Chapter 146: Fire Control Radar, Transistor Computer

10,000 characters every day, five chapters presented. Everyone's encouragement is very powerful; I will continue to work hard.

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"That's right," Li Mingyuan nodded and turned to the next page, "Let's look at the first subsystem—Target Detection and Tracking."

A detailed structural diagram of an improved Radar appeared on the screen, completely different from traditional Radar.

"This Radar uses Pulse Doppler technology; it can not only detect target distance but also measure target speed. More importantly, it can track multiple targets simultaneously and update data in real-time."

Li Mingyuan pointed to a key component on the diagram: "This is the Signal Processing Unit, composed of hundreds of specialized Vacuum Tubes, capable of completing signal analysis within 0.1 seconds, a hundred times faster than manual interpretation."

Among the Military Representative group was a Radar expert, and his hands began to tremble uncontrollably:

"Does... does this mean we can grasp the precise position and speed of enemy aircraft in real-time? Even at night or under adverse weather conditions?"

"That is exactly so," Li Mingyuan affirmed, "And the anti-interference capability is at least three times higher than existing Radar. Metal foil strips, electronic interference, or even smoke screens will not easily deceive this system."

The Radar expert's breathing became rapid; he turned to the Military leader and whispered a few words, and the leader's expression also became exceptionally grave.

Li Mingyuan continued to turn the page to display the second subsystem: "This is the Ballistic Calculation Subsystem, which I believe is the most revolutionary part of the entire system."

The blueprints displayed a small computing device composed of hundreds of Vacuum Tubes and precision mechanical parts, with an astonishingly complex internal structure.

"Traditionally, ballistic calculation requires experienced officers to use ballistic tables and slide rules, which is time-consuming and prone to errors. This system can complete all calculations within 0.2 seconds, including comprehensive analysis of over a dozen parameters such as target distance, speed, altitude, wind speed, temperature, and humidity."

An elderly artillery officer stood up abruptly, his face turning pale: "You mean... this thing can replace previous manual ballistic calculations? Automatically provide firing data?"

"Not only that," Li Mingyuan added, "It can also predict the target's next move based on its maneuvers and provide lead, significantly increasing the hit rate against high-speed maneuvering targets."

The artillery officer's legs seemed unable to support his body's weight; he had to hold onto the back of his chair to stand steady.

"According to simulation tests," Li Mingyuan continued, "After using this system, the hit rate against stationary targets is close to 100 percent, the hit rate against low-speed targets exceeds 80 percent, and even against high-speed maneuvering targets, the hit rate can reach over 30 percent."

A chorus of gasps erupted in the conference room.

In the anti-aircraft warfare of that time, achieving a 5 percent hit rate was already an outstanding performance; 30 percent was simply a fantasy.

The Military leader gripped the edge of the table tightly, his knuckles turning white: "Chief Engineer Li, are you sure these are not theoretical ideal data? Can such results be achieved in a real combat environment?"

Li Mingyuan answered calmly: "I can only say that these are theoretical data calculated strictly, but I have full confidence in realizing it in the actual system."

He turned to the next page to display the third subsystem: "Finally, the Weapon Control Subsystem."

The blueprints showed a precision electromechanical device capable of connecting directly to various Anti-aircraft weapons.

"This system converts the results of the ballistic calculation into direct weapon control signals, automatically adjusting the pitch and azimuth of the gun barrel and controlling the timing of the launch. From target detection to firing, the entire process can be completely automated, minimizing human delay and error."

Li Mingyuan pointed to a detail on the blueprint: "A manual/automatic switching device is also designed here, so operators can take over control at any time, ensuring the flexibility and reliability of the system."

The Military leader had already stood up and walked around the projection screen, his eyes filled with disbelief: "Chief Engineer Li, if... I mean if this system can really be realized, what does that mean?"

Li Mingyuan looked him straight in the eyes: "It means our anti-aircraft capability will improve by an order of magnitude. Targets that originally required hundreds of shells to shoot down may now only need a dozen. High-speed targets that were previously impossible to attack can now be effectively intercepted. Simply put, it will completely change the landscape of anti-aircraft warfare."

The Military leader took a deep breath and turned to the staff officer beside him: "Contact headquarters immediately and request that technical experts be sent to evaluate this. The priority of this project is to be raised to the highest level."

The staff officer recorded quickly, his hands also trembling slightly.

The atmosphere in the conference room became exceptionally tense; everyone realized the epoch-making significance of this system.

However, an even greater shock was yet to come. Li Mingyuan switched to the blueprints for the Primitive Computer system.

"Next, please allow me to introduce the first system—the Primitive Computer."

The screen displayed a diagram of a massive machine occupying an entire wall, composed of rows of Vacuum Tubes, switches, circuit boards, and Storage Units.

The representatives from the Academy of Sciences were immediately captivated, especially several elderly mathematicians and physicists, their eyes staring at the screen without blinking.

"The core of this machine is a Central Processing Unit," Li Mingyuan pointed to the center of the diagram, "It is composed of over two thousand specialized Vacuum Tubes and is capable of executing basic mathematical calculations and logical operations."

He turned to the next page to display the internal structure of the Computer: "Here is the Arithmetic Logic Unit, responsible for executing basic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; this is the Control Unit, responsible for coordinating the work of each part; and here is the Storage Unit, which can temporarily save data and instructions."

A mathematician from the Academy of Sciences stood up, his voice trembling slightly: "Chief Engineer Li, are you saying... this machine can automatically execute mathematical calculations? Without human intervention?"

"That is exactly so," Li Mingyuan nodded, "And the speed far exceeds manual calculation. Taking complex differential equations as an example, a skilled mathematician might need an entire day, while this machine needs less than one second."

The mathematician's face turned pale instantly; he grabbed the arm of his colleague beside him, as if needing support to stand steady.

Li Mingyuan continued to explain: "More importantly, this machine can work according to preset programs, executing pre-written instruction sequences. Simply put, it can not only calculate but also 'think'—automatically processing problems according to logical paths set by humans."

Among the representatives of the Academy of Sciences, an elderly physicist suddenly stood up and stumbled to the screen, his fingers trembling as he touched the projected image, as if to confirm its reality:

"This... does this mean we can simulate physical experiments? Test theoretical models inside the machine?"

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