Chapter 961 Light Tanks Also Together

"Well, this simple fire control system is not simple either, at least the effect is not simple at all, hahahaha. So what is this simple night combat system you mentioned?"

With the example of this "simple fire control system", everyone is more looking forward to what Gao Zhendong calls "simple night combat", but this thing is probably not that simple.

Gao Zhendong smiled at the comrades of the Defense Work Committee and said, "Two leaders, do you remember that in the summary meeting after the Battle of Zang...Sindhu, the comrades of the Air Force wanted TV-guided bombs that could be used in night operations?"

"Oh, yes, yes, that's right. Thermal imagers are too expensive. You said there is a new idea, but we need to make sure we have the ability to implement it. We are still conducting research."

"Ah, yes, yes, there is such a thing. Now the result is out? Can it be used on tanks too?" The two members of the Defense Work Committee remembered this matter.

As soon as they finished asking the question, they realized that they had asked a stupid question. If it can be used on bombs, why can't it be used on tanks? They are all night vision images.

"Yes, although it is a bit difficult, I think the basic conditions are met, no problem. This night vision equipment is called a low-light night vision device, which can achieve better night imaging. It essentially amplifies and enhances natural light. This thing is cheaper than a thermal imager. But compared with a thermal imager, the defects are also obvious. There must be a certain amount of natural light, moonlight, starlight, but there can't be no light at all. In this respect, it is not comparable to a thermal imager that does not require natural light at all, but it can already be applied to most battlefield environments."

Although I had never heard of it, the name was easy to understand. Other comrades roughly understood what kind of equipment it was and what principles it used.

"That's okay. It's rare that you can't see your hand in front of you." The army leaders didn't mind at all. It was cheap and could achieve some of the effects of a thermal imager, which was good. At least it wasn't like an infrared headlight or a flashlight.

"Moreover, it is not as good as a thermal imager for detecting camouflaged enemies, and is not suitable for reconnaissance or sighting high-value weapons."

"Hahaha, that's okay, we use thermal imagers when the combat requires it, and this is used to achieve relatively cheap night combat." This feeling of having a variety of technical means to choose from and matching technology according to needs really makes the comrades in the army feel incredibly wonderful. We can actually be so luxurious.

Using thermal imagers for everything is a financial luxury, but this selective use of technology is a technological luxury, both are great!

"In addition, the low-light night vision device cannot work if the light is too strong. It may even burn the sensor." In fact, the most embarrassing thing about the low-light night vision device is the light intensity at dusk. If it is activated, it is too strong, and if it is not activated, you can't see clearly. Fortunately, this problem can be reduced through the design of the optical part.

"That's easy. We just don't use it during the day. We can use our naked eyes during the day, so we don't have to be afraid." The comrades in the army looked happy. This was not a problem.

Gao Zhendong nodded: "That's no problem. It's indeed much worse than a thermal imager, but it can conduct basically normal night combat on most real battlefields." Low-light night vision goggles have not been eliminated until the 21st century, so they naturally have their advantages.

"If it's done, I'll add a set to the commander of Type 62." The army was a little greedy. Since it was cheap, I'd add one to the commander's observation system of Type 62. It didn't matter if the performance was a little worse, at least the commander could see clearly at night. At least this thing was cheap.

The leader of the Defense Work Committee laughed when he heard this and asked, "Why can't you change this bad habit of yours?"

"That's good! We have to get this thing done! Not only do you need it, but the Air Force also needs it. We can even use it for civilian purposes." The leader of the Defense Work Committee laughed. Comrade Gao Zhendong's brain is still useful.

"Well, we will modify the 5DL according to this. In addition, I suggest that your Defense Work Committee move the 5DL production line to the Northeast Ice City Tractor Factory. If the number of Type 62s cannot be increased in the short term, this can also produce some new ones."

Gao Zhendong nodded: "Leader, if that's the case, then we can add an item to the improvement project, adding a horizontal stabilizer. That way we can reduce the reaction speed of the simple fire control system to less than 12 seconds, and the additional cost will not be much."

Regardless of the gun's height, at least the horizontal direction is aimed first, and the pitch is adjusted very quickly, which is very beneficial for actual combat. Just this, it can completely beat the Citigroup's M-60.

"Good! Good! I think this suggestion is good! Add, add!" The leader of the army was in a very good mood. Speaking of the Bingcheng Tractor Factory, he remembered something.

"Comrade Zhendong, Chief Engineer Luo, can you give the Bingcheng Tractor Factory some ideas? How should we modify that light tank?" This was also a knot in their minds. It was really a bit out of date to use this thing, but if it was not used, there would be a real need for it.

Gao Zhendong deeply agreed with this. At that time, the road conditions across the country were not optimistic. Light tanks, which not only have strong off-road capabilities, good protection, and powerful firepower, but can also be deployed in mountainous areas and water networks, do have their place.

