The Red Era, the Opening University Speech

Chapter 429: Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot Armor-Piercing Projectile

"But how to fight is another problem." The superior leader fell into deep thought.

Just as he was thinking hard, hurried footsteps were heard from outside.

But after seeing his superior, the secretary holding the documents immediately stopped and waited quietly by the side.

It was not until the night wind gradually brightened that he could not help but whispered:

"Leader, it's time to rest."

Hear the voice coming from your ear.

The superiors who were immersed in the simulation and deduction of the war finally came to their senses.

He waved his hand and said, "I'll be back later today, you go and rest first."

With every day of delay, Xia's situation becomes more dangerous, so a solution must be found as soon as possible.

"Then let me tell you some good news first." The secretary looked at his eyes and knew that she could no longer persuade him.

Normally, he could still give some advice.

But once something serious happens, no one can persuade you.

"Oh, what good news! Has Li Mu come up with something again?" The superior leader said with a smile on his face.

He had no intention of listening to this.

But when I thought about it being related to Li Mu, I decided to listen.

After all, this young man can bring different surprises to him and this country every time.

Seeing this, the secretary quickly reported on the project initiation meeting held at the Automotive Research Institute today, as well as the construction plan submitted by Qin Feng later.

After their discussion, the final decision was to let Li Mu conduct research in the Automotive Research Institute for half a year.

Then he built a research base in the suburbs and transferred people there to develop Li Mu's new tank.

This way, it is safe enough and secretive enough.

It’s not easy to get out once you’re in.

After listening to the secretary's report, the superior was still very happy.

Since Li Mu said that Xia Country can build a new type of tank that surpasses Emperor M and Big Brother.

He believed that he would succeed.

Although it takes a little longer, it’s not a big deal.

When there is hope, the future is always full of expectations.

To give an example, it is like when he is on that 49-mile journey and suddenly someone comes running up to tell him that the country was founded in .

"If that's the case, then isn't it inappropriate to start a war now?" the superior thought to himself.

But soon, he put the thought behind him.

The future is the future, the present is the present.

It is impossible to wait until they are fully prepared before fighting a war.

"Leader, how do you think we should respond to Leader Qin Feng?" The secretary waited for a long time but got no response, so he tried to ask in a low voice.

If the superior leader does not give the nod, there is no way to carry it out.

Hearing this, the superior came back to his senses, thought for a moment, and said:

“Building a research base is imperative.”

"But this cannot affect Li Mu's personal freedom and confine him inside."

"Although new tanks and fighter jets are important, he has more important research projects!"

He basically approved of the plan Qin Feng submitted.

It's okay to let Li Mu be the chief designer, but he cannot be kept in the research base for a long time according to convention.

Otherwise, not to mention that it would not affect Li Mu's personal mood, I'm afraid that a lot of research institutes below would also have opinions.

……

The next day, early.

After Li Mu washed up and finished exercising.

I began to organize the research projects I was currently working on in the study.

The project initiation meeting for the new tank was just held yesterday. The content is enough for the experts and professors to digest for a few days, so there is no need to rush over.

What is more important is Song Wencong's side. The 12 people introduced by Master Qian Wu must be taken seriously.

If possible, he also wanted to keep this group of people in Kyoto.

Song Wencong has already said that he will not mention it. Huang Qianqian and others are all researchers and developers of important domestic fighter jets now and in the future.

With their help, the birth of the J-10 would undoubtedly be much easier.

"There is also the issue of the film industry. I have to talk to Leader Qiu about it later." Li Mu continued thinking.

As one of the main means of cultural output in the future, movies can also bring in considerable profits.

In the past, children in China could only watch foreign blockbusters, but now it is the turn of children abroad to watch Chinese blockbusters.

……

I stayed in the study until about 11 o'clock in the morning.

Guan Jianmin brought back news from outside, telling about Song Wencong and his group:
"The higher-ups will arrange for you to meet again. You can decide the time."

