In 1978, I was admitted to Harbin Institute of Technology

Chapter 306 So extravagant, two rounds of simultaneous firing, and millions are gone?

"Sigh, it's such a headache to have no one to rely on, especially when you have a boss who doesn't care about anything!"

Back in his office, looking at the unfinished design drawings and thinking about how disorganized the school-enterprise cooperation office was, Xie Wei felt a headache coming on.

"Now I understand why it was so difficult for private family businesses to grow large in that era, especially for some that were doing very well. Any wrong decision could cause the entire company to decline. It's impossible for one person to take care of everything, and even if you have the ability, you can't succeed without capable people..."

While rubbing his head, Xie Wei complained.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone to such lengths to launch a nationwide technological breakthrough project, hoping to accumulate management experience in complex systems engineering and select managers from it.

Without sufficient engineering and technical management personnel and experienced chief construction engineers, it is difficult to systematically and effectively complete some large-scale projects at this stage.

Just considering the early start of the J-10's development, given that the "Peaceful Paradigm" project has not yet been launched and there is no complex engineering system management method or even a perfect standardization in China, it is already a major headache.

The Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry had already begun to promote the "Seven Special" 7905 technical protocol for components, but the results were not very ideal at first.

Even if this production order for the 150mm long-range rocket artillery is forced upon them, the school does not have many professional personnel, so it is difficult to guarantee the technology.

"Damn! This is going to kill me!"

Thinking about production quality, Xie Wei suddenly felt uneasy: Currently, the 150mm long-range rocket artillery launcher system is produced by two units, and the rockets are produced by three factories. If the production units do not strictly follow the technical requirements in the production process, problems will arise!

Thinking of this, Xie Wei's back instantly broke out in a cold sweat.

Without considering anything else, he rushed to Liu Debao's office again.

"I've assigned someone to specifically supervise and coordinate this."

Xie Wei rushed to find him, and Liu Debao thought something serious had happened. He only breathed a sigh of relief after hearing what had happened.

"I know, did you emphasize to the production unit that they must produce according to the standards in the seven-specialized technical agreement formulated by the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry last May?"

"I emphasized it. And they agreed."

Liu Debao was even more relaxed.

I can handle this myself.

"Just components?"

"What else can we do? The technical agreement that the ministry specifically issued last May was for electronic components..."

Liu Debao looked puzzled.

"Immediately contact the production and quality managers of the manufacturing unit to hold an emergency meeting at the school... Components alone are not enough! We must ensure that any rocket launcher system can fire any rocket, otherwise..."

This is not Xie Wei being overly pessimistic.

In the self-defense counterattack against the monkeys, the quality problems of weapons mass-produced under non-standardized conditions were exposed: rifles jammed after firing two shots, grenades failed to explode when thrown, and artillery shells exploded in the barrel, etc.

A prime example of peace is the two J-8II prototypes provided to Grumman for modification, with most of their parts not being interchangeable!
This is also why Xie Wei has been making every effort to promote the early launch of the Peace Paradigm!

"Isn't it?"

"What do you mean 'not that bad'! Here's what we'll do: both Norinco and Factory 102 produce rocket artillery systems. Let's have them each provide one, then mix the rockets produced by the three factories together and conduct a live-fire test..."

Xie Wei knew that if they weren't shown the actual problems, no one would admit it based solely on theoretical possibilities.

"This……"

"Secretary Liu, if you don't want these problems to occur on the battlefield and affect future sales, I think it's worth a try. Production has just started, so resolving them will be easier and the losses less. Notify the General Logistics Department and the General Staff Department to organize [the response] as quickly as possible..."

Is it that serious?
Although Liu Debao felt that Xie Wei was being too nervous, he was also afraid that something might go wrong.

I contacted them immediately.

"We provided the complete set of machining drawings back then, right?"

Xie Wei then sought out Fang Pengju.

"Yes, we also provided them with the process drawings for our production. Why?"

Seeing Xie Wei's serious expression, Fang Pengju asked in confusion.

Xie Wei expressed his concerns.

"This won't do! We discovered during previous tests that rockets not manufactured according to the process requirements are prone to problems during launch... A slight deviation in the detonation point isn't a major issue, but a barrel explosion would be a different story..."

Fang Pengju became anxious.

The 150mm long-range rocket has a long range, which means that the gap between the rocket body and the launch tube is very small. It is even necessary to use a guide tube to make the rocket spin at a low speed to ensure the rocket can fly along a trajectory of up to 150 kilometers.

Exceeding the tolerance limit by a large margin is still a minor issue.

The rocket's diameter is too large, posing a risk of barrel explosion; the directional tube is too large, meaning the rocket's impact point could be the same point where the Indians launch long-range missiles...

“Previously, we strictly followed the process drawings during production to ensure that all parts were within tolerance. Any defective parts that exceeded the tolerance were not used…”

Xu Changshuai, the workshop director, hurriedly explained.

