Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

"This accident was due to a machining error. The widest part of the projectile reached 121.98 millimeters. The projectile was too thick and originally wouldn't fit, but the loader was quite strong when loading. He forced the breech, causing the shell to make tight contact with the gun barrel. Fortunately, it didn't fire. If it had fired, the shell definitely wouldn't have left the barrel and would have exploded inside, the consequences of which would have been unimaginable." Old Zhu held a caliper, measured the problematic shell, and said with some emotion, "Newly manufactured shells are prone to machining errors."

The shell is conical, and it's easy to force it in, but if it gets stuck, it's hard to get it out.

"Doesn't this data seem like it's for our 122mm gun?" Qin Yang said, "I don't know if it was a mistake by the manufacturing workers or an assembly error. In any case, the loader's error can be ruled out, and they should even be commended."

Eastern and Western standards are different. Take caliber, for example. The West commonly uses 120mm, while the East follows the Soviet path, using 122mm. It's estimated that the 122mm process was used when making this shell, resulting in it being too large!

If the projectile is too large, it's good if it doesn't fire. If it does, the projectile won't leave the barrel, and the gun will definitely explode, which would harm many people.

Zhuang Shuren's face was grim: "Our research and development time is very tight, and the shell data was only recently finalized. We asked a brother factory for help with processing, and there was no time to double-check. This mistake is mine. Please punish me, leaders!"

If the gun explodes and injures the leaders, their Factory 447 will be in big trouble. Now, Zhuang Shuren's heart sank even further. He didn't pass the buck to the brother factory and decided to take responsibility himself, which showed his commitment.

"Fortunately, nothing happened. However, how to handle it isn't what we need to consider now. Let's have a meeting and finalize the third-generation tank gun," Old Huang said.

Factory 447, conference room.

"After two days of comparative experiments, we can see that the performance of the new 120 smoothbore is indeed outstanding. The armor-piercing capability of 430mm also gives our armored soldiers more confidence. However, this gun is not yet very mature and has many problems. For example, it uses unitary ammunition, which is too heavy and inconvenient to transport. The development of an automatic loader is also very difficult. Therefore, this gun is not suitable for equipping our third-generation tanks. In comparison, the 125mm gun has greater potential…"

The summary was given by Old Zhu. After all, he's the chief designer of the third-generation tank, and the facts are already clear. The people at Factory 447 didn't argue anymore. They were completely convinced.

"We emphasize democracy. Now, those who agree to equip the third-generation tanks with the 125mm gun, please raise your hands." After Old Huang finished speaking, he was the first to raise his hand.

Old Zhu also raised his hand without hesitation.

The others also raised their hands one after another.

Zhuang Shuren looked around at the situation. He gritted his teeth and also raised his hand. This was almost equivalent to betraying his hard work, but now, what else could he say? Qin Zong had given him his life, so how could he not support Qin Zong's project? Moreover, their tank gun was indeed advanced enough.

"Okay, unanimously approved. The 125mm tank gun and the matching automatic loader developed by Factory 960 will become the standard tank gun for our third-generation tanks! Now, the firepower, protection, and mobility indicators of our third-generation tanks have been finalized. Next, everyone should put in their best efforts and strive to get this project out as soon as possible!" Old Huang said, "Now, the meeting…"

Old Huang originally intended to say that the meeting was over, but Qin Yang spoke up: "Wait! I have something to say!"

"Okay, Qin Zong, what suggestions do you have?"

"The brother factory has already developed an advanced 120mm tank gun. Compared with the old 120 smoothbore, its performance has been greatly improved. Although there was an accident during the HE shell test, the results of the APFSDS test were still very good. Moreover, they haven't used liquid-phase sintering technology yet, and they're using ordinary tungsten carbide penetrators. I think it's a pity to abandon this tank gun."

Zhuang Shuren looked at Qin Yang in surprise, not knowing what Qin Yang meant by saying this. His side had already conceded defeat, and the bidding had failed. Why was Qin Zong still speaking up for his side?

It's impossible for the army's tanks to have two calibers. Since they've chosen the 125mm caliber, they will definitely not choose the 120mm caliber again. This would be a disaster for logistics.

"Qin Zong, are you saying to sell this gun?" Old Zhu was the first to react. Having been with Qin Yang for a long time, Old Zhu had become accustomed to Qin Yang's thinking.

Qin Yang shook his head: "No, we haven't used this gun ourselves yet, so how can we sell it? We'll use it ourselves."

Use it ourselves? Zhuang Shuren was completely confused. How would they use it?

"The most advanced tank gun we currently have is the Type 81 105mm gun. The penetration depth of this gun can reach about 300mm, which is double that of the 59 tank gun. However, if we encounter more powerful opponents, it's estimated that it will still be difficult. And our third-generation tank project cannot be completed overnight. During this period, we still need powerful anti-tank guns. Once we face a threat, our anti-tank guns can step up."

Currently, the biggest threat to the motherland is still the old Maozi. The old Maozi has a million troops stationed on the northern border. However, the old Maozi doesn't value the east much, and they're using old T-62s and the like, at most a T-72. The advanced T-64 and T-80 are given priority to the west. The armor of those tanks will definitely be thicker and the protection stronger. Our existing 105mm gun may not be able to penetrate it.

Otherwise, Europe wouldn't have rushed to develop 120mm guns.

Our 125mm gun has greater potential, but the matching chassis is very difficult to develop. The advanced 1200-horsepower engine hasn't been developed yet, and it's unknown whether it will take ten or eight years.

During this period, what if the old Maozi sends even more powerful tanks to the east? Wouldn't we still be at a loss?

Therefore, since the new 120 smoothbore has come out, don't waste it. It can be turned into an anti-tank gun!

"That's right, Qin Zong's suggestion makes sense. We can consider developing Factory 447's new 120 smoothbore into an anti-tank gun!" Old Huang nodded: "It must be fast. It's best to produce a batch this year and equip our troops. A penetration depth of more than 400mm, let's see if the enemy is afraid!"

A warm current surged in Zhuang Shuren's heart. When Qin Yang helped eject the shell, he was already deeply grateful. And now, his gratitude was even more overwhelming. He was almost ready to kneel in front of Qin Yang and thank him. In the rest of his life, he would listen to whatever Qin Zong said!

Products that fail to be developed are usually shelved. Now, Qin Yang has given them a new life! Even if it can't be a tank gun, it can be an anti-tank gun! There's no need to develop HE shells either. It's enough to have successful APFSDS shells!

Fu Ansheng smiled: "Qin Zong, everyone in our Factory 447 will have to remember your kindness. I don't know who instigated us to fight internally. Now, through this matter, we know even more about Qin Zong's character. Whoever dares to speak ill of Qin Zong is slapping me in the face!"

"This 120 smoothbore is too heavy. If it's towed, will the mobility not be high enough?" Someone asked.

"Towing is definitely not an option. Mount it on the 321 chassis of the Type 69 tank," Qin Yang suggested. "Let's build our Eastern Ferdinand!"