On-site shell making

Amidst the puzzled gazes of the crowd, Wu Zu climbed onto the top of the tank, ready to begin his explanation, while Liang Jinsong, acting as the operator, crawled inside the tank.

It was the first time that a military district commander had been appointed as a tank operator, but Liang Jinsong was naturally unwilling to give up such a rare opportunity to anyone else.

Wu Zu picked up the megaphone and began his introduction:

"I named this tank the Type 99A main battle tank. It is a heavy tank, and according to the classification of tank generations, it should theoretically be classified as a third-generation tank."

"However, due to the tight design time, many technologies are still imperfect. At present, the actual technical level of this tank only reaches the standard of the second-generation main battle tank and has not fully realized the full digitalization of the third-generation tank."

"The Type 99A main battle tank has a hull length of 7.7 meters, and if the gun barrel is included, the total length can reach 11 meters. The width is 3.5 meters, and the total weight of the vehicle is 55 tons. It can carry three crew members: the commander, the gunner, and the driver."

"The tank uses a diesel turbine engine with a maximum power output of 1500 horsepower. When traveling on flat roads, its maximum speed can reach 80 kilometers per hour."

"Its main gun is a 125mm smoothbore cannon, and its auxiliary weapons include a 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun."

Wu Zutao continued his presentation, and many people at the scene quickly took out their notebooks to compare these data with the Type 80 tank.

In this comparison, the Type 80 tank is far inferior to the Type 99A main battle tank in all aspects.

Upon hearing these figures, Hongshan was so astonished he couldn't close his mouth, exclaiming, "Wow, this tank is amazing!"

However, two trainees from the Jiangnan Arsenal sitting not far away showed disdain upon hearing these figures.

"What's the use of just talking about these numbers? They're still half-finished products. It's only impressive if they can actually be built. Does looking good mean it's high-performing? That's ridiculous!"

One of them said with a sneer.

"Exactly. The most important aspects of a tank are its protection and offensive capabilities. Without these, no matter how fast it runs, it's just a sitting duck."

These two men, relying on their backgrounds in the arsenal, unconsciously spoke with a sense of superiority.

The officers and soldiers around them frowned slightly upon hearing their remarks.

After all, in their minds, the Type 99A main battle tank is already an incredibly powerful vessel, and hearing someone belittle it like this really left them feeling bad.

At this moment, Wu Zu patted the cannon barrel and continued:

"The reason this tank is called a third-generation tank is that it is equipped with a digital fire control system and various more sophisticated technologies, such as thermal imaging display, radar, and so on..."

When Wu Zu mentioned the digital fire control system, most of the people present looked blank. Although the two technical trainees had heard of the concept of digitalization, they were also completely clueless about what a digital fire control system actually was.

At this moment, several officers and soldiers looked at them with smiles and said:

"Aren't you two from the arsenal? Tell us what a digital fire control system is?"

Upon hearing this, the two felt a little embarrassed, as they didn't actually understand either.

But to save face, they pretended to be calm.

"It's just a firing control system. It's like pressing a button to fire a shell, why does he have to make it sound so complicated and give it all those fancy names!"

Those around them immediately realized they were bragging and burst into laughter.

"If you don't understand, don't pretend to know. What nonsense are you spouting here!"

"Exactly, and they act like experts, looking down on others. Why don't you explain it to everyone clearly?"

After being mocked by the surrounding young soldiers, the two young men from the arsenal lost face and turned to Wu Zu to ask:

"Then tell us, what exactly is a digital fire control system?"

Wu Zuchao and the others glanced at each other and began to explain.

"A digital fire control system is a modern system that integrates computer, sensor and control technologies, with the aim of improving the firing accuracy and reaction speed of weapon platforms."

"This system mainly consists of a fire control computer, sensors, display and control equipment, and servo devices."

These words immediately caused an uproar at the scene.

"What? There's a computer inside the tank?"

"Aren't computers supposed to be huge and only used by academies? Why are they being installed in tanks?"

"That sounds so high-tech! Can you explain it to us in simpler terms?"

Not only the officers and soldiers present, but even Liang Jinsong, who was sitting in the tank, was completely confused.

Wu Zu nodded and explained further: "Simply put, this system can automatically identify enemy targets, quickly calculate the trajectory of the shells, and make proactive adjustments to lock onto the target and fire."

Upon hearing this, everyone present was shocked once again, especially the tank crew, who were so excited they could hardly contain themselves.

"Wow, that's so advanced! It locks onto the enemy and fires directly, no need for manual trajectory calculations?"

"That's way too exaggerated! If we had this, enemy tanks would be like stationary targets on the battlefield, easy to shoot down!"

"It can automatically identify enemy targets? This tank is incredibly advanced!"

"Compared to that, the Type 80 tank is completely incomparable, isn't it?"

The officers and soldiers present were all shocked by Wu Zu's words, and Hong Shan stared wide-eyed, his face full of disbelief.

"This...the Type 80 tank doesn't have any of these features. How did it manage to do that?"

At this point, the two technicians said again, "Could you show us?"

Everyone turned their attention to Wu Zu, their eyes filled with anticipation.

Wu Zu pondered for a moment.

"Sure, but we're short one shell. I brought the shell casing from last time, and we need to make a new one."

Upon hearing this, everyone present gasped in shock.

Good heavens, we didn't see any hand-built tanks, but they're going to make cannonballs on the spot?

Liang Jinsong stared wide-eyed at Wu Zu and asked:

"Are you sure you want to process the shells on-site?"

Wu Zu nodded calmly.

"It's just a shell, nothing difficult. Prepare two 120mm shells for me, and I'll make one on the spot."

Seeing Wu Zu's serious expression, Liang Jingsong immediately shouted to the soldiers beside him, "Go and get a box of 120mm shells!"

Just then, Hongshan suddenly suggested:

"Since we're going to test it anyway, why not bring the Type 80 tank over as well and compare them together?"

Upon hearing this, everyone felt that they couldn't resist the urge to watch the drama unfold, and they all requested that the two tanks be compared side by side.

If, as Wu Zu said, the Type 99A main battle tank can easily crush the Type 80 tank, then the future of the Chinese army will have taken a qualitative leap.

Liang Jinsong didn't hesitate for long and nodded directly.

"Okay, let's test them together then."

When the two 120mm shells were delivered, everyone present felt a mix of tension and anticipation.

Liang Jinsong stared intently at the two shells that were almost touching Wu Zu's chest, his throat bobbing violently as he asked worriedly:

"You're really planning to make artillery shells right here? This is no joke, it's not as simple as building blocks..."

At this moment, Wu Zu was already standing on tiptoe, intently checking the primer of the cannonball.

"Making shells is the most basic job for me, no need to worry."