My Empire

My Empire Chapter 40

2020-11-03

Chapter 40 Experiment 40

"tú tú ! tú tú !" 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 artillery is also responsible for the ground defense of future Alanhill units. 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 was discussed in detail, and Chris even brought in Mordelair to have a meeting together.

At first, Vagron felt the use of an improved version of the 75mm infantry field gun for ground combat, while developing a new AA 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, who felt that the use of 88mm caliber cannons would solve both the air and ground problems. However, Dez felt that the fire rate of this large-caliber artillery was too slow and was not suitable for attacking the flexible giant dragon, so he was forced to give up.

Chris also felt that before the Wireless Electronics 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 in the battlefield. Come out, this makes the very useful 88mm caliber cannon useless.

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.

Therefore, another serious question is put on paper: what if you use a small caliber, what if the power is not enough? After all, facing a giant dragon with scaly armor and air defense with weapons such as large-caliber machine guns, Chris felt unsafe anyway.

So soon, the 12.7mm caliber heavy machine gun air defense plan was overturned. Dez also believes that relying on such air defense weapons, it is impossible to block both the devil beast cavalry on the ground and the giant dragon in the sky. of.

Then, the choice of weapons began to focus on small and medium-caliber anti-aircraft guns. There are many solutions proposed by Chris, and everyone has their own favorite solutions.

For example, General Wilkes, who emphasized the mobility of the troops, and General Mordelair, supported the 20mm anti-aircraft gun, because the anti-aircraft gun of this caliber was the lightest and could easily Maneuvering with troops and deploying well.

However, this caliber also has some shortcomings, that is, the problem that Chris and Dez have always been worried about not being able to pose a threat to giant dragon.

On the other hand, Vagron and Coria and the others support the use of the 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft gun, they think that the damage effect of this weapon is very good, the rate of fire is not slow, it is completely possible Equip troops as a versatile weapon.

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, it is not that much weight, but the army is really unable to Endure, so can only endure the pain.

So, 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 the weapon, the arsenal worked overtime and started the trial production. It is still a familiar taste and 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, which 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 rapid-fire gun is mounted on a carriage with eight small diameter wheels 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 Defensive turret.

All in all, this is a very versatile weapon, and Chris knows that once mass production of this weapon begins, 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 synthetic rubber..." Chris felt like his aesthetic was collapsing, looking at the groggy old solid wood wheels. A 30mm caliber rapid-fire gun from the Second World War, plus a medieval carriage, is really an indescribably sour combination.

No way, his dukedom 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 Arrant Empire, which has already had a tense relationship with Alanhill, will not want to come back. Fulfills Alanhill's import needs.

Thinking that for a long time, he will be dragged down by this rubber thing, Chris's mood doesn't raise anyhow. Even though the one in front of him may already be the most powerful in this era The war machine is over...

"It's really not good, let's start with the Higgs Kingdom... Let them buy the rubber of the Dothan Empire for us, think Arrant will not interfere?" General Bourgess Opening suggested.

"We're already doing this." Chris smiled wryly, and looked the head said, "But there's not much natural rubber...the price is ridiculously high. Now the surrounding countries are close to reaching a tacit agreement. , whatever we want to buy, the price will skyrocket."

"The price increase is better... The key is to hold the gold coin, you can't buy it..." Dez shrugged his shoulders, very helplessly said: "The things we need are getting more and more complicated, and there are more and more businesses that can supply us, and there are fewer and fewer businesses." He praised: "This weapon is really good. If the two guns are placed together, the rate of fire can be doubled!"

"Don't think about the double mount." Looking at the experimental guns that are firing , Chris said to the generals around him: "Although I also want to increase the firepower density, the load and recoil of the carriage have to be considered..."

"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 In other words, a carriage without any difficulty actually has no production pressure. 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..." After looking at Vagron and other generals, Chris helplessly said: "This weapon may become a weapon for slaying dragons. , and will naturally be attacked by Dragon Knight... Dragon's breath is not a joke."

"Once attacked by dragons, these anti-aircraft guns and anti-aircraft gun shooters will lose. The biggest victory." 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 giant dragon's attack, and may sacrifice their lives at any time. Only after they are all eliminated, the infantry will lose their barriers, and only after the anti-aircraft guns are all misfired, the Dragon Knights can get a more ideal attack environment.

"In addition, there are not enough shells! We are under great pressure to produce bullets. The arsenal has already begun to expand, and we have expanded four at a time, all of which are for the production of ammunition." Smith mentioned this, a little bit. Toothache.

Modern warfare is really real gold, white silver. 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 kind of concept is this? 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 Alanhill is far from luxurious. They couldn't even carry some anti-aircraft guns. However, it is the anti-aircraft gun in front of him that is firing and experimenting with various properties, which for the first time provides mortals with a possibility, a possibility to face the giant dragon.

"Indeed, if you use a double mount, the ammo consumption will be doubled, and we don't have that much ammo." General Vagron, who knew that the ammunition was insufficient, agreed with Smith Road.

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 was confident and replied.

(end of this chapter)