In 1978, I was admitted to Harbin Institute of Technology

Chapter 249 The old fox and the young fox join forces to coerce and entice; even the leader of 617 has to kneel.
"After all these years, if we could improve the performance, we wouldn't have been stuck without any results. The military has high requirements now, and we don't have much time to spare..."

It's not that I'm dissatisfied with Harbin Institute of Technology for developing an anti-tank rocket launcher with such strong armor-piercing capabilities.

Tang Ke sighed, "Right now, the entire factory is focused on improving its protective capabilities..."

"General Tang, if we continue with cast turrets, unless there's a significant improvement in the materials, it will be difficult to achieve such a thick defensive layer. Using a harder alloy would not only make the turret too heavy, but the cost would also be unacceptable to the military..."

Since the 617 group was unhappy because the military was putting too much pressure on them, Xie Wei didn't mind giving them some reminders.

"Oh? Do you have any good suggestions?"

Tang Kexian's words were devoid of emotion.

Previously, through Li Rui, they had learned quite a bit about Xie Wei. Everyone at Factory 617 also knew that after Xie Wei entered Harbin Institute of Technology, the development of Harbin Institute of Technology was like wings.

Various technology research projects have also accelerated.

Li Rui made no secret of Xie Wei's role in the various technologies.

Even Factory 617 had previously planned to bring Xie Wei to the factory, but it was simply impossible.

"Abandon the casting of the turret!"

Without hesitation, Xie Wei asked, "Doesn't your company have another project? It uses a welded turret, right?"

Zhu Zhenhui and Tang Kexian exchanged glances, then looked at Li Rui.

This old guy is really open-minded, explaining even confidential projects to a young man like Xie Wei.
Principal Li held his teacup, seemingly oblivious to their gazes.

"Before we started the WZ-122 project in the 60s, our intelligence system had already obtained some information about advanced foreign tanks... Internationally, cast turrets were beginning to shift towards welded turrets... The main reason was the difficulty in casting high-hardness alloy materials... Filling the alloy armor steel with ultra-hard materials such as ceramics could effectively improve the armor's protective capabilities... The angled design could also weaken the effect of armor-piercing projectiles... Furthermore, to counter attacks from rocket launchers and tanks, reactive armor and protective grids could be added to the outside of the turret..."

Xie Wei had no intention of keeping anything to himself.

He rattled off all the ways he knew that could improve the armor protection of tanks.

As for how to achieve this?
Even with the technical team from Institute 617 and the experts from Institute 201, they still can't handle it?

"..."

Zhu Zhenhui and the others were stunned by what they heard.

They never expected that Xie Wei would come up with a whole host of solutions to something they hadn't held much hope for.

"You mean, if we replace it with a welded alloy steel turret and add reactive armor, we can achieve the same level of protection?"

Tang Ke frowned.

Reactive armor is a cutting-edge technology internationally.

There are currently no institutions in China that specialize in researching this.

"After our school prepared to undertake this project, we fully considered these issues. Once the technical lead and researchers were in place, we conducted a theoretical demonstration of the plan... Under this plan, even if the armor material performance is somewhat inferior, achieving armor protection with a thickness of 650 mm of homogeneous steel is still quite easy..."

Xie Wei was a little embarrassed.

This is so damn Versailles!

At this moment, Mr. Tang wanted to hit someone.

It's very easy!
If it were really that easy, why would the Type 69-III tank have its performance specifications modified three times in just a few months simply because Harbin Institute of Technology developed an anti-tank rocket launcher?

Is it really that easy? Would they destroy it with just a rocket launcher they casually put together?
Seeing the murderous glares of Tang Kexian and the others, Xie Wei's heart skipped a beat for no reason. He really hadn't been bluffing.

His face remained impassive, and to avoid being beaten up by these bigwigs, Xie Wei quickly tried to salvage the situation: "Distinguished leaders, the problem with Project 69-III isn't actually that big. On one hand, our foundation is weak; on the other hand, it's just for the sake of caution..."

Hearing Xie Wei's words, everyone couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

After the T-62 tank was fished out of the Ussuri River, domestic engineers and experts in armored vehicles discovered that its armor thickness was similar to that of the T-55. However, due to the adoption of a double armor protection design of rolled steel and homogeneous armor plates welded and cast, its defensive capabilities were significantly improved compared to the T-55. Domestic anti-tank rocket launchers simply could not penetrate it!
The design of the 69-III actually incorporated some design elements from the T-62, and its armor protection capabilities could even be said to be stronger than those of the T-62.

Unfortunately, before the prototype was fully assembled, it encountered Harbin Institute of Technology's anti-tank rocket launcher.

"Personally, I think the WZ-122 design was very advanced... The only problem was that the foundation at the time was too weak, the proposed specifications were too high, and the technical difficulty was too great... In addition, the time and funds invested in the Second and Fourth Battles were insufficient..."

