Chapter 217: Equipping the Army with Modern Technology

The room is large, the table is large, but because maps are hung and spread everywhere, it looks somewhat chaotic.

Qin Miao glanced at the map being drawn on the table; the scale was precise, even the ridges of farmland and the positions of irrigation channels were marked, showing that the staff here were very professional, having surveyed the exercise site in great detail.

But……

Relying on the staff to draw maps, how long would that take?

Now we are conducting exercises, with ample time to plan; according to my memory, we have about six months, which is certainly enough—but what about in wartime? How many people would need to work together to devise a plan this detailed?

Looking at Qin Miao staring at the map without letting go, Yuan Lao furrowed his brows; one could say these are all top‑secret information—if leaked, it would be enough to eat peanuts, Qin Miao this quickly……

Anyway, I didn't bring Qin Miao in myself; let him look if he wants! If something goes wrong, Lao Qin will take the blame!

"San Shui, do you have any ideas?"

"Hmm." Qin Miao nodded: "Lao Qin, could we use a computer‑assisted system to speed up military planning? For example, input the map into a computer to make a digital map, input the advance speeds of different units, then the computer could simulate each unit's progress; if the program is more complex, it could also coordinate."

In later times, military command had already been digitized and informatized; now…… the country imports only a few hundred computers a year, and these all go to various research departments— the military? Aside from military academies, ordinary people have never even seen a computer!

Qin Miao decided to start with the first point: digital maps.

We must have this; otherwise, even if we equip each tank with a positioning device, what good would it do? We'd still have to have the staff on site manually mark it on paper maps.

Everyone was stunned—can maps even be input into a computer?

This is absolutely unthinkable!

"Wouldn't inputting the map into a computer be inconvenient to view? After all, the screen is so small…" a staff member said.

"Yes, the computer screen is not large, so we can line up computers, each displaying only a portion of battlefield information, then place a projection screen to project the battlefield situation, making observation easier; at the same time, we could also develop a digital sand table…"

Everyone widened their eyes: "What?"

Although everyone can understand military maps, this thing isn't intuitive enough, so many headquarters set up a large sand table that can realistically replicate battlefield terrain, making it more intuitive.

Just like seeing a model apartment at a real‑estate office when buying a house later on—you can recognize it at a glance—but…… the cost of making such a sand table is not low; in the military, each exercise requires spending a lot of time and effort to build one.

Now, here with Qin Miao, he actually says there is such a thing as a digital sand table?

"Comrade Qin Miao, what is a digital sand table?"

"Well, this kind of digital sand table can have several modes; for example, we can integrate a projection system into a traditional sand‑table model and project our troops' deployment directly onto it, so we don't need to place physical models on it."

As long as we calibrate the traditional sand table with the projector, we can display it; this is the simplest and most direct way, able to show the military's real‑time status, much faster and more efficient than a few staff members moving models with long rods.

"The second kind is…… combining the traditional sand table with a screen, mutually contrasting and complementing; to speak of the best digital sand table, it would be a pure three‑dimensional solid digital sand table…"

A large flat plate, underneath it are individual electrically driven extending rods; as long as we input the digital map into the computer, the computer can control the movement of each rod on the plate, thus presenting the terrain in three dimensions.

In fact, this is the true digital sand table, and of course it also embodies the highest technical content.

"Good, good, I understand—it's like movable‑type printing; our unit wants this! If the technical level is too low, that would be an insult to Ha Gong Da. Comrade Qin Miao, let me state our unit's requirement: the area of this three‑dimensional digital map can be tentatively set to the size of four tables; too small would be inconvenient to view…"

Qin Miao looked at the large table before him—width two meters, length five meters—enlarged fourfold…

"Lao Qin, this…"

"What's wrong? You can't make it?"

"Making a small one is no problem, but making one this big…… requires money!"

"You lot at Ha Gong Da have recently made quite a bit of money; do you still care about a few melons and dates?" Lao Qin glanced at him disapprovingly: "Rest assured, as long as this exercise demonstrates the excellent performance of the digital sand table, our unit will procure it in large numbers and distribute it throughout the army…"

"All right." Qin Miao nodded, only able to agree; the technology isn't difficult, but if we want to display fine details, each cylindrical element on the electronic sand table must be sufficiently small—just like a monitor: the same 32‑inch size, a 4K display versus a 1080P one shows a much different effect.

To simulate mountains, rivers, fields, and villages, we also need different lighting displays…

This is absolutely a huge project!

However…… producing this set also carries epoch‑making significance; our army's command system will become even more advanced than that of the U. S. military!

Thinking of this, Qin Miao's eyes lit up.

"However, I have one condition."

"Speak."

"In CCTV's broadcast, give us at least five seconds of introduction time; moreover, we have the right to sell this thing—of course, only the sand table, not the whole combat command system."

Just a mention will instantly draw worldwide attention; the U. S. military will also see what a formidable military reform this is, so…… they will surely come knocking to purchase it; then, not only can we recoup the high R&D costs, we can also make a killing.

Especially, selling this to the West will let everyone know that our Eastern technology is not inferior to Western technology! Once the gates open, who knows how many people will have their eyes dazzled by the foreign glamour, thinking in their eyes that even foreigners' feces smell fragrant…

"Good, no problem!"

"Well, then our combat command system will treat this digital sand table as its main terminal; we need a large‑scale computer…"

"Sure, no problem—just install it in our military region headquarters!"

"Good, I'll continue the introduction; by then, all tanks equipped with BeiDou terminals will send their data to this device, making the exercise command headquarters' direction much easier…"

When the gates open, the army also sees its backwardness and also wants to equip itself with modern equipment!

Everyone knows that the headquarters can know each vehicle's position and even command it—that is a huge breakthrough; the existing tree‑like command system will be directly shattered, bringing about a military revolution!

Everyone's eyes are full of anticipation.

"Good, San Shui, as long as you can rush‑produce this system before the exercise, I will represent the military and express support for introducing Steyr!"

"Wait, Lao Qin, Ha Gong Da and Steyr have no relation!"

"We understand, no need for you to clarify; however, the Ministry of Machinery Industry hopes you will come over and explain your specific ideas in detail— for this project's introduction, the state hopes to change past practices and embark on a path conforming to the market economy."