a few high-ranking generals in the Pentagon aware of the helicopter program.
At this time, White Eagle was also exploring how to apply this new type of hovering aircraft.
With continuous improvements in performance and reliability, in the original timeline, these early White Eagle helicopters, and their successor models, such as the Sikorsky S-51/H-5, would make their first large-scale appearance in the Korean War a few years later, undertaking tasks such as evacuating the wounded, transporting supplies, command and communication, and even limited armed attacks.
The classic “helicopter + MASH medical team” model completely changed the army’s tactics and battlefield medical evacuation system (pictured).
“Our R-4 is still undergoing frontline adaptability testing. Its load capacity is limited, and its stability is far from being able to lift heavy construction machinery.”
An air force general exclaimed, "And the people of Southeast Asia have already deployed it for civilian rescue, and it looks very mature and reliable. This...this technology is at least two to three years ahead of us!"
There was silence in the conference room.
First came the massive fleet of B-17s of unknown origin, then the helicopters already in service and seemingly superior in performance, and then there's the mobile radar system integrated into a truck that Nanyang publicly displayed during the military parade...
A clear clue emerged in everyone's minds.
The United States of Southeast Asia, which they once regarded as a partner that needed support in fighting against the Japanese in Southeast Asia, has hidden industrial research and manufacturing capabilities that far exceed the White Eagle's previous estimates.
"Gentlemen."
General Leahy's voice was filled with deep worry.
"We must face the reality that Southeast Asia has become a military technology entity that cannot be underestimated. They possess independent or even leading research and development capabilities in radar, aviation, and possibly other fields that we are not yet aware of."
What does this mean for our future Pacific strategy?
The generals exchanged glances, their eyes filled with vigilance, even a hint of threat.
An ally who may be out of control and possesses strong technological capabilities can sometimes be more unsettling than a clearly defined enemy.
However, after the initial shock, Truman displayed a political mindset different from that of a soldier.
He waved his hand and leaned back in his chair.
"Gentlemen, wait a moment, hold on." He looked around at everyone, his tone regaining its calm. "I don't quite understand what you're worried about?"
“Nanyang is still one of our most steadfast allies, right? The country that Mr. Zhang Chi established is even named ‘United States,’ which in itself speaks volumes.”
He spread his hands, as if stating a very simple fact:
"They are fighting alongside us against the Japanese devils."
Moreover, look at the map and think about the future; their location is perfect for containing... well, those Eastern allies of the terrible red elements we're facing in Europe.
Isn't it a good thing to have a strong friend standing in front of us, helping to share the burden?
Truman even leaned forward, a shrewd glint in his eyes:
"If, I mean if our research progress in some areas is indeed temporarily lagging behind our friends in Southeast Asia, then why can't we change our approach?"
Can we ask them for help?
Just like when we collaborated with the Johns to develop radar and crack the Engnima cipher machine?
"Sharing technology, or joint development?"
His proposal for reverse cooperation left several battle-hardened generals speechless for a moment, their expressions complex.
Hesitant to speak.
They certainly want to acquire more advanced technology, whether for the sake of the current war or the future landscape.
They admired and even favored the fighting prowess displayed by the Southeast Asian forces on the battlefield, since a strong ally meant fewer casualties on their side.
However, at the same time, a deep-seated wariness of potential challengers and the mindset that "technological advantage equals strategic advantage" in great power rivalry make it difficult for them to fully accept Truman's seemingly naive optimism.
The risks of relying on a rapidly rising country for key technologies, a country whose ideology and even ethnicity are not entirely aligned...
Admiral Leahy finally spoke slowly, carefully choosing his words:
"President, your idea may have some merit."
Deepening cooperation with Southeast Asia is indeed in line with our current strategic interests.
However, any form of technical exchange must be based on… well… thorough evaluation and strict control.
We need to understand more details about where their technology came from and to what extent it has developed.
Marshall nodded and added:
"Moreover, this also involves long-term considerations of the balance of power in the Pacific region after the war."
Inside the Oval Office, the top decision-makers of the White Eagle were filled with complex and contradictory thoughts for the first time regarding how to deal with this Southern ally who had suddenly displayed astonishing strength.
Allies and potential competitors, partners and those who need to be guarded against.
This delicate and complex relationship is a typical depiction of the great power rivalry as the Cold War was about to begin.