This result was not beyond Li Mu's expectations.

He thought about it and decided that this matter should be done sooner rather than later, so he set the date for tomorrow.

……

After confirming the time, Li Mu set off for the Armored Forces Science and Technology Academy.

Come to the door.

After showing his ID, he was allowed into the yard by the guards.

I only took two steps inside.

From a distance, I saw Zhu Yusheng coming towards me with an old man about his age.

As he walked, Zhu Yusheng smiled and said:
"I knew you would come today, so I waited here early."

After the project initiation meeting yesterday, he had a clear understanding of Li Mu's research style.

With his resolute character, he will certainly not delay.

A meeting had just concluded at the Automotive Research Institute. All the experts and professors in the audience listened for a long time with bewildered looks on their faces, which was very impressive.

In this case, the probability of holding consecutive meetings is not high.

So he came to the Armored Forces Science and Technology Research Institute.

"By the way, let me introduce you. This is the dean of the Armored Forces Science and Technology Research Institute, Peng Long," Zhu Yusheng continued.

Hearing this, Li Mu looked at Peng Long standing beside him.

The latter immediately stepped forward and extended his hand, saying, "Advisor Li, I have heard of your great name for a long time!"

"You're welcome." Li Mu smiled and shook hands with the other party.

Zhu Yusheng on the side interrupted:

"Advisor Li, please come with us first. We will introduce this place to you."

He was still thinking about how to get Li Mu to his side.

Although Qin Feng's attitude is very clear.

But as long as things are not put on paper, there is still room for maneuver.

It’s impossible for us to make a decision today after we just had a meeting yesterday.

"Forget the tour for now. I'm here mainly for the 125mm smoothbore gun that was brought up at the project launch meeting yesterday." Li Mu said directly.

Zhu Yusheng was stunned for a moment, then looked at Peng Long behind him and said:

"Since Consultant Li needs it, Director Peng, go and mobilize the researchers in the institute now."

"Okay." Peng Long looked at him seriously and nodded, then immediately turned around and left.

After doing all this, Zhu Yusheng turned his gaze to Li Mu and said:

"Advisor Li, I'll take you to the conference room."

……

Peng Long's movements were very fast.

In about 10 minutes, he brought several researchers in the weapon system field from the Armored Forces Science and Technology Research Institute to the conference room.

After briefly getting familiar with the names.

Li Mu quickly got to the point and looked at Peng Long and said:

"I wonder if Director Peng can give up and let them study with me for a while."

"Of course, the research location should still be here and won't change."

"If the research is successful, your hospital will also have some credit for it."

After he finished speaking.

Peng Long first looked at Zhu Yusheng, then said:

"Advisor Li, what are you talking about? If it can help your research, then of course it's fine."

Although some money was lost before the person was abducted, it would be worth it as long as it could improve the relationship with Li Mu.

However, they decided the destination of those researchers with just a few words.

This made him feel a little unhappy.

A researcher in his 40s stood up and said:

"Director, shouldn't you ask everyone's opinion on this matter?"

Someone took the lead, and although the others did not speak, they also expressed their dissatisfaction.

After all, no matter how famous Li Mu is, it has nothing to do with their research direction.

Asking them to follow it and conduct research is just a joke.

"Opinions, what are your opinions?" Peng Long said with great sorrow and regret:
"Researching with Consultant Li is an opportunity that many people would rather miss!"

The researcher who just spoke looked at Li Mu, then said solemnly:

"Advisor Li, we are not targeting you, but we have our own specialties."

"If it's computing technology or steel metallurgy, we trust you completely."

"But this is the development of tank weapons, it's not something you can do casually."

His words sounded a bit offensive.

However, it is really just being realistic.

Each of them has great respect for Li Mu.

But respect is one thing, blind belief is another.

"I know what you all think, but I hope you can give me a chance to convince you." Li Mu said with a smile.

He didn't care about the other party's attitude, but was quite happy.

