Chapter 233 Submarine-launched anti-ship missiles
In the era of submarines, the main weapon they used was torpedoes, a weapon that sailed underwater to attack the enemy. However, torpedoes also have many shortcomings.
For example, the speed is slow. Even if the torpedo reaches a speed of thirty or forty knots, it is still too slow compared to the missile. During the attack, the target will perform various maneuvers, so the success rate is not high.
However, a submarine sails underwater after all, and its weapons are nothing but torpedoes.
It was not until the emergence of nuclear submarines that ballistic missile nuclear submarines were developed, which were specially used to launch ballistic missiles and became the most important secondary nuclear counterattack force.
As for nuclear submarines launching anti-ship missiles, there are some, such as Oscar. This kind of submarine exists to destroy enemy surface formations.
However, our anti-ship missiles are specially made, with a range of several hundred kilometers, and are specially designed to hit aircraft carriers. What do we have? The one that can be used is Seahawk No. 8!
"We have also tried submarine-launched anti-ship missiles, which is the 033G submarine. However, after the test, it was already outdated, so it was not used in large quantities." Zhang Lao said.
Adding anti-ship missiles to submarines is something that naval technicians can think of. Therefore, after the success of the Sea Eagle 8, the Navy also transformed an old 033 submarine. Specifically, the control tower enclosure was Six tilt-launching anti-ship missile launchers were installed at the front and rear, forming a significant bulge.
When normally submerged, these launchers are flat. When it is necessary to launch missiles, the launch tubes are set up and tilted at about fifteen degrees.
In order to meet the needs of launching missiles, the submarine was also equipped with a 358G sea search radar, a 925G radar reconnaissance aircraft, an automatic wind meter, an azimuth level meter, and a digital firing director suitable for mines and bombs. equipment.
However, just like the path taken by the original flying missile submarines of the United States and the Soviet Union, it was still launched from the surface. It was quite nonsense to expose a submarine that was supposed to be hiding underwater to an area of 40 kilometers away from the enemy fleet.
So, after completing its experimental mission, this experimental submarine was abandoned and never used again.
“Now, we are studying the method of using torpedo tubes to launch anti-ship missiles, and we have achieved some results.” Zhang continued.
These are not secrets, and they are not advanced things after all.
Qin Tao nodded: "If it is a conventional submarine with limited space, then this method can be used, but for our nuclear submarines, this is a bit outdated. I mean, at a suitable position on the bow of the submarine, Arrange some vertical launch devices to launch anti-ship missiles directly underwater when needed. This method is the most efficient. Moreover, we have overcome the difficulties of launching ballistic missiles underwater and transplanted the relevant technologies. That’s it.”
What Qin Tao wants is vertical launch!
Torpedo tube launches can use existing weapon systems, which is very convenient, but the effect is not good. In this way, the missile needs to be wrapped in a torpedo-like submarine carrier, and it needs to be blown out from the torpedo tube. After the carrier breaks out of the water, the missile is ignited and launched. This is called a "dry launch method". The speed is also very slow and cannot be compared with the effect of direct vertical launch.
There are many difficulties in launching missiles underwater. It took a long time for domestic research to finally overcome each technical problem. Now the 092 nuclear submarine is ready for combat duty, so there is no big problem in transplanting the technology.
“You mean, