Sword: Heart of Iron

Chapter 153 Light and Heavy Machine Gun Test Firing
When Wang Feng arrived at the field shooting range, the heavy machine gunner was preparing to test the gun.

"Hello, sir!"

After seeing who was coming, all the soldiers in the shooting range immediately gathered together.

Wang Feng nodded and responded symbolically: "Where's the heavy machine gun? Let me see it."

"Sir, here!" A captain turned sideways and pointed at the heavy machine gun on the tripod.

Wang Feng strode forward.

Hotchkiss M1914?

The first time Wang Feng saw the heavy machine gun, this name popped into his mind.

They look too similar.

Zhao Fangyuan took the data and introduced it in detail: "Sir, this machine gun is designed based on the French Hotchkiss M1914 heavy machine gun."

"Compared to the Maxim, it uses an air-cooled barrel and an automatic gas-operated structure."

Wang Feng nodded.

These technologies were considered emerging technologies before World War I, but they are not new now.

The Hotchkiss heavy machine gun may not be well-known on the European battlefield, as it is far superior to the Maxim heavy machine gun.

But in Asia, it is definitely at the ancestor level.

Japan's Type 92 and Type 38 heavy machine guns, the Type Liao-13 heavy machine gun produced by the Fengtian Arsenal, etc., are all imitations of the Hotchkiss.

Zhao Fangyuan continued to introduce: "Our heavy machine gun has abandoned the original metal bullet plate and uses a canvas bullet chain to provide ammunition for the machine gun, ensuring the continuity of firepower."

Wang Feng was stunned: "Ammunition belt?"

"Didn't Maxim apply for the patent for this thing?"

Zhao Fangyuan pondered: "Well, it shouldn't be counted if the person is dead."

Wang Feng waved his hand: "None of this is important, keep talking!"

Zhao Fangyuan glanced down at the data: "The caliber is 7.92mm, and the capacity of one belt is 150 rounds. In terms of sustainability, it is definitely better than the 30-round feed plate of the Type heavy machine gun."

Wang Feng half squatted down and stroked the cold gun barrel.

"That's right. For a heavy machine gun, firepower is the most important thing. Excessive pursuit of accuracy is putting the cart before the horse."

Zhao Fangyuan: "Compared with the blueprint, the technicians cut off ten centimeters of the barrel, and the sight distance is 1.8 kilometers. The actual maximum range can reach more than 3 kilometers!"

"According to statistics, in most cases, the attack distance of the infantry of both sides is between 200 meters and 400 meters. The extra range gained by lengthening the barrel is of no use."

"On the contrary, it will increase the weight and reduce the actual combat rate of fire."

Wang Feng responded: "As long as the muzzle velocity can be guaranteed and the accuracy is above the qualified line, there is no harm in shortening the barrel appropriately."

"What is the range of the Type 92 heavy machine gun?"

Zhao Fangyuan thought for a moment: "The sight is 2.4 kilometers, and the maximum range can reach 4.5 kilometers."

Wang Feng was shocked: "So far?"

2.4 kilometers, that’s beyond the range visible to the naked eye.

Although the Japanese took anti-aircraft shooting into consideration when designing the Type 92 heavy machine gun, its combat weight of over 100 kilograms severely restricted its transferability, making it difficult to achieve dual-purpose use for both high and low altitudes.

Wang Feng: "What about the firing rate?"

Zhao Fangyuan: "The theoretical rate of fire is 700 rounds per minute, but in actual testing, the rate of fire only reached 500 rounds per minute."

Wang Feng nodded.

Five hundred rounds per minute, slightly stronger than the Type 92 heavy machine gun.

The 150-round ammunition belt completely beats it in terms of firepower sustainability.

Zhao Fangyuan: "Thanks to the use of lightweight technology, including the tripod, the total combat weight is only 36 kilograms."

"Sir, this heavy machine gun has not been named yet. Please give it a name!"

Wang Feng scratched his head and said, "Why not just call it Changzhi 1938 Heavy Machine Gun?"

Rifles are ordered with specific dates, artillery is named after the Republic of China calendar, and heavy machine guns are simply ordered with the Gregorian calendar.

In the future, when there are more types of weapons, it will be easier to distinguish them.

Zhao Fangyuan nodded: "Changzhi 1938 model. What a good name!"

Hearing his subordinates flatter him, Wang Feng laughed awkwardly: "Okay, how about the light machine gun?"

An officer nearby pointed and said, "Sir, the light machine gun is over there!"

Wang Feng stood up and looked in the direction of the finger.

"Browning Automatic?"

The prototype gun was produced in the United States. Although it is called an "automatic rifle", it has always worked as a light machine gun.

Regarding the development of light and heavy machine guns, he did not make too many requirements in advance, and gave all the leadership to the technicians in the rear.

At present, both gun designs are very good.

Wang Feng walked forward and picked up the weapon that looked like a "Browning automatic rifle."

Weigh it carefully.

It is very light and can be carried by a single soldier without any pressure. It can be used as a squad support weapon.

Without waiting for Zhao Fangyuan's introduction, Wang Feng took apart the magazine and held it in front of him to examine it carefully.

"The ammunition capacity should be thirty rounds."

"And a speed machine?"

Wang Feng tried to move it and was a little surprised.

赵方远在一旁讲解：“根据后方提供来的数据，这款轻机枪主要发射7.92×57毫米尖头弹，满档射速在300~400发之间，快档射速在500~600发。”

Wang Feng was a little surprised.

This firing rate is definitely not what the prototype gun should have.

