For the second-generation universal chassis, a preliminary discussion was conducted first. For specific research and development, of course, it will take until the test of the third-generation tank comes to an end. At the same time, other projects are also moving forward in parallel, such as projects that promised to improve the ammunition performance of Lao Ba's T-80UD tank.
This project was led by Li Changjiang. On this day, the T-80UD tank of Baguo was towed to the first machine factory. The trailer used was the one used when the Eastern Powers last time they went to promote tanks. This trailer had run hundreds of thousands of kilometers from Laoba, and its performance was still just right. Now, it can be regarded as returning to his hometown again.
The person in charge of this project was also Kamaran, a military expert from Laoba. The expert came with the tank and after he came down, he communicated with Li Changjiang.
"Its automatic loader is different from yours, so there are different restrictions on the size of loading ammunition." When the military expert spoke the language of the not-so-fluent Eastern power, Li Changjiang was a little embarrassed: "Can you speak our Eastern power dialect?"
"In recent years, we have found that if we want to study tank technology together, it is the most pleasant to cooperate with the Eastern powers. Many professional vocabulary cannot be translated clearly by ordinary translations, or we can say it ourselves, which is more appropriate." Kamaran said.
As soon as he said this, Li Changjiang felt very proud: "Of course, we and our cooperation are the most pleasant. Although this tank was not produced by our first-machine factory, we are willing to help you solve technical problems."
"First of all, let's do some tests." Li Changjiang continued: "How about it, our people will drive this tank?"
There are already several T-72 tanks in the Eastern Powers. Everyone has studied this Soviet export tank thoroughly. However, since the T-80 tank is a self-used model of the Soviet army, there is almost no purchase from the outside world. Therefore, the Eastern Powers have little contact. Except for the last time when the one-machine factory went to communicate, there was no intersection at other times.
This time, since the tank was sent here, the technicians of the aircraft factory will of course have to conduct some tests, especially its firepower and fire control system.
"Of course, its operation is no different from previous tanks, it is also a three-board and three-shot." Kamaran said: "The test runners of the first machine factory should be able to easily control it."
At this time, the tarpaulin outside the tank had been unveiled. Seeing the true face of Mount Lu inside, Li Changjiang couldn't help but sigh: "This workmanship is too rough, right?"
Tanks are a combat weapon and are not used to participate in beauty pageants, so there is no need to pay attention to workmanship. However, the workmanship can still show a lot of things. The technical strength of a tank factory can be reflected in small workmanship.
This tank should be a full-state tank, and even the explosion reaction armor has been hung on it. However, the grids inlaid with the explosion reaction armor are welded quite roughly, and it looks like it was done by an apprentice welder. Then look at it below and you can make even more amazing discoveries.
"Its main armor has another layer of welded?"
Generally speaking, the armor of the tank body was already perfect when designing. The thicker armor should be used, and the thicker one should be used directly. But now? Now, an additional layer of additional armor is welded outside the main armor. This layer of additional armor makes the entire front armor look very strange. It is like a person's clothes are torn and then a patch is applied. Although the hard and simple style is good, the problem is that this tank is obviously the brand new tank they purchased, and it actually uses this patching method?
Looking at Li Changjiang's welds in front of the armor, Kamaran felt a little embarrassed there: "There were several of the first batch of tanks coming in the early stages like this. Ermao explained that it was to enhance the protection of the tanks. The tanks produced in the future will be made into one when the vehicle body is welded. In the early stages, we can only make do with these."
etc!
Li Changjiang suddenly thought of something. I remember that he had seen an article analyzing the T-80 tank in the Tank Armored Vehicle Magazine, which was introduced in detail. The early models of T-80 tanks had insufficient armor protection, so when they improved to the T-80B, an additional layer of armor was attached. There was a photo at that time. Thinking of this, Li Changjiang shouted to a young man: "Erde, find me the Tank Armored Vehicle Magazine of the third issue of last year."
Kamaran was a little curious and didn't know what Li Changjiang was going to do. After more than ten minutes, the young man found a magazine from the information room and turned to the corresponding page. Kamaran was extremely annoyed: "The body of this tank should be the original T-80, and it has been at least twenty years! Ermao actually used the body of the car from twenty years ago to fool us!"
According to this article, in 1976, the first generation of T-80 tanks were officially equipped with troops. By 1979, the initial T-80 was modernized and reached the level of T-80B. The T-80B had modified its armor design and better optimized for the emerging Western long-pole armor-piercing bombs. However, the early T-80 did not have this ability. In order to improve its bulletproof level, the early T80s welded a layer of high-hardness steel to the basic armor.
The tank in front of you is definitely not brand new, but is transformed on the tank body that the other party has been in stock for a long time? Use the money to buy new products and buy second-hand goods?
"Yes, but, over time, there are also benefits of time. At least the stress inside the armor has been eliminated. As long as there is no rust, it should be good." Li Changjiang said.
The tank is cut into steel plates and welded. After welding, there are residual stresses in each part and it needs to be released slowly during a long period of use. Now, since the car body has been used for more than 20 years, the stress should be completely put away.
In fact, using the body of the past was not a big deal. The Americans' M1 tanks galloped everywhere. When Lian Po was old, they were still sent back to the factory for direct renovation after entering the 21st century. The Americans no longer had a new M1 tank production line.
However, it is enough to sell second-hand car bodies as new ones.
"It's useless to say something else, let's continue to study the issue of firepower. After all, you have to purchase hundreds of vehicles." Li Changjiang continued. This sentence seemed to be a bit consoling, but it seemed even more heartbreaking.