In the early days of production, whether the rocket diameter was a little larger or smaller didn't seem to matter to anyone, as long as it could be launched.

However, during subsequent live-fire tests, it was discovered that accuracy could not be guaranteed.

There are a total of 8 directional tubes in two groups, with the largest and smallest inner diameters differing by 1.2 millimeters!

Of course, during the production of rockets, they were manufactured and assembled according to the dimensions of the directional tube without any problems. However, during testing, the landing point of each missile deviated significantly from the theoretical value.

If it weren't for Xie Rou's humanoid computer-like ballistic simulation, the cause wouldn't have been found so quickly.

"It wasn't us, it was them!"

"We need to tell the other units quickly. With so many, based on previous production, most of them can definitely be guaranteed to be within tolerance, but for all of them, I can't guarantee it."

Xu Changshuai said urgently.

He is familiar with the current large-scale production in China.

Even with a dedicated production line and three different manufacturers producing simultaneously, it cannot be guaranteed that the produced parts will be the same size.

Unless they all strictly follow the process drawings and ensure that the dimensions are within the range.

"What are they trying to do? They're conducting live-fire target practice again and inviting us to visit?"

Long Yaohua suddenly realized that there was a lot more to do at Harbin Institute of Technology after he went there.

"Sir, Xie Wei said this is not just about sending technical personnel abroad for training, but also about the development of the entire military industry, and even the development of the next generation of fighter jets..."

Li Rui didn't want to come either.

My current job is at the National Defense Science and Technology Office, which is part of the military system, but I can't refuse the school's offer.

"Okay, I'll arrange the work at hand."

Long Yaohua did not refuse.

"What does testing rocket launchers have to do with our navy? Do they want to install this rocket launcher on their warships? That's utterly absurd!"

Navy Commander Ye looked at Li Rui and directly expressed that he had no interest whatsoever.

If they develop a high-powered naval gun with a longer range and faster rate of fire, or a weapon specifically for the navy, it would be normal for them to invite me, the head of the navy, to visit it.

Do you really think the navy has no funding, no shipbuilding plans, and that the navy leaders are just idle?
"Commander Ye, this is related to the development of the navy..."

What does naval development have to do with rocket artillery?

Chief Ye immediately kicked Li Rui out of his office.

What a fuss!

The only weapons the navy can use are the depth charges used for anti-submarine warfare at the bow of warships; they have no need for rockets with a range of 150 kilometers.

To attack enemy warships by saturation attacks?
However, after Li Rui left, Chief Ye still summoned the naval staff officer in charge of equipment and asked them to go and see what the other party was up to.

Li Rui was almost the last to approach Minister Zheng. "The school has something to report to you? Director Li, isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

"Perfect, very perfect. I'm still the president of Harbin Institute of Technology."

"No, haven't their organizational affiliations already been transferred to the military?"

Minister Zheng snorted coldly, "I heard that you have been planning to have Harbin Institute of Technology take the lead in developing a new generation of fighter jets. Perhaps my Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry should be merged with the Third Ministry of Machinery Industry and simply called the Ministry of Aerospace Industry."

The fighter jet project was organized by Li Rui when he was in school.

The leaders of the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry had no objection to investing a small amount of research funding each year to study some advanced technologies, in accordance with the original schedule and pace.

But now that we are officially launching the research project for the next generation of fighter jets, it's not something that can be stopped by a budget of ten or twenty million yuan per year.

How poor is the Air Force?

Minister Zheng's dissatisfaction with Principal Li is not a recent development.

"Boss, it's not that serious, it's not that serious."

Li Rui forced an awkward smile, "Regarding fighter jets, Comrade Debao and I have already explained it to the ministry. The reason for developing fighter jets is that the university wants to use the project to accumulate experience in managing complex engineering systems… It's related to the promotion and supplementation of the 'Seven-Specialty Technical Agreement'…"

Upon hearing this, Minister Zheng's expression turned serious. "Does the school have a way to speed up the promotion?"

"It's unclear at the moment. Xie Wei is concerned that the launch systems produced by Norinco and Factory 102 may differ in quality, and the rockets produced by several factories may have size variations... This time, not only are the production and quality managers of the manufacturing units required to participate, but equipment managers from the General Armaments Department, the General Logistics Department, and the Army, Navy, and Air Force have also been invited to participate..."

What is Xie Wei trying to do?

Minister Zheng became curious, "The relevant leaders and cadres in these departments are all busy, how can they have time?"

"They've basically all agreed. Chief Long Yaohua will personally attend, although it wasn't explicitly stated. Xie Wei probably wants to standardize the entire military industry..."

Li Rui actually knew.

However, his organizational affiliation has now been transferred out of the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry.

"I will arrange for someone to participate."

Minister Zheng nodded.

