077 Machinery Military Factory

Biodata

Background and History

At the beginning of the story, 077 Machinery Military Factory is a struggling third-tier military enterprise facing personnel losses, outdated equipment, cancelled military projects, and a complete loss of funding channels. Yan Country's reduced military budget leaves the factory at risk of closure alongside many similar facilities. 1

Under Lin Chenran's leadership, the factory avoids collapse by converting obsolete Type 59 tanks into civilian bulldozers and excavators. The Type 59 Civilian Engineering Vehicle is designed in under five days, and its strong tank-derived chassis, V12 water-cooled diesel engine, and independently developed hydraulic system allow it to outperform imported competitors in difficult terrain. 3 4 6

The engineering vehicles become the factory's first major commercial success. They cost one-third less than imported alternatives, require no foreign exchange, and establish a reputation for durability, environmental adaptability, and after-sales maintenance. The resulting orders fund a comprehensive upgrade of the factory's workshops and production lines. 7 11 51

The factory later enters Yan Country's second-generation main battle tank tender with a heavily modified Type 59 design. Its proposal survives the initial screening that eliminates 95% of competing third-tier factories, but the military ultimately selects 617 Machinery Military Factory's Type 80 due to 077's lack of a suitable diesel engine. 19 31

Rather than abandoning the project, 077 acquires the technology and production line for Bear Country's 760-horsepower V-46 diesel engine for US$61.5 million. This enables completion of the factory's redesigned second-generation tank, the Apocalypse Tank, in less than half a year. 73 93

Products and Technical Capabilities

Civilian Engineering Vehicles

• Type 59 Civilian Bulldozer — A Type 59 tank conversion retaining the V12 water-cooled engine; it demonstrates greater power and off-road mobility than imported bulldozers of the same class. 4 6
• Type 59 Civilian Excavator — A Type 59-based excavator using the factory's independently developed hydraulic system, designed for stable operation in difficult work environments. 4 6
• The civilian vehicle line revives the factory financially and establishes its domestic and international sales network. 11 78

Armored Vehicles

• Second-Generation Main Battle Tank proposal — A major Type 59 redesign featuring a 120mm smoothbore cannon, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, low-profile hull, sloped armor, and advanced fire-control concepts. 24 25
• Apocalypse Tank — The completed evolution of the factory's tank project, fitted with a 760-horsepower V-46 diesel engine and, for Sha Country's version, a 125mm smoothbore cannon. 93 96
  • It withstands shelling from Leopard 2 and T-72 tanks during testing. 98
  • Its production capacity is secured by Yan Country and Sha Country for two years following its public success. 117
  • Foreign intelligence personnel are permitted external inspection at the Zhuhai exhibition, but cannot access its internal structure or reproduce its armor material. 266

Special Materials

• Xuanwu Special Steel / Special Composite Material — A high-strength armor material independently developed by the factory. 47 57
  • An 80mm plate withstands Type 59 armor-piercing ammunition fired from 200 meters without penetration. 48
  • A 100mm plate withstands a T-72 armor-piercing round at 120 meters, suffering only a small crater. 55
  • The factory begins research into a second-generation Xuanwu material before export of the first-generation material is debated. 58
  • Its formula is treated as a national-security secret and is withheld even from Sha Country's domestic Apocalypse Tank production plans. 140 141

Missile and Artillery Systems

• Sky Punishment Automatic Tracking Rocket Launcher — An automatic interception system that demonstrates a 100% interception rate against incoming aerial and ground shells during testing. 105
• Thermobaric Bombs — The factory sells 100 heavy thermobaric bombs and related technology to Sha Country in a contract worth more than US$500 million. 207
• Mobile simplified Katyusha rocket launchers — Sold as components for assembly in Da Mu Country alongside civilian steel products and gas-cylinder shells. 90

