Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

1981 was a special year.

On September 4th of that year, which was two days ago, the Soviet Union officially launched the large-scale "West-81" military exercise on the Baltic coast. This was the largest military exercise in the world, showcasing the military strength of the Soviet Union at its peak.

The West was trembling, fearing that the Soviets would turn the military exercise into actual combat, with an overwhelming armored force flattening the entire Western world. Looking at it from the perspective of later generations, it would have been the best choice for the Soviets to conquer Europe at their strongest, occupy it, and complete industrial integration, making the Soviet Union the most powerful entity in the world.

Unfortunately, they didn't. Afterward, they gradually declined, fragmented under the West's deception, and were even bullied by NATO at their doorstep.

Not long after the end of the "West-81" military exercise, a large-scale military exercise in North China was also organized in the distant East. Although this exercise was not as powerful as the Soviets', it was the largest military exercise since the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Now, this exercise is imminent.

As a time-traveler, Qin Yang certainly knew the significance of this exercise. After the exercise, the old leader would publicly announce a reduction of one million troops, thus embarking on the path of building a quality army, saving the expenses of one million soldiers and using it to develop military equipment.

Factory 960 is a military factory, and many of the weapons it produces are supplied to the southern border, so it has not participated much in this exercise. Now that Old Huang is here, is there any instruction or arrangement?

Qin Yang was a little curious.

Back in the office, after both parties were seated, Qin Baoguo felt a little emotional. Yangzi was more capable than him. Old Huang came here with a mission, but he wouldn't say anything important until he saw Qin Yang.

"Old Huang, if you have anything urgent, you could have just told us and we would have quickly brought Yangzi back," Qin Baoguo couldn't help but say.

Old Huang shook his head: "Director Qin has been busy with cooperation with foreigners recently. I just came here casually this time, and I can't delay important matters. Director Qin, how is the discussion about the 203mm howitzer going?"

Qin Yang was a little curious. Why did Old Huang change the subject and ask about this?

"It's been arranged properly," Qin Yang said. "Samples will be produced within a month, and a prototype gun within half a year. What, is our military also planning to order it?"

Old Huang shook his head: "Currently, the military has not yet decided whether to use this kind of cannon. You can first enter research and development through foreign trade to solve the problem of research and development funding. Our military is very satisfied, and this can be considered a contribution we have made to the army. However, I have some questions."

"What?"

"You promised the Iraqis a 330mm caliber cannon with a range of 600 kilometers, but this 203mm caliber cannon only has a range of 50 kilometers. What's going on?"

"The bore length is different," Qin Yang said. "The 203mm caliber cannon only has a 45-caliber bore length, but the 330mm caliber cannon requires more than 100-caliber bore length, or even 150, to fully utilize the energy of the propellant."

The Paris Gun had too large of a caliber, so there was no need to consider mobility. The longer it could be made, the better. Ordinary cannons can't be used in mobile warfare if the barrel is too long. That's the difference.

"Then let's lengthen it too. If we lengthen the 203mm howitzer to a 100-caliber bore length, can it hit 200 kilometers?" Old Huang continued to ask.

"If the warhead is small enough, it should be about the same," Qin Yang said. "Old Huang, you keep asking about the 200-kilometer range, is it to hit the other side?"

The setting of indicators for each weapon takes many factors into consideration. Many of the weapons developed in the East have a rigid indicator of 200 kilometers.

After the 203mm howitzer was developed, some people also used their brains to discuss whether it could hit beyond 200 kilometers. Even after this type of howitzer was eliminated for two or three decades, some people still couldn't forget about it.

Old Huang nodded: "That's right, we have reviewed your research and development content. Many people in the army are discussing whether this howitzer can hit 200 kilometers. After everyone discussed it, they unanimously came to a conclusion."

"Moreover, if it can be produced now and participate in our North China military exercise, that would be even better," Old Huang said.

"What? How is that possible? Produce a cannon with a range of 200 kilometers in ten days?" Qin Yang said. "Isn't that a fantasy?"

"Your Factory 960 is good at creating miracles," Old Huang said. "The army believes in you. If you can make it, our exercise can even be postponed for a few days."

Postponed for a few days for this one project?

Why didn't you say so earlier?

I wouldn't have known even if you said it earlier!

When Dr. Bull came to the East, he was fooled by Qin Yang and stayed to improve the 155mm cannon. In order to make money, Dr. Bull proposed the idea of the East developing a 203mm howitzer. Then, Qin Yang pushed it forward and finalized the project by taking advantage of Iraq's arrival to receive weapons.

This project has only just entered the military's vision. The military doesn't want a cannon with a caliber of one meter, after all, we have missiles, but the military is still looking forward to a large-caliber cannon with a range of 200 kilometers.

"Our military doesn't have many cheap weapons with this range. Cannons consume less than missiles. If we can develop it, we can deploy a cannon division and fire at the other side at any time. Just thinking about that scene is exciting," Old Huang's eyes were filled with longing, and then Qin Yang dashed his hopes.

"Long-range howitzers are of little significance, they are only symbolic. The decline in accuracy makes it impossible to meet the needs of tactical attacks. In terms of strategy, we already have missiles."

Qin Yang could produce other weapons in a few days because he had done them before! This kind of howitzer with a range of 200 kilometers only exists on paper, or even on the internet. Without specific data, how can it be made?

Qin Yang didn't have that ability.

Besides, the longer the range, the worse the accuracy. This is an unavoidable defect of cannons.

"Poor accuracy is a problem for others, but not for you. Didn't you provide Dr. Bull with solutions to improve the accuracy of the 155mm howitzer? Using the same method, can't you improve the accuracy of the 203mm howitzer?"

Old Huang came prepared. Qin Yang was speechless by these rebuttals. Could this be the same?

"If you really want to develop cheap long-range weapons, should the military consider large-caliber rocket launchers?" Qin Yang could only offer an alternative.