Xie Wei has mixed feelings about the WZ-122 tank.

It can be said that this tank project, from its earliest inception to its final culmination in the Type 96B, occupies half of the entire history of China's tank development.

The later Type 99 and its variants, the Type 15, and other more advanced models can all be said to have originated from the WZ-122 project.

This project started with a three-liquid prototype. During the demonstration process, it was discovered that there was a huge gap between the technical foundation and the performance indicators. Therefore, it was necessary to reduce the difficulty and develop a three-machine prototype. However, it was only after researching that it was found that the difficulty was still great.

Ultimately, they gave up because it was too difficult.

It's not that they completely abandoned it; the WZ-1223 medium tank, the WZ-1224 experimental tank, and the WZ-1226 experimental vehicle were all developed based on this.

Ultimately, the project was divided into two lines: one for domestic use and one for foreign trade. It wasn't until the Type 99 tank that the WZ-122 project came to an end.

The VT-2 and VT-2B for foreign trade were also developed from the technological achievements of WZ-122.

"You mean you want to directly use the armor protection design of the WZ-122?"

Tang Ke frowned, not understanding why Xie Wei was bringing up the WZ-122 project and the Second and Fourth Battles of that year.

"Xie Wei, the prototype of 69-III is about to enter testing. If there are too many changes, it will affect all projects."

Zhu Zhenhui reminded Xie Wei, both amused and exasperated.

Starting from scratch?

I can't explain this to the troops.

“If the turret is modified too much, it will affect the entire project… The 69-III is equipped with an imported L7 105mm rifled gun, and its internal system is a simple imported fire control system…”

Tang Kexian quickly added.

To improve the performance of the Type 69-III tank, they spent a lot of money importing advanced technologies from abroad.

"Then why didn't they import Chobham composite armor from Britain back then?!"

Xie Wei said with a mocking expression.

"They won't sell..."

Tang Kexian realized his mistake as soon as he finished speaking and awkwardly shut up.

When Xie Wei mocked them, everyone in 617 looked displeased, but none of them could refute him.

There is simply no way that advanced technology can be introduced.

Even if the imported technology is about to be phased out abroad, it is still more advanced than domestic technology, isn't it?
"Xie Wei, let's get down to business!"

Li Rui wasn't very interested in anything technical and kept dozing off while listening.

Xie Wei came to discuss cooperation.

After all this time, it still hasn't been mentioned.

"Composite armor with stronger defensive capabilities is the future direction of tank defense... With technological advancements, the armor-piercing capability of armor-piercing projectiles may even exceed the thickness of homogeneous steel armor of more than one meter..."

No one objected to Xie Wei's statement.

Tanks have not been around for very long, especially after World War II. With the rapid advancement of materials technology, tank armor has become increasingly thick.

"We already have a significant gap with international advanced levels. If we don't cooperate, gather the nation's best talent, and integrate them to conduct research and development of new technologies..."

"..."

Everyone was puzzled when they saw Xie Wei's excited expression.

Is this kid planning another major campaign?
Without policies introduced at the national level, who could organize such a large-scale campaign?

Harbin Institute of Technology won't do, 617 won't do either, and 201 won't do either.

Even their superiors, the Fifth and Seventh Ministries of Machine Building, couldn't do it. That would require mobilizing all relevant departments across the entire country.

Do you think Harbin Institute of Technology or Factory 617 can organize a major campaign?

Zhu Zhenhui couldn't listen anymore and interrupted Xie Wei's passionate speech.

"Uh~"

Xie Wei was stunned; he had never thought of launching a major campaign or a nationwide effort!

It's just a tank project, it shouldn't be that serious.

"Director Zhu, what I mean is cooperation!"

"We and Institute 201 have almost gathered the best tank designers and engineers, while Harbin Institute of Technology only has some related majors, right?"

Deputy Factory Director Qi Tong reminded Xie Wei that cooperation needed to be based on equality.

The other leaders of Factory 617 immediately looked at Xie Wei, wanting to figure out what kind of trump card Harbin Institute of Technology had for cooperation.

Just because there are projects and funding?

"Our school certainly can't compare to your organization and the 201st Institute in the field of tank engineering. But what if we added the experts and engineers from the 541st Institute?"

Xie Wei asked Qi Tong, who was questioning the school's qualifications to cooperate with them, with a smile on his face.

"You took over 541?"

Zhu Zhenhui looked at Li Rui with a shocked expression.

If Harbin Institute of Technology really takes over 541, it will become the biggest competitor of Factory 617. Not only will its funding be taken away, but it will also lose many projects.

"If you can't reach a cooperation agreement, then you'll definitely have to take over. Harbin Institute of Technology's industry-university cooperation office can't provide military equipment business, but converting military equipment to civilian use is relatively easy. And retaining military R&D and production capabilities isn't a good solution either..."

