My German Empire - Chapter 4: Future Planning

Seeing the excited face of Obert, Wilhelm sighed secretly in his heart.

A few decades later, this sentence will be very popular, the future of mankind is the sea of stars, to conquer the entire universe. But this sentence has been shouted for decades. It stands to reason that with the rapid development of human technology, we should get closer and closer to this goal. But when he crossed over in 2020, let alone the solar system, human beings could not even conquer the moon “close at hand”, and the number of landings on the moon was only a few times.

Don’t look at the sci-fi movies of later generations often appearing in various ox-crossed spaceships, and even various scenes of interstellar wars, but all this is still very far away from human beings in 2020, let alone in the 19th century.

When he was a child, he also wondered why the various countries on the earth did not let go of all their prejudices and cooperate in the development of outer space, but later he also understood that this is basically an idiotic idea.

Prejudice and selfishness are the weaknesses of human nature. The origin of civilization has been six thousand years, but mankind has never downplayed its aggressiveness and various discriminations. Unless the earth encounters something as great as described in the movie 2012, human beings may be united when there is a common external pressure.

Since God gave him such an opportunity, he would not have the luxury of unifying the world, but at least it is worth trying to integrate the resources of the entire Europe into space.

“However, we still need to make technical reserves in advance. When technology reaches a certain level in the future, after the emergence of new materials, we only need to put our prepared theories into practice, right? It’s better than researching from scratch when the time comes .”

Obert simply fell on the ground admiring the young royal prince. Be knowledgeable, calm and rational, pursue the truth, not arrogant or impetuous, look at the future and the present. If he inherits the throne, he will definitely be an enlightened leader.

“It takes a bite to eat. It takes a step to walk. Let’s start small. I need several rockets, military ones.”

“…” Obert didn’t react for a while. Why did he suddenly switch to military rockets from space rockets? “What kind of rockets does your Highness need?”

Wilhelm asked the secretary to bring paper and pens and scribbled the rocket in his memory. “The first type is a rocket with a caliber of 122 mm. The length of the projectile does not exceed 1,800 mm, and the weight does not exceed 60 kg, including warhead counterweights ranging from 18 kg to 30 kg. The maximum range when the 18 kg warhead is installed is at least It is necessary to ensure 15 kilometers. This thing does not need to deliberately pursue accuracy, as long as it falls in the approximate direction, and saves costs as much as possible.” When it comes to rocket launchers during World War II, the first thing that comes to mind is definitely the famous Soviet Katyusha. But little is known that Germany also developed a similar rocket launcher in 1938. It is a pity that the rigorous character of the Germans makes R&D personnel always pursue the accuracy of this rocket. As a result, the accuracy has not improved much, and the manufacturing cost has reached eight or nine times that of the Soviet Katyusha rocket.

Obert once again sighed at Wilhelm’s insights, took the paper and looked at it. It doesn’t seem to be difficult. The rocket data has already been marked. He only needs to get the engine and propellant. But the last sentence made him very puzzled. “His Royal Highness, this weapon does not seem to have much accuracy. Even if it is manufactured, it will not be purchased by the military?” Since it is for military use, it must be used in warfare. He saw at a glance that this thing would basically not have any accuracy. Going out, there are too many factors that can affect the flight of the projectile.

Wilhelm smiled. “One has no accuracy, but what if 20 or 30 are fired together? How much area does it need to cover? Should I still need to consider accuracy at that time?” The main function of the rocket launcher is to target the enemy’s immobile and large bases. “Covered shooting” means to fight face-to-face without shooting, and is mainly used to destroy and suppress firepower on cluster targets and large targets, so it does not need to be so “precise.” Of course, except for rockets with precision guidance.

“…” Obert is not a professional weapon expert after all, and he doesn’t quite understand what this rocket can be used for, but since His Highness has already proposed it, then he only needs to complete the task.

