Chapter 27: Master Craftsmen of the Great Power

Of course, such a sensation was only fleeting. More than that, Tang Tao, like everyone else present, was focused and meticulous, learning, recording, and mobilizing every ounce of his mental energy to absorb the information.

It was not often that they had the opportunity to be exposed to such advanced theories at such a high level, without any risks, without any reservations, and with a completely analytical breakdown. The conversion of many of these theories into practical applications, the underlying logic, and the technical transformations involved... for them, it was nothing less than an intellectual enlightenment.

Even during the brief lunch break provided by the security department, they were reluctant to stop. It was only when Old Meng and Old Du insisted that they eat with "combat speed" that they finally took a quick meal before resuming their studies.

"Hearing your words is worth ten years of study. I have been enlightened; I have truly been enlightened!" Wang Suzhen was the first to applaud enthusiastically. The others followed suit, and applause resounded throughout the conference room.

Everyone’s expression was one of fervent excitement and surging emotion. With a deeper understanding, they realized even more clearly the sophistication of these blueprints and the high probability of their realization. They could truly say that such advanced technology was now within their grasp.

People in scientific research all possess a bit of that "mad scientist" spirit that takes over once they get going. They immediately began a heated discussion regarding the technical difficulties involved.

"The advantage of solid fuel is that it contains both the combustion agent and the oxidizer, requiring no external oxygen, which satisfies the requirements for a torpedo's underwater operating environment. Adopting a solid-fuel engine can provide higher speeds and a longer range. This greatly enhances the torpedo's stealth by reducing bubble formation. However, once the solid propellant is ignited, it burns in the combustion chamber, converting chemical energy into thermal energy and producing high-temperature, high-pressure combustion products. These products flow through the nozzle, expanding and accelerating; thermal energy is converted into kinetic energy, and the high-speed exhaust from the nozzle generates thrust. This places extremely high requirements on the material properties of the engine's combustion chamber and nozzle!"

"Cast iron or steel won't meet the requirements, will they? It needs to withstand high temperatures, high pressure, and corrosion, all while being lightweight. This is tough! Such high-quality materials belong to the category of special materials; they are needed everywhere—in fighter jets, surface warships, and submarines alike!"

Lin Yao rested his chin on his hands, his mind racing to consider which metal properties could meet these requirements and from what angles they could experiment. He was a materials expert; if he couldn't produce the right material, it was his own lack of ability. He would rack his brains until he figured it out!

The weight could not be too high; excessive weight would demand higher engine power, and a larger engine would inevitably increase weight—a vicious cycle. This was a problem they had encountered before. Why did most still use cast iron? Because it was cheap and had low technical requirements!

"The guidance system’s circuit module, is that a hint of integrated circuits? And it's not a simple application, is it? General technology probably can't achieve that level of precision!" Tang Tao’s eyes were sharp; he immediately spotted the essence of the refined guidance module designed by Jiang Jingzhu.

Integrated circuits had only begun to see the light of day in China at the end of 1965, with the birth of the first practical silicon monolithic integrated circuit, the GT31. The pinnacle of its practical application was surely this blueprint of Jingzhu’s! This, too, was a major obstacle.

"The ammunition is actually the simplest part. Solid rocket fuel is easy to manufacture and store. Common solid rocket fuels include black powder, ammonium sulfate aluminum powder, and aluminum hydroxide fibers. They burn quickly and provide high thrust, but the combustion process cannot be controlled or reversed... We will try more combinations to strive for a higher-performance warhead!"

For the same mass, different explosives yield vastly different effects. Using high-performance explosives as ammunition allows for a reduction in the weight required for a given strike range, which is also a way to reduce the torpedo's own weight. Wang Suzhen was an expert in ammunition; she understood that the warhead was her mission.

"That is the overall logical structure. Regarding the details of preparation, I am setting a deadline of one month for all preparatory work, with final assembly and test firing to take place after one month! I nominate the designer of this torpedo, Comrade Jingzhu, as the general director, while Old Du and I will handle project scheduling. I rely on everyone’s concerted efforts to complete the established goals as soon as possible!"

Jingzhu had outstanding talent, but this was her first time handling project management. Old Meng took a decisive approach; he promoted talent without bias, placing Jiang Jingzhu in the position of general director while acting as a backup with Old Du. They wanted to use their own experience to pave a stable path for their student. They hoped their student could see further and walk more steadily by standing on their shoulders.

"One month? That is truly quite tight!" Wang Suzhen gritted her teeth. One month it was. She would lead her team in shifts, work more, and rest less!

"Old Meng, there is no denying that Comrade Jingzhu’s brilliance is breathtaking. This design is truly precise, absolutely advanced, and can be called perfect. Moreover, it is already well-integrated with the current domestic industrial level, but it is also pushing that upper limit. In the actual construction process, no one knows how many complex problems we will face. Moving from design to blueprint implementation is never a one-to-one process."

Material research is never an overnight endeavor. Sometimes, luck is even more useful than experience! Lin Yao scratched his messy hair. The situation was genuinely difficult; just because something could be designed didn't mean they had the immediate capacity to manufacture it. That was the most agonizing part. This wasn't a problem with Comrade Jingzhu, but a problem with their current capabilities. Much like the large warships they had planned earlier, they had been forced to settle for second best and launch the Type 65 frigate instead—they lacked the technology and the heavy machinery!

"If we have hands, we can do it! If the technology isn't there, I’ll build it for you by hand! We won't fear hardship or fatigue; we will exert every effort to secure this high ground!" On the other side, Old Feng Yongyun, who had experienced the hardships of the nation's founding, glared and slammed the table, issuing a military-style vow. He was a high-level technician in the institute, an eighth-grade senior engineer. With his skill in both forging and metalwork, he could craft the necessary parts with his own two hands!

"As long as you draw the specific dimensions, if I'm off by even a millimeter, you can take my head!" Although he didn't fully understand the profound theories, he understood the importance of this project. If this beast could be produced, their waters would be at peace. So, what were they waiting for? Let's get to work!

"Such a fine piece of equipment—don't worry, Comrade Jiang. Even if I have to make it piece by piece by hand, I will build it for you!"

"Old Feng, thank you for your strong support! It is precisely because of treasures like you that I have the courage to draw such blueprints!"

Jiang Jingzhu bowed deeply. The nation's military industry began with the hands of these unsung heroes—from fighter jets to submarines, from missiles to atomic bombs... wherever machine precision was lacking or processing technology was insufficient, they were there, working silently! At this time, their manual manufacturing could already achieve a precision of 0.01 millimeters by hand! Or even higher—a truly extraordinary skill, the hallmark of a great nation's craftsmen.

By the time the country reached its peak of prosperity, their technology had long since caught up, with some areas even overtaking others. Yet, some parts still required manual craftsmanship; machines could not replace them. Manual labor was never a synonym for backwardness. The old man should be proud of his craft, and she was proud of this spirit of craftsmanship!