It's better to conquer them than to command the steel torrent

Chapter 70 | Fragmentation Vests and Specialized Training

Bystanders clear, the authorities are fascinated.

Although the supernatural powers of this world are new to Shang Ke, when studying tactics, he can still come up with unconventional inspiration as a time traveler.

Shank commissioned the Budapest Arsenal, the Metalwork and Armaments Machinery Factory (FG), to perform some odd jobs, first modifying the trucks and the Bofors 40mm anti-aircraft guns, and then custom-making 1200 2.5mm thick steel plates, measuring 30 x 25 cm, in the shape of isosceles trapezoids, made of quenched silicon-manganese steel.

This was an experimental idea, and he planned to make a batch of carrying equipment with bulletproof plates.

This idea is based on two conclusions and my own ideas.

Massive bleeding has always been the main cause of combat casualties. Death from excessive blood loss accounts for about 40% of all combat deaths. A statistic from the Southwest Counterattack War shows that deaths from bleeding account for nearly 50%.

Shell fragments are the biggest cause of casualties on the battlefield. In North Africa, fragments accounted for 75% of casualties, and in Western Europe, fragments accounted for 60.2% of casualties. From this perspective, it is completely correct that the truth is only within the range of artillery.

【Picture】

However, due to the existence of the third type of warriors, the death rate from traumatic blood loss will definitely drop significantly.

As a result, the possibility of shrapnel hitting vital parts and causing death becomes more prominent.

Shangke naturally thought that it would be advantageous to equip himself with a bulletproof vest, or more precisely, a fragmentation vest.

Armor was no longer effective against flintlock rifles, and gunpowder and lead bullets completely ended cold weapon warfare. However, people have been trying to develop individual protective gear for many years.

These strange-shaped individual protective gear are often useless because the flesh and blood body has limited load-bearing capacity. If the steel plate is slightly thicker, it cannot withstand it, but if the steel plate is too thin, it cannot withstand machine gun bullets.

【Picture】

This is a bit similar to the design of a battleship - focused protection or comprehensive protection?
Many times, inertial thinking and path dependence will lead people in the wrong direction.

Obviously, instead of building armor that covers the body, it is better to concentrate the weight to protect the vital parts.

Because there was no technical difficulty, the Metal Products and Weapons Machinery Factory produced the sample in a week.

Each 2.5mm angled steel plate weighs 1.53kg, and the two plates in front and behind me weigh only a little over sixkg in total. This burden is completely within an acceptable range.

The steel plate made of silicon manganese steel has a Brinell hardness of about 160 before heat treatment, and the surface hardness rises to 385 Brinell hardness after quenching. Although it is not professional armor steel, it is sufficient.

Then, the shrapnel-proof vest is sewn with thickened canvas, and then a piece of angled steel plate is inserted in the front and back.

Shang Ke greeted everyone and called over ten free members of the military advisory group. They all came to the arsenal test site to observe the test together.

The dummy was wearing an anti-fragmentation vest, and there were several loud explosions one after another, followed by the sound of gunfire.

Test 1: F1 grenade (no penetration)
Test 2: 81mm mortar grenade (no penetration)
Test 3: 75mm grenade (no penetration)

Test 4: 150mm Grenade (Penetration)
Test 5: 7.62mm pistol shooting (penetration)
Tests have shown that 2.5mm hardened steel plates are sufficient to withstand fragments of small explosives, but will be penetrated by high-speed fragments of 150mm grenades; the 7.62mm Tokarev pistol bullet, which is characterized by its strong penetrating power, can also penetrate within 20 meters.

This result actually exceeded Shang's expectations. If a crude thing he made on a whim could be made to this level, what else could he ask for?

As for machine gun bullets, don't even think about it. Currently, full-power bullets generally have a kinetic energy of three to four thousand joules, and even in the future, they will require high-grade ceramic inserts to withstand them.

In addition, steel plates are not as safe as ceramics as bulletproof inserts. Metal fragments from broken bullets may fly along the surface and cause secondary damage to the neck and chin.

"Commander Shang, you're full of ideas. It's not heavy, weighing only about seven or eight pounds," a captain remarked with interest. "And it's made of regular steel, so its bulletproofness isn't very good. A nickel-containing hardened alloy steel would be even better." An engineer from the Southern Ordnance Group believes there's ample room for improvement.

"Seven or eight kilograms is not a small amount. For infantrymen on foot, even half a kilogram more would be too heavy." Su Ji was not so optimistic.

Shang Ke questioned this, saying, "Our army will definitely be fully mobile in the future, primarily riding in vehicles. This weight is completely acceptable, right?"

Su Ji, with a look of imagination on his face, mused, "When commandos or engineers go under the fire line to clear obstacles and blast, they can wear it temporarily. If it's to be worn regularly on a large scale, five kilograms is best."

Shang Ke touched his chin and thought for a moment, then said casually, "It's okay. We can develop a suitable aluminum alloy grade, super-hard aluminum, which can block low-speed fragments without any difficulty."

The most senior lieutenant colonel among those present commented, "This thing could be the icing on the cake. It could boost morale. I think it's a good idea."

Several Hungarian officers nearby were speechless.

So rich!

Even the great powers have to concentrate their precious aluminum alloys to build airplanes, but these guys want to use aluminum alloys to make individual protective gear as if nothing has happened. It is simply unimaginable.

Practice is the only criterion for testing truth. After determining that the simple homemade anti-fragmentation vest was valuable, the Metal Products and Weapons Machinery Factory continued to manufacture it.

Knowing that Anna could draw, Shang Ke assigned her another task - helping to hand-draw illustrations.

Things are different now. The threat posed by armored forces is increasing day by day, and anti-tank techniques should become a compulsory course for infantry units.

Therefore, Shang Ke began to personally compile an anti-tank gymnastics booklet, using text with illustrations in a simple and straightforward format, divided into two categories: group and individual anti-tank gymnastics.

The first page that catches the eye is the classic quote of the Center Army Group, but he adapted it a bit.

"As long as they know the right method, a determined person attacking a tank can almost always succeed."

According to the training outline, the Royal Guard will undergo two weeks of special anti-tank training, half of which will be field combat and half will be street combat.

After upgrading their weapons, the enthusiasm of the troops was very high. Regardless of their background, at least they looked elite from the outside.

Sigrid was very happy and said that she would give a big reward to the dedicated Shang.

In late May, as the field training subjects got on track, some special training also gradually began.

The sniper, a controversial character, is sometimes praised as a god and sometimes belittled as worthless.

Shang Ke believes that the role of snipers is largely reflected in their deterrent power. In addition, snipers often play the role of elite scouts.

In today's world, things have subtly changed.

If the fourth type of soldiers with super-fast reaction ability act as snipers, their killing ability can be imagined, but they are easily detected by telepathy and lack concealment.

If a soldier with telepathic perception were to use this ability in reverse—shielding himself—his concealment could be guaranteed, but his shooting technique would be no different from that of an ordinary person.

If two people worked together as a sniper team, it would seem perfect, but it also seemed a bit "expensive"? One shell would kill two people.

The game between spear and shield becomes very interesting.

(End of this chapter)