Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

"We used to follow the Soviet path, but now that the country is opening up, we've also seen advanced Western tanks. Engineer Qin, what makes you so sure that continuing down the old Russian route is the right thing to do?" An old expert, around fifty years old, asked from the crowd.

"What makes me so sure?" Qin Yang repeated, looking at the expert who spoke. His face initially held disdain, but when he saw the old expert's face, he suddenly paused, then stared at him intently.

The scene instantly became strange. What was Director Qin doing? Was he using his gaze to exert mental pressure?

The old expert met Qin Yang's gaze and didn't back down, continuing to look at Qin Yang. Lowering his head under his gaze would mean he felt guilty.

Liu Jingye, who was following behind Old Fang, also became nervous. This was a case of the flood washing over the Dragon King Temple! Engineer Qin, this hothead, mustn't clash with Old Fang! What should he say to dissuade him?

Just as Liu Jingye was still trying to figure out what to say, Qin Yang spoke.

"Are you Old Fang?"

Qin Yang certainly wasn't trying to exert mental pressure. How could a young man like him possibly pressure these old experts? He had simply recognized the old man and was a bit surprised, so he took a few more glances.

Liu Jingye breathed a sigh of relief. Director Qin was just recognizing someone!

Old Fang became curious: "You know me?"

How could Qin Yang not know him?

When talking about the most famous tank designers in China, most people would first think of Old Zhu. After all, the third-generation tanks personally overseen by Old Zhu had become one of the most advanced weapons protecting the motherland, and the name of the 'One-Armed Chief Designer' had spread throughout the land.

However, besides Old Zhu, there was another famous tank designer in China, and that was Old Fang, right in front of him.

Old Fang was born in Jiangnan in 1934. In 1951, he was admitted to the Engineering College of North China University, which later became the Beijing Institute of Technology. At the time, he thought he was studying automotive engineering, but later he found out it was about tanks!

Old Fang was a formally trained, outstanding graduate in tank design.

At the same time, he also presided over the development of the export-oriented Type 85 tank and Type 90 tank, the latter of which eventually evolved into Lao Ba's Al-Khalid tank.

In 1994, Old Fang, who was already 60 years old, should have retired, but he gladly accepted the factory's offer of re-employment. Regardless of weekends or holidays, he continued to work diligently. What was most admirable was that in 1997, Old Fang, at the age of sixty, accepted the factory's commission and entered a new field: developing wheeled combat vehicles.

Such an old man was worthy of respect!

"Old Fang, you are a senior in our military industry. I didn't expect to see you here. I'm so happy," Qin Yang said. "I must have a few drinks with you tonight."

Old Fang smiled: "These are all minor matters. Let's first explain to everyone, we've built so many prototype vehicles and plan to take the Western route. Why have you always insisted on taking the Soviet route?"

"This is a long story. If I can put it simply, if our tank crews don't plan to all retire and re-recruit, the old Russian tanks are easier to use."

This argument was novel enough. Old Huang became curious: "Director Qin, your thinking is indeed different from ordinary people. Can you explain it to us?"

"What's there to explain? It's all about shorties."

Shorties?

Everyone understood.

The lower the profile of a tank, the smaller the projected area. Therefore, the old Russians' approach was to compress the overall height of the tank as much as possible. Take the old Russians' classic third-generation tank, for example. The initial T-72A had a height of 2.19 meters. The T-72B was slightly modified, but only increased the tank's height to 2.23 meters.

What about the West? Take the most common Leopard 2 tank, for example. Its height is 2.79 meters!

The difference between the two is more than half a meter, and naturally the difference in weight is also large. Don't think that the Leopard 2 has a combat weight of 55 tons. Its armor protection is not necessarily much stronger than the T-72. The large weight is not because the armor is thick, but purely because it is large.

At the same time, with a large weight, the required engine must also be powerful. It is a typical case of adding more flour when there is too much water, and adding more water when there is too much flour.

So, don't Westerners know how to build them smaller?

Of course, they know this principle, but if the tank is smaller, it means they can't get into it! You need to know that Westerners are all tall and strong.

The old Russians don't worry. They can recruit some short people from Central Asia. The old Russian tank crews are all short. The loader needs to be physically strong, and the height cannot exceed 1.7 meters. The others only need to be 1.6 meters.

Since the T-64, the old Russians have been working on automatic loaders, also because of the physical problems of short people, simply using machines to replace the most arduous physical labor.

Qin Yang never played by the rules. These words sounded sensational, but upon closer inspection, they contained profound truths.

"Director Qin is right!" Old Zhu said: "We have always followed the Soviet path. Now, we can continue to follow it. With the current tank as a reference, we have the ability to develop an advanced third-generation tank that surpasses its predecessors!"

"No, this reason is not valid. Short tank crews can also get into tall and powerful tanks!" Old Fang reacted quickly.

"That's right, they can get in, but isn't that a waste?" Qin Yang said: "That tall and powerful tank, all the weight is wasted on volume, and it doesn't increase protection. Our tank crews are used to living in small apartments. Suddenly, they live in a three-bedroom apartment. Don't they feel luxurious?"

"Then all these years of our 122 tank prototype vehicle development have been wasted?" Old Fang smiled wryly.

"How can it be wasted?" Qin Yang glanced at Old Fang: "We've been working on it for so many years. Some of the technology is mature, and some is not. We can completely take the mature technology and improve existing tanks. The five road wheels have been used for so many years, it's time to change to six road wheels. In this way, before our third-generation tank is successfully developed, we can also have suitable tanks as a supplement."

Old Huang's eyes lit up.

The third-generation tank must be developed, but everyone is clear about how difficult the research and development is. Now, Qin Yang has proposed a two-pronged approach, which is stable enough.

"Of course, what I say doesn't count. This is something for the leaders to worry about," Qin Yang said. "If the leaders have nothing else to say, then I'll go back. It's the New Year, and I want to rest."

"Of course it counts. We must quickly convene a research and development meeting. Engineer Qin, you also have the right to speak and vote!" Old Huang said.