Scientific evidence requires the courage to question everything. "Please go ahead," the researcher said.

Since Li Mu wanted to explain, they couldn't possibly not give him face.

After all, Zhu Yusheng and Peng Long were still standing aside, their eyes almost popping out.

Li Mu said:
"I plan to develop a 125mm smoothbore cannon, and I already have a fairly complete research plan."

After he finished speaking.

The researcher did not speak.

Seeing this, Peng Long said anxiously: "Old Zhang, please say something. Why are you so quiet?"

"Advisor Li, our current mainstream artillery shells are rifled artillery." Researcher Zhang pondered for a moment and then said.

In the early days of artillery, both muzzle-loading and breech-loading guns were smoothbore guns.

However, people gradually discovered that smoothbore guns had the defects of poor accuracy and short range. In order to change these shortcomings, coupled with the development of artillery technology and casting technology, rifling was created on the inner wall of the gun barrel.

This is the rifled gun, which is also the weapon currently equipped on the Xiaguo Type 59 tank.

This situation was not changed until around 64, when M- and Big Brother invented gun-launched missiles that could be fired through the barrel.

However, it was not until the 70s that the battle between rifled and smoothbore guns ended with the latter winning with absolute advantage.

Although rifled guns certainly have the advantage of accuracy, tank guns mainly emphasize armor-piercing performance. No matter how accurate the shot is, it is meaningless if it cannot penetrate the armor protection.

If the armor-piercing ability is strong enough, even if the accuracy is not high and the first shot misses, then you can fire the second and third shots, and as long as they hit the target, you can destroy it.

"But I am the only one who knows all this." Li Mu said in his heart.

If you want to convince the other party, it is useless to simply say that smoothbore guns are better than rifled guns without any evidence.

He hesitated for a long time before saying:

"Do you know how thick the armor of the M-60 tank of the M Emperor is now?"

Researcher Zhang said:

"The thickest part of the M-60 main battle tank's armor protection is the gun shield, which is 178 mm, while the front armor is 110 mm."

"Just tell me directly, don't ask me these questions."

"As long as it's a tank you know, I can tell you the detailed parameters."

He studied tank weapons, so naturally he knew the armor thickness of main battle tanks of various countries very well.

"In that case, let me be frank. You should have noticed that the thickness of tank armor is getting thicker and thicker now." Li Mu said.

Researcher Zhang frowned and asked, "What does this mean?"

The other researchers as well as Zhu Yusheng and Peng Long were also confused.

Li Mu explained:
"As tank armor becomes thicker, the requirements for weapon systems become higher and higher. Rifled guns have high accuracy, but their muzzle velocity is low and their power is insufficient."

"This puts certain demands on the shells."

"Only by developing new shells can we make up for this shortcoming. Otherwise, no matter how powerful the power is or how thick the armor is, it will just be a moving target."

After he finished speaking.

Researcher Zhang fell silent.

After a long while, he said, "But when developing new shells, we don't have to give up rifled cannons and choose smoothbore cannons, right?"

"No, we have to give up, because only smoothbore guns can meet the needs of gun-launched missiles and fin-stabilized discarding sabot armor-piercing projectiles that we will develop in the future." Li Mu said firmly.

Rifled guns and smoothbore guns are never a choice between one and the other.

Only the latter can adapt to the needs of the times.

"Guns-launched missiles and fin-stabilized armor-piercing discarding sabot projectiles?" Researcher Zhang's eyes became slightly dull.

He had heard of the former, which was a concept proposed by Big Brother in 57.

But the latter is somewhat unheard of.

The other researchers were also filled with confusion and shock.

"I won't explain the gun-launched missile for now. Let me talk about the fin-stabilized armor-piercing discarding sabot projectile." Li Mu said with a smile.

He then briefly explained something about the fin-stabilized armor-piercing discarding sabot projectile.

