Vientiane Throne of Civilization

Chapter 1723 Dwarf Steam Tank
Inside the test field, Qin Fen noticed Zhou Xu's approach and jogged over to him.

"See Your Majesty."

Zhou Xu waved his hand to indicate that there was no need for formalities, his attention being focused entirely on the dwarf steam tank.

"How's the testing going?"

"Currently, it can adapt to various terrains and maintain relatively stable mobility. According to the latest test, the top speed is about 26 kilometers per hour."

Hearing Qin Fen's report, Zhou Xu nodded.

Steam tanks are heavy equipment after all, and given their size, the fact that they can be built and demonstrate combat performance with current technology is already considered cutting-edge technology.

In terms of mobility, a speed of 26 kilometers per hour is also within Zhou Xu's acceptable range.

"In terms of sustained combat capability, the internal fuel alone can only sustain operations for a maximum of one hour."

"To extend the combat time, we need to set up a special team to transport fuel and find opportunities to replenish it on the battlefield, or have the tanks return to the position regularly for replenishment."

Qin Fen seemed quite troubled when this matter was brought up.

This problem cannot be solved at the moment because this tank uses steam power. Although it looks like a small tower and is quite large, the rear-mounted engine actually takes up half of the internal space; otherwise, this thing wouldn't be able to move.

In order to save space, these steam tanks are now equipped with dwarf soldiers.

As the first tank of their Great Zhou, Qin Fen basically followed the design drawings provided by the dwarves during the research and development and manufacturing process.

This also means that the tank's various parameters can be said to be tailor-made for dwarf soldiers.

The cramped interior space was too small for human soldiers to maneuver; only dwarf soldiers could operate it.

"If we adjust the parameters, human soldiers should be able to use it, right?"

Zhou Xu asked casually.

"You could try it, but I don't think it's necessary."

Qin Fen gave an unexpected answer.

"It's still the same problem. This thing is steam-powered, and the cockpit is basically like a steam oven. Dwarves live with volcanoes and have a strong ability to adapt to extreme high-temperature environments. As for human soldiers, it's not that we can't find suitable candidates, but it's obviously too demanding for them."

Zhou Xu quickly understood what Qin Fen meant.

Just like dwarven bombardiers, dwarves have natural talent and with a little training, they can throw 100 meters. But for human bombardiers, 50 meters is considered excellent, and throwing 100 meters is extremely difficult.

The same applies to tolerance to extreme environments.

Why go through all the trouble of training human soldiers, who are much harder to adapt to, when dwarf soldiers can adapt relatively easily? And there's no guarantee of success anyway.

Under this premise, Qin Fen discovered that dwarf soldiers were really well-suited for various military vehicles.

Take this steam tank for example. Even if it were made to a size that human soldiers could adapt to, dwarf soldiers would still be better off, ignoring the effects of high-temperature environments.

Because they save space!
The space saved can be used to equip more ammunition, more fuel, and even more weapons.

Isn't this better than cramming human soldiers into the station?

Even in terms of physical attributes alone, dwarf soldiers are clearly superior to human soldiers.

As the ruler of a country, Zhou Xu certainly did not want the tank infantry to be monopolized by the dwarves.

After all, sometimes it's better to be safe than sorry.

However, in this unit type, the difference between dwarf soldiers and human soldiers can no longer be simply described as 'cost-effectiveness'; dwarf soldiers completely outclass human soldiers. Faced with this situation, Zhou Xu could no longer continue to be the ultimate pusher for human soldiers.

Meanwhile, Qin Fen's report continued.

"Next, let's talk about weapons. Let Thorin handle that."

The development project for the dwarf steam tank was indeed overseen by Qin Fen, whose expertise was relevant, while Thorin was responsible for the weaponry.

Although Thorin is usually taciturn, he is quite eloquent when it comes to weapons.

In addition, over the years they have become quite familiar with each other, so they don't stutter at all now.

"Your Majesty, this steam tank has a main gun and a secondary gun. When necessary, the roof can be opened, and there is a support on the side that can hold another gun."

"The main gun is deployed at the front of the vehicle. Its power is the same as the Thunderclap Heavy Cannon currently in service with our Great Zhou Artillery Corps. The disadvantage is that it can only fire from the front and cannot be adjusted at the angle."

"The secondary gun is a rotating turret. To ensure the turret's flexibility, the caliber of the secondary gun was adjusted. Its power is not as great as the main gun, but its advantage lies in its maneuverability..."

Thorin is very professional when it comes to weapons. He not only introduced the weapon configuration but also shared a lot of his research and development ideas with him.

During this time, Zhou Xu also raised a question.

"Why not just set the main gun as a rotating turret?"

In Zhou Xu's opinion, wouldn't it be better if the main gun had a more powerful rotating turret and was more flexible?
Thorin expressed his helplessness regarding this...

"Because the entire structure of the rotating turret cannot withstand the recoil of the main gun."

Zhou Xu understood instantly.

The rotating turret sounds like a high-tech, advanced device, but in reality, its internal rotating mechanism is operated by hand.

Although the mechanism and gears were used to reduce the pressure of hand cranking during the production process, it was still a physically demanding job that required considerable strength.

From this perspective, the dwarfs, whose arms are thicker than other people's thighs, once again have the advantage.

While they were talking, the dwarven steam tanks in the arena began their cannon firing tests.

This area is basically divided into two parts: stationary artillery bombardment and mobile artillery bombardment.

Ideally, equipment like tanks should be able to fire while moving.

After all, the original concept of a tank was a mobile turret with defensive capabilities!
However, reality is often harsher.

When firing the main gun while moving, the stability will be very poor, and the accuracy will be almost impossible to see.

In comparison, although the secondary guns are weaker in firepower, they perform quite well during slow-movement maneuvers.

The basic combat mode of using the main gun for stationary positions and the secondary gun for mobile positions has been finalized.

Of course, when you actually get to the battlefield, you'll definitely have to adapt to the situation.

"By the way, can this steam tank operate in the desert? I mean, in terms of temperature."

The most likely place for battle next is the desert region, and Zhou Xu naturally needs to think more about this area.

Upon hearing this, Qin Fen quickly understood what their emperor meant, and then confidently stated...

"Your Majesty, rest assured, no matter how hot the desert is, it can't be hotter than a running steam engine."

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(End of this chapter)