Chapter 29 2. Accelerate the development of hydrogen bombs

After the successful explosion test of the first atomic bomb, Zhou Enlai asked Liu Jie, then Minister of the Second Machinery Industry (Nuclear Industry) Department, about his considerations for the development of the hydrogen bomb. Liu replied: There are still many questions that cannot be fully understood, and it will take about three to five years time.Zhou Enlai, 5 years is not too slow.Indeed, from the atomic bomb to the hydrogen bomb is a qualitative leap.To achieve this leap, the United States took 7 years and 4 months, the Soviet Union took 4 years, and the United Kingdom took 4 years and 7 months. At that time, France had developed it for more than 4 years, but it had not yet succeeded.All countries keep the technology for developing hydrogen bombs strictly confidential, without missing a single word.

According to the spirit of Zhou Enlai's instructions, Liu Jie and others carefully analyzed the situation of my country's nuclear industry construction and nuclear weapon development work, and realized that although the development of hydrogen bombs is technically difficult, there are also many favorable conditions: my country's nuclear weapon researchers have mastered the relevant information about atomic bombs. Theoretical and computing techniques have systematically identified the physical images and various physical laws inside the atomic bomb, laying a solid foundation for the development of the hydrogen bomb; when developing the atomic bomb, the exploration of the principle of the hydrogen bomb has already begun and achieved certain results; necessary The production line for charging lithium deuteride-6 is close to completion; the domestically produced electronic tube computer with 50,000 operations per second has been turned on, and the calculation methods have been improved to a certain extent, and so on.

After repeated demonstrations, the Second Ministry of Machinery submitted the "Report on Accelerating the Development of Nuclear Weapons" to the Special Committee of the Central Committee. On February 3 and 4, 1965, Zhou Enlai presided over the 10th special committee meeting to review and approve the report, and decided: "Strive to carry out the explosion test of the hydrogen bomb device in 1968." Realize the hydrogen bomb explosion test. To break through the hydrogen bomb technology in 1968 or before that means to develop the hydrogen bomb at a faster rate than the United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union. This goal is possible, but it is by no means easy, and it must go through a lot of hard work. achieved.

The key to the leap from the atomic bomb to the hydrogen bomb is a theoretical breakthrough.Zhou Enlai always emphasized on properly handling the relationship between theory and technology, advocated giving an important position to theoretical research, and opposed the myopic tendency of ignoring theoretical research.As early as January 1956, he pointed out: "Without certain theoretical and scientific research as the foundation, there can be no fundamental progress and innovation in technology." Principle exploration is affirmed as the primary measure to break through the hydrogen bomb technology.Later, it was precisely because of the major breakthrough in theory that the new design of the hydrogen bomb was formed and put into test, and it was completely successful.

During the development of the hydrogen bomb, Zhou Enlai also formulated a work guideline for scientific researchers to be "serious, thoughtful, meticulous, safe and reliable, and foolproof".These 16 words fully embody Zhou Enlai's repeated emphasis on the idea of ​​"guaranteeing the high quality of products" and "absolutely ensuring safety", and profoundly reveal the characteristics and laws of nuclear industry construction and nuclear weapon development and testing.Because scientific and technological workers have effectively implemented the above-mentioned guidelines, thereby avoiding possible catastrophes and huge waste.

The first combination test of my country's missile and nuclear warhead was limited by the technical situation at the time. It was carried out by using a missile with a nuclear warhead. The launch, path, and explosion point of the missile were all in the local area and above, which was very risky.During the preparation process for this test, Zhou Enlai repeatedly instructed to "absolutely ensure safety", instructed the Seventh Ministry of Machinery to ensure the normal flight of missiles, and instructed the Second Ministry of Machinery to ensure that no nuclear explosion occurred if the missile fell.According to his instructions, the Second and Seventh Ministry of Machinery adopted multi-level safety measures and safety self-destruction devices on missiles and nuclear warheads respectively.However, Zhou Enlai was still worried about this. He presided over two special committees to study the safety issues of the two-bomb combination test, and instructed two "cold" tests of the two-bomb combination safety measures and safe self-destruction. Decide whether to conduct a "hot" test.The National Defense Science and Technology Commission, the No. 2 and No. 7 Ministry of Machinery cooperated closely to carry out the above two tests, which further verified the safety and reliability of the combined test of the two bombs.So far, Zhou Enlai approved the flight explosion test of missile nuclear weapons on October 27, 1966, which was a complete success.

Around December 10, 1966, the nuclear weapons development base reported that some quality problems had occurred in the processing of a part of the thermonuclear device used for the first thermonuclear test, but it was not serious.When Zhou Enlai learned of this situation, he immediately sent Liu Jie to take a special plane to deal with it.When Liu was hesitant about taking the special plane, Zhou Enlai said seriously: "Airplanes are only for inspection work, and you just want to use the plane to buy time." Liu Jiefei went to the nuclear weapons base to observe the processed parts on the spot, and found that they were just scratches that could only be seen with a magnifying glass. After researching with scientific researchers, he believed that this could not be regarded as a quality accident. The processed parts were usable and would not affect the explosion test. make an impact.In this way, Zhou Enlai was relieved and approved the test of the hydrogen bomb developed according to the new design plan at 12:00 on December 28, 1966.The test results show that the key theoretical and technical issues of hydrogen bomb development have been resolved.

At this time, Zhou Enlai had been severely disturbed by the turmoil of the "Cultural Revolution" and was physically and mentally exhausted.But after learning the news of the success of the hydrogen bomb principle test, he immediately summoned Liu Jie and several others to the West Flower Hall to listen to the report and celebrate the success of the test.He also specially prepared dinner and wine for Liu Jie and others.At this time, the rebels from the Second Machinery Department came to the northwest gate of Zhongnanhai, which was only a wall away from Xihua Hall, threatened to overthrow Liu Jie and others, and pointed their finger at Zhou Enlai.After hearing the news, Zhou Enlai said frankly that they opposed me, and I took it as an honor.Afterwards, he recalled two lines from Mao Zedong's "Water Tune Getou Swimming", "No matter the wind and waves blow, it is better than strolling in the garden", reminding and encouraging Liu Jie and others to stand the test of the current political storm.Then he raised his glass and said jokingly: "Tonight, have some time to drink!"

This test, no matter in terms of principle and structure, or in terms of the achieved specific power and fusion ratio, is a hydrogen bomb ground test.Therefore, half a year later, on June 17, 1967, our country successfully conducted a 3 million-ton airdrop hydrogen bomb test. The success of the hydrogen bomb explosion test this time fulfilled Mao Zedong's prediction in 1958 that "I think it is completely possible to build some atomic bombs and hydrogen bombs in 10 years." It marked the second breakthrough in the development of nuclear weapons in our country and laid the foundation for the development and equipment of a series of missile nuclear weapons.

my country's successful hydrogen bomb explosion test once again shocked the world.From the first atomic bomb test to the hydrogen bomb test, it took only two years and eight months. Compared with the United States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and France, the speed was the fastest. Judging from the indicators such as the relative power achieved, its technical level was also higher than that of the United States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and France. The hydrogen bomb that Su tested for the first time was of a high level.