Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

"Of course it's similar. This is the 155mm extended range artillery shell that Qin Yang modified based on Dr. Bull's designs. How could it not be similar?"

"There isn't a 152mm extended range artillery shell in the world. The reason Qin Yang was able to create one was because, in his previous life as a military industry expert, a group of university students came to the design institute. He assigned them a task as part of their training, and these students were indeed clever enough to complete it successfully, increasing the range of the 152mm howitzer."

"However, this was merely akin to a graduation project and could not be mass-produced. After all, China was gradually phasing out 152mm guns in favor of 155mm guns."

Qin Yang hadn't expected to use it here, but now it was perfect for showing off.

"Is that so? That's quite a coincidence," Qin Yang said. "We designed this shell to increase the range without modifying the gun. Does your CG-45 howitzer use a similar shell?"

"Yes, to increase the range, one must increase the propellant capacity, as more propellant means a higher initial velocity for the projectile. On the other hand, one must minimize the drag on the shell during flight. The special-shaped warhead I designed is meant to reduce drag. However, your shells lack an additional device at the rear. If airflow could be generated to fill the void behind the shell, the range could be further increased."

Dr. Bull's extended range artillery shell, fully named the Low-Drag Extended-Range Full-Bore Projectile, is mainly divided into base-bleed and base-cavity types. The latter adds an exhaust device to the rear of the shell to further increase the air pressure behind it.

"Doing so would reduce the weight of explosives carried inside the shell," Qin Yang said. "For us, range is important, but so is power. Moreover, the structure of the extended range artillery shell is complex, and the internal disturbance during launch is too great, leading to excessive dispersion and low accuracy. The base-bleed type is better, but the accuracy of the base-cavity type is too poor, so we haven't developed any successful products."

Dr. Bull was even more shocked. "How do you know that?"

Of course, Qin Yang knew. After introducing the 155mm howitzer, China actively began promoting it on the international market, first approaching Pakistan. However, after a demonstration there, Pakistan rejected it.

What was the use of long range if the accuracy was so poor? After firing dozens of shells, the closest two impact craters were still tens of meters apart, let alone landing in the same crater. How could that be used? Later, the researchers improved the base-bleed propellant column and igniter, solving the problems of propellant loss and ignition consistency, and increased the strength of the shell's centering part to meet the density requirements for the base-bleed shell. However, Pakistan was still unmoved, while Kuwait took a fancy to it and purchased a batch.

Now that Qin Yang had revealed this, Dr. Bull was naturally shocked. How could Qin Yang know all this?

"Dr. Bull, although our military industry isn't strong, we are a continental country and have always valued artillery. In recent years, we have been actively researching these technologies."

"Then, do you have any improvement plans?" Dr. Bull asked.

Although Dr. Bull tirelessly promoted his CG-45 howitzer, he would enthusiastically talk about how far his cannon could shoot to every customer, but he never mentioned its other performance aspects, especially its accuracy. He planned to deceive customers first and then deal with the consequences later.

He originally intended to deceive the people in the East in the same way, but he didn't expect them to be even more knowledgeable. He was very surprised and intended to listen carefully to what they had to say.

Hearing Dr. Bull's question, Qin Yang smiled. "We do have plans, but these plans are confidential."

"Confidential? I came to the East to sincerely exchange ideas," Dr. Bull said anxiously. "You can't do this."

"Dr. Bull, it's late today. How about we arrange your accommodation first?"

"After we get to the accommodation, can we continue our discussion?"

While Qin Yang was receiving Dr. Bull, the technical personnel from Factory 127 also traveled thousands of miles to the capital.

When it comes to the top cannon manufacturing factory in China, Factory 447 is the first to be mentioned, but Factory 127 was the earliest to start manufacturing cannons.

Its predecessor can be traced back to the artillery production department of the 90th Arsenal of the former National Government. In 1951, it moved to Qiqihar and began to imitate the Type 54 122mm howitzer. Later, it also began to imitate the Type 56 152mm howitzer, but unfortunately, the latter's technology was too outdated and was quickly replaced by the Type 66 howitzer.

In recent years, the domestic military factories have not had a good time, and Factory 127 has also had a difficult time. This time, they have finally waited for a good opportunity!

"Leader Fang, after receiving the telegram, we immediately organized elite troops and strong generals to come over," said Ding Kui, the engineer in charge of leading the team. "We didn't delay anything, did we?"

"Of course not. Dr. Bull only arrived today and is being received by Fangbei Company," Leader Fang said. "The official meeting will not be held until tomorrow, so you have arrived at the right time. Go and rest first."

Ding Kui did not leave immediately. He approached Leader Fang, his face tense. "Leader Fang, please give us the bottom line. Can this project fall into the hands of our Factory 127?"

"What, are you afraid that Factory 447 will compete with you?" Leader Fang said with a smile. "Factory 447 is currently developing other projects and cannot spare the time for this 155mm howitzer project. The higher-ups also intend to place the project in your factory."

"However, aren't we supposed to have competition now? We have heard rumors about the competition between Factory 960 and Factory 9123, but we don't know if they are true or false."

Leader Fang was helpless. Look, what kind of reputation has Qin Yang gained in the system!

"Factory 960 is currently producing tank guns and does not have the excess production capacity to produce large-caliber howitzers," Leader Fang said. "Moreover, they are researching extended range artillery shells, which have many similarities to Dr. Bull's research. Therefore, if we are to introduce this project, the production of cannons will be placed in your factory, and the production of shells will be placed in Factory 960. You will be in a cooperative relationship."

"That would be great," Ding Kui finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After seeing Ding Kui off, Leader Fang sighed. Just then, the phone rang.

"What? President Qin has already reached an agreement with Dr. Bull?" Leader Fang was shocked to hear this news. What was going on? Could it be that Qin Yang really intended to get involved in the 155mm howitzer project? He asked him to help with the reception, but he had taken the lead?

"Yes, according to the agreement, President Qin will hand over some of the technology mastered by Factory 960 to Dr. Bull, and Dr. Bull will promise to give Factory 960 several advanced CNC machine tools."

Hearing the news from the phone, Leader Fang was even more shocked. We invited Dr. Bull to buy his technology, but now it's the other way around. Qin Yang sold the technology to Dr. Bull? That's unscientific!

If that's the case, then what's the point of us introducing anything? We can just let Factory 960 develop it, right?