Chapter 248: Self-Propelled Rocket Launcher, Hong-5

"Everything is ready," the technician reported, "all 40 launch tubes are fully loaded, the hydraulic system is normal, and the aiming device has been calibrated."

Li Mingyuan nodded: "Begin the test. Fire a single tube first to verify accuracy."

Following the order, the first Rocket Shell from the Self-Propelled Rocket Launcher whistled toward the target in the distance. A few seconds later, a cloud of dust and smoke erupted on the hillside, hitting the bullseye perfectly.

"The accuracy is excellent!" the observer reported excitedly, "The deviation is less than five meters!"

Li Mingyuan nodded with satisfaction: "Very good. Now test the rapid-fire mode, a five-tube salvo."

The engineer adjusted the firing sequence and pressed the launch button. The five Rocket Shells left the launch tubes almost simultaneously, trailing exhaust flames as they lunged toward the target area.

Five loud bangs followed in succession, and the target area was shrouded in smoke, dust, and fire.

"All hit the target area! The coverage area is approximately 300 meters by 300 meters!" the observer reported, their voice trembling slightly from excitement.

Li Mingyuan smiled slightly: "The final test: a full salvo, then immediately relocate. Start the timer!"

As the order was given, all 40 Rocket Shells of the Self-Propelled Rocket Launcher were fired within a mere ten seconds.

The distant hillside instantly turned into a sea of fire, with billowing smoke and dust, and the deafening explosions merged into one.

As soon as the Rocket Shells were fired, the driver immediately started the Engine, and the Self-Propelled Rocket Launcher turned rapidly, speeding away from its original position, disappearing into the nearby woods in less than thirty seconds.

"Total time, one minute and seven seconds!" the timekeeper reported, "From the start of firing to leaving the position, it took a total of 67 seconds!"

The surrounding officers and technical personnel erupted in cheers and applause.

This result meant that the Self-Propelled Rocket Launcher could complete its firing and safely relocate before the enemy artillery could locate and counter-attack.

Li Mingyuan watched the devastation on the distant hillside in silence, a complex emotion welling up in his heart.

How many lives would these weapons he created take?

But if he did not do this, how many Long Country soldiers would sacrifice themselves like Wang Wei?

"War is just like this," he whispered to himself, "either kill or be killed. And my mission is to ensure that Long Country stands on the side of final Victory."

He turned to the team waiting for orders, his voice firm and calm: "The test is a success. Begin mass production immediately. I want to see the first Self-Propelled Rocket Launcher unit established and heading to the front lines for support within a week."

The night grew deep, but the experimental base remained brightly lit. Most of the staff had already rested, and only the lights in the main laboratory remained on, like an endless night watchman.

Li Mingyuan rubbed his sore eyes, stood up, and poured a glass of water.

Having worked for nearly twenty hours straight, his body had already begun to protest, but his mind remained terrifyingly clear.

Carrying the water glass, he walked to the large operational map hanging on the wall, his gaze wandering between the undulating terrain lines and the marked enemy and friendly positions.

"Not enough, far from enough..." he muttered to himself.

Although the Anti-Armor Three-Piece Set and the Self-Propelled Rocket Launcher had solved the immediate problems, this war was far more complex than he had imagined.

The industrial strength and technical reserves of Di Guo far surpassed those of Long Country; as long as they were given enough time, they would certainly develop new weapon systems to counter the "Sharp Knife" of Long Country.

"We must continue to expand our technical advantage and suppress them in more fields." Li Mingyuan said to himself, his eyes becoming firm.

He returned to the workbench, pulled out a brand-new blueprint, and began to sketch a brand-new design—a Bomber.

Over the past few weeks, the Jian-6 Fighter and Feilong-2 Anti-Aircraft Missile of Long Country had successfully seized air superiority, but these weapons were mainly aimed at aerial targets, and their strike capability against ground targets, especially large target groups and fortifications, was limited.

"We need a specialized ground-strike platform capable of carrying a large number of bombs to conduct precision bombing on enemy rear facilities, supply lines, and assembled troops." Li Mingyuan drew the basic outline of the Bomber while thinking.

Unlike the small and agile Jian-6, this Bomber was massive, with a twin-Engine design and multiple pylons under the wings, capable of carrying various bombs and Rocket Shells.

"Hong-5," Li Mingyuan wrote the model on the blueprint, "medium Bomber, maximum takeoff weight 12 tons, maximum bomb load 3 tons, range 1500 kilometers, cruising speed 600 kilometers/hour, operational altitude 6000 meters."

Lao Liu had arrived behind him at some point, staring at the blueprint and whistling: "Good heavens, such a large aircraft, can we actually build it?"

Li Mingyuan smiled slightly: "We can. The structure of the Hong-5 is actually simpler than the Jian-6, and the Engine can also use an improved model of the Jian-6. The biggest challenge is actually the bombing aiming system."

He pointed to a compartment on the belly of the aircraft on the blueprint:

"A Precision Bombing Aiming System will be installed here, using high-magnification optical lenses and mechanical computing devices to achieve precision bombing at high altitudes, with the error controlled within 10 meters."

Lao Liu widened his eyes in surprise: "10 meters? That's incredibly accurate! Doesn't that mean our Bomber can drop bombs onto the roofs of enemy headquarters like target practice?"

"Theoretically, yes," Li Mingyuan nodded, "but in actual operation, it will be affected by various factors such as weather and wind speed. However, even under ideal conditions, it is several times more accurate than the B-29 currently in service with Di Guo."

He continued to add details, outlining the various systems of the Bomber—fuel tank layout, electrical system, landing gear design, cockpit arrangement, protective armor distribution...

"There is another innovation here," Li Mingyuan pointed to a row of pylons under the wings,

"In addition to conventional bombs, the Hong-5 can also carry Rocket Shells and specially made Anti-Tank Missiles, which can conduct precision strikes against enemy armored units on the battlefield, making up for the lack of ground anti-armor firepower."

Lao Liu looked at the magical aircraft on the blueprint and couldn't help but exclaim:

"Chief Engineer, you are turning the Hong-5 into a true 'aerial artillery platform'! If the guys from Di Guo are targeted by this thing, whether it's their headquarters or tank groups, they're going to suffer a huge loss!"

Li Mingyuan nodded slightly: "That's right. The design philosophy of the Hong-5 is not to pursue extreme speed or altitude, but to maximize firepower output and precision strike capability. It will become the most reliable 'aerial artillery' for our ground troops."

His gaze turned to the Jian-6 Fighter blueprint hanging on the other side of the wall: "However, before the Hong-5 enters mass production, we have another project that needs to be implemented as a priority."

Li Mingyuan walked to the Jian-6 blueprint, picked up a red pen, and began to mark modification points on the drawing: "I plan to refit a Jian-6 and turn it into an electronic warfare platform."

"Electronic warfare?" Lao Liu scratched his head, looking confused, "What kind of thing is that?"