Then Wilhelm drew the RPzb43/54 type 88mm “tank killer” anti-tank rocket launcher, iron fist, and aviation rockets used on attack aircraft. These gadgets only need to let Obert be responsible for making the propulsion device, and the warhead is handed over to more professional people.

The last type of aviation rocket is also a finished product copied from the Soviet Union in original time and space. In 1930, the aerodynamic research team of Soviet rocket expert Nikolai Ivanovich Ditumilov developed an aviation rocket powered by smokeless powder, which does not require complex mechanical firing mechanisms and artillery barrels. The dead weight of the aircraft only needs to be launched from the trough slide under the wing of the aircraft. At the end of 1933, the world’s first actual combat aviation rocket, the RS-82 rocket, was in service with a diameter of 82 mm and a range of up to 5,000 meters. Its power is comparable to a heavy artillery of the same caliber.

The Il-2 attack machine can carry 24 such rockets. Think about equipping this weapon to Rudel, the “Licking Demon”. Maybe in addition to the Golden Oak Leaf Double Swords Diamond Knight’s Cross, another medal is needed to recognize his merits.

“The last one.” Wilhelm continued. “I want a large rocket with a range of more than 300 kilometers. A weapon that is propelled by its own power unit and guided to the target by a guidance system. The total length is not more than 15m, the diameter is not more than 2 meters, and it uses ethanol and liquid oxygen as fuel.” According to him Obert’s main interest lies in solid fuels. He also knows that liquid fuels have strong molecular activity and low chemical stability. They basically must be stored at low temperatures, which is quite troublesome. But the current technology simply can’t get this kind of solid fuel to propel such a large rocket.

We must know that solid rocket motors with practical value were only made in the Soviet Union in 1956. Even if he uses future knowledge to advance the development of science and technology, he does not think that solid rocket motors can be built in ten years.

So he didn’t want to waste time on goals that were impossible to achieve.

“Hiss!” Obert couldn’t help but suck in a breath of air, range has to exceed 300 kilometers? The first type is not difficult for him, but about the last type, he is not so confident. After hesitating for a while, he asked carefully. “His Royal Highness, how much research and development time do I have?”

“Ten years.” It took only 5 years for the original space-time V2 missile from development to finalization. Although he has advanced the development time, ten years should be more than enough.

“Ten years?” Obert couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. If he was asked to produce such a large rocket within two or three years, then he would not be confident that he could do it even with a knife around his neck. With ten years now, he feels that it is enough. Once this kind of super rocket is successfully built, it doesn’t seem to be difficult to develop other types of rocket on it’s basis? His Royal Highness the Crown Prince really has a foresight.

“Dr. Obert, you can invite like-minded colleagues to study together. Although the current economic situation of the empire is a bit bad, I will try my best to meet the various materials and equipment you need for the experiment. I will not treat anyone badly who contributes to the empire. And0 not only the researchers themselves, but their family members can also enjoy various benefits. However, I don’t need those who have no real talents. In addition, the research department will have the national security department to intervene to prevent foreign theft.”

Of course Wilhelm had no mind-reading skills, and would not know that the Herman Obert in front of him was about to become his stunted fan, so he continued to speak for himself. Although this is not an anti-war person, Wilhelm explained. “Dr. Obert, to be honest, I am also a pacifist, and I also want to make Germany peaceful and strong. Unfortunately, sometimes I can’t help myself. Now Germany is surrounded by enemies looking at us, they won’t just let us send some things into space, maybe they will worry that someday those things will fall and hit their homes.”

Obert smiled and nodded. “Fear comes from ignorance.”

“Maybe they will be curious to find out, and they are more likely to grab these results into their homes for their own use. I don’t know what purpose they are used for. What I want to do is to create a stable research environment for you. And the journey to the universe is definitely a bottomless pit. It is impossible to complete it with our German financial resources alone, so at least it must be achieved by integrating European forces. So Dr. Obert, this important task is in your hands.” A bit more foolish than Einstein. Wilhelm sighed in his heart and sent out Dr. Obert, who was flattered.