Chapter 349: This is Practically a Tactical Missile

"Chief Engineer Li, following conventional thinking, this is an almost impossible mission to complete," Engineer Zhao admitted.

"Under current technical conditions, an infrared guidance system with this level of precision requires a development cycle of at least several years."

Li Mingyuan was not discouraged: "Who says we have to use conventional thinking?"

He took out a stack of brand-new design blueprints; these were a simplified infrared guidance system he had specially designed based on system knowledge, combined with current technical conditions.

"We don't need complex omnidirectional detection; it is enough to be able to identify the heat signatures of large targets. The key is the algorithm—using the simplest hardware to achieve the most efficient functionality."

Under Li Mingyuan's guidance, C Group began a brand-new technical route. The Iron Arm-11 Robot was brought in specifically to manufacture high-precision components, while Engineer Zhao led the team to work day and night on algorithms and system integration.

The R&D center was brightly lit, and the engineers in the laboratory forgot to eat or sleep. As one technical hurdle after another was overcome, the initial skepticism was gradually replaced by excitement and confidence.

"Is Chief Engineer Li crazy? He actually wants to build a 300-kilometer rocket launcher!" At first, many engineers muttered this in private.

But as the R&D deepened, this skepticism turned into admiration: "Not crazy, he's a genius! If this succeeds, this battle will be a total wipeout!"

Two weeks later, the three groups held their first joint report in the main conference room. Minister Zhang and the director of the Military Department arrived in person to hear the progress.

Lao Liu reported on A Group's situation first: "The missile body design is complete. With the support of the new propellant, the range can reach 350 kilometers, exceeding the design goal by 50 kilometers!"

Minister Zhang gasped: "350 kilometers? This is no longer a rocket launcher; it's practically a tactical missile!"

Engineer Wang followed up with B Group's progress: "The new propellant formula has been finalized. The energy density is 93% higher than existing rocket launchers, and all stability tests have passed. We have already begun small-batch production to prepare for live-fire testing."

Engineer Zhao finally introduced C Group's breakthrough: "Under Chief Engineer Li's guidance, we adopted a brand-new design concept and successfully developed a simplified infrared guidance system. Laboratory tests show that the guidance precision in the final stage can be controlled within 15 meters, basically meeting the design requirements."

The atmosphere in the conference room grew increasingly heated, and Minister Zhang and the director of the Military Department exchanged a look of surprise.

Over the next week, the entire base entered a state of unprecedented busyness.

The achievements of the three groups began to be integrated, and the first batch of sample shells were assembled in a special workshop in a flurry of activity.

The Iron Arm-11 Robot once again played a key role, precisely manufacturing and assembling those most complex components.

Li Mingyuan had barely closed his eyes; his body was exhausted to the extreme, but his spirit was abnormally excited.

Whenever he saw those taking-shape Rocket Shells, he felt an inexplicable sense of accomplishment.

"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth," he often muttered to himself, "If Di Guo wants to use biochemical weapons against us, we will use rocket launchers to blow their bases flat!"

Finally, three weeks after R&D started, the first batch of "Thor MK-1" rocket launcher sample shells completed all assembly and testing, and the 12-tube launch vehicle was also ready.

Everything was prepared for the live-fire test.

The test site was chosen in a Gobi desert area in the north, where a sufficiently large area was specifically cordoned off, with the launch point and the target range exactly three hundred kilometers apart.

On the day of the test, just as the sky was beginning to brighten, the personnel participating in the test were already at their posts.

The launch point was set up with the 12-tube launch vehicle and various testing equipment, while the target range was laid out with multiple targets of different types—obsolete tanks, armored vehicles, simulated command post buildings, etc. Each target was installed with measuring instruments to record hit precision.

Minister Zhang and the director of the Military Department personally came to the launch point to oversee, and several other high-ranking Military officials also made a special trip to observe.

The air was filled with a tense yet excited atmosphere.

"All systems checked and complete, everything is normal!" the technician reported.

"Target range is ready, testing can begin at any time!" the target range side reported back via radio.

Li Mingyuan stood before the launch control console and took a deep breath:

"Prepare to launch the first sample shell, target: No. 3 target range obsolete tank group."

The countdown began, and everyone's eyes were focused on the launch rack.

"5, 4, 3, 2, 1, launch!"

With a loud boom, the first "Thor MK-1" Rocket Shell spewed out orange-red flames, dragging a long tail of smoke as it rushed into the high sky, soon disappearing from view.

Everyone at the launch point held their breath, staring at the data screens and the distant sky.

Time seemed to be stretched out; every second became incomparably long.

Suddenly, the excited voice of the target range observer came over the radio:

"Hit! The Rocket Shell hit the target precisely! The infrared guidance system successfully locked onto the tank group, dead center!"

A cheer erupted at the launch point, but it quickly quieted down to wait for more detailed data.

"Preliminary measurements show the hit error is no more than 8 meters! I repeat, three hundred kilometers away, the hit error is no more than 8 meters!" the target range side reported again, their voice trembling with excitement.

The entire launch area boiled over! Engineers cheered and jumped for joy, officers shook hands to congratulate each other, and even the usually serious Minister Zhang could not hide his excitement, slamming his hand onto Li Mingyuan's shoulder.

"It's incredible!" the director of the Military Department said, excitedly slapping the table, "Is this really a rocket launcher? It has the precision of a missile!"

Lao Liu wiped away tears from the corners of his eyes.

"Continue testing," he quickly regained his composure, "Second sample shell, target: No. 1 target range command post building."

The subsequent tests were equally successful; all twelve sample shells hit their targets, with an average hit error of less than 10 meters, perfectly verifying the various performance indicators of the "Thor MK-1."

The test results were immediately compiled into a detailed report, and Minister Zhang and the director of the Military Department flew back to the capital overnight to report this major breakthrough to the higher-ups.

"'Thor Project' is classified as top secret; any leak will be regarded as the most serious crime," Minister Zhang solemnly instructed before leaving.

"At the same time, the superiors have approved the mass production plan. The first batch of 24 launch vehicles and 288 Rocket Shells will be produced within one month and deployed directly to the front line."

After returning to the base, Li Mingyuan immediately set about formulating a mass production plan.

"The Iron Arm-11 Robot will be put to great use again," Li Mingyuan said to the person in charge of production, "Deploying them in the key links of guidance system and warhead assembly can increase efficiency by at least three times while ensuring precision."

To speed up production, the military industrial base urgently renovated three workshops specifically for the mass production of the "Thor MK-1."

High-quality parts suppliers from all over the country were also secretly mobilized to step up production of various key components without knowing the final purpose.

At the same time, the Military Department established a special task force to study how to coordinate the use of the rocket launcher with previously developed Missile systems to form a more powerful strike capability.