Chapter 258: Anti-aircraft System Testing

Li Yunlong pondered for a moment: "How long will it take?"

"The first prototype can be completed within two weeks," Li Mingyuan calculated, "Key components can be obtained or modified from existing resources. The difficulty lies in how to integrate these components so they work stably on the tank."

Li Yunlong made the final decision: "Good! I will immediately apply for resource allocation to prioritize this project. At the same time, provide more intelligence on the Di Guo 'Thor' system to help you design specifically for it."

After receiving full support from the Military, Li Mingyuan's team immediately threw themselves into work. They divided into three small groups, respectively responsible for the research and development of the early warning system, interception weapons, and control mechanisms.

The primary task of the early warning system group was to modify the captured enemy AN/TPQ-1 Radar. This light radar, originally used for artillery positioning, was ingeniously transformed by Li Mingyuan into a Rocket Shell detector.

"The key is to adjust the scanning frequency and signal processing logic," Li Mingyuan explained to the technicians, "We don't need it to precisely locate long-distance targets; we only need to detect small, fast-moving objects at close range, such as Rocket Shells."

At the same time, another team was developing a backup infrared warning device.

"This design is simpler, but its practicality may be stronger." Li Mingyuan pointed to a cylindrical device and said, "It uses thermal sensors to detect the heat radiation characteristics of a Rocket Engine. Once a heat source matching a specific pattern is discovered, it immediately triggers an alarm."

The interception weapons group faced a greater challenge. Modifying the 14.5mm Anti-aircraft Machine Gun into a close-in defense weapon was relatively simple; the difficulty lay in improving its hit rate against fast targets.

"Manual aiming in the traditional sense is definitely too slow," Li Mingyuan said to the team, "We need to design a simple auxiliary aiming system that can quickly point toward the threat direction based on the warning signal."

He proposed a revolutionary design: using a simple Mechanical-Electrical Hybrid Control mechanism to transmit the signal from the early warning system directly to the machine gun's steering mechanism, achieving "coarse aiming." The operator only needs to make fine adjustments and pull the trigger, greatly increasing the reaction speed.

More challenging was the research and development of small anti-missile missiles. The team began attempting to modify existing 57-1 Surface-to-Air Missiles, reducing their size and simplifying the Guidance System.

"We are not pursuing long range and high precision," Li Mingyuan emphasized, "These missiles only need to fly 500 meters to 1 kilometer to form a protective umbrella. The key is reaction speed and reliability."

During the missile modification process, the team encountered many technical difficulties, especially how to achieve basic guidance functions without relying on complex electronic equipment.

Li Mingyuan proposed a bold solution:

"Since we cannot achieve fully automatic guidance, let's settle for the next best thing and adopt a semi-automatic method. The missile itself only possesses the most basic stabilization functions, relying mainly on the correct orientation before launch. After the early warning system detects a threat, the missile launcher automatically turns toward the threat direction, and the operator confirms and fires."

Although this design sacrifices some performance, it greatly lowers the technical threshold, making the project feasible under current conditions.

The control mechanism for the entire system also adopted a similar simplified approach. There were no complex Computers, only simple circuits and mechanical linkage devices, and even manual operation options were retained as a backup.

"I call this design 'Mechanical-Electrical Hybrid Control'," Li Mingyuan explained to the team, "It avoids the electronic computing bottleneck we cannot overcome, but retains the core functions of the system."

After a week of hard work, the various components of the first prototype system gradually took shape. Li Mingyuan stood in the Assembly Workshop, watching the technicians install the modified 14.5mm Anti-aircraft Machine Gun on top of a T-34 Tank, feeling both excited and apprehensive.

"Chief Engineer, according to your requirements, the machine gun mount can rotate 360 degrees, with a maximum elevation angle of 85 degrees." The technician reported, "The electric drive system has been connected to the early warning Radar; it can turn to the target area within 0.5 seconds after receiving a signal."

Li Mingyuan nodded: "Very good. What about the anti-missile missiles?"

"The first batch of modified missiles has been completed, but the stability test results are not ideal." Another technician said with some concern, "About 30% of the samples have unstable trajectories after launch."

"Continue to adjust the tail fins and propellant ratio." Li Mingyuan was not discouraged, "Remember, we don't need them to fly far or accurately; as long as they can fly out in the intended direction and explode near the target, that is enough."

Just as the assembly work was proceeding intensely, Li Yunlong brought new intelligence.

"The Di Guo 'Thor' rocket system has begun small-scale deployment," he said with a grave expression, "According to frontline reconnaissance, this rocket is about 12 meters long and 1.5 meters in diameter, and it is highly likely to carry a large High-Explosive Bomb warhead. More troublesome is that they are using a dispersed deployment mode, making it difficult to destroy them all through conventional bombing."

Li Mingyuan studied the intelligence photos: "What about the launch vehicles? What are their characteristics?"

"Eight-wheel drive, highly mobile, with launch tubes arranged in a rectangular pattern; each vehicle can carry 12 rockets." Li Yunlong pointed to the details on the photo, "They seem to plan to deploy this weapon on a large scale to form a 'saturation strike' capability."

A flash of worry crossed Li Mingyuan's eyes: "If hundreds of such rockets are launched simultaneously, even if our Active Defense System is put into use, we won't be able to intercept them all."

"Then what should we do?" Li Yunlong frowned, "Do we really have to stop the offensive and accept their peace talk proposal?"

Li Mingyuan was silent for a moment, then his eyes suddenly lit up: "Perhaps... we can reverse our thinking. Instead of passive defense, why not take the initiative to attack!"

"What do you mean?"

"What we are currently working hard to develop is a terminal defense system, which can only attempt interception when the rocket is about to hit." Li Mingyuan explained excitedly, "But what if we could destroy these rockets before the enemy launches them?"

Li Yunlong's eyes brightened: "You mean, strike first and hit their rocket launch positions?"

"Exactly!" Li Mingyuan quickly drew a new plan on paper, "We can design a small, high-speed remote reconnaissance aircraft equipped with simple photographic equipment, specifically to find the deployment locations of the 'Thor' system. Once discovered, immediately dispatch a Bomber or Remote Rocket Launcher to conduct a precision strike."

Li Yunlong frowned slightly: "How long will the design and production of the reconnaissance aircraft take?"

"It's much simpler than the Active Defense System," Li Mingyuan said confidently, "We can modify existing light aircraft, and the first batch can be completed within two weeks."

"Good!" Li Yunlong slapped the table hard, "Walk on two legs! While continuing to develop the tank defense system, prepare the reconnaissance and strike plan at the same time. No matter what tricks Di Guo plays, we must strike first!"