Chapter 458 Assault Gun
After a period of intense measurement and data collection, even these scientists tried to start the "Tiger", but finally gave up because they were worried about the engine being injured and spontaneously ignited.
"If we want to deal with this tank, we must use a thicker artillery. The 76.2MM tank gun we are using now obviously cannot do it!"
"It's not enough just to use thicker guns, we also need thicker armor!"
"But our engine can't handle that weight!"
…
There was a heated discussion in the conference room.
Tank is like this. It needs to strike a balance between firepower, protection and mobility, otherwise there will be some obvious shortcomings that make it exploited by the enemy.
T34 should be said to be very successful in this regard, because it uses sloped armor, which increases its protection ability in stages without increasing the weight of the tank, so all three are quite good.
But now, the emergence of the "Tiger" has broken the advantage of T34.
"Comrades!" Sissoy stopped the scientists from arguing: "Have you considered that Germany built such a heavy tank, but it uses a gasoline engine, which will undoubtedly cause problems in its mobility? !"
Speaking of Hisoi, he turned his gaze to Shulka.
"Yes!" Shulka replied: "We found railroad tracks on the battlefield, which connected tank bunkers, and several flatbed trucks, so we have reason to believe that the Germans used flatbed trucks to drag these tanks to maneuver. It is said that time permits!"
The scientists could not help but breathe a sigh of relief.
"So we don't need to worry too much about this thing!" Sissoy said: "I mean if they need to use rails to maneuver, it can't even be called a tank!"
"Yes!"
"It should probably be called an armored train!"
…
Scientists may be right. If you rely too much on rails, it really can't be called a tank, especially for the German troops known for their speed and "blitzkrieg".
But Shulka doesn't think so.
"I'm not optimistic!" Shulka said: "First of all, I think this is the reason why they rushed this new tank to the battlefield. They will slowly solve these problems in the later time to make it move. A real tank!"
Kalashnikov agrees: "I found some traces of electric welding, new ones, which means they were even welded on the way in!"
"Even if they solve some problems, they can't solve the mobility problem!" Sissoy said: "It's determined by its engine!"
It should be said that Sisoy's judgment is correct. The speed of the "Tiger" on the road is only 38 kilometers per hour, and the cross-country speed is only 15-21 kilometers per hour. Especially the terrain of the Soviet Union is either muddy in spring and summer or snow in autumn and winter. The "Tiger" maneuver is even more of a nightmare.
But this does not affect the combat effectiveness of the "Tiger" and its damage to the Soviet army. Shulka is very clear about this.
"Gentlemen!" Shulka said, "You have to know one thing. The emphasis on speed should be when the war just broke out. As they did not long ago when they attacked the Crimea, they went from the Kyiv line to the Crimea in less than ten days and captured it before we were ready!"
Shuer paused for a moment, and then continued: "However, as the war progresses, I think the enemy and the enemy will gradually fall into a stalemate. At this time, the probability of long-distance raids and 'blitzkrieg' will decrease exponentially. The requirements for maneuverability are also reduced!"
The scientists couldn't help but nodded. This is a field they are unfamiliar with, and it is not surprising that they can't think of it.
"More importantly!" Shulka said: "We have to admit that the use of German tanks is much more proficient than our tank soldiers, and they are generally equipped with radios to coordinate well with each other. If several or even a dozen of these tanks form a unit to cover each other, I am afraid that we will not be able to defeat them even if we have several times the number advantage!"
Scientists can't help talking.
What Shulka said is indeed possible. Although the "Tiger Type" is slow, it is almost invincible. Then it only needs to move forward steadily, and the Soviet army will only be beaten.
"I think it is urgent to develop a new tank that can restrain it!" Kalashnikov said: "When the Germans have not equipped this tank in large quantities!"
"First of all, we have to find a tank gun that can penetrate from a long distance!"
"102MM, I think our 85MM flak might do!"
"It's too big for our tank!"
"But what else can we do?"
…
The scientists quarreled fiercely again.
"Comrades!" Shulka interrupted their quarrel impatiently: "Why don't we produce an artillery that uses a tank chassis like the Germans?"
The scientists couldn't help being stunned when they heard this.
After thinking about it, Kalashnikov said: "A very good idea, Shulka. When the Germans couldn't deal with our T34, they installed the anti-tank gun on the tank chassis. Although it is not as flexible as the tank, But it can be mass-produced in a short amount of time and will undoubtedly penetrate the target!"
The difference between an assault gun and a tank is that it does not need so many devices to enable the turret to rotate, and it does not even need a targeting system.
The weight and space saved can be used to mount artillery of any caliber.
Although it still has many deficiencies when facing tanks on the battlefield, at least it will not become a target that cannot do anything to it.
If the number is too large, the opponent's tank will become a target instead.
"I agree!" Sissoy said: "This is indeed a solution, at least our contingency plan during the transition period!"
So this Soviet-style assault gun immediately entered the research and development process.
Although this research and development is not difficult at all, it is to find a suitable artillery that can penetrate the frontal armor of the "Tiger" and install it on the tank chassis.
But it is not so easy to do it.
Because it requires continuous testing, such as which artillery has moderate performance and can pose a threat to the "Tiger" at about 1,000 meters.
Afterwards, it is necessary to choose which tank chassis is more suitable.
Moreover, it needs a certain amount of protection when it is equipped, and it also requires ammunition load and mobility.
However, this assault gun came out very quickly... It only took 120 days from research and development to deployment on the battlefield, which can be called a miracle in the history of the Soviet army.
(end of this chapter)
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