What Gao Zhendong also knew was that using this thing on the plateau could greatly reduce the logistical pressure on the armored forces on the plateau, whether it was transporting the tanks themselves or the subsequent logistical supplies.

The original light tank still suffered some losses when fighting the monkey. After all, its armor was too weak and any rocket launcher could penetrate it, making it very difficult to defend.

Chief Engineer Luo said without hesitation: "I don't think any suggestions are needed. Just use the modified 5DL system on him." It's true that there is nothing inappropriate about the 5DL system when used on a light tank. Firepower, protection, fire control, and night combat are all improved, and the weight cost is not that high.

The comrades in the army brightened up: "Oh... yes, this plan is ready-made! But isn't that gun too big compared to the light tank's gun?"

Mr. Luo smiled and said, "This PTH-61 is not much heavier than the 85mm rifled gun on the light tank. Instead of worrying about not being able to carry it, we should worry about the problem of the gun going off and the vehicle tipping over. I would like to ask the comrades at the Ice City Tractor Factory to pay attention to this aspect."

Gao Zhendong also agreed with this suggestion: "Yes, there is no problem in this regard. On the contrary, I think that if the light tank has not yet been finalized, there is one place they can improve."

In fact, Gao Zhendong knew that the length of the light tank was about the same as that of the 5DL. Considering the weight of the vehicle, this was not a problem at all. However, he could not say that he knew the length of the light tank under development which he had never come into contact with in theory. That would be very interesting.

"What needs to be improved?" If the various improvements of 5DL are adopted, the car itself does not actually need to be moved, but Gao Zhendong's words clearly refer to the original structure such as the car body.

"If it is a cast turret, it is recommended to change the cast turret to a welded turret, and generally adopt the protection form of base armor plus composite armor, and then attach external explosive reactive armor when necessary. Composite armor has a much better protection effect against armor-piercing shells than homogeneous steel armor at the same weight. With the addition of explosive reactive armor, it can obtain very good protection capabilities."

Gao Zhendong knew that the light tank had a cast turret, which was not suitable for the arrangement of composite armor.

His idea was simple. First, he wanted to make it almost impossible for the monkeys to bite the front. Their main anti-tank weapons were all shaped-charge armor-piercing warheads. As long as they could defend against this, it would be easy. Using tanks to fight tanks? This was too demanding for them.

Then at least get the ability to fight against the main battle tanks equipped by the three decades. PTH-61 plus composite belt explosive reaction is almost enough.

"Well, this suggestion is good. Although it has to pay a certain weight penalty, the comrades at the Ice Tractor Factory have made the engine specifications relatively high, far exceeding the original requirements, so this price is still affordable. Then why not change the turret of the 5DL to a welded one as well?"

The leaders of the army were happy but somewhat puzzled.

Gao Zhendong was pleasantly surprised when he heard this. Maybe, perhaps, there was a slight possibility that this matter had something to do with his efforts on the materials?
Comrades are all working hard.

In response to the questions raised by his comrades in the army, he expressed his considerations: "The modified turret of the 5DL is too noisy and expensive, and in the current environment, it is necessary to retain a tank configuration that can be produced quickly. In the current environment, the production speed of cast turrets is much faster than that of welded turrets."

In theory, the production speed of cast turrets depends on how many molds there are, which is faster than welded turrets that require skilled workers to weld high-strength steel plates.

"Well, your consideration is very thoughtful and reasonable. Those who have fought in wars are different. They even take wartime consumption into consideration." The comrades in the army thought about it and agreed with Gao Zhendong's suggestion.

Mr. Luo also admired him very much, as he really could not have thought of this aspect.

Seeing that everyone had almost reached an agreement, the leader of the Defense Committee said with a smile, "It's settled then. The original team of the 62 tank will continue to develop the improved 5DL. The improvement direction is to replace the 105 slide, install explosive countermeasures, increase fire extinguishing and explosion suppression, install simple fire control, install simple night combat, and add a horizontal stabilizer. In addition, we will notify the comrades from the Ice and Tractor Factory to come and learn from us, and modify the light tank according to the above ideas, and require them to change the light tank's cast turret to a welded turret and improve the armor configuration."

The Defense Work Committee was not stingy when it came to adding the necessary items, and they went right ahead and added a horizontal stabilizer.

This is actually the decentralization of Type 62 tank technology. The only immature part is the low-light night vision device. But it doesn’t matter. It was proposed by Comrade Zhendong, so the success rate should be very high and it can be planned in advance.

If there is really a problem, it is possible to use an infrared headlight to solve it.

With this modified 5DL, it can beat the American M-60 to pieces, and can also fight back and forth with the Russians' new tanks.

Gao Zhendong suddenly felt a little depressed. Damn, wasn’t that Type 62 done in vain?

Think about it again, if there is no Type 62, where would this 5DL modification come from?

(End of this chapter)