14: Good news, the first-class merit plaque has been delivered!

After determining the research and development project, Peng Lin immediately threw himself into the research.

In this era, due to the need for funds in various national construction fields, the funds available for military industrial research and development were very limited.

Fortunately, Peng Lin had a system simulation space, allowing him to conduct research directly within the system space.

This avoided the waste of research and development funds and resources.

Thermobaric weapons, known as 'miniature nuclear bombs,' were highly renowned in later generations, and Peng Lin naturally understood their principles.

Large thermobaric bombs used by the USA, for instance, employed liquid fuels such as ethylene oxide and ethylene acetylene.

However, such liquid fuels had a drawback: they were volatile, flammable, and explosive.

Making them into large aerial bombs was acceptable.

But if they were to be carried by individual soldiers, they would be too dangerous.

Therefore, Peng Lin first prepared to upgrade the fuel for the thermobaric bomb.

However, thermobaric bomb fuel belonged to the fields of materials science and chemistry, and Peng Lin knew very little about these areas.

After several failed attempts in the system space, Peng Lin simply used the system's 'research points' to purchase research achievements directly.

Finally, after spending 100 research points, Peng Lin obtained a high-energy mixed fuel technology with added magnesium-aluminum alloy powder.

This new high-energy mixed fuel technology not only solved the problem of thermobaric bombs easily coagulating and diluting in high temperature and humid environments, but it was also absolutely safe and reliable.

In addition, in Peng Lin's design concept, the Individual Thermobaric Weapon was also a single-use Individual Rocket Launcher.

After infantry soldiers used it, they could discard the launch tube, which would not add to their individual load.

Currently, the 40mm Type 69 Rocket Launcher used by the Dragon Country's army had a launch tube made of alloy steel.

This type of launch tube was not only heavy but also expensive, costing about 10,000 yuan per unit.

Therefore, it was impossible for the military to discard such valuable rocket launchers after use.

Subsequently, to solve this problem, Peng Lin again spent 100 research points to purchase fiberglass resin technology.

Compared to alloy steel launch tubes, fiberglass resin was not only lighter but also cost only one-tenth as much.

At this cost, Peng Lin could confidently design the Individual Thermobaric Weapon's launch tube as a disposable item.

After solving these two major material problems, Peng Lin officially began designing and developing the Individual Rocket Launcher.

Finally, after about a month, a small 'mushroom cloud' successfully rose in the system simulation space.

'It's a success.'

Seeing the mushroom cloud in the system simulation space, Peng Lin was extremely delighted.

The Type 69 Rocket Launcher currently used by the Dragon Country's army had a caliber of only 40mm and a range of only 300-500 meters.

Its explosive power was very limited.

But the Individual Thermobaric Weapon he designed had a caliber of 80mm and a range of 1000 meters.

The thermobaric bomb's explosion radius could reach 10 meters.

When launched, it could explode at the target, generating high temperatures of 2500 degrees Celsius, destroying all light armor and fortifications.

Additionally, the thermobaric bomb could instantly deplete the oxygen in a 10-meter radius.

Even if enemies managed to avoid the central explosion, they would instantly suffocate to death.

The Individual Thermobaric Weapon was simply a nightmare for enemies hiding in underground bunkers and other defensive structures!

After successful trials in the system simulation space, Peng Lin immediately drew the technical blueprints for this Individual Thermobaric Weapon on the computer.

He then had the technical backbone of the military industry research institute carry out trial production and testing according to the blueprints.

If the tests proved successful.

Peng Lin was prepared to immediately report this Individual Thermobaric Weapon to the Jiangxi Provincial National Defense Production Office and apply for mass production.

If the Dragon Country's military could be equipped with this weapon in large quantities.

Then the battlefield would be a hellish existence for the enemy.

Imagine this: the enemy painstakingly constructs defensive positions, ready to block our army's attack and make our army pay a bloody price.

But before they could await our army's charge, they are suddenly subjected to a carpet bombing of a large number of Individual Thermobaric Weapons.

What a scene that would be!

Moreover, after Peng Lin successfully developed the Individual Thermobaric Weapon, he also received another piece of good news.

That was, the domestically reverse-engineered Chinook prototype had been successfully assembled at the Changhe Factory.

And two prototypes were assembled at once.

Upon hearing this good news, Peng Lin immediately excitedly ran from his office to the Changhe Factory's helicopter test flight field.

Here, two domestically reverse-engineered Chinooks were already quietly parked on the ground, awaiting their test flight.

'Two were reverse-engineered and produced so quickly?'

Peng Lin looked at these two helicopters, which were about 80% similar to the USA' Chinook, and asked happily.

'Besides giving us a complete Chinook that year, Yue Hou Country also gave us two Chinooks that were about half-damaged.'

'During this reverse-engineering and production process, we disassembled some useful parts from them.'

'So, it greatly increased our manufacturing speed!'

Professor Liu Wen said with a smile.

Subsequently, witnessed by Peng Lin, Director Feng, and Chief Engineer Gu, the two domestically produced tandem-rotor heavy-lift transport helicopters manufactured by the Changhe Factory successfully completed their test flights.

A burst of enthusiastic applause erupted on the scene.

'It's truly hard to imagine that just a month ago, our Changhe Factory could only produce outdated piston-engine helicopters like the Z-5.'

'But now, we will soon be able to mass-produce the world's most advanced tandem-rotor helicopters!'

Director Feng looked at the massive steel behemoths hovering in the sky and said with deep emotion.

In just one month, the Changhe Military Factory had undergone such immense changes!

So much so that he felt somewhat dreamlike!

'Comrade Peng Lin, I also have good news to tell you.'

'I received a call today: your First Class Merit has been approved by the military headquarters!'

After the test flight, Chief Engineer Gu found Peng Lin privately and told him.

Even though he had anticipated it, Peng Lin couldn't help but feel his heart stir upon hearing this news!

First Class Merit!

This was not only an honor but also a recognition!

In his previous life, when he developed the 'Taihang' and 'Emei' aircraft engines for the country.

Peng Lin and the research team he led had received First Class Merit commendations twice.

A personal First Class Merit like this was truly a first for him in both his lives.

Therefore, even Peng Lin felt exceptionally excited.

'The military headquarters originally planned to send the certificate and medal to our Changhe Factory within the next few days, to be handed to you.'

'However, General Xu Liyou stopped them.'

'He said he would visit our Changhe Military Factory next month to meet you!'

'And personally hand you the First Class Merit plaque!'

Chief Engineer Gu told Peng Lin with an envious look.

General Xu Liyou was one of the founding generals and one of the powerful leaders in the military headquarters.

When he learned that he would personally come to present Peng Lin with the First Class Merit plaque, Chief Engineer Gu was astounded by the news!