Forty Experiments
"Tutu! Tutu!" In a secret valley, a huge and coherent sound shook countless birds in the forest.
A brand new, automatic large-caliber gun is undergoing intense experiments. This 30mm caliber rapid-fire gun has a very simple structure and is a very practical "anti-air weapon".
In fact, this type of artillery also undertakes the important task of ground defense for the future Alan Hill troops. Chris's idea was to use one weapon to satisfy both the air defense and the ground needs of troops.
The selection of the caliber of the brand-new weapon system has been discussed in detail, and Chris even recruited Modler to have a meeting together.
At first, Vagron felt that an improved version of the 75mm infantry field gun would be used for ground combat, while developing a new anti-air gun to defend against possible targets in the sky.
However, this plan was later rejected, because it would not only waste the production capacity of the 75mm caliber infantry gun, but also may cause more logistical troubles. A simple calculation means that three different types of shells need to be produced, and the supply will become more complicated.
The subsequent plan was proposed by Chris. He felt that the use of 88mm caliber cannons would solve both the air and ground problems at the same time. However, Des felt that the fire rate of this large-caliber artillery was too slow and was not suitable for attacking flexible dragons, so he was forced to give up.
Chris also felt that before the radio proximity fuze was developed, the effectiveness of large-caliber anti-aircraft artillery was too low - and the range advantage of large-caliber anti-aircraft artillery was not reflected on the battlefield, which made it very good The 88mm caliber cannon used was no longer useful.
After all, it would be a waste to shoot a 10,000-meter-high 88mm caliber cannon against a giant dragon with a flying height of only a few kilometers. A medium-caliber or small-caliber anti-aircraft gun seems to be more suitable.
So, another serious question is put on paper: what if you use small calibers, what if you don't have enough power? After all, facing a giant dragon with scaly armor, and using weapons such as large-caliber machine guns for air defense, Chris felt unsafe anyway.
Therefore, the 12.7mm caliber heavy machine gun air defense plan was overturned soon, and Des also believed that relying on such air defense weapons, it was impossible to block both the monster cavalry on the ground and the dragon in the sky.
Then, the choice of weapons began to focus on small and medium-caliber anti-aircraft guns. There are many plans proposed by Chris, and everyone has their own optimistic plans.
For example, General Wilkes, who emphasized the mobility of troops, and General Mordelair, supported the 20mm anti-aircraft gun, because the anti-aircraft gun of this caliber is the lightest, can easily move with the troops, and is very Good deployment.
However, this caliber also has some shortcomings, that is, the problem that Chris and Des have always been worried about, not being able to cause a killing threat to the dragon.
On the other hand, Vagron, Koriya and others support the use of 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns. They think that this weapon has a very good damage effect and a slow rate of fire. It can be used as a multi-purpose weapon to equip troops. .
However, the Bofors anti-aircraft gun also has its own shortcomings, that is, the maneuverability is not very good. Under normal circumstances, this weapon is towed forward by a tractor and cannot be immediately put into battle.
In addition, most of the barrels of the Bofors anti-aircraft guns are water-cooled, so that they can maintain continuous combat capability - the navy does not care, anyway, it is not less heavy, but the army is really unbearable, so it can only be reluctant to give up .
Therefore, after some careful selection, the caliber of 30mm has become a choice that everyone can endure. On the one hand, this caliber can use the cannon as a reference, on the other hand, the rate of fire and the weight are good, which can meet the needs of combat.
After choosing a weapon,
At the arsenal, they worked overtime and started trial production. It's still a familiar taste, and it's still a familiar formula: Chris took the lead and led a group of craftsmen to use pure manual methods to make such an experimental model of high-level dual-use weapons in front of him.
This is a very interesting weapon: it uses a magazine feeding system and can achieve a theoretical rate of fire of more than 200 rounds per minute. At the same time, it is also equipped with a steel plate shield, which is used as a flat-fire turret.
The entire 30mm caliber rapid-fire gun was mounted on a carriage with eight small diameter wheels, in order to obtain a stable shooting environment and effectively reduce the height. The eight wheels of the carriage are attached with iron on the side to improve the load-bearing and support.
If necessary, the rapid-fire gun itself can be removed from the carriage and reinforced on the ground as a fire support point, or it can be directly produced and deployed in the castle and important locations to serve as a defensive battery.
