Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

The larger the caliber, the longer the range. This is a universal truth in the artillery world. How far can a 35mm anti-aircraft gun fire?

"Maximum altitude of three thousand meters, maximum effective slant range of four thousand meters," Qin Yang replied.

"That's so close? At the meeting, you said that if you wanted to hit armed helicopters, you'd need at least a six-thousand-meter range! I didn't mishear, did I?" Wang Chongming found the contradiction in Qin Yang's words and became excited.

"Range? A range of eight thousand meters is enough," Qin Yang said. "I was just talking about slant range, Lao Wang. You're a researcher at the military academy, you wouldn't not know the difference between range and slant range, would you?"

The measurement standards for anti-aircraft guns are different from other ordinary artillery. Ordinary cannons are for hitting the ground, so it's enough to just talk about range. Anti-aircraft guns are for hitting targets in the sky. When it points its barrel straight up, the shell flies straight up until it reaches its highest point and falls back down. That is the maximum altitude. Due to the working principle of the elevation mechanism, towed anti-aircraft guns have an elevation angle slightly less than ninety degrees, so there will be a blind spot directly above the anti-aircraft gun. Self-propelled artillery does not have this problem.

If you fire shells at different elevation angles, the points where the shells land before they fall form the effective firing range. The furthest of these points is the maximum effective slant range. This is much shorter than the landing point of the shell, which is the range. If you don't consider air resistance, it's about half the distance.

Wang Chongming really didn't understand, but he reacted quickly: "I misspoke, I meant slant range. Slant range is the only thing that matters. In short, your anti-aircraft gun probably can't reach armed helicopters, right?"

The TOW missiles of this era only had a range of three thousand meters, and even the TOW 2 only reached 3.75 kilometers. A 35mm anti-aircraft gun with a maximum slant range of four thousand meters was more than enough. But last time, Qin Yang was just talking nonsense, directly increasing it to six thousand meters.

This can also be considered a proactive measure. After all, on future battlefields, armed helicopters will be able to launch attacks from beyond ten kilometers. A short range really won't be enough.

"Can't reach? If it can't reach, we'll just change to a different one," Qin Yang said casually.

Change to a different one?

Everyone's eyes widened.

"General Qin, are you saying that you're going to develop another field air defense weapon for us?" Leader Huang swallowed.

"That's right, General Qin, what other big weapons do you have?"

No, everyone's reaction isn't right. Shouldn't you be holding General Qin accountable for deliberately mystifying, lowering the standards, and trying to be slick in this situation? Why do you all look like you're fawning over General Qin?

"Although large-caliber anti-aircraft guns can shoot far, their rate of fire is too slow. If we want to continue to increase the slant range, anti-aircraft guns can't do it. We still need to use missiles," Qin Yang said.

"Missiles? General Qin, what are you saying? Is your Factory 960 going to provide the military with a field air defense missile?" Wang Chongming's eyes widened. "You're just a military factory that makes guns and cannons. Making missiles is the job of the aerospace department. You're being too whimsical, aren't you?"

"Lao Wang, why are you so anxious? I told you a long time ago that what's impossible for others is possible for General Qin. Don't question it," Leader Huang said to Qin Yang. "General Qin, quickly tell us your plan."

"Lao Huang, you should know that in recent years, none of our self-developed missiles have been successful!" Wang Chongming said. "So many technicians who have been working on missiles for half their lives can't do it. Can Qin Yang, an amateur, do it?"

This is a history that no one wants to remember.

From 1967 until the HQ-7 was finalized in 1988, the development of domestic surface-to-air missiles either became obsolete immediately after entering service or died in the research institute.

If they encountered difficulties, they overcame them. If they couldn't overcome them, they modified the design to avoid them. After tinkering for more than ten years, it ultimately came to nothing.

There were many models of the HQ-6, with suffixes. The missile code-named HQ-61 was actually established earlier than the HQ-5. It was originally named HQ-41. After tinkering for a few years, the higher-ups decided to change it to a naval shipborne missile, and the name was also changed to HQ-61. Although this missile was always being worked on and tested, there were a lot of problems! It wasn't stable until the late 1980s.

At this time, the HQ-7, which was copied from the French Crotale, was already available, so the HQ-61 had no use and was gloriously retired after being equipped on four frigates.

There were also HQ-63, HQ-64, HQ-65, etc. The models were numerous, and the endings were similar.

Now, the army doesn't have any air defense missiles at all! Shoulder-launched ones don't count.

The only mature HQ-2 is in the hands of the air force. The air force has formed a large number of surface-to-air missile divisions, under which are several surface-to-air missile battalions. At its peak, there were more than a hundred HQ-2 surface-to-air missile battalions.

No matter how powerful Qin Yang is, he's just an ordinary person. It's good enough that he can handle guns and cannons. Getting involved in the air force's affairs has already attracted a lot of criticism. Now he actually wants to get involved in the aerospace department? Does he have the strength? He even wants to make a field air defense missile for the army?

"Lao Wang! Why are you pouring cold water at this time? Listen if you want to, get lost if you don't! Don't think we don't know what you're up to! We won't bother with you, but don't push your luck!" A leader became anxious.

Everyone is waiting for General Qin to say how to make air defense missiles. You're good, you're constantly interrupting General Qin's speech and constantly singing a different tune. What are you questioning? Is General Qin someone you can question?

Wang Chongming's face darkened. He didn't expect that the people who used to nod and bow to him after seeing him were now pointing at his nose and scolding him! Just because of General Qin? What is General Qin? Isn't he just a military worker? Didn't he just make a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun?

"Come, General Qin, let's go to the army's conference room." Another leader pulled him away. "There's no one to disturb us in the conference room. Let's talk about this plan in detail."

Wang Chongming's eyes widened, looking at all this in disbelief. What about integrity? Aren't you usually arrogant and condescending? Why have you all changed in front of Qin Yang?

No, I have to go too!

Putting on a thick face, let's see what kind of tricks General Qin wants to play! Wang Chongming followed behind the group of leaders.

"Lao Wang, this is the army's top secret, don't join in the fun."