Building a Technological Power Starting with the Type 59 missile and Going Astray in Technological Development

Chapter 16 Discussing the design of a new main battle tankChapter 16 Discussing the design of a new main battle tank

Lin Chenran had just stepped into his office and before his butt could even touch the chair, there was a rapid knock on the door.

”Come in!” he shouted.

The door opened and Song Xiyun walked in hurriedly.

When Lin Chenran saw the person coming, he hurriedly went up to him with a warm smile on his face: ”Mr. Song, it’s you! Please come in, please come in!”

”Sit down, sit down! Come, sit here!” Lin Chenran said as he took Song Xiyun to the sofa beside him and they sat down together.

Then, Lin Chenran turned to his assistant and said, ”Go and pour us two cups of hot tea.”

There was no other way. This week, Lin Chenran had been ”rooted” in the laboratory of the 077 Mechanical Military Factory and had not left for a single step. Naturally...

”Mr. Song, why are you looking for me so anxiously? Is there something important?” Lin Chenran took a sip of hot tea and asked.

”Kid, have you forgotten about this?” Song Xiyun complained immediately after hearing this.

Suddenly, Lin Chenran had an idea and an important piece of information emerged in his mind: before traveling to the Kingdom of Wakanda, he had specifically instructed Song Xiyun to design and develop a new main battle tank.

And now, Song Xiyun came to visit in person, which must be related to the design and development of this tank.

”Hahaha, I’m so sorry, Mr. Song! I’ve been really busy recently.”

”I just rushed back from the factory laboratory. I hadn’t even had time to sit down when you came straight in.” Lin Chenran laughed and teased.

Song Xiyun did not exchange too many pleasantries, but went straight to the point and quickly took out the original design drawings of the new main battle tank, which embodied the hard work of himself and many engineers from the 077 Mechanical Arsenal.

”Chenran, take a look!” Song Xiyun carefully unfolded the original design and development drawings of the main battle tank.

Then, Lin Chenran began to read carefully with full concentration...

Due to the tight time schedule and only one week available, the original design drawings were relatively rough and sloppy.

Despite this, the parameters marked above are still clearly visible and easy to understand for Lin Chenran.

After careful observation, Lin Chenran discovered that Song Xiyun and other engineers from the 077 Mechanical Arsenal had actually made substantial improvements and revisions based on the Type 59 tank.

Although large-scale changes have been made, Lin Chenran can still capture the familiar outline and shadow of the Type 59 tank from this original drawing.

After seeing the original design of the new tank by Song Xiyun and others, Lin Chenran raised his deep eyes slightly and asked in a calm tone: ”Mr. Song, could it be that this new tank is a large-scale improvement on the Type 59 tank?”

Hearing Lin Chenran’s question, Song Xiyun did not deny it, but smiled slightly: ”Yes, this new main battle tank is indeed based on the Type 59 tank, and has undergone large-scale modifications and improvements.”

Then, Song Xiyun introduced in detail: ”We have not only carried out comprehensive upgrades in key areas such as power systems, artillery weapons and armor protection, but also incorporated the unique innovative technologies of our 077 Machinery Military Factory.”

In fact, the 077 Mechanical Arsenal is very familiar with the Type 59 tank.

Because of this, they were able to successfully convert it into a civilian engineering vehicle, thereby earning huge profits and accumulating strong capital for the development of the enterprise.

Lin Chenran nodded slightly, expressing his agreement: ”Mr. Song is right. As a classic product, the Type 59 tank is undoubtedly superior. Although the times are constantly advancing, it cannot adapt to the trend of the times and is gradually falling behind.”

”I personally agree that the new main battle tank designed and developed by our 077 Machinery Arsenal should be deeply modified based on the Type 59.”

”After all, this approach can not only make the most of existing mature technologies and resources, but also reduce R&D costs and risks.” ”Even if the military does not adopt the new main battle tank of our 077 Machinery Arsenal in the end, we can still promote it to the international market and realize export.”

It can not only demonstrate the strength of our 077 Machinery Military Factory, but also earn a lot of foreign exchange. Why not do it?

Upon hearing this, Song Xiyun showed a bright smile on his face.

Originally, he thought that his factory manager Lin Chenran did not support their ideas, so he came to seek advice in a hurry with a very sloppy design.

Unexpectedly, Lin Chenran strongly agreed to use the Type 59 tank as the basic blueprint to design a new main battle tank, and also comforted him by saying that if the Yan country’s military did not purchase it, they could just export it directly.

Although Lin Chenran agreed with Song Xiyun and other engineers from the 077 Mechanical Arsenal to use the Type 59 as the basic blueprint to design and develop a new tank, he still put forward some unique opinions of his own.

First of all, in terms of artillery weapons and equipment, the previous Type 59 tank was equipped with a 100mm smoothbore gun. In the s and s, this firepower configuration was more than sufficient.

However, times have changed, and by the 1980s, it was clear that it was no longer able to cope with the situation.

You know, both the main battle tanks of the United States and the Russian Bear have been equipped with 125mm smoothbore guns.

Not only that, the Russian Bear is about to equip its latest main battle tank with a more powerful 130mm smoothbore gun.

If Yan Country’s new main battle tank continues to use 110mm or 115mm smoothbore guns.

Then in any tank duel that may take place in the future, we will be in an extremely disadvantageous position and will suffer a 200% loss.

Although the caliber of the artillery is not the only factor that determines the outcome of a tank battle.

But it is undeniable that tanks equipped with large-caliber artillery are indeed more capable of penetrating the armor of tanks equipped with small-caliber artillery.

”Indeed, we are too conservative!!!” Song Xiyun couldn’t help but sigh.

According to their original idea, the new main battle tank was equipped with a 115mm smoothbore gun.

If this is true, the Yan State military may not be interested in the main battle tank design and development plan of the 077 Mechanical Arsenal.

”I remember that there seems to be a military factory in China that is designing and developing a 120mm smoothbore gun.”

Lin Chenran suddenly turned around, looked at Song Xiyun, and spoke in a questioning tone.

”Yes, the 212 Mechanical Arsenal is indeed developing a 120mm smoothbore gun.”

”But as far as I know, due to the shortage of funds at the 212th Mechanical Arsenal, the research and development project of the 120mm smoothbore gun is currently almost at a standstill.”

Song Xiyun waved his hands helplessly.

Today, the domestic 115mm smoothbore gun technology is relatively mature.

This is also why Song Xiyun himself and many engineers of the 077 Mechanical Arsenal chose the more reliable 115mm smoothbore gun when designing and developing new main battle tanks.

An important reason not to choose the unattainable, ethereal and imaginary 120mm smoothbore gun.

Don’t miss it if you pass by!

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