Chapter 674: Improving the Anti-Aircraft Gun
The evolution of tank cannons had historically swung from smoothbore to rifled, and later back to smoothbore again.
Initially, most tank guns were simple smoothbores, with rare exceptions like the Saint-Chamond, which mounted a rifled 75mm field gun—an anomaly at the time. Early tanks were primitive, mainly serving as mobile "bullet shields," so accuracy wasn't highly prioritized.
However, as tank technology rapidly advanced, battlefield demands shifted toward greater accuracy and longer range, prompting widespread adoption of rifled cannons. Compared to smoothbores, rifled cannons offered two clear advantages: improved accuracy and extended range due to the spin imparted by the rifling, stabilizing the projectile's flight.
This accuracy and range proved decisive in tank-versus-tank engagements. When two tanks encountered each other at equal distances with similar armor protection, the rifled gun's accuracy often determined the winner in a single decisive shot.
Consequently, rifled cannons dominated tank warfare throughout World War II.
However, this status quo was completely overturned by the emergence of Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) ammunition.
APFSDS rounds featured a fin-stabilized dart-like penetrator enclosed in a detachable sabot. Once fired, the sabot detached mid-flight, leaving a stable, high-velocity projectile traveling straight toward the target without needing rifling-induced spin.
This innovation rendered rifling obsolete. With APFSDS ammunition, smoothbore cannons became not only viable but superior. The previously dominant advantages of rifled cannons disappeared instantly.
Moreover, rifled cannons retained several inherent disadvantages:
High manufacturing costs: Rifling required precision machining, significantly raising expenses.Reduced barrel lifespan: Rifling grooves wore down rapidly due to friction each time a projectile was fired, shortening barrel life considerably.Lower projectile velocity: Energy lost to friction with rifling reduced muzzle velocity, weakening penetration.
Ultimately, smoothbore cannons with APFSDS ammunition entirely surpassed rifled guns, leaving rifled barrels an expensive, inefficient relic.
(Post-World War II, most nations adopted smoothbore cannons. The British, stubbornly holding onto rifled guns for decades, eventually surrendered and adopted German-designed smoothbores, by which time they'd fallen far behind globally.)
Knowing this historical evolution, Charles confidently chose smoothbore cannons from the outset, entirely bypassing expensive intermediate steps. He had no reason to hesitate. With no competing specialized tank cannons yet in existence elsewhere, a simple 75mm smoothbore was perfectly sufficient.
If other nations eventually adopted rifled tank guns, Charles could later reveal his superior APFSDS ammunition, instantly rendering rival technologies obsolete:
"Your rifled guns are costly, ineffective relics."
"Discard them immediately, or prepare to lose!"
Naturally, Charles didn't share these insights openly with Stokes or his engineers. It wasn't yet the right time, nor was it in his interest as a businessman to prematurely educate competitors.
Charles intended to let other nations invest heavily in rifled gun development first, exhausting themselves financially before forcing them to abandon their costly weapons entirely.
Instead, Charles offered the engineers a flawless short-term justification:
"Gentlemen, we're currently at war," Charles said convincingly. "The battlefield won't wait indefinitely. France urgently needs a large number of tanks deployed quickly, yet our resources and manpower remain extremely limited. Under these circumstances, we must compromise to expedite production."
Stokes and the engineers fell silent, unable to dispute this compelling argument.
Finally, Stokes reluctantly agreed, "The general is correct. Our equipment must prioritize practicality and rapid deployment under wartime conditions."
One after another, researchers nodded thoughtfully:
"Indeed, we neglected the urgency of the current situation."
"Given France's rationing policy, producing expensive rifled barrels may indeed be impractical now."
"Without rapid mass production, even the best-designed rifled cannon would fail to have battlefield impact."
Thus, the team unanimously agreed to adopt simpler, cheaper smoothbore cannons for the new tanks.
(Note: Modern smoothbore cannons, thanks to advanced materials and processes, can actually cost as much or more than rifled cannons. However, during World War I and II eras, smoothbores were significantly cheaper to produce.)
After resolving the barrel issue, Stokes led Charles and Dreyoka into his expansive, luxurious office.
Charles was astonished—Stokes's office exceeded a hundred square meters, divided into three separate rooms plus a sitting area. It included a secretary's office, telecommunications room, workspace, and even exercise equipment.
Charles glanced questioningly at Dreyoka, who offered a discreet smile and nod, silently communicating: "It's worth every penny if we retain talent."
Charles, slightly amused, wanted to remind him: "Father, Stokes is essentially a defector—there's no need to fear him leaving."
Stokes warmly invited them to sit comfortably: "Would you like anything to drink?"
Charles requested coffee; Dreyoka chose wine, and Stokes ordered wine as well. Soon, a secretary brought their drinks, along with a platter of sliced apples and pastries—luxuries few ordinary families could afford during wartime rationing.
"Your son is truly exceptional, Mr. Dreyoka," Stokes toasted cheerfully, complimenting Charles. "He resolved in minutes an issue we've debated fruitlessly for days."
"Thank you, Mr. Stokes," Dreyoka replied warmly, smiling proudly. "He is indeed remarkable."
Charles modestly brushed aside the praise, instead retrieving a set of detailed blueprints from his briefcase and handing them to Stokes: "Mr. Stokes, can your team manufacture this?"
Stokes studied the blueprints, intrigued yet puzzled: "An artillery piece? Why not send it directly to the artillery factory? They're fully equipped to produce this kind of weapon."
"This isn't an ordinary artillery piece," Charles explained carefully.
The design showed an improved version of the Oerlikon anti-aircraft gun, adaptable for aircraft mounting—essentially a significantly upgraded variant of the German Becker autocannon captured from enemy forces.
"We already possess a similar weapon," Charles continued. "Captured from the Germans, it's called the Becker cannon. I need your team to modify it precisely according to these specifications."
Charles handed Stokes another detailed document containing photographs and technical data of the Becker cannon.
Understanding dawned immediately in Stokes's eyes. This project perfectly matched his team's expertise—precisely the kind of task engineers like them excelled at.
After carefully comparing the two sets of documents, Stokes confidently accepted without hesitation: "Certainly, General. This doesn't appear particularly difficult. We can handle it without problems."
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