As one of the first members of VTX, VTX Director Colonel Vu Tuan Anh recalled that the institute was assigned by the Central Military Commission (CMC) and the Ministry of National Defense (MND) to research, design, manufacture, and produce hi-tech weapons. However, many of its staff had never engaged in projects or topics on hi-tech weapons. In addition, the unit had neither chief engineer, technology and document transfer, nor research and testing facility. “Jokingly, the unit started the heavy task from scratch,” Col. Anh said.
Explaining the achievements gained by the VTX and its position today, Col. Anh affirmed that they have come from the national pride, the persistent efforts, and the constant creativeness of the units’ cadres and scientists in military uniforms.
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Viettel Aerospace Institute's personnel master many important technologies in researching and manufacturing hi-tech weapons. |
The officer said that right at the beginning, the Party Committee and Chain-of-Command of the unit agreed that they must master the system design, the core technology to limit dependence on foreign countries; master the system integration to optimize products; master the testing process to perfect products; and master the operation and exploitation process to ensure the product's life cycle.
With that determination, they combined searching for and collaborating with leading experts and did not wait for the transfer of the whole system, but the technology of components after having thoroughly researched and comprehended them. They also started researching, manufacturing, and testing products from small to large, from simple to complex ones, through miniature versions of weapons to save costs and shorten research time. They also closely coordinated with agencies and units to maximize domestic resources and reported and made proposals to the CMC and MND on the unit’s difficulties and problems to receive instructions and solutions.
According to Col. Anh, to reduce the huge cost of each actual test, VTX has launched many initiatives and breakthrough solutions. It has hundred times researched and tested with weapons in different ratios of 1:4, 1:2, 3:4 and finally 1:1. This initiative has helped not only save costs and time but also overcome difficulties in importing specific materials and components. The unit’s self-designing and manufacturing equipment for the test without depending on foreign countries has ensured the reliability and success rate of the tests.
Director of VTX's Factory S3 Tran Anh Duc shared that they always set high goals during researching and producing hi-tech weapons, seek breakthroughs, and develop strong solutions. According to his explanation, high targets nurture the will and aspiration to find better and newer solutions; creativity is the vitality, the source, the expansion of concepts, and the finding of breakthrough solutions make today better and newer than yesterday.
Director Duc added that the institute's motto is to emulate to do new, difficult work that is not their strength. This helps create a driving force and an environment for each individual and collective to realize their aspiration, show determination to be creative and develop. The unit also highlights collective strength, individual’s responsibility, and capable and authorized leaders.
Over the past years, VTX has been titled as an outstanding unit of the military and the nation in terms of science and technology and movements of initiatives and ideals. It has 69 scientific articles published in prestigious international journals and 159 registered inventions, with 13 inventions granted patents in the U.S, among others.
Attentively, its strategic technology weapons have tactical and technical features similar to those of the same kind in the world, reducing dependence on foreign countries, suitable for the climate and terrains of Vietnam and the combat requirements of the military.
VTX’s breakthroughs in research, manufacturing and production of products have significantly contributed to making Vietnam one of the very few countries in the world capable of mastering hi-tech strategic weapons.
Translated by Mai Huong