Empire Conquest-Chapter 785 - 64: Charging at the Front (Part 2)

That is precisely why the Empire Army invested heavily in developing a field air defense system centered around small-caliber high-altitude guns.

This is the "FP-95A" self-propelled high-altitude gun.

This self-propelled high-altitude gun, which was almost simultaneously commissioned with the ZT-99A, is the Empire Army’s masterpiece after nearly twenty years of effort.

In fact, the FP-95A can be seen as a modernized version of the "Shilkha."

In the later stages of the Boi War, the Empire Army seized several almost intact "Shilkha" self-propelled high-altitude guns and conducted tests on them.

By the standards of the time, the "Shilkha" was considered a very advanced field air defense system.

Of course, there were many problems as well.

The most prominent issue was the lack of a fire control system, leading to poor independent combat capability, and it struggled against high-speed targets.

Furthermore, the power of the 23-millimeter ammunition was clearly inadequate.

In response to these issues, the Empire Army established performance standards for the self-propelled high-altitude guns.

Compared to the "Shilkha," the FP-95A employs two 30-millimeter high-altitude guns, identical to the machine gun on the "Z-10A," with fully interchangeable ammunition, providing the capability to destroy lightly armored targets and offer fire support for ground troops.

The most prominent feature remains the fire control system.

The FP-95A is equipped with a quite comprehensive, possibly even extravagant, fire control system.

At its core is a C-band air search and tracking radar with a maximum detection range exceeding 30 kilometers, complemented by an X-band radar specifically for fire control illumination.

Additionally, there is an electro-optical aiming device for use in strong electromagnetic environments, meaning under interference conditions.

Even if all electronic equipment fails, the gunner can still use mechanical aiming sights installed on the turret.

However, it was this fire control system that almost led to the discontinuation of the "FP-95A."

Not only due to the immense difficulty in development, which repeatedly delayed progress, but also because of the exorbitant cost.

The factory price of FP-95A is 3.5 million Gold Yuan, almost double that of the ZT-99A.

As a result, the FP-95A became the Empire Army’s most expensive main ground battle platform.

To date, the production volume of FP-95A is less than 300 units, equipped only with a few units guarding the Imperial Capital, with the rest deployed in the Northwest War Zone.

The 4th Mechanized Infantry Division’s three independent air defense battalions collectively have 72 units.

One battalion consists of 24 units.

The FP-95A is certainly the most advanced self-propelled high-altitude gun today, yet it’s not perfect, with significant room for improvement.

The most prominent issue is its "high-altitude gun" designation.

At its inception, light air-defense missile performance was unreliable, making integrating such missiles unnecessary.

As a result, the FP-95A only features high-altitude guns, failing to become the modern integrated missile and gun field air defense system.

By the standards of the Boi War, when covering ground forces, the 30-millimeter machine gun’s 3000 to 4000 meters air-target range was more than sufficient, even excessive, as anti-tank missiles at that time had a maximum effective range within 4000 meters.

By current standards, this range is obviously inadequate.

Don’t forget, the Empire Army’s "Crossbow Cannon" heavy anti-tank missile has an 8-kilometer range, with effective ranges over 5 kilometers.

Thus, the Empire Army has always wanted to improve the FP-95A, at least by equipping it with air defense missiles.

To be fair, the difficulty of retrofitting isn’t very high.

Given the advanced electronics, especially with the C-band radar’s 30-kilometer search range and illumination radar’s over 10-kilometer working range, there’s no need to upgrade the electronics; the simplest solution is integrating a missile launch system.

Unfortunately, plans for improving the FP-95A remain in the conceptual stage.

The key issue is the Empire Army’s inability to allocate the necessary funding.

Additionally, the FP-95A has been equipped for less than ten years, and the Empire Army’s air defense pressure isn’t very high, making it hard to receive corresponding funding.

To be fair, the Empire Army hasn’t even applied for funding to improve the FP-95A.

The rationale is simple: doing so would implicitly acknowledge that the FP-95A isn’t an advanced weapon, indicating a mistake in the initial decision to insist on developing this system.

If FP-95A is a "mistake" in weaponry, there’s even less reason to spend money on its improvement.

To a large extent, the FP-95A serves as a psychological weapon, meant to make the armored forces’ personnel feel safer.

