"Tell me, Major Sokov. How did you come up with the idea of designing such a crude rocket launcher?"
After Yakov's arrangement, Ustinov finally agreed to meet Sokov in his office. Just when Sokov came to the office and was surprised by Ustinov's youth, the other party had already lost no time in asking the question he was most interested in.
"Comrade People's Commissar!" Upon hearing Ustinov's question, Sokov quickly calmed down and replied respectfully: "I designed this weapon not only for its practicality, but also for its beautiful appearance. .”
"Interesting, interesting." Ustinov now said "Interesting" twice in a row, and then asked: "Major Sokov, do you really think this kind of weapon can be effective on the battlefield?"
"Yes, Comrade People's Commissar, I am very sure." Sokov said, respectfully placed several drawings he had drawn overnight in front of the other party, and continued: "These are the various aspects of the new rocket launcher. Please take a look at the technical parameters."
Ustinov took the drawings from Sokov's hand, looked at them carefully, nodded and said: "Yes, Major Sokov, judging from these drawings, the main features of various components are The side view, left side view and top view are all quite standard. You must have received training in mechanical drawing, right?"
Regarding Ustinov's question, Sokov just grinned and did not give the other party an accurate answer. He did not tell the other party that he came from a later generation and studied mechanics. Although he later went into business, he still had his talent for drawing.
Sokov knew very well that if he wanted to produce such a magical weapon for future generations, he could not do without Ustinov's support. If he doesn't nod, even if he becomes the director of an arsenal, he won't be able to produce a new weapon that has no project at all. Therefore, his first priority now is to persuade Ustinov.
Sokov pointed to the exploded view and said to Ustinov: "Comrade People's Commissar, please look at this drawing. When I designed it, I considered that this rocket launcher could be disassembled and launched according to different terrains. .”
"Launch after disassembly?" Sokov's words aroused Ustinov's interest. He smiled and asked: "Comrade Major, tell me, how to launch after disassembly?"
“The meaning of disassembly and launch,” Sokov explained to Ustinov, “is that in addition to integral launch, it can also be launched with four barrels, two barrels, or even one barrel for discovery. Due to the long range of the rocket launcher, when we attack the enemy, we can do so calmly in a safe zone. By the time the enemy finds our launching point, our commanders will have safely moved away. If we are well concealed, the enemy who is stunned by us will , even where the launch site is, it’s difficult to find.”
Sokov's story made Ustinov a little moved. He asked tentatively: "Comrade Major, I would like to ask, how is the maneuverability of this rocket launcher?"
"This rocket launcher is not only light in total weight, but can also be quickly disassembled and assembled. The weight of a single component after disassembly does not exceed 30 kilograms, which is convenient for our soldiers to carry and transfer." Seeing success in sight, Sokov struck while the iron was hot and said: "The rocket shell has a caliber of 107 mm and a weight of 188 kilograms. Each of our soldiers can carry just one. It can withstand long-distance marches even under complex terrain conditions. This kind of maneuverability is unmatched by other artillery. Than."
After Ustinov waited for Sokov to finish speaking, he did not immediately express his position. Instead, he tapped his fingers lightly on the table, thinking quickly in his mind whether he should use this kind of design designed by Sokov. The new rocket launcher is included in the research and development plan.
Sokov, who was sitting opposite, saw Ustinov lost in thought, and his heartbeat suddenly accelerated, because once his design was denied, the black technology he had launched would be a failure. Without this kind of weapon, in Stalingrad, known as the meat grinder, he could only lead his troops and use his flesh and blood to resist the tide of German armored troops. Even if you have the halo of the protagonist surrounding you, it is not easy to escape unscathed.
While Sokov was thinking wildly, he kept secretly glancing at the clock on the wall to know how much time Ustinov spent thinking.
"Major Sokov," after about a quarter of an hour, Ustinov stopped thinking and faced Sokov with a serious expression: "I can include this new rocket launcher you designed in this month's research and development. project. But even if a sample is to be released, it will take half a year at the earliest, so you have to be mentally prepared."
Hearing that Ustinov agreed to include the 107mm rocket launcher in the research and development project, Sokov breathed a sigh of relief and quickly replied: "I understand, Comrade People's Commissar."
"Also," Ustinov warned him again: "Since it is a new weapon, from now on, you must keep it absolutely confidential and cannot disclose it to anyone. Do you understand?"
This time, Sokov did not immediately answer "I understand", but asked instead: "Comrade People's Commissar, Captain Yakov also knows about this, do I need to hide it from him too?"
"That's not necessary." Ustinov thought of the person who first recommended this rocket launcher to him yesterday, Yakov. Moreover, he was responsible for the research, development and manufacturing of artillery, and he could not hide it even if he wanted to, so he said decisively: "Since he already knows about this new rocket launcher, he will participate as one of the insiders. work on the development and manufacturing of rocket launchers."
After successfully convincing Ustinov, Sokov walked out of the office with a relaxed expression. Yakov, who was sitting on the sofa outside, saw Sokov coming out. He quickly stepped forward and asked, "Misha, how is the situation? Is Comrade Comrade People's Commissar willing to adopt your design?"
Hearing Yakov's question, Sokov said nothing, just smiled and nodded, and habitually gave a victory gesture to Yakov.
Yakov, who had never seen such a victory gesture before, was stunned. He asked in confusion: "Misha, why are you showing me two fingers? You tell me, what is Comrade Comrade People's Commissar doing?" Said?"
After Yakov's reminder, Sokov immediately remembered that the "v" gesture seemed to have just appeared in the UK at this moment. No one in the Soviet Union had probably seen it before, so it was not surprising that Yakov didn't recognize it. He didn't bother to explain to Yakov what the gesture meant, so he lowered his voice. Some people participated in R&D and manufacturing. "
