Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

Cannons are the longest-lived weapons, often lasting for decades. In a brutal war's final stages, even centuries-old cannons might be dragged out. However, cannons are also the shortest-lived weapons; some high-pressure tank cannons have a lifespan of only a few seconds.

Indeed, during a cannon's operational life, the interior of the barrel endures high-temperature, high-pressure gas. The Type 66 howitzer, a low-pressure cannon, has a barrel life of only a few dozen seconds. Though short, this is enough to fire four thousand shells, illustrating how briefly each shell spends inside the barrel.

In such a short time, the nylon driving band doesn't even have time to melt. Figuratively speaking, it's over before you even feel the heat!

Compared to copper driving bands, nylon bands have clear advantages. Lower cost is secondary; the main benefit is that they don't stick to the barrel. Being a cannon operator is physically demanding; after each firing session, hours are spent cleaning the barrel, especially removing copper residue, which is essential to prevent explosions.

Nylon driving bands eliminate this problem.

Hearing Qin Yang's words, everyone had a sudden realization. Wei Man muttered to himself, "I never thought plastic could be used for driving bands."

"Report, the firing range is ready, and the ground below the shell's trajectory is clear. We're ready to begin firing at any time!" At that moment, a soldier ran over and reported to the military officer stationed near Qin Yang.

Qin Yang looked at Wei Man: "Engineer Wei, have you finished measuring? Is there any other data you need? Do you want me to tell you?"

Wei Man blushed: "Engineer Qin, I'm just helping to check if there are any problems with the shells. Why would I need data for shells you invented? Since everything is ready, let's begin. The leaders in the capital are surely waiting."

Although the test firing is important, the leaders' daily work is also crucial. Qin Yang invents new things every few days; if they had to observe every invention in person, the leaders wouldn't be able to do their normal work.

Therefore, only a few leaders came to observe this time, but many military industry experts came after hearing the news.

Wei Man reluctantly moved away from the shell crates. Qin Yang casually attached the nylon driving band to a shell and loaded it into the cannon.

"Full charge!" Qin Yang told the gunner.

Any large-caliber cannon has multiple charge options. The warhead and propellant are separate for easy adjustment. The Type 66 152mm howitzer is a gun-howitzer, with seven variable propellant charges. To reach the farthest distance, only a full charge will do.

Clang, bang!

"Loading complete!" the loader shouted loudly.

"Chief Qin, step back. This test firing could be dangerous," the military officer told Qin Yang.

"I can't leave," Qin Yang said. "It's our military industry's glorious tradition: whoever develops it, tests it! Everyone else, stand back!"

After saying that, Qin Yang grabbed the firing lanyard.

New shells can be risky during test firing; the worst-case scenario is a barrel explosion. Even if the shell doesn't contain explosives, the propellant's energy alone can injure people around the cannon. After all, this is a 152mm cannon.

Could he retreat for safety? Of course not! Military industry experts have an unwritten rule: whoever develops it, tests it!

This tradition originates from the Huangyandong Arsenal. Whoever makes the gun is responsible for test firing it. This greatly improves gun quality and effectively protects the lives of frontline soldiers.

Seeing Qin Yang's insistence, the military officer had no choice but to have everyone else stand back. Then, he stayed by Qin Yang's side, personally directing him.

"Ready!"

"Fire!"

The red flag in the officer's hand dropped, and Qin Yang forcefully pulled the firing lanyard.

Boom!

A huge fireball erupted from the muzzle, and the blast wave hit Qin Yang's chest, almost making him cough something up. The hat on his head was blown off by the blast.

The Type 66 howitzer's firing is that fierce. The cannon, the god of war, is not just a saying.

Qin Yang bent down, picked up his hat, and put it back on his head.

On the front lines, artillerymen never fasten their helmet straps, fearing that the blast wave will lift the helmet and the strap will cut their throats.

"Over twenty-three kilometers? Engineer Qin, you truly are a genius!" Wang Liqun exclaimed. Regardless of the specific data, just knowing this rough figure is enough to impress.

The Type 66 howitzer has been in service for so many years, and no military industry expert has been able to improve its range. Although this cannon has sufficient power, its range has always been a weakness. Now, Engineer Qin has developed a new shell that can significantly increase the range.

Amazing!

"Engineer Qin, thank you for developing another powerful weapon for our army!" the military officer said.

"Engineer Qin, thank you. With this shell, our self-propelled howitzer has a bright future!" Xu Jianshe said excitedly.

The news immediately returned to the capital. Upon receiving this data, everyone was elated.

"Engineer Qin is amazing, unlocking the potential of our Type 66 howitzer!"

"That's right, we can equip more of our self-propelled howitzers!"

"How did Engineer Qin do it?"

This question appeared in almost everyone's mind.

That afternoon, in the deep mountains near the capital, at Factory 9123.

"It can shoot so far, all thanks to the new shell designed by Engineer Qin. I've already reconstructed the design drawing of this shell!" Wei Man said with confidence. "Next, the army will definitely need a large number of new shells. Factory 9123's opportunity has arrived!"

Factory 9123 started construction in the 1960s, much earlier than Factory 960. After completion, it mainly produced shells, and this production continued until the late 1970s, when the country's economy began to transform.

The shells produced by the military factory in the 1960s haven't been used up by the army yet, so there's no need to place new orders. Without army orders, 9123 has no way to survive. Although Wei Man actively seeks new projects and has been working on small-caliber ammunition for several years, he has achieved nothing.

Wei Man is very anxious.

In 1960, Wei Man, in his twenties, walked into Factory 9123. A few years later, due to his outstanding work, he was transferred to the technology department to engage in research and development. With several inventions, he became a well-known ammunition expert in the military industry. Now, he must find a way out for Factory 9123!

Hearing Wei Man's words, Factory Director Xing Fubin was very excited: "Old Wei, on behalf of the entire factory's two thousand employees, I thank you for bringing this good news! By the way, what is Engineer Qin's attitude?"

"Who cares about his attitude? We'll build ours. Now, more than two thousand people are waiting to eat. Why hesitate so much? Let's produce a few thousand first. This is acting first and reporting later. By then, even if Qin Yang runs to the leaders to complain, the leaders will have to agree to our production!"

"But, we don't have any money!"

"Now is the critical moment for our factory's survival. Let's mobilize our workers to donate money and take out a loan from the bank. Let's produce the shells first!"

Xing Fubin swallowed: "Okay, let's do it!"

Date pit shape, four centering blocks on the side, nylon driving band wrapped around the guide band.