In this regard, Situ Lin has a very clear understanding.

Upon witnessing dozens of armed helicopters flying in from the south, Situ Lin finally issued combat orders.

The maximum distance to the frontline is still 100 kilometers. Although, according to the advancing speed of the armored forces, it will take 4 to 5 hours, it does not mean that attacks are impossible before reaching the battlefield.

In fact, this distance is not far at all.

Within at most 2 hours, the armored forces led by Situ Lin will enter the enemy’s firepower range.

Do not forget, the Western Luosha Army possesses long-range rocket artillery with a range of up to 80 kilometers. Even if deployed at the rear, for example, 20 kilometers behind the assault forces, the coverage is still 60 kilometers, capable of firing at targets within 60 kilometers behind the Eastern Luosha Army’s defense line.

Currently, the prerequisite is knowing where to fire.

To speak frankly, the real concern is the enemy’s armed helicopters.

This is also the critical reason why Situ Lin proposed that the Land Air Force assault forces stationed in Atla provide support and assistance.

If unavoidable encounters with enemy armed helicopters occur, then having our own armed helicopters in the air is far better than having none.

However, this still fails to reassure Situ Lin.

His first command is to have the air defense company from the rear follow up to the front of the team, responsible for intercepting any enemy aircraft that may appear at any time.

A company has 9 FP-95A guns, not a large number, but enough to pose a threat to incoming enemy aircraft.

Clearly, this is a very bold decision.

Around 9 o’clock, after the air defense company moved forward, Situ Lin issued the second command, allowing three tank companies to deploy locally according to the planned schedule.

At this time, Situ Lin and his forces were still about 80 kilometers from the Eastern Luosha Army’s defense line.

According to Situ Lin’s arrangement, the three tank companies would take 30 minutes to refuel the tanks and make the final adjustments to the ammunition carried.

Of course, the focus is mainly on tanks.

Typically, "ZT-99B" carries 8 to 12 armor-piercing bullets, with the rest being multi-purpose high-explosive bombs.

But this time, it needs to carry more armor-piercing bullets.

According to Situ Lin’s arrangement, all main battle tanks will increase the proportion of armor-piercing bullets to more than sixty percent, increasing to 30 rounds.

The logic is simple: this battle mainly targets enemy tanks, not other targets.

Carrying a dozen high-explosive bombs is only to deal with infantry fighting vehicles.

If to be said, it’s simply because high-explosive bombs are cheaper.

Of course, infantry fighting vehicles must also carry enough anti-tank missiles.

Even in a state of combat readiness, infantry fighting vehicles usually only carry half the base load, with four "Crossbow Cannon" heavy anti-tank missiles.

Two are stored in the launch system, with the other two in dedicated containers.

The reason is that deployed missiles are prone to damage and are usually managed by logistics support units.

In addition, heavy anti-tank missiles are very expensive; no one can afford the loss if they are damaged.

Critically, a temporary support base must be set up here, and a logistics support company must establish a sufficiently large area for this purpose.

If needed, the northbound armed helicopters will replenish fuel here after completing their assault.

Moreover, transport helicopters will be sent from the rear to bring anti-tank missiles and other ammunition.

Simply put, the first and most crucial tactical support point needs to be set up here.

Of course, it only delayed by half an hour.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, the logistics support battalion’s culinary company delivered the hot meals prepared on the road, ensuring every soldier received them.

No one asked too much because there was no need to ask.

This will be the last hot meal for many soldiers.

Even for the fortunate ones who survive until the end of the battle, it means not expecting hot meals for a long time afterward.

After 9:30, Situ Lin issued the departure order.

Although he was the Empire’s Army Marshal, the grandson of former Imperial Guard Army Commander Situ Jingde, Situ Lin did not have the privilege as the Major Battalion Commander of the 04101 Armored Battalion.

The battalion’s guard platoon he directly commanded is actually a standard tank platoon with four "ZT-99B".

Situ Lin’s vehicle is a "ZT-99B".

To say it, his insistence on frontline command comes from the Imperial Guard Army, and more than half of the elite forces, including the 4th Mechanized Infantry Division, were reorganized from the Imperial Guard Army’s combat units, retaining many traditions and habits unique to the Imperial Guard.

Now, Situ Lin will follow in his grandfather’s footsteps and lead the modern cavalry troops in a charge!