Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

"Engineer Zhuang, should we seek help from Factory 617?" a technician suggested.

Factory 617 not only manufactures tanks but also designs them. During the meetings in the capital, the responsibility for developing the second-generation tank was assigned to them: to create a tank suitable for mass production based on several 122 prototypes. Over the years, they had researched and developed many projects. For example, in the 1960s, there was the fleeting WZ-111 heavy tank project. According to the plan at the time, this tank was to be equipped with a Y174 tank gun, an improved version based on the Type 60 122mm cannon. Tank guns of this caliber required an automatic loader, so the Fourth Research Division of the 617 Factory Research Institute specifically developed an automatic loader.

Now that they were encountering problems with automatic loading, they could, of course, go to a brother unit for help!

After all, both factories were located in the grasslands and were brother factories. This can be seen from the factory names. In addition to being called 617 and 447, they were also known as Factory One and Factory Two. Their relationship was very close.

However, Zhuang Shuren shook his head: "No, the automatic loader they developed at that time had very poor performance. Moreover, although it was called an automatic loader, it was actually a chain-type ammunition conveyor, which only solved the loading problem and was far from the breech-loading automatic loader we need."

Zhuang Shuren rejected the proposal because he had participated in the project back then, and he knew that the 617 Factory's previous design could not meet his needs.

"Then what else can we do? Our brother unit, Factory 674, researched and produced the Type 132 light tank, which was originally planned to use an automatic loader, but it was never successfully developed."

They were completely in the dark, with no idea how to build an automatic loader. Now, after discussing it for a long time, they couldn't come up with any concrete ideas.

"I think there is only one way to develop an automatic loader!" Finally, a voice spoke up.

"Lao Yang, what are your thoughts?" Zhuang Shuren looked over. This person was their technical backbone: Yang Ying.

"Find Engineer Qin."

"Which Engineer Qin?"

"Could it be the one from the Capital Agricultural Tool Factory?"

Everyone immediately cast doubtful glances at Yang Ying.

Zhuang Shuren's face also became serious: "Lao Yang, you should know that we are now in a competitive relationship with the Capital Agricultural Tool Factory. That Engineer Qin is not content with making guns and wants to steal our business of making cannons! Now, you are actually suggesting that we go to him for help?"

"In the field of military industry, who can compare with Engineer Qin when it comes to invention and creation? Which of the weapons he developed isn't eye-catching? In terms of seniority, we are higher than him, but in terms of innovation ability, who here can compare with him? We have no ideas about automatic loaders, but Engineer Qin may have a head full of designs?"

"That's right, when it comes to research and development capabilities, I, Zhuang Shuren, also admire him, but now we are in a competitive relationship. Would Qin Yang be willing to help us design?"

"Have you all heard about the recent events at Factory 616?"

Everyone in the tank industry knew about it and nodded: "That's right, what does this have to do with Engineer Qin?"

"I have a relative there who just sent me a letter. Engineer Qin went to their factory and completely quelled the storm."

"What does Qin Yang have to do with it?"

"Is he doing it for money?"

"He is doing it for the strength of our country's military industry!" Yang Ying said forcefully: "At the meeting before the New Year, he supported the 150HB plan and even persuaded Director Ni, which led to the dissatisfaction of the technicians at Factory 616. As a result, the higher-level leaders grabbed him to solve the problem at Factory 616. What does this have to do with Qin Yang? But he agreed! What kind of spirit is this, comrades? This is the internationalist spirit of Norman Bethune! Moreover, he really solved it, not only making those people give up their resistance but also seizing the time to do research. Engineer Qin has our entire military industry and our country in his heart!"

"Lao Yang, what you said is a bit too much, right? He is going to crush the brother factories."

"Isn't that because the brother factories are not competitive enough? They have been relying on their old capital for decades without any innovation! Our 447 Factory is also fighting with its back to the water this time. If we lose to Factory 960, it is also because our own abilities are insufficient, not because Qin Yang played any tricks!" Yang Ying said, "Qin Yang is open and honest. If we go, he will definitely help!"

Zhuang Shuren was still very doubtful. Was that Engineer Qin really so great?

However, we'll know once we try!

"Lao Yang, I am responsible for building the cannon, and the automatic loader is up to you. Take a trip to the capital and find Engineer Qin to see if he is willing to help us. If he is really willing to help, then I, Zhuang Shuren, will be convinced by him!"

"Okay!"

Yang Ying stood up: "I'll go to the train station now!"

Capital Agricultural Tool Factory.

Qin Yang had indeed not gone anywhere in the past few days, staying in the factory to do research. He had to keep an eye on things, after all, the next project was very important.

Can't those who play with guns make cannons? Those who play with guns must also create the world's most advanced tank guns!

"Engineer Qin, we have built the vibration vehicle!" Technician Xiao Wang came to find Qin Yang: "What do we do next?"

"Install our copied automatic loader on the vibration vehicle and continue the loading experiment," Qin Yang said.

Everyone present raised their heads: "Why?"

"Why? Of course, it's to improve reliability and to prevent failures on the battlefield!" Qin Yang said: "Successful loading on our static test bench does not mean that it can be used normally on the tank, because the tank is bumpy, so we must simulate the vibration to see if there are any problems."

Even if it is reverse-engineered, it won't work. After all, whether our own processing accuracy is enough, whether the strength of the materials is enough, whether there are any problems with the installation, etc., will all affect the reliability of the automatic loader.

Although the barrel has not yet been built, the automatic loader has already begun to be tested. The loading will be tested thousands of times on this vibration vehicle to expose all possible failures, which will facilitate subsequent improvements.

"Understood!"

As long as Engineer Qin arranges it, it must be necessary. What was I suspecting just now? Xiao Wang was very ashamed.

After watching Xiao Wang leave, Qin Yang saw his best friend Zhang Chao walking over with a strange expression.

"What's wrong?"

"Yangzi, something funny happened," Zhang Chao said: "Just now, a technician from Factory 447 came to the door, claiming to be Yang Ying, wanting to ask you for help. He is too naive. We are in a competitive relationship! He actually came to ask you for help. Isn't it ridiculous?"

"What?" Qin Yang's expression changed: "Where is the person?"

"I chased him away!"

"You, really!" Qin Yang said: "You should have at least invited him to a meal. Hurry, come with me to chase him!"

"Why?" Zhang Chao didn't react. Qin Yang had already strode out and then straddled the Changjiang 750 parked at the door.