Chapter 86: Anti-aircraft Weapon Demonstration

10,000 characters every day, five chapters presented; it is very tiring, everyone please give some encouragement.

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Li Mingyuan stood in the center and reached out to point at the first weapon: "Everyone, let me first introduce our 14.5mm dual-mounted Anti-aircraft Machine Gun."

Everyone's gaze focused on that relatively compact weapon.

Two thick gun barrels were installed side-by-side on a meticulously designed rotating base, and the surfaces of the barrels were covered with specially designed cooling fins, which could maintain a stable temperature during long periods of firing.

The entire base could rotate 360 degrees, and the elevation angle could be adjusted from horizontal to nearly vertical.

The front of the machine gun was equipped with a compound optical sight with a built-in simple ballistic calculation device, a design that was almost inconceivable under current conditions.

"14.5mm caliber, dual-mounted design, maximum range 4,500 meters, effective anti-aircraft height 2,000 meters, can fire 600 Bullets per minute." Li Mingyuan's tone was flat, as if he were describing an ordinary handicraft.

"Three-person operating team: one person aiming, one person firing, one person loading. It adopts an improved optical aiming system with a built-in mechanical ballistic calculator, capable of automatically adjusting the lead based on target altitude and speed."

A fire control expert couldn't help but interrupt: "Wait, this aiming system... this is a technical problem we haven't solved after five years of research!"

Li Mingyuan smiled slightly, noncommittal, and had already turned to the second weapon—the "Heavenly Net" Anti-aircraft System.

This weapon had the largest volume; sixteen Rocket Shell launch tubes were arranged in a fan shape, all facing the sky, as if a giant net were ready to capture prey in the air at any moment.

At the bottom of the launch tubes was a simply designed angle adjustment device, which could be quickly adjusted according to the target altitude.

The entire system was installed on a sturdy, mobile base, capable of rapid deployment and relocation.

"'Heavenly Net' Anti-aircraft System, improved based on our already mass-produced 107 mm Rocket Launcher technology." Li Mingyuan stroked the launch tubes, his tone carrying unconcealable pride.

"Maximum range 6,000 meters, effective anti-aircraft height 4,000 meters. The special feature lies in the warhead—each Rocket Shell contains about 500 8mm steel beads and is equipped with a simple Radio Proximity Fuze; when it approaches the target, it automatically detonates, forming a lethal 'steel bead cloud'."

"Radio Proximity Fuze?" An old expert's voice was clearly trembling, "This... this is even more advanced than the Polar Bear's technology!"

And what left the experts completely breathless was the third weapon—the 35 mm Anti-aircraft Gun.

This was a true heavy Anti-aircraft weapon, its long gun barrel pointing straight at the firmament, and around the gun body were complex Fire Control Systems and precise angle adjustment mechanisms.

The surface of the gun barrel had undergone special treatment, presenting a unique matte effect to reduce the risk of exposing its position due to sunlight reflection.

The gun mount part was a heavy steel structure, ensuring stability during high-speed firing.

"Type 58-1 35 mm Anti-aircraft Gun," Li Mingyuan's voice echoed across the firing range.

"35mm caliber, maximum range 7,000 meters, effective anti-aircraft height 4,000 meters, maximum anti-aircraft height 6,500 meters. It can fire 300 shells per minute and is equipped with specially made High-Explosive Bombs, which form hundreds of high-speed shrapnel pieces after explosion, significantly increasing the hit probability."

He specifically pointed to a device at the front of the gun barrel: "This is an improved muzzle brake, which can significantly reduce recoil and improve continuous firing accuracy."

A senior military industry expert stumbled toward the 35 mm Anti-aircraft Gun, his fingers trembling as he touched the gun body, as if he were stroking a priceless treasure.

The scene fell into a strange silence; the experts' gazes shifted back and forth between the three weapons, their eyes filled with disbelief and deep shock.

Among them, some had studied artillery for half their lives, and some specialized in Fire Control Systems, but they had never seen such advanced and yet practical designs.

This was not armchair strategy, nor was it an ideal model in a laboratory, but a mature weapon that could truly be put into production and use immediately.

Yang looked at the scene before him, a surge of pride and emotion welling up in his heart. He cleared his throat and broke the silence:

"Chief Engineer Li, can the performance of these weapons be demonstrated on-site?"

Li Mingyuan nodded, his gaze turning to the balloon targets prepared in the distance: "Of course, please everyone remember, what you are about to see next will be a brand-new chapter in our country's anti-aircraft history."

He walked toward the "Heavenly Net" Anti-aircraft System, his fingers gently stroking the launch tubes: "First, let's demonstrate the power of 'Heavenly Net', which is also my most confident work."

Everyone held their breath in anticipation; the air seemed to have frozen.

Several large hydrogen balloons were released to different altitudes to simulate aircraft targets at different heights.

Due to actual condition limitations, there were no real target drones, so these balloons had to be used as targets.

Li Mingyuan stood beside the three Anti-aircraft weapons, his expression calm: "Today, we will first demonstrate the 'Heavenly Net' Anti-aircraft System, which is an anti-aircraft model we improved based on the 107 mm Rocket Launcher."

He pointed to a group of large balloons floating high in the distance: "The altitude of those balloons is about 800 meters, which just happens to simulate the low-altitude bombing height of enemy aircraft."

The experts held their breath, staring intently at Li Mingyuan's every move.

Li Mingyuan walked to the "Heavenly Net" launch platform and personally adjusted the angle and firing parameters.

"Everyone, please note, the power of Heavenly Net lies in forming an aerial 'Steel Bead Fire Wall'; once an enemy aircraft flies into the coverage area, it is almost impossible to pass through unscathed."

Li Mingyuan stepped back to a safe area and raised his hand to signal: "Prepare for a volley! Three, two, one, fire!"

Sixteen Rocket Shells soared into the sky almost simultaneously, dragging long smoke trails as they shot straight into the clouds. The experts collectively looked up, their eyes following these Rocket Shells without blinking.

A few seconds later, a series of explosions came from the sky; the sixteen Rocket Shells detonated simultaneously at the predetermined altitude, forming a lethal area composed of thousands of steel beads.

The balloon targets within that area were instantly torn to shreds, and the scraps of cloth drifted down slowly like snowflakes.

What was even more shocking was that the "steel bead cloud" formed by the explosion lingered in the air for several seconds, like a giant net covering the entire sky.

"Good heavens..." an old general muttered to himself, his eyes widened like copper bells.

"What... what kind of concept is this?" The experts looked at each other, completely speechless.

A satisfied smile appeared on Li Mingyuan's face: "This is 'Heavenly Net'; one volley can cover an airspace with a diameter of 200 meters. Any aircraft that intrudes will be torn to shreds by these high-speed steel beads."

Before the experts could recover from their shock, Li Mingyuan had already turned to the second weapon.

"Next, we will demonstrate the 14.5mm Anti-aircraft Machine Gun; this is an ideal weapon for low-altitude targets."

The staff quickly adjusted the position of the balloon targets; this time, they were several smaller balloons at an altitude of about 500 meters.

Li Mingyuan signaled for an operator to take their position: "The greatest feature of this machine gun is its high accuracy and fast firing speed; the firepower net it forms is almost inescapable."