The fin-stabilized discarding sabot armor-piercing projectile has evolved from the conventional armor-piercing projectile, and the power of the armor-piercing projectile depends on the kinetic energy of the projectile when it hits the target and the physical properties of the projectile material.

After the armor-piercing projectile leaves the barrel, its flight speed will be affected by resistance and gravity. Therefore, in order to increase the speed, an aerodynamic shape that reduces resistance must be adopted. According to the principles of physics, a slender shape has less resistance.

As a result, sub-caliber armor-piercing projectiles were developed. In order to make the projectile body more slender, the diameter of the projectile was smaller than the caliber of the artillery, but this also had problems.

Researcher Zhang raised his hand to indicate that he had questions to ask.

After Li Mu stopped, he asked:
"If we adopt the sub-caliber direction you mentioned, won't the range and accuracy be greatly affected?"

Unconsciously, his tone had become careful and respectful.

After all, just based on the fin-stabilized discarding sabot armor-piercing projectile that Li Mu just proposed, it can be seen that his research on tank weapons is at an extremely high level.

It can even be said to have reached the world's top level.

"Yes, but it can be solved. Use a cartridge case to sandwich the armor-piercing projectile body in the middle. The projectile body can be very slender, but the cartridge case is consistent with the caliber of the artillery. When the projectile leaves the barrel, the cartridge case will automatically fall off and the projectile will continue to fly. This is 'shelling'." Li Mu explained.

After hearing his words, Researcher Zhang's eyes became brighter and brighter.

He even drew inferences from one example and said:

"In this way, with a sabot that can detach its shell, there will be no worries about the development of a slimmer projectile."

"As for the problem of the warhead becoming increasingly slender, this can be solved by stabilizing the tail."

"Am I right, Advisor Li?"

Researcher Zhang's eyes were full of excitement and enthusiasm.

If this armor-piercing projectile can be successful, even without new tanks, Xiaguo's tanks will have the capital to compete with the advanced tanks of the M Empire and Big Brother.

The backward power and armor are not a problem.

As long as one bullet hits the enemy's tank, it can be destroyed directly.

On the battlefield, the sound is enough to scare people to death!
"That's right, but the research is quite difficult..." Li Mu continued.

Now that we have discussed the principles of the fin-stabilized armor-piercing discarding sabot projectile, let’s talk about its challenges.

Although Emperor M and Big Brother developed it within a few years.

But if Xia Guo wants to conduct research now, its foundation is still somewhat weak.

The difficulties in developing the fin-stabilized discarding sabot armor-piercing projectile mainly include five aspects.

The first is the manufacturing process, which requires high-precision processing and assembly, and during the design and manufacturing process, factors such as material strength, warhead shape and weight must be fully considered.

This ensures that the armor-piercing projectile can remain stable and effectively penetrate the armor during high-speed flight.

The second is materials and performance. The materials usually used are high-density alloy steel, tungsten carbide, etc. with high strength and good wear resistance.

The third is air resistance. Sub-caliber armor-piercing projectiles will be affected by air resistance during flight, causing their speed to decay rapidly.

In order to increase the initial velocity and reduce the possibility of ricochet, design optimization is needed, such as using a combination of tungsten carbide core and light metal sabot to deform during impact while the core continues to penetrate armor.

The fourth is testing and verification. The performance of armor-piercing bullets needs to go through a lot of testing and verification to ensure their effectiveness in actual applications, including penetration tests at different angles and distances, as well as performance evaluation on different armors.

The fifth, and most important one, is cost.

These five difficulties, including manufacturing process, materials, air resistance, etc., are actually relatively easy to solve.

There was only one last one, and Li Mu could only express regretfully:
"The cost of a fin-stabilized discarding sabot round is about 5 to 8 yuan, which means it cannot be mass-produced."

In the 80s, the cost of a fin-stabilized armor-piercing projectile could reach 6 to 7 yuan, even when the technology and process were quite advanced.