In short, this is a very versatile weapon, and Chris knows that once mass production of this weapon starts, he might have to make do with it for 3 years or more. It is a pity that this fairly advanced rapid-fire gun cannot be equipped with rubber tires.
"Not enough artificial rubber..." Looking at the old solid wood wheels that made people feel hairy, Chris felt that his aesthetics were collapsing. A World War II-era 30mm caliber rapid-fire gun, coupled with a medieval carriage, is really an indescribable sour combination.
No way, his principality now only has northern territory, and he can't grow any rubber at all: even if he wants to import a large amount of natural rubber, the Arlant Empire, which has had a tense relationship with Ailan Hill, will not be willing to satisfy love again. Ranhill's import demand is up.
Thinking that for a long time, he will be dragged down by things like rubber, and Chris's mood can't be improved. Although what he has in front of him may already be the most powerful war machine of this era...
"It really doesn't work, let's start with the Higgs Kingdom... Let them help us buy the rubber of the Dothan Empire. If you want to come to Arrant, you won't interfere, right?" General Bourgess suggested.
"We are already doing this." Chris smiled wryly, shook his head and said, "But there is not much natural rubber... The price is ridiculously high. Now the surrounding countries are almost reaching a tacit understanding, what do we want to buy, what Things are going up in price.”
"It's better to increase the price... The key is to hold gold coins, you can't buy them..." Des shrugged his shoulders and said helplessly: "The things we need are getting more and more complicated, and more and more The more we have, the fewer and fewer merchants can supply us.”
With a sigh of regret, Mordelair said with admiration: "This weapon is really good. If the two cannons are placed together, the rate of fire can be doubled!"
"Don't think about the double mount." Looking at the experimental artillery that was firing, Chris said to several generals around him: "Although I also want to increase the density of firepower, the load of the carriage and the recoil problem are all problems. have to consider..."
"Productivity is also a problem! We can't produce so many 30mm anti-aircraft guns at a time..." Smith also shook his head and explained: "So, the design is one gun and one car."
For the factory, there is no production pressure on a carriage without any difficulty. What determines the number of anti-aircraft guns is the production number of anti-aircraft guns themselves.
"Also, this thing was designed with battle damage in mind..." Glancing at Vagron and other generals, Chris said helplessly: "This weapon may become a weapon for slaying dragons, and naturally it will also be used by the generals. Dragon Knights focus on attacking... Dragon Breath is no joke."
"Once attacked by the dragon, these anti-aircraft guns and anti-aircraft gun shooters will be lost. Therefore, the best results can be achieved by dispersing and deploying them." Chris said, showing some unbearable expressions.
These anti-aircraft gunners, everyone in the future fights at risk. They will become the first target of the dragon's attack, and may sacrifice their lives at any time. Only after all of them are eliminated, the infantry will lose their barriers, and only after the anti-aircraft guns are all misfired, the dragon knights can obtain a more ideal attack environment.
"In addition, there are not enough cannonballs! We are under great pressure to produce bullets. The arsenal has begun to expand, and four expansions have been made at one go, all of which are for the production of ammunition." Smith mentioned this, and his teeth hurt a little.
Modern warfare is really worth it. Those cannonballs and bullets are produced in large quantities, and a battle will be wiped out. Generally, the poor can't afford it. Seeing the emergence of automatic weapons, Smith knew that the ammunition consumption in the future may be higher.
What he can't imagine is that in another distant world, the US military in the 21st century, it takes 250,000 bullets to destroy an enemy... What is this concept? The concept is that the ammunition provided by a 10,000-ton freighter full of bullets is only enough to kill 800 enemies...
Of course, the current Alan Hill is far from being so extravagant. They couldn't even carry some anti-aircraft guns. However, it was the anti-aircraft gun in front of him that was firing and experimenting with various properties, which for the first time provided mortals with a possibility, a possibility to face the dragon.
"Indeed, if you use a double mount, the ammo consumption will be doubled, and we don't have that much ammo." General Waglund, who was well aware of the lack of ammunition, nodded in agreement with Smith.
However, Jean immediately told the other party: "However, Minister Smith... Your production capacity should indeed be improved. We are now building more troops..."
"Don't worry! This time next year, our arsenal will be at least ten times larger than it is now!" Minister Smith of the Ministry of Industry replied confidently.