The quality control problems during the production process were indeed very serious. The first launch of the Long March 1 rocket failed in 1970; the launch of the Long March 2 rocket failed in 1970; the launch of the Long March 2 rocket failed in 1974; the launch of the Long March 3 rocket failed in 1975...

In the 1970s, there were several rocket launch failures in succession. During the subsequent troubleshooting process, it was found that almost all of the failures were due to quality issues; and other military products also had the same problems.

Therefore, after several years of investigation, the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry formulated the 7905 "Seven Special" Technical Agreement in order to ensure the quality of military components.

The implementation process was not smooth.

Funding is tight for all units, and many components are designed with high precision, making it difficult to guarantee the quality of products during production due to issues such as processing equipment and processing experience.

Should it be scrapped immediately?

The cost is unacceptable.

Therefore, production units often try to find solutions in other parts that mate with the parts that are already out of tolerance. For example, if the outer diameter of the original part is too small, they will reduce the inner diameter of the hole in the part to be assembled; if the hole is too large, they will enlarge the shaft to mate with it...

Even for some critical core components, if they are machined to a smaller size, the experienced workers in the workshop will weld an extra layer around the material before processing, completely unaware that this welding process can alter the material's properties; or the components may even be scrapped during subsequent heat treatment...

Various situations have arisen.

If unified standardization can be implemented, production quality can be controlled.

Why doesn't Minister Zheng support this?

In less than a month, a group of bigwigs gathered at a shooting range in the Gobi Desert in Northwest China.

Two 150mm rocket launcher systems, manufactured by Norinco and Factory 102 respectively, were transported from Inner Mongolia and the Dabashan Mountains to the test firing range in the Northwest in a very short time through emergency dispatch by the General Assembly.

"Does the military have plans to equip itself with this long-range rocket launcher?"

Seeing so many bigwigs from the military gathered at the test firing range, Sun Maocheng, who had come in person, excitedly asked Fan Zhiyong, who was standing next to him, who was unhappy.

In Fan Zhiyong's view, Harbin Institute of Technology is messing around.

It's just a test, why bother inviting so many leaders to visit, and even having the factory send its own leaders?

"Even if the military has plans to equip it with these items, there won't be many."

Fan Zhiyong shook his head.

He didn't understand why so many high-ranking military leaders were here.

This was probably not a regular test firing.

Fortunately, they had made thorough preparations beforehand to ensure that the launch system they produced would not have any problems.

On the other side, several technicians from Norinco were still debugging the first launch system they had produced.

由三家厂生产的共计32枚150火箭弹，除了102厂自己生产了16枚，北方工业跟江北机械厂各生产了8枚。

Half of the 102 units produced have already been loaded into the launch containers; the other half are neatly placed a few dozen meters behind the launch site.

The eight rockets from Norinco were also packed in launch boxes, while the first batch of rockets produced by the Jiangbei factory were placed dozens of meters behind them.

"You guys really went all out this time! Two launch systems, 32 rockets, two salvos, and millions are gone."

Long Yaohua looked at Xie Wei and Liu Debao.

People from Harbin Institute of Technology are usually quite frugal.

Surprisingly, they didn't even ask the military to reimburse them for the live-fire test expenses this time.

"Sir, any weapon system requires extensive testing from design to maturity. Although we have conducted environmental tests and test firings before, we only had one firing system, so the data was not accurate enough. To further improve the range and accuracy, we must conduct more live-fire tests."

Xie Wei said with a smile.

Live-fire testing is definitely a must.

"Tell me your specific thoughts?"

Long Yaohua looked at Xie Wei with great interest, hoping he could tell him how to promote standardization in the entire military industry.

"Sir, let's talk after we've seen the test."

Xie Wei did not rush to explain.

He was certain that the dimensions of the rocket launcher guide tubes inside each launch box of the two launchers in front of him were definitely not exactly the same, and the rockets produced by the three companies...

"Report: All preparations for the test launch are complete! Please give instructions, sir!"

After Norinco completed the debugging of the launch system, the person in charge of the test launch site reported to Long Yaohua.

"Is the firing range ready? Are the radar stations along the route also ready?"

Long Yaohua asked.

"Everything is ready. The radar stations along the route are already operational..."

"and many more."

Just as Long Yaohua was about to order the testing to begin, Xie Wei stopped him, saying, "Have them remove all the missiles from the launch boxes, mix up the missiles and remaining ammunition from both launch systems, and reload them!"

"what?"

As soon as Xie Wei said that, the expressions of everyone, whether they were from Factory 102 or Norinco, changed instantly.

If that's the case, their rocket artillery launching system won't even be very accurate in the first round!
No!

We must find a way to stop it.

Before they could even speak, Xie Wei interjected, "The directional tubes for the launch system and the dimensions of the rockets are the same as the drawings we provided, and the requirements are the same. If the dimensions cannot be kept consistent and they cannot be interchanged, then with such a large batch sold, the customers might return the goods!"

(End of this chapter)