Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

Titanium alloy is an important structural metal developed in the 1950s. It boasts high strength, good corrosion resistance, and high heat resistance. Many of its properties are superior to aluminum alloy. After its development, it was initially used in aircraft engines and airframes. Later, its application expanded to various projects. For example, the old Russians extravagantly used titanium alloy to build submarines.

In the pursuit of Mach 3 speeds, titanium alloy was considered the only material capable of solving the thermal barrier problem. The Americans used titanium alloy to create the advanced Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft. The Soviet MiG-25 was once also believed to be a titanium alloy fighter. It wasn't until Belenko's defection that the West was surprised to discover that the Soviets actually used stainless steel!

Titanium alloy belongs to the aristocracy of materials. It has excellent performance, but it is expensive!

"If we were to use titanium alloy, it would be too expensive. Our millions of troops simply couldn't afford to be equipped with it," said Leader Fang.

"That depends on the needs of the troops," Qin Yang said. "If you want a 12.7mm heavy machine gun that a single person can carry around, then titanium alloy is a must. With the blessing of titanium alloy, we are confident that we can make the 12.7mm heavy machine gun weigh less than twenty kilograms."

What is the old Russians' 25-kilogram heavy machine gun? We can reduce it to less than twenty kilograms!

Qin Yang was not talking nonsense, of course. The QJZ171 machine gun of later generations luxuriously used titanium alloy to manufacture parts such as the bolt, bolt carrier, receiver, stock, and floating receiver. Coupled with a specially made high-strength composite material tripod, it successfully reduced the weight of the 12.7mm heavy machine gun to 17 kilograms!

What does this mean? A machine gunner can carry it with ease. The weight of a light machine gun, the firepower of a heavy machine gun, is definitely the enemy's nightmare!

"If you want the horse to run, you have to let the horse eat grass," Leader Han said with emotion. "If we want a lightweight mountain heavy machine gun, we have to spend money. However, our country is poor. This kind of heavy machine gun made with this solution cannot be equipped in large quantities. Engineer Qin, you just said there is a second solution. What is it?"

"If you're poor, you simplify the design; if you're rich, you use titanium alloy," Qin Yang continued to introduce. "If the country cannot support a titanium alloy machine gun, we have to simplify it through design. We use aluminum alloy to manufacture some machine gun parts, optimize various designs, and use composite materials to manufacture the gun mount. This way, we are confident that we can reduce the weight of the machine gun to... twenty-six kilograms. I hope the indicators set by the higher authorities for us can be increased a little."

"The old Russians' is twenty-five kilograms. Isn't your Factory 960 more powerful than the old Russians? Why are you still asking for an increase in weight indicators?" Xu Zhiqiang couldn't help but say, "Engineer Qin, don't be modest."

Up to now, he has been able to judge that Qin Yang came prepared and might really be able to make this gun! They, Factory 296, came here originally intending to trick Factory 960, but they didn't expect to help them instead!

Thinking of this, he felt angry. Hearing Qin Yang's request to increase the indicators, he immediately spoke up.

"Is that so? The information we received is twenty-five kilograms. I don't know if this data is the total weight or just the weight of the gun itself?" Qin Yang didn't even look at Xu Zhiqiang.

"Of course it's the total weight!" Xu Zhiqiang said with certainty. "Can the information obtained by relevant departments be wrong?"

"When the MiG-25 appeared, everyone thought it was made of titanium alloy. Later, when Belenko defected, we learned that this aircraft used stainless steel! Seeing is believing. Without personally touching this gun, who can know the truth of the data? Perhaps the old Russians deliberately released false information?" Qin Yang said, "Of course, regardless of whether the information is true or false, since our troops need it, our military workers must provide the corresponding products. I believe that even if the weight increases to twenty-six kilograms, the troops will welcome it."

"That's right, being one kilogram heavier than the old Russians' machine gun is not much, it's completely acceptable," Leader Han immediately decided. "If the old Russians' machine gun only weighs twenty-five kilograms for the gun itself, then our project can really become the lightest heavy machine gun in the world! Now, do other factories have any ideas?"

No one dared to stand up. Simplifying a fifty-kilogram heavy machine gun to twenty-five or twenty-six kilograms is simply like launching a satellite. They didn't think they had the ability.

"Old Dong, you will be responsible for the relocation of Factory 960. If any department dares to create obstacles, they are dragging down our Southern War!" Leader Han began to arrange work. "After Factory 960 completes its relocation, immediately put it into trial production of this machine gun!"

The Old Dong he was talking about was Leader Dong, who was responsible for supervision. Leader Dong's identity was special, and with the big hat of dragging down the Southern War being pinned on, who would dare to secretly do anything?

Leader Dong nodded and accepted the task. The pretty boy could no longer hold back.

"Leaders, what if Factory 960 takes this opportunity to complete the relocation, but the machine gun cannot be made?" The pretty boy had a concerned and patriotic attitude. "What if they are deliberately launching a satellite in order to relocate the factory?"

"Can't make it? As long as no one interferes, there is no weapon that our Factory 960 cannot make!" Qin Yang was a young man anyway, and he said boldly, "As long as the factory completes the overall relocation and the various equipment we need is installed, we are confident that we can complete the trial production within three months and the finalization within half a year. If, after half a year after the overall relocation of our factory and the installation of equipment, we cannot deliver qualified machine guns to the troops, then our factory will return to where it came from! All the factory buildings we invested in and built will be handed over! I personally am willing to accept any punishment!"

"Good!" Leader Han immediately nodded. "Old Dong, let all departments cooperate closely and complete the overall relocation and equipment installation of Factory 960 within three months! Engineer Qin, what other requirements do you have?"

Qin Yang glanced at the pretty boy with cold eyes: "When our machine gun is developed, finalized, and equipped by the troops, I want him to apologize to us in public!"

"Why?" The pretty boy was dissatisfied.

"Just because you questioned our ability! Just because you suggested letting Institute 208 swallow us up! Just because of your performance today!" Qin Yang was aggressive. "The overall relocation of our factory has been going smoothly. You've been causing trouble behind the scenes, haven't you? If it weren't for the leaders being here today, I would have beaten you black and blue!"

The scene was silent.

"Leaders, I, Qin Yang, have only one request," Qin Yang said. "If we can't make the machine gun the troops need by then, I have nothing to say even if I'm shot, but if we make it, he must apologize to me! Although our Factory 960 is a small third-line factory and has also engaged in military-to-civilian conversion, if we want to compete, we will do it fairly. We will never let go of anyone who dares to trip us up behind our backs!"