Aviation Programs

• Osprey Multipurpose Transport Aircraft — Successfully developed and manufactured by the factory; its maiden test flight is witnessed by Yan Country military and naval representatives. 150
• Dragon Shadow Fighter Jet — An export-oriented fighter project described as a Generation 2.5 aircraft rather than a true third-generation fighter. Its design is completed by Chapter 197. 184 197
• J-10 support — 077 provides design assistance and AL-31FN turbofan engine technology support to the J-10 development team. 183
• H-6 Modified Bomber — Yan Country's Air Force entrusts the factory with an H-6 modernization project, including use of the Divine Bird Aero Engine. 299

Naval Programs

• Aegis Missile Destroyer — Developed through the 704 Shipyard after its integration into 077. The shipyard designs, researches, and builds the destroyer for the Yan Country Navy. 132 249
• Frigate and cruiser proposals — The Navy invites the factory's 704 Shipyard to compete in future procurement after expressing confidence in its Aegis destroyers. 212
• Gas turbine research — The factory secretly researches gas-turbine technology and seeks to use Eagle Country's LM2500 as a reference. 140

Infantry Equipment

• Divine Soldier Military Exoskeleton Armor — A flexible, energy-efficient powered exoskeleton made with high-strength composite material. 267
  • A wearer can easily lift and move a 150-jin man, demonstrating enhanced strength without sacrificing mobility. 268
  • Sha Country seeks 200 sets at US$2 million per set and becomes the first major foreign buyer. 269
  • Yan Country's military later considers limited procurement for special forces. 270

Expansion and Operations

• Second Textile Factory — Approved for merger into 077 after Lin Chenran's return from Bear Country, expanding the factory's industrial base. 47
• 811 Aviation Military Factory and 092 Machinery Military Factory — Approved for merger into 077 to provide funding, personnel, and technical resources for helicopter development. 127
• 704 (Jiangnan) Shipyard — Integrated as a subsidiary after Lin Chenran identifies its outdated equipment and production problems; it becomes the factory's naval-production arm. 132 249
• Automotive sector — 077 decides to enter passenger-car and large-truck manufacturing, drawing on its existing engine, chassis, and transmission capabilities. 278
• Security — Yan Country's military initially stations a company around the factory during Type 59 tank deliveries. By the later stages of the story, a battalion-sized force protects the facility due to international espionage interest. 10 271

Relationships

• Lin Chenran — Factory director and principal decision-maker. He leads the Type 59 conversion plan, military negotiations, overseas sales strategy, and expansion into aviation and naval projects. 3 31 132
• Song Xiyun — Deputy director, collaborator, and recurring acting manager during Lin Chenran's absences. He helps lead the tank, Apocalypse Tank, and Dragon Shadow projects. 16 31 80 183
• Yan Country Military — Parent military authority, customer, security provider, and occasional source of procurement restrictions. It supports the factory's growth while protecting strategically sensitive technology. 10 90 140
• Old Wei — Head of the military equipment department and a key supporter. He advocates for the factory's export plans, material research, and limited military procurement. 49 58 270
• Elder Zhang — Yan Country Navy representative who facilitates the 704 Shipyard integration and entrusts naval design work to 077. 131 132 212
• Abdul and Sha Country — Long-term foreign customer and strategic partner. Sha Country purchases or seeks the Apocalypse Tank, thermobaric bombs, Aegis destroyers, engine-production assistance, and Divine Soldier exoskeletons. 96 207 249 269
• 617 Machinery Military Factory — Former tank-tender rival and later technical collaborator. Its Type 80 defeats 077's original tank proposal, while it also assists in testing 077's special steel using a T-72. 31 51
• J-10 Fighter Jet Design Team — Aviation partner supported by 077's engine technology and design revisions. 182 183

Story Role and Major Arcs

Trivia

• The factory's Type 59 engineering vehicles are credited with forcing competing civilian engineering companies to improve their after-sales maintenance services. 22
• Eagle Country intelligence identifies the codename “077 Machinery Military Factory” but struggles to locate the real facility after Yan Country establishes decoy factories using the same designation. 182
• Foreign intelligence services consider the factory difficult to infiltrate due to its heavy military protection and unusually effective counter-infiltration measures. 271
• Despite beginning as a third-tier factory, 077 becomes a model that Yan Country's leadership urges other military factories to emulate. 18 90