Chapter 640： R twenty medium tank prototype (part 2)

Latest website: In the test site, a tank had just passed over a muddy puddle with water, and then climbed up a steep **** with great effort. Then continue to climb over a trench and continue to run in the muddy and complicated proving ground.

At the side of the test field, rows of officers held up binoculars to carefully observe the driving conditions of the tank.

"It looks pretty good."

Hoffman, who put down his binoculars, gave a good evaluation of the tank prototype that was driving.

Heck, who heard Huffman's evaluation, finally put his heart in his stomach.

Speaking of which, as the designer of the tank, does Helk know that the prototype is super-high and heavy? Can he know that the tank is designed by him? But in order to highlight the performance of the tank, these are inevitable results. It's like adding more water to the noodles and adding more water to the noodles. For higher performance, plus this system plus that system, the weight and height will exceed the standard.

However, it seems that the result of exceeding the standard is not bad. At least Lieutenant General Hoffman, who is the main person in charge of the acceptance work, is very satisfied with the performance of the new tank.

After the tank's test run at the proving ground was over, Hoffman immediately stepped forward and asked about the experimenter who had just got off. "how do you feel?"

“Very good. It’s much better than our previous tanks. It’s the least bumpy feeling. It’s better than the previous R10. When going up a steep slope, I obviously feel that the tank’s power is not exhausted. It should be able to output more High power. Reversing speed is also good. The only thing I'm not used to is that the turret speed is not as fast as light."

But thinking that this is a medium tank and the turret weight is not the same level, the test driver who answered couldn't help shaking his head and smiling.

The test driver's answer made Hoffman a lot firmer. No matter from which aspect, this is a tank with outstanding performance. There are three major tanks, including firepower, protection, and maneuverability. It is the tank that Romania and I need.

"How about it, Hoffman."

Major General Antonescu of the Second Armored Division also came to ask at this time. This time the test of how the new tank can lack his figure, although the training of the Second Armored Division is currently in full swing, it is related to their new equipment and must come and see in person. So when Hoffman asked about the test crews, the current number two of the Romanian armored forces must also come up to ask.

"The test drive is going well."

Hoffman’s words made Antonescu very happy. Who doesn’t want to get better and better equipped himself, and the Jackal IV tanks currently equipped in the Second Armored Division are mostly second-hand equipment used by the First Division. Although the Jackal IV is still not outdated, but I don't want to use a better one. And the time for the equipment to be finalized is still uncertain, but at least it represents the hope of changing outfits.

"What do you think, Lieutenant General Huffman."

After the two returned, Admiral Feleit asked his evaluation of the tank. As the chief of the general staff, he knows everything in the future. Of course he doesn't know much about tanks than Hoffman, so this can only be evaluated by the father of the Romanian armored soldiers.

And Fereit's words made everyone present hold their breath. Because Hoffman's decision will represent the issue of whether this tank can be entered into service. This is not only a major issue for the Armored Research Institute, but also a major issue for the military.

Hoffman, who was being watched by everyone, replied slowly. "At present, it seems that this tank has no obvious shortcomings, so further military use evaluation is needed. I think it can be produced on a small scale so that officers and soldiers can provide evaluation."

Hoffman's words made Herke completely relieved, because it means that Hoffman approves of this tank. The military's small-scale trial is an inevitable process for every piece of equipment, and no equipment can be avoided.

After getting Hoffman's confirmation, Admiral Fellerit turned his head and asked Herk beside him. "Then what do you expect the cost of this tank to be?"

As the main designer, Herk certainly knows the cost of production very well, so he said. "I expect the cost of small-scale production to be around 200,000-200,000 lei. If large-scale production, the price will be lowered."

Herk's words made every officer present frowned. One word, expensive. Two words are really expensive. Three words are really **** expensive.

The current military purchase price of the Romanian Jackal IV is only 61,000 lei. The cost of this new tank is three or four times higher than that, which is unreasonable.

Seeing the military personnel frowned, Helk explained quickly. "The new tank uses many new technologies, and the cost is much higher than before. However, its performance advantage is absolutely unmatched by the Jackal tank. It can be said that there is no opponent in the tanks developed by various countries."

But Herk's words did not reassure everyone, and saw Hoffman wrinkled his forehead and said. "Even if it is mass production, the cost will be reduced by 20-25% at most, which is still too expensive for the military."

Take the Jackal tank as the column, and the total output of the improved version is less than 1,000. This is the oldest tank in Romania, from the First World War to the present.

At this time, the generals, including Hoffman, who became the protagonist of the battlefield with the main tank, had never thought about the idea of ​​producing tens of thousands of vehicles for one tank, let alone 100,000 or hundreds of thousands. Therefore, I have an unusual resistance to the problem of too high cost.

"Well, this question should be decided by me."

Fereit stood up and said as he watched the scene become abnormally quiet. "Since there is no way to reduce the cost, then we will order a little less. Then we will prepare 18 cars for two consecutive use, and then according to their response whether they are large-scale equipment."

With Feleit's decision, the scene became active again. Among them, Hoffman and Antonescu are the most anxious. Because this new tank will inevitably involve how to equip it, whether one division is equipped with one company, or all are allocated to one division.

According to Antonescu's idea, one division was equipped with one company at that time, so at least his troops could be familiar with the new equipment. As for Hoffman, of course, he wanted to concentrate his equipment first, and by the way, to find out how to use the new equipment to organize a training outline or something.

However, because of Antonescula's lower face, Hoffman, who was concerned about face, could only accept that each division first practiced one company.

After the two had divided up the equipment that had not yet left the factory, Fereit called Hoffman to his side and whispered. "Tell you the news that the proposal to form an armored army has been passed, and a new armored division is planned to be formed this year."

Hoffman was pleasantly surprised by this succession of good news from Admiral Fellerit.

Earlier, Hoffman was aware of the increase in the Romanian tank force and proposed to form an armored corps composed of two to three armored divisions or motorized divisions, as the iron fist of the Romanian assault force in the future, fulfilling the requirement of smashing the enemy's defense line. Such a military-level organization will have 500-700 tanks, and the opponent will absolutely be unable to defend it.

Unexpectedly, this request was approved by the above and a new armored division will be formed. This news is enough to make Hoffman happy.

The establishment of the armored army will also represent the military’s confirmation that tanks have become the protagonist of the battlefield, so it is logical to expand its organization, so this proposal will inevitably be approved by His Majesty. Otherwise, where the military has the money to add personnel to its procurement equipment.

Of course, as a posterity, Edel will certainly not refuse this request. He has been preparing for World War II and has always been very accommodating in adding the protagonist of the future battlefield. The report was approved soon. And approved the formation of the 3rd Armored Division with Admiral Fereit entrained in private work.

As the number one man in the military, General Fereit would naturally inform Hoffman of this news.

The reason why I chose to say this news at the test site is also hoped that Hoffman could do a better job. With the expansion of the armored organization, various issues will inevitably be involved, and these need to be solved by Hoffman, the chief in charge of the armored force. And Feleit's notification this time can be regarded as a commendation for him.

Of course, both he and Hoffman will be busy. The emergence of a new armored division again represents an extremely fierce battle waiting for them.