Li Rui grinned at Zhu Zhenhui.

Threat!

The threat of Chi Guoguo!

Faced with such a threat, Factory 617 had little room to resist.

"Gentlemen...whether it's our tank project or the Type 69-III or Type 80-I projects you are currently researching, even if they are successfully developed, they can only serve as transitional tanks for the troops...I think there is a lot of room for future cooperation...We don't have a production plant, and if we can reach a cooperation agreement, we have no intention of taking over the Type 541 tank, so the production task can be entrusted to your factory..."

After Principal Li finished his threats, Xie Wei began to offer bribes.

"Furthermore, while our school is collaborating with Pakistan on tank development projects, we will also be conducting preliminary research on technologies such as stabilized fire control systems, 125mm smoothbore guns, and 1000-horsepower engines..."

In front of everyone at Factory 617, Xie Wei once again brought up the technical specifications of the Type 99 tank.

He was referring to it as preliminary research, and no one seemed to think there was anything wrong with that.

The school has autonomy over its projects and its own funding sources, so even the leaders of Factory 617 see no problem at all.

Through cooperation, after Harbin Institute of Technology develops these technologies, Factory 617 might be able to use them and then develop even more advanced technologies based on Harbin Institute of Technology's technology.

No matter how you calculate it, you won’t lose money.

"That's not a problem!"

Zhu Zhenhui agreed without hesitation.

No one else objected.

The factory currently mainly produces Type 69 tanks and modified Type 59 tanks. With the reform and opening up, military spending has been reduced, and Factory 617's planned orders have been cut by most, resulting in low production levels.

The annual production of tanks, even if you add them all up, is only a little over 200.

It would be great if there were other tank production tasks available.

"However, there is currently a problem..."

"Train engineers and managers for tank manufacturing in Pakistan? Xie Wei, if that's the case, how can we keep it a secret?"

Vice President Huang Yu was immediately displeased.

"What if the higher-ups allow it?"

Upon hearing this, Huang Yu opened his mouth to refute, but then he remembered that Harbin Institute of Technology had signed an $8000 million research and development contract with Pakistan, and that his superiors would agree to it for the sake of this foreign exchange.

Pakistan, which has always purchased weapons from China during the production process, is not unaware of this.

“We can cover the training costs, 5000 yuan per engineering technician per year…”

"Furthermore, we can also provide your factory with the technical specifications of our armor-piercing projectiles free of charge for armor research..."

Xie Wei originally requested that Factory 617 pay for the armor-piercing projectile technology.

In order to get Factory 617 to help train Pakistani technicians, they had no choice but to reluctantly give up.

"We need to hold a meeting to discuss this, and if we agree, we also need approval from higher authorities."

Zhu Zhenhui glanced at Li Rui, who remained silent to the side, and spoke up.

This old man and this child are really too difficult to deal with.

Especially Li Rui, who is now in the National Defense Science and Technology Commission of the military. If he makes things difficult for Factory 617 in the future...

"That's natural!"

As a result, the 617 factory, which was originally the most difficult problem for Principal Li to solve, was resolved through his and Xie Wei's joint coercion and inducement. Not only was the conflict between the two parties resolved, but the cooperation was also basically a done deal.

It seems like neither side is at a disadvantage, but in reality, Harbin Institute of Technology, a school with little experience in tank research, is the one that has gained the most.

"Let's cooperate! As long as the higher-ups don't object, if we don't help train Pakistani technicians, Harbin Institute of Technology will definitely approach Unit 541. Unit 541 also has tank production capabilities now..."

At an internal meeting at Factory 617, Zhu Zhenhui sighed.

They were well aware of the technical capabilities of Base 541.

"If we cannot reach a cooperation agreement, we will be in competition with them, which will not only waste our already limited R&D funds, but also cause the funds for upgrading production technology to be dispersed... We are already far behind the international level, and we cannot afford to waste our energy on internal friction."

Tang Kexian was the first to support Director Zhu's proposal.

"I agree to cooperate!"

"agree!"

"..."

On the evening of the second day after Li Rui and Xie Wei arrived at 617, the two sides reached a cooperation agreement.

Of course, Factory 617 also made a requirement: it must be approved by higher authorities, and the cost of training personnel for Pakistan was increased to 6500 yuan per person per year.

Xie Wei didn't even object.

Wool comes from sheep.

Training costs are not included in the $8000 million collaborative research and development budget.

"Looks like you're the one who can fool people!"

Li Rui never expected that Xie Wei could so easily fool even professionals.

"Where is this deception? This is the truth. In the short term, without a major technological breakthrough and without an increase in military funding, there will be no large-scale tank production orders... If Factory 541 produces our export tanks, it will definitely not be a good thing for Factory 617."

Xie Wei shook his head.

(End of this chapter)