Siheyuan, Me and the Yu Sisters

Zhang Wei introduced

"Our main focus is currently on the improvement of the Comet Project. I found several experts and communicated with the design representatives of Inner Mongolia First Machine many times to make certain design improvements."

"The idea is to retain the main structure, replace the transmission equipment and the new generation of diesel engines we introduced from Hans, and add electronic sighting equipment on the basis of mechanical observation to increase night combat capabilities."

"Based on the characteristics of the northern river network and the current equipment usage reported by the troops, the Type 63's submersible crossing capability is still slightly insufficient. The vehicle body is too low, and although it can pass through the river network, water still seeps into the vehicle, affecting combat."

"We slightly raised the height of the vehicle and added auxiliary fuel tanks on both sides of the vehicle to increase its sustained combat capability."

"Theoretically, the Type 63-A modified design we made has 30% lower noise than the original design, and its sustained combat capability has been increased by at least 50%. Its diving capability has been greatly improved, and it can even directly cross rivers in grasslands to fight."

"The infrared low-light night vision device and mechanical computer added to the main body greatly improve the hit rate and night combat capability."

Zhang Renkang nodded. He didn't know much about technology. In this regard, Zhang Renkang's method was to delegate power to engineers such as Zhang Wei, Xue Jinfeng, and Chen Huayi. His understanding of technology was

"Add money"

"As long as the research funding is sufficient, the rest is up to you, the researchers."

Fortunately, in this era, these high-tech talents mainly pursue ideals and beliefs, and have very few personal requirements.

Zhang Renkang only needs to provide the necessary respect and living security. So far, they have never let Xinxing Automobile Factory and Zhang Renkang down.

Zhang Renkang smiled and said

"Have you submitted the plan?"

Xue Jinfeng shook her head and said with a wry smile

"The core of this plan lies in our reverse research on the gasoline engine introduced by Hans"

"This was originally the core power solution for the heavy-duty transport vehicles that the factory was planning to launch. Currently, the factory has insufficient diesel engines in stock, only 120 units."

"We can't determine the time point for fully mastering the imported diesel engines."

Xue Jinfeng and Zhang Wei were in a difficult situation. The basis of the plan they designed was to replace the engine as the core, re-layout the vehicle body, and rationally plan the positions of the driver, gunner, and passengers.

The engine introduced by Hans is an air-cooled inline 6-cylinder engine with a maximum power of 320 horsepower and a stable power of 280 horsepower. Its weight is 63% lighter than the diesel engine used in the Type 16, and its durability is increased by 15%.

It can support the 640km combat range of the Type A after adding auxiliary fuel tanks, and the maximum speed is increased to 72km/h, and the off-road speed is 55km/h.

More importantly, this power system carries the Type 63-A weapon system upgraded to a 22mm cannon with 160 rounds of ammunition, plus a 12.7mm heavy machine gun with 500 rounds of ammunition.

It also has the ability to carry a standard infantry squad to accompany tank assaults, and can also carry four infantrymen, unload the machine gun and replace it with two machine guns to reduce weight, and be used as a forward reconnaissance guide for armored forces.

As early as five years ago, the military had determined the reorganization standards for the new generation of mechanized formations of our army represented by 59 tanks + infantry fighting vehicles + Lynx all-terrain assault vehicles + Jiefang trucks, and had completed the deployment of an armored mechanized corps as the only assault support force in the north.

Zhang Renkang suddenly asked

"The machining technology of the machining institute we are currently working with has improved a lot. Have you ever considered contacting the gasoline engine manufacturer and asking them to provide the accuracy standards so that we can try to build one ourselves?"

"Assembling the engine with the perfect parts precision of Western-style high-precision lathes should be at least better than the ones we use now, right?"

"I see that your plan is designed based on the imported power system, but have you ever thought about..."

"What the military wants now is improvement, not just piling up whatever good stuff you have."

"In this way, the theoretical data is improved, but what about the stability?"

"Also, the transmission system of the Type 63 uses the tracking ball joint steering system of the CA-30 truck, but you replaced it with a rack-type steering system. Have you ever considered that although the rack-type steering system is better in theory, what about its stability?"

"And we haven't fully mastered this technology yet. If we use it on a large scale in the military, what if a collective failure occurs that affects the combat effectiveness of the troops?"

"Unless it is an experimental technical verification plan, mature and stable technical solutions must be used for large-scale production."

"We can't take the lives of soldiers to the battlefield to test the results, understand?"

Zhang Renkang explained to Xue Jinfeng and Zhang Wei the biggest difference between military technology and civilian technology. Their entire design team at the Xinxing Automobile Manufacturing Plant already had the ability and level to carry out multiple projects at the same time.

Especially in recent years, although the West still imposes a technological blockade on China, the academic journals and materials collected through various channels at least the comrades of the New Star Research Team are not inferior to those abroad in terms of ideas and vision, but they lack sufficient conditions to put them into practice.

However, in the process of carrying out specific projects, the people in the new star design team always like to pile up the latest technology mindlessly.

Especially after the Comet Project achieved significant results and was commended by the superiors, the Xinxing Automobile Manufacturing Plant was filled with a tone of technological advancement. The engineering team was superstitious about high-tech, and the workshop was superstitious about the imported advanced high-precision equipment from the West, completely forgetting our fine tradition of starting from scratch and conquering nature.

The improved solution they came up with is definitely advanced in terms of technology. Even if it is put into use ten years later, as long as certain information equipment is added, it can be no less than the combat needs ten years later.

But what comes with it is rising costs, insufficient stability, and longer production cycles. In order to achieve this technical solution, we even need to face the possibility of being stuck with imported engines.

Not to mention the military, even Zhang Renkang wouldn't dare to use this thing to finalize it.

Xue Jinfeng and Zhang Wei lowered their heads in shame and said

"Secretary, we"

“We shouldn’t make this mistake.”

"I will immediately organize researchers to make thorough changes"

"Re-plan the Type 63 armored vehicle based on its blueprints and come up with a new plan within ten days."

Zhang Wei was not burdened with ideological education, but he was thinking about Zhang Renkang's idea of ​​improving the transmission system of the CA-30 off-road truck and using new high-precision machine tools to improve the domestic diesel engine installed in the Type 63.

Then he said

"In theory, improving the precision of the CA-30 off-road truck's water-cooled engine and replacing it with new lubricants can increase power and reduce fuel consumption."

"And the most important thing is that this type of engine is the result of our thorough understanding of the technology we have introduced from the north. As long as the parts are polished, we can definitely put it into production quickly."

“Although it is not as good as Hans’ air-cooled model, I estimate that the overall performance will be improved by 15% without any problem.”

"However, if the transmission system is not updated, we will not be able to achieve the passenger comfort we want."

"The test vehicle in the factory has already explained the situation. It shakes more than a tractor."

"Also, the four-pair-wheel track transmission method is a blind spot for us, although it is common in theoretical research."

"But after all, the factory has not been exposed to or studied related technologies, so there may still be a gap between the theory and the actual calculations we made."

Zhang Wei began to analyze Zhang Renkang's design plan from a technical perspective, which required the use of mature technology and small steps and fast progress.

However, there are still some key problems that the New Star Automobile Factory cannot solve.

Zhang Renkang sighed and said

"Eat your food one bite at a time and walk your journey one step at a time"

"Our superiors just asked us to participate in the design, but my opinion is"