Chapter 211: Heavy Armored Assault Spider Robots

"Expand the military."

Su Wu murmured softly.

His gaze lingered on the inventory resource list, which was now dwindling in number.

He then casually opened the design schematics for the Spider Robots.

Activating a bit of spiritual energy, countless flashes of inspiration began to fill his mind.

Taking advantage of this state, Su Wu swiftly began to tweak the design.

Ten minutes later, a new, significantly larger model of the Spider Robot—almost half the size of a family car—appeared on the design schematics.

This new robot was named the Heavy Armored Assault Spider Robot.

Like the ordinary Spider Robots, it could rapidly scale complex terrains and navigate water bodies.

However, on flat plains or relatively mild terrain, its six mechanical legs could interlock in a circular formation, placing the body of the Spider Robot inside the loop.

It could then roll forward at high speeds, with an estimated top speed of 70 kilometers per hour.

In addition to its superior mobility, the robot's size increase also vastly improved its weight-bearing capacity.

It could now carry the final model of the electromagnetic weapon series, the Electromagnetic Cannon.

"This series of Heavy Armored Assault Robots will also be equipped with a stronger electromagnetic shielding system, multifunctional rocket launchers, and repair and stealth capabilities. They should be enough to serve as the new generation of strategic-level forces."

"However, its armor is relatively fragile. A direct hit from several infantry rockets could heavily damage it."

"This is a materials problem. Until we develop armor with superior defensive capabilities, this issue remains unsolved."

Since it was drawn with the aid of spiritual energy, Su Wu was intimately familiar with the performance of the Heavy Armored Assault Spider Robot, even though it hadn't yet come off the production line.

With a little thought, he could easily simulate its combat capabilities on the battlefield.

Overall, because it used the more advanced Electromagnetic Cannon, the unit's combat power, though limited in terms of the single-shot coverage area due to weight constraints, could still deliver far superior armor-piercing damage and penetration, as well as higher attack frequencies and more accurate hits compared to the previous artillery clusters.

This made the Heavy Armored Assault Spider Robot's overall combat capabilities not far behind the artillery cluster. It was fully capable of achieving the same strategic importance.

Its only disadvantage, as with the artillery cluster, was that it had high attack and low defense.

To resolve this flaw, the development of stronger defensive materials was imperative.

Unlike other technological research that always led to progress once resources were invested, material research was more akin to a high-stakes gamble. Even with the investment of spiritual energy, success was never guaranteed. Despite higher investments improving the odds of success, if luck didn't favor the researcher, progress would remain at zero.

With Su Wu's current resources, he couldn't afford to play this expensive game just yet. For now, he would have to set it aside, waiting for future investments or, like in the case of the quick-setting cement, a breakthrough found through routine research.

After completing the design for the Heavy Armored Assault Spider Robot, Su Wu's next research target was to create a more powerful generation of explosives.

As a complete warfare unit, the Heavy Armored Assault Spider Robot couldn't just carry the Electromagnetic Cannon. It needed to be equipped with multiple types of rockets to compensate for the cannon's linear attack range and to engage aerial or off-sight targets.

The explosives that could be carried by the Heavy Armored Assault Spider Robot would inevitably have limited capacity. The destruction it could cause would pale in comparison to the Electromagnetic Cannon, akin to the difference between a flintlock musket and a heavy machine gun—far too unbalanced, and would severely hamper the combat capabilities of the robot.

Under these circumstances, developing a new generation of explosives with the same weight and volume but stronger destructive power seemed essential.

Su Wu chose to focus his research on nitrogen-based explosive compounds, which, in theory, could be three times more powerful than the current military-grade explosives in use.

The difficulty lay in the production equipment and ensuring the explosives were stably stored.

The research was not overly difficult, but not exactly trivial either—a balanced, practical scientific endeavor.

Once the research was complete, the new explosives would ensure that the Heavy Armored Assault Spider Robot could carry rockets that matched the destructive power of the Electromagnetic Cannon in battle.

At the same time, the original artillery clusters would become even more powerful, capable of truly threatening the underground shelters and maximizing deterrent force.

"Once this new generation of explosives becomes widespread," Su Wu thought to himself, "the technological advancement in military weapons should be sufficient for now."

Regarding other related technologies, like electromagnetic shields or metal-hydrogen explosives (even stronger than nitrogen-based explosives), considering the high research costs, there was no immediate need to initiate those projects.

Having sufficient military armament and maintaining a certain technological lead was enough for the time being. Investing further would only lead to wasted resources without bringing any substantial returns. It would be more prudent to reserve spiritual energy for production and development.

"Next steps."

"More steel needs to be produced, and more rubber materials must be collected."

"Building more planting and breeding farms."

"Ensure that the ordinary people under my rule have enough food supplies."

Over the following days, Su Wu began research on the new generation of explosives.

Since it wasn't an urgent matter, he didn't rush the progress. He dedicated only one or two hours each day, sometimes even just a few hours, to it. Occasionally, he would also visit Chen Yue to help her with the vaccine research for the Rola Virus.

After all, while the fatal threat of the virus had been resolved, its infectious nature remained. Without a vaccine, Su Wu didn't dare step outside his shelter.

And not being able to go outside indirectly meant missing out on many daily tasks that contributed to his survival points.

In a way, the urgency of the vaccine research was even greater than the development of the new explosives.

As for the remaining time, Su Wu didn't push himself too hard.

He either dealt with various matte

rs in the affiliated shelters or took some time for relaxation and leisure.

(End of Chapter)