Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

The army had long suffered from a lack of field air defense. In the 1960s, they mounted the Type 65 twin 37mm anti-aircraft gun on a T-34 chassis to create the Type 65 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, but it was only a temporary solution.

Later, they moved the twin 37mm anti-aircraft gun onto the chassis of the Type 62 light tank, creating the 301 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. However, its performance was too poor, and it still had an open turret. It was not finalized and put into service and needed further improvement.

The 301 ultimately decided to use the Type 69 main battle tank chassis, planning to install equipment such as radar, command instruments, and simple fire control systems. However, most of these could not be installed due to a lack of technology, ultimately leaving only a few prototypes, which was regrettable.

To build a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, you not only need an anti-aircraft gun but also a chassis and fire control system. Factory 960 currently only has an anti-aircraft gun. How long will it take them to develop a complete self-propelled anti-aircraft gun?

Why wasn't Leader Huang worried?

Of course, he wasn't worried. Factory 960 had already coordinated a 321 chassis. Wasn't it obvious what it was for?

Many countries use tank chassis for self-propelled anti-aircraft guns because they are readily available. However, tank chassis generally have rear-mounted engines, leaving little space for the anti-aircraft gun. Advanced self-propelled anti-aircraft guns use dedicated self-propelled artillery chassis with front-mounted engines, which can leave enough space.

The western gate of the capital, the tank unit's firing range.

This was not a dedicated weapons testing ground. It was only because it was relatively close to the capital that some weapons demonstrations were held here. The equipment developed by Factory 960 had also been inspected here many times.

This time, hearing that Factory 960 had new products, the troops had made preparations early.

"This time, it's anti-aircraft gun target practice. Although our unit doesn't have target drones, we've already set up a few targets on the hillside. Shooting from here will have a firing angle of about twenty degrees, which is similar to shooting at attack helicopters," Jiang Zhenguo said to Leader Huang.

"Yes, that's perfect. It's most convenient to test the indicators that General Manager Qin promised us last time with fixed targets."

Wang Chongming also came. He looked left and right, but he didn't see the target. So, he asked, "Where's the anti-aircraft gun from Factory 960?"

"It probably hasn't arrived yet."

"Hasn't arrived yet? So many leaders have come, but Qin Yang hasn't come yet? Making the leaders wait for him? He's really got a big head!"

Jiang Zhenguo smiled. It was really a case of making a fuss over nothing! General Manager Qin had always been like this. They were already used to it.

Just then, the roar of an engine sounded in the distance. A truck drove over. From this direction, only the front of the truck could be seen, angular and distinct. It was the Steyr that had recently been introduced into the country.

"See? It's being towed by a truck! It's definitely a towed anti-aircraft gun!" Wang Chongming became excited after seeing the front of the truck.

His groundwork in the past few days had worked. All the leaders subconsciously believed that Factory 960 had developed a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun! Now, they were just waiting to see Qin Yang make a fool of himself!

"Steyr doesn't just have single trucks; it also has semi-trailers," Jiang Zhenguo said.

"If it were being carried, it would definitely be higher than the front of the truck. Can you see anything behind it?"

Wang Chongming was very certain, but just then, someone exclaimed, "It's too deceptive! They must have used a five-leaf camouflage pattern. Against the background of the trees, you can't see it from a distance!"

Camouflage?

Wang Chongming rubbed his eyes and continued to look. At this time, the truck turned a corner, the background changed, and he saw clearly that there was indeed something higher behind the truck, like a turret.

It really was self-propelled?

The Steyr rumbled into the firing range. After parking, everyone surrounded it, and then there was a sound of exclamation.

"As expected, it's camouflage paint. We were almost fooled."

"The 321 chassis looks impressive with this anti-aircraft gun on it!"

"That's right, a tank chassis is just a stopgap measure. This dedicated chassis is more suitable!"

"Why are the gun barrels on both sides? They look like two ox horns."

Qin Yang came out of the driver's seat, directing the unloading while saying to everyone, "Everyone, open your eyes and look at the world trend. Self-propelled anti-aircraft guns have long stopped having two gun barrels together. Separating them to both sides is the most perfect layout."

Wang Chongming was stunned.

It was completely different from what he had seen! Half a month ago, when he went to Factory 960, he clearly saw a towed artillery with two gun barrels together! Only half a month, and it had changed?

Could it be that everything he saw last time was deliberately shown to him by Qin Yang to deceive him? Did he specially make a model to deceive him? That didn't make sense either.

"We knew that any weapon promised by General Manager Qin could be made. The problem of this self-propelled anti-aircraft gun has also been solved for us! By the way, General Manager Qin, you are also a tank designer. In a month's time, can you develop our third-generation tank?"

They were all on the same side, only Wang Chongming stood there alone, his face full of disbelief.

"Everyone can take a look at the self-propelled anti-aircraft guns of other countries. Whether it's the British Marksman or the German Gepard, they all use our solution!"

"What's that round bump in front of the turret?"

"That's the 341 fire control radar. What's wrong? You don't recognize it with a cover on it?"

Fire control radar!

The two major difficulties in turning a towed anti-aircraft gun into a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun were: one was to have a suitable chassis, and the other was to have an advanced fire control system. In such a short period of time, Factory 960 was able to integrate the 341 fire control radar?

That was impossible!

Wang Chongming's eyes were full of shock.

Everyone said that Factory 960's research and development was first-class, but without experiencing it personally, there was no intuitive feeling!

"In fact, fire control radar alone is not enough. It's best to also have an optoelectronic system, not only a visible light camera but also an infrared camera. Adding radar to form a three-in-one fire control device, but our country doesn't have this level of technology for the time being, so we can only transplant the fire control radar of the twin 37 anti-aircraft gun for now. In the future, our Factory 960 will equip it with more advanced fire control radar."

Just then, the roar of the engine sounded, and as puffs of black smoke emerged, the gun barrels on both sides of the turret slowly rose, majestic and domineering!

Roughly like this.