Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

Chennai, India, Defense Research and Development Organisation.

"It's done! It's finally done! The aluminum alloy sabot we manufactured is absolutely qualified!" Sakhesh, with a scruffy beard and bloodshot eyes, said excitedly, holding a vernier caliper in his hand: "Next, our test firing will definitely be successful!"

"Is that so? Now that it's been successfully developed, quickly load it onto the shells for target testing." Rawat's expression was serious: "Originally, it was said to be a week, but it's already overdue. You probably don't know, our opponents are very strong."

"What do you mean?"

"The United States spent tens of millions of dollars to buy tank technology from the Orientals." Rawat said: "This shows that the technology of the Orient has reached a global leading level. Now, even if you can achieve a penetration depth of 400 millimeters, it will be outdated. We must continue to develop and strive to improve the armor-piercing capability of our tank guns."

Sakhesh's face showed a surprised expression: "Continue to improve? How much more improvement is needed?"

This is only the 1980s. A penetration depth of 300 millimeters is the normal level, and a penetration depth of 400 millimeters is already very heaven-defying. What level will it be improved to next?

"According to various investigations, the intelligence we have obtained is that the armor penetration data provided by the Orient to the United States is one meter."

"What? That's impossible! There is no such technology on Earth, only aliens can do it!"

"Yes, in the past year or two, the military technology of the Orient has developed substantially, as if they have really obtained alien technology. Forget it, don't think about these things, let's first improve the armor-piercing performance of our tank guns." Rawat said: "Now load the sabot onto the shells, let's go test it."

Firing range.

A T72 tank stood quietly there, waiting to be tested. Rawat and Sakhesh were busy beside it. Just as they were preparing, a GAZ car sped over.

Looking at the car, Rawat's face was a little unsightly: "What are the Russians doing here?"

"Russians?" Sakhesh looked curiously at the car stopping in front of them. Sure enough, several Russians got out of it.

"I heard that you are improving our ammunition. This is a violation of our export regulations. We hope you can stop this wrong and irresponsible behavior." The Russian military attaché to India, Vali Si, said with contempt on his face: "The development of tank shells requires very sophisticated technology. You don't have this ability yet. The last time your test firing failed and caused a barrel explosion, haven't you learned your lesson? You still want to test again!"

"The performance of the 3BM17 armor-piercing projectile we imported from your country is too outdated. With a penetration depth of only 300 millimeters, it is simply impossible for us to deal with future threats. We need shells with greater penetration depth." Rawat said: "I hope your country can understand our situation."

"If you want armor-piercing projectiles with greater penetration depth, you can come to us for help." Vali Si continued: "Our Soviet Union has the most advanced tank guns and armor-piercing projectiles in the world. Our armor-piercing capabilities are the best in the world. As long as you spend money, you can purchase our more advanced armor-piercing projectiles."

"What kind of armor-piercing projectile?"

"Our country is currently researching depleted uranium armor-piercing projectiles. The penetration depth of this armor-piercing projectile can be greatly improved, which can completely meet your needs for a period of time in the future." Vali Si continued: "You don't need to continue to develop this unreliable armor-piercing projectile yourself, you don't have the ability."

"Depleted uranium?"

"That's right, this is a very excellent metal. Its biggest advantage is its self-sharpening. We know that ordinary steel core armor-piercing projectiles and tungsten alloy armor-piercing projectiles will become more and more blunt during the armor-piercing process, but depleted uranium armor-piercing projectiles are like sharpening a knife during the armor-piercing process, the more they penetrate, the sharper they become, and they can also burn during the friction process, thereby greatly improving the armor-piercing ability."

Rawat's eyes widened. Of course, he had heard that the United States was developing this depleted uranium armor-piercing projectile, which had powerful performance. He didn't expect the Russians to be researching it too!

Depleted uranium does not mean that there is no uranium, but that it lacks weapons-grade uranium 235. It is uranium 238 left over from the uranium ore refining process. This thing is not easy to fission, and it cannot be used in nuclear reactors and mushroom bombs. It was originally a waste product, but it is loved by armor-piercing projectile experts.

The density of depleted uranium alloy is as high as 19.1 grams per cubic centimeter, which is much higher than the 16.5 grams per cubic centimeter of tungsten alloy, so it is more solid to use it to make penetrators; because it is relatively brittle, the outside constantly peels off during the armor-piercing process, constantly being sharpened, and it can also catch fire at high temperatures during friction.

These characteristics make depleted uranium a good manufacturing material for armor-piercing projectile cores, and it is a waste not to use this material. It is simply equivalent to garbage recycling. The Americans, who lack tungsten mines, quickly developed depleted uranium bombs.

If the Americans can do it, of course the Soviets can do it too. After all, they all like to make mushroom bombs, and there is a lot of depleted uranium. Although the Soviet Union has huge tungsten reserves, their manufacturing technology is not advanced. When the West widely adopted liquid phase sintering technology, they were still using tungsten carbide. Since they can't compare, they simply play with depleted uranium bombs.

"Is that so? That's really great. Has this shell been developed? How much is it expected to cost per shell?"

"Not much, one million rubles per shell."

One million rubles? Rawat's eyes widened immediately. Their 3BM17 cost 100,000 rubles per shell, which was already expensive enough. He didn't expect this depleted uranium shell to be even more expensive. Do they think India is a sucker?

"What is the penetration depth?" Sakhesh asked.

"The penetration depth can reach at least 380 millimeters."

Vali Si proudly said this data, originally thinking that it would shock these Indian bumpkins, but after hearing this data, Rawat became angry on the spot.

"Attention, prepare to test fire!" Rawat shouted to the T-72 tanker.

"Without our permission, you cannot randomly test fire improved shells!" Vali Si immediately stopped him.

"Since we have already purchased it, it is our property, and we are qualified to improve it!" Rawat almost roared: "What can you do to us?"

"Then we have to make it clear that if you insist on your own way, you will be responsible for any accidents such as barrel explosions!"

"Hmph, we will definitely succeed. The shells we modify and produce ourselves cost less than 20 rubles, and the penetration depth is definitely more than 400 millimeters. Why should we spend one million to purchase your shells?" Rawat was still very angry, and looked at Sakhesh while speaking: "Sakhesh, are you confident in your shells?"

"Yes!"

"Okay, then let's stand next to the tank! Let them see how advanced our armor-piercing projectiles are!"

Standing?

Sakhesh wanted to retreat, but Rawat had already walked over. If the barrel exploded and Rawat was gone, he would also be punished.

So, he could only grit his teeth and follow along.

"Did you see that? We have confidence!" Rawat shouted loudly: "Fire!"

Boom!