Although the technology unlocked is Level I, the age is limited to the First World War.

But technology is dead, people are alive.

The engineers in the rear are really talented, having studied and worked in Europe.

Mastering many advanced technologies that are in line with the current situation, as long as you can properly exert your subjective initiative, it is easy to break through the limitations of the technological era. Wang Feng handed the automatic rifle to Zhao Fangyuan: "Tell the technicians in the rear that this gun is well designed, and you can continue to develop derivative weapons based on this."

From memory, the Browning automatic rifle and its derivatives had a long active life.

Since it was developed during World War I, it has been continuously improved.

Various models emerged one after another and remained active until the second half of the 20th century.

In the 21st century, the Ohio Armory also launched a derivative weapon called the "Heavy Combat Assault Rifle", or HCAR for short.

If all goes well, the assault rifle can be developed several years ahead of schedule without the aid of a system panel.

After all, the Browning automatic rifle is too similar to the assault rifle.

"Let's call it Changzhi 1938 Automatic Rifle!"

Zhao Fangyuan nodded: "Okay!"

"Sir, there is another anti-aircraft machine gun."

Wang Feng raised his eyebrows: "Anti-aircraft machine gun?"

It seems that I haven't unlocked the relevant technology.

There are so many surprises today!
Led by the shooting range officer, Wang Feng and his team walked into the warehouse.

Zhao Fangyuan: "This anti-aircraft machine gun is an improvement on the Changzhi 1938 heavy machine gun. Because it is an anti-aircraft firepower, the caliber has been increased to 13.2 mm."

Wang Feng walked around the anti-aircraft machine gun twice.

It is not difficult to see from the appearance that two heavy machine guns are mounted together, an additional base is designed, and the firing mode is adjusted.

The most important bolt structure has not changed.

Wang Feng: "What is the shooting angle of this heavy machine gun? Can it be used horizontally?"

Zhao Fangyuan: "Yes, this is a dual-purpose heavy machine gun."

"Because of the increased caliber, the rate of fire has dropped slightly, and the average value in the test is around 400 rounds per minute."

Wang Feng stroked the barrel of the gun and put his fingers into the muzzle.

High and low dual purpose!

With a caliber of 13.2 mm and dozens of bullets, the Japanese army's tiny tanks could be turned into scrap metal.

There is no need to use anti-tank weapons at all.

If it hits a person, a hit to the chest can directly break the person into two pieces.

In addition to physical damage, there is also a strong psychological deterrent.

Just imagine that the brother who is charging forward with you is suddenly beaten into pieces, with blood and flesh splattered on his face. You really won't be able to muster the slightest desire to resist.

Wang Feng: "Carry out the anti-aircraft machine gun and test fire two rounds!"

The soldiers on the side had been itching to move the object, and upon hearing the order, they stepped forward immediately, and four or five strong men worked together to move it.

Due to the addition of a fixed base, the weight reached 200 kilograms, almost equivalent to a 75 gun.

On the open ground at the shooting range.

Three machine guns are arranged neatly.

Wang Feng pointed to the heavy machine gun and said, "Let's start with this."

"Yes!" The machine gunner saluted, fell to the ground, and aimed at the target in front.

Pull the trigger!

Da da da--

The sound of a large-caliber heavy machine gun is completely different from that of a rifle.

If Wang Feng were asked to describe it in detail, it would be the difference between a small whip and a double-kick firecracker.

The gun body kept vibrating, stirring up clouds of dust.

With the help of a tripod, the machine gunner tried his best to stabilize the trajectory of the bullet, and in less than half a minute, he emptied the entire ammunition belt.

Zhao Fangyuan stood aside, his eyes almost glued to the heavy machine gun.

Self-produced weapons are different from purchased ones, and they give you confidence when you use them.

Wang Feng: "How is the output of light and heavy machine guns?"

Zhao Fangyuan came back to his senses: "There are currently two production lines for light machine guns, with a weekly output of about 10. There is only one production line for heavy machine guns, with a weekly output of only 4. The anti-aircraft machine guns are even fewer, with a weekly output of only 2."

"The bullets are universal, and within a week, the daily output is expected to exceed 4 rounds."

Wang Feng frowned: "Too little!"

"Give Song Wenjie electricity. The production capacity must be increased fourfold before May!"

"The daily production of 7.92mm bullets must reach at least 10 rounds!"

Machine guns are big consumers of bullets. During the Battle of Verdun, two Hotchkiss M1914 heavy machine guns fired 10 rounds of bullets in 15 days.

If production capacity permits, he even plans to deploy heavy machine guns at the company level and light machine guns at the squad level.

Each squad was equipped with one or two light machine guns.

Such light infantry support firepower would not be inferior even if it were placed on the European battlefield.

Zhao Fangyuan took out a pen and quickly wrote it down on the paper.

Wang Feng added: "Within half a month, I want 40 heavy machine guns, 80 light machine guns, and two million rounds of ammunition."

"This is a military order!"

At present, the Battle of Taierzhuang has ended, and the 14th Division located in Puyang is only showing signs of crossing the Yellow River to the south.

It is expected to be a long time before the next major war breaks out.

Zhao Fangyuan nodded: "Yes!"

Wang Feng looked at the remaining two machine guns and said, "Try them one by one!"

"As usual, the new machine guns will be equipped to the First Column first. We will intensify the training and rebuild our combat effectiveness as soon as possible!"

Each machine gun has different performance, and soldiers need some time to adapt to sudden equipment updates.

(End of this chapter)