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Chapter 176: Red Lotus, Build a Missile Silo

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

The entire live ammunition test lasted for over half a day.

None of the weapons prepared on the testing ground could inflict any damage on the tank.

To further assess the tank’s defensive capabilities, the testing site made special arrangements to contact the military, mobilizing heavy firepower from nearby garrisons, including rocket launchers, howitzers, and anti-tank missiles. All of them were brought in. Two armed helicopters even joined the test.

The tank bore the brunt of various firepower, and its entire exterior resembled that of a beggar. In some areas, the alloy structure inside the armor became exposed.

Despite this, the tank’s defenses were not completely breached, but the driver inside sustained fatal injuries.

As a result, the test concluded at this point, sparing the tank from being dissected further.

Compared to the tank, the armor’s defensive capabilities were a notch lower, but it could still withstand individual weapons.

As for the other pieces of equipment, there was no need for such extensive testing. The tank’s undercarriage remained intact, while the weapons and equipment mounted on it were unable to withstand attacks from various weapons. Once hit, these weapons would become unusable.

Soon, the test reached its conclusion, and the relevant performance parameters could be reasonably calculated. For now, the tank’s defense was already impressively robust.

However, the tank’s offensive capabilities were unremarkable, falling just above average without any standout features.

“The test results align with our expectations. With some minor adjustments to the interior, it can be considered ready for deployment,” Tang Rui mentioned to Han Shu on their way back.

“Indeed, the equipment is in good shape. This performance is more than sufficient to outclass a regular tank division. By the way, what’s the total cost of equipping the entire regiment?” Han Shu inquired.

Tang Rui pondered for a moment. He was aware of the cost for this setup, as he had specifically researched it for streamlined configuration.

Currently, the cost of a single tank stood at 68 million, so let’s just round it up to 70 million. Outfitting 35 tanks totaled 2.45 billion. Aside from tanks, there were rocket launchers, self-propelled howitzers, fire support vehicles, and armored vehicles. The total cost to equip a regiment came to around 5.1 billion.

This figure took into account a simplified configuration for other equipment, but no matter how streamlined it was, it shouldn’t compromise the performance compared to equipment of the same caliber. Otherwise, it would be meaningless to produce it that way.

After revealing this price, Tang Rui nodded, and Han Shu remained composed, not expressing any surprise. Having previously experienced the cost of the aircraft, he found the current price reasonably affordable. It’s important to note that this was the equipment configuration for a regiment. The expenditures he had made earlier were for the configuration of only one or two special forces teams, making this situation entirely different.

However, Han Shu ran some calculations in his mind.

Up to this point, outfitting a special forces unit and a regiment had consumed half of their funds. The remaining half might not even be enough to fully equip a regiment.

Why?

Because for the next regiment, they had only two options after discussing the matter. One option was an air force, while the other was an air defense and anti-missile force. These two branches were even more budget-intensive than the mechanized troops.

To be expected, it was an air force they were interested in.

On Tang Rui’s end, the starting price for fighter jets was around a billion.

As for air defense and anti-missile forces, the expenses were even more substantial. Not to mention the cost of anti-missile systems, vehicle systems, and, most notably, the missiles themselves, which were exorbitantly priced.

Firing a missile was burning money, with millions, or even tens of millions of yuan, being expended in one go.

Just thinking about it made one’s wallet ache.

This was also why some smaller countries couldn’t afford to have an Air Force or a missile force. It was simply beyond their means. Besides lacking the capacity to develop and manufacture, even if they could, the costs were prohibitive for a small country.

Everyone believed in the Nation Guarding Divine Artifact’s invincibility. The mission of the Eastern series had to be accomplished.

But all of this revolved around money.

For instance, the square formation for the military parade, excluding missile launch vehicles, the Dongfeng-41 intercontinental ballistic missile alone cost more than twenty small targets. Just consider how much a square formation like that would cost.

Without being a major power, they couldn’t afford it. They couldn’t even dream of possessing an air force or missile forces.

It all came down to finances.

Apart from skills, money was required as well.

Tang Rui had the skills, but Han Shu’s side was lagging behind in that department. They didn’t have the funds to fully leverage these skills.

Perhaps feeling Tang Rui’s gaze, Han Shu gritted his teeth and said, “President Tang, go back and design the anti-missile system and various types of missiles. I’ll take care of the finances.”

“Alright, then it’s settled,” Tang Rui agreed, his response brief but affirmative.

He could design these systems, but without the necessary funds, he wouldn’t be able to manufacture them. Missiles weren’t like airplanes; they couldn’t be flown for fun when there was nothing to do.

Even if no one wanted them, airplanes could be kept at home as collector’s items. However, missiles were a different story. One couldn’t just display them and set them off for fun. It was a waste of resources.

The money, on the other hand, was available.

Why not use it to buy fireworks?

Upon returning to the airport, Tang Rui piloted the private jet back once more.

The next day, Tang Rui headed to the laboratory and began designing missiles.

“Red Lotus, extract the information related to the Proton rocket from the data exchanged with the Russians.”

“Yes, Master.”

Missile technology was intricately connected with rocket technology, and missiles wouldn’t function properly without the support of aerospace systems. This was especially true for intercontinental ballistic missiles, which were essentially rockets.

Tang Rui examined the data displayed on the large screen before him. The information was fairly comprehensive, and there were no omissions in the data the Russians had provided.

However, the data they offered pertained to the Soviet era and didn’t include information on the later Proton-M. Additionally, the fuel used in these rockets was the highly toxic unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine, not the liquid oxygen and kerosene used by the Russians.

This difference didn’t matter to him. He sought this information for reference, not to replicate it. After all, he intended to create missiles, not rockets. For Tang Rui, if he were to venture into aerospace, he’d likely start with a space shuttle instead of a launch vehicle.

“Red Lotus, design a missile launch facility. It will be constructed next to the reservoir.”

“Alright, Master. Do you have any specific requirements?”

“No special requirements. It should be capable of launching missiles normally. These are intercontinental ballistic missiles.”

Tang Rui emphasized.

“Very well, Master. I have completed the design. Would you like to review the blueprint?”

“Show it to me.”

Whoosh!

A model of an underground missile launcher appeared in front of him, still undergoing various animations. Tang Rui inspected it, and everything seemed in order.

Following this, he instructed Red Lotus to begin construction according to the design.

He then requested the Al to download information about the country’s launch vehicles.

Throughout the morning, Tang Rui researched and compared the differences between the two rockets, absorbing the design advantages. He had acquired this knowledge while using the subconscious learning device, so he picked it up extremely quickly..