If Xia Guo wants to produce it, it will be difficult to make it cheap in the early stages of production.

Compared with the armor-piercing bullets they mainly used in this era, which cost between several hundred and several thousand yuan, this cost price is quite high.

But before Researcher Zhang could speak.

Zhu Yusheng on the side spoke first:

"Advisor Li, price is not a problem. Let alone 8 yuan, even if it's 18 yuan or 28 yuan, as long as it can blow up the enemy's tank with one shot, it's worth the price!"

He was indeed shocked when he heard Li Mu tell the truth about the cost just now.

Don’t just look at the cost, you also have to look at the results.

Once their tanks are equipped with fin-stabilized armor-piercing discarding sabot shells, they will be like the devil on the battlefield. If they are hit, a tank will be destroyed instantly.

Dean Peng Long also excitedly said:
"Director Zhu is right. No matter how expensive the shells are, they can never be more expensive than tanks!"

"With this armor-piercing shell, even if we lag behind in other aspects, our tanks are enough to compete with any tank of Emperor M and Big Brother!"

"Of course, I believe that the tank you build, Consultant Li, will definitely be among the world's top-notch!"

Both of them expressed high approval of the fin-stabilized discarding sabot armor-piercing projectile mentioned by Li Mu.

If the timing had not been inappropriate, they would have suggested that Li Mu first improve the Type 59 so that it could be equipped with the ability to carry this new type of armor-piercing shells as soon as possible.

"You two are too kind. These are only theoretical possibilities. It is hard to say whether they can be realized." Li Mu said with a faint smile.

Just as he finished speaking.

Researcher Zhang, who had been pondering for a long time, finally spoke:

"Advisor Li, please forgive my previous disrespect for arbitrarily assuming that you do not have the level and ability to develop tank weapons."

"If possible, I would like to formally join your research team and participate in the development of fin-stabilized armor-piercing discarding sabot projectiles and gun-launched D projectiles."

"I will do my best to assist you in your research and build a tank weapon for our country that can compete with the M Emperor and Big Brother!"

After he finished speaking.

The researchers who followed also expressed their willingness to join Li Mu's team.

Seeing this, Li Mu smiled and said, "Thank you for your recognition, but you don't have to apologize. It's all for the country. I can understand."

He is not that narrow-minded.

If it were him, he wouldn't be able to trust himself so easily.

"Then let's get started now. I also want to hear your thoughts on the artillery-launched D-bomb!" Researcher Zhang said happily.

Li Mu glanced at Zhu Yusheng and seeing that he had no opinion or objection, he continued to talk about his research ideas on artillery-launched D-bullets.

……

The artillery-launched D bullet was invented around the late 50s.

At this point in time, the M Empire and Big Brother almost developed the "Oak Stick" tank gun D bullet and the "Ruby" tank gun D bullet at the same time.

However, early artillery-launched D projectiles encountered many problems in practical applications, including complex launching devices, insufficient range and accuracy, and susceptibility to interference.

These problems lead to unsatisfactory results in actual application.

For example, the D-bullet fired by Big Brother's "Ruby" cannon had a hollow charge, the warhead power was not ideal, and the radio command guidance system was also very easy to be interfered with, so it ultimately failed.

And because the price of D bullet is really expensive.

After the 80s, artillery-launched D-projectiles were gradually abandoned by Western countries, which turned to the development of tank fire control systems and advanced optoelectronic sensors.

Only the big brother has been insisting on research and development.

Of course, it doesn’t mean that developing artillery-launched D-bombs is useless.

In the 70s, the "Oak Stick" D bullet launched by the M-602A and "Sheridan" was able to accurately hit experimental tanks at a distance of 2000 meters, exceeding the direct firing distance of the main battle tanks at the time.

At least in the next two or three decades, the battlefield threat posed by artillery-launched D-bombs will still be quite good.

So although Li Mu did not plan to invest too much energy in it, he still had to develop it.

(End of this chapter)