Chapter 258 An unexpected surprise
"Is it possible that we can't find a suitable candidate?" Zhang Zhen said with a serious expression.

"The situation is like this. There are many chemical experts in the scientific research units under our ministry, but there are very few experts who specialize in the research of military explosives. The vast majority of them are researching engineering explosives. Relatively speaking, the technical threshold for developing high-end military explosives is quite high and it is not something that ordinary people can reach," said Guo Tiemin.

"Hmm..." Zhang Zhen nodded.

"Also, the risk of developing explosives is quite high. Even abroad, there have been many cases where explosives experts in this field have caused major accidents due to experimental errors." Guo Tiemin paused and continued, "Our country started research in the field of explosives relatively late, and there are not many young people willing to engage in this profession. Every year, our domestic universities train a lot of professionals, but only a few can really be of great use. Professor Xu is actually the best explosives expert since the founding of the People's Republic of China. There is no other explosives expert as advanced as him in the country."

Guo Tiemin was also very embarrassed when faced with Zhang Zhen's instructions to find someone to replace Xu Yuanming.

Because according to his understanding, the research and development of modern military explosives is still very difficult, it is not something that ordinary professionals can develop, and it is also very dangerous.

In fact, when talking about explosives, we have to mention the history of gunpowder development in my country. It began in the Tang Dynasty, developed in the Song Dynasty, and reached its peak in the Ming Dynasty. Its formula is mainly saltpeter, sulfur and charcoal, but it is this simple material that can burst out huge energy in a very short time.

After gunpowder was introduced abroad, many military experts conducted research and tried to increase the explosive power by changing the raw materials. For example, Nobel, who we are all familiar with, added nitrocellulose to the explosives, and the explosive power was equivalent to 30 times that of traditional gunpowder. At this time, the world truly entered the era of explosives. However, Nobel's explosives were not stable enough and difficult to store, so they were not really used in the military field.

After that, the second generation of explosives, TNT, came into play. Its full name is trinitrotoluene. It was invented by German chemist Will Brandt. It is extremely stable. Through continuous improvement, aluminum powder was added to the explosive, which greatly increased its power. It was from this time that TNT was widely used in wars and became the recognized "king of explosives." Data shows that each kilogram of TNT can explode about 420 million joules of energy, with an explosion speed of 6900 meters per second.

In 1899, German scientist Henning accidentally extracted a brown powdery explosive while developing rat poison, which was named the third-generation explosive "RDX". Its explosive power is 1.5 times that of TNT, and its detonation speed is increased to 8750 meters per second. In other words, only a soap-sized amount of "RDX" can directly blow down a building.

However, the research on military explosives in China started relatively late.

During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the ammunition factories of the Second, Fourth and Seventh Divisions produced a large number of guns, bullets and artillery shells to support the war.

Most of the various explosives used to load these ammunition are prepared and produced by ourselves.

Due to limited conditions, the base did not build an explosives factory. The preparation and production of explosives were completed by the pharmaceutical divisions and pharmaceutical groups of various ammunition factories. The types of explosives produced mainly included black explosives, picric acid explosives, high explosives, etc. Black explosives were relatively simple to prepare and the raw materials were easy to collect, so the output was relatively high.

Black explosives are mainly used to load rifle grenades, hand grenades, and mines. Although the supply can be basically guaranteed, its explosive power is much weaker than that of TNT and picric acid.

The troops at the front hope that the ammunition factory will produce some mines and grenades with explosive power close to that of TNT.

After analysis and research, the technical staff of the Second Division decided to use potassium chlorate to develop an alternative high explosive. After many tests, the high explosive was successfully developed. The mines and grenades loaded with this explosive not only have great explosive power but also good safety performance.

The successful development of potassium chlorate alternative high explosives has alleviated the problem of shortage of high explosives such as TC-T to a certain extent.

In the mid-60s after the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Fifth Ministry of Machine Building Industry decided to build two explosives factories in Lu'an County and Huoshan County in western Anhui Province. Factory 9335 produced TNT explosives, and Factory 9375 produced ammonium nitrate explosives.

In 1971, the 9335 Factory produced the first batch of qualified TNT explosives. In 1973, the first-grade rate of TNT explosives reached 99%. In 78, the factory production entered a period of stable development. In 1974, the output of TNT explosives reached 1977 tons.

Professor Xu Yuanming played a crucial role in the development of China's military explosives.

The 8701 project he previously developed could achieve an explosive speed of 1.8 times that of TNT, increasing the explosive speed to 9050 meters per second. The 8702 project he is currently leading the development of is designed to have an explosive speed twice that of TNT. Once successfully developed, China's military explosives will narrow the gap with European and American countries, making China one of the leading countries in military explosives!

It is a pity that the project has been launched since the end of 1979, and it has been a year and a half since then, but there has been no major breakthrough. Now such a serious accident has occurred, making this project, which was already difficult to progress, even worse.

"But Professor Xu's project cannot be stopped no matter what!" Zhang Zhen pondered for a moment and said, "Our army needs powerful firepower, and the army's general logistics department has always hoped that we can come up with new explosives with stable performance and great power as soon as possible. These explosives play a vital role in our national defense construction and the research and development of high-tech weapons. Stopping the project now is tantamount to giving up. When it will be restarted in the future is unknown."

Zhang Zhen is very familiar with the objective laws of military project research and development.

He understood that if the 8702 project was terminated now, on the one hand, it would mean that the manpower and funds previously invested in the project would be completely wasted. On the other hand, it would be very difficult to restart a failed project. Just like the aramid paper project developed by Zhang Zhen in 1971, the project was terminated in 1973. If Xu Qiang had not emerged, the project would probably not have been restarted in the next ten years.

"In that case, I think there should be someone among Professor Xu's students who can take over this project." Seeing Zhang Zhen's firm attitude, Guo Tiemin thought for a moment and said, "Currently, there are a total of eight people in Professor Xu's project team. Although their level is definitely not as good as Old Xu's, at least over the past year or so, these people have also been deeply involved in the project, so I think it is most appropriate to let them continue the research and development of this project." "That's the only way..." Zhang Zhen nodded and said, "Currently Professor Xu's injury is not stable. When he gets better, it's best to ask him for his advice. Either choose a new project leader from his students, or ask him to recommend a few people. In short, this project must not be stopped."

"Okay, then we can only wait for now. I will send someone to the hospital to take care of Professor Xu. We will make plans after his condition stabilizes." Guo Tiemin said.

"Bang bang bang!"

Following a knock on the door, Secretary Luo Ping appeared at the office door again.

"Xiao Luo, is there anything wrong?" Zhang Zhen asked.

"Minister Zhang, the First Ministry of Machine Building just called and said that the aramid paper mass production project in Shanghai has completed the assembly and commissioning of the production line equipment. The next step will be to start the formal trial run. Our department is required to send expert technicians to gather at the First Ministry of Machine Building tomorrow and go to Shanghai together to participate in the project acceptance work." Secretary Luo Ping said.

"What!?"

Upon hearing the news, Zhang Zhen and Guo Tiemin stood up from their chairs.

"Are you sure it's the aramid paper mass production project?" Zhang Zhen asked.

"That's what they said on the phone. The other party mentioned that the project leader was Comrade Xu Qiang."

"How is this possible?" Guo Tiemin couldn't help but say at this time.

"Okay, I got it. Xiao Luo, go do your thing." Zhang Zhen signaled Luo Ping that he could leave, and then picked up the phone on the table.

Neither Zhang Zhen nor Guo Tiemin could believe that the research and development progress of the aramid paper mass production project was so fast.

You know, this project has only been going on for two months so far, and now, it has reached the stage of final production line trial run and acceptance. This can no longer be described as a rapid progress, but should be described as progressing at the speed of light!

In the past, national key projects like this, especially mass production projects involving large-scale machinery manufacturing, have progressed in years. After all, in addition to the technical theory and process of the product, the full support of the manufacturer is also needed, which is not an easy task.

Even in Zhang Zhen's opinion, it was not easy for Xu Qiang to establish good relations with the assisting unit in two months, let alone enable them to manufacture the equipment so efficiently.

"Hello, connect me to the General Office of the First Ministry of Machine Building..." Zhang Zhen picked up the phone and said to the transfer staff.

After the call was connected, Zhang Zhen began to ask the First Ministry of Machine Building about the situation of Xu Qiang's project.

"... Um, I see... I see... I'll arrange for someone to go to Shanghai right away and meet up with your people tomorrow..."

After listening to the report from the other end of the phone, Zhang Zhen smiled and nodded repeatedly.

"This kid really succeeded!?" Guo Tiemin couldn't help but say after seeing Zhang Zhen put down the phone.

"The aramid paper project has indeed reached the stage of test run acceptance, and the people from the First Ministry of Machinery have confirmed it." Zhang Zhen wiped away the gloom on his face and said, "But it's too early to say that Xu Qiang's project is successful now. We have to wait until the expert group accepts it before it can be officially confirmed."

“That’s not easy either…” Guo Tiemin nodded and said with some emotion: “Xu Qiang is really capable. While doing research and development, he also has to coordinate so many cooperating units. He was able to make a prototype in two months. This is really not something that ordinary people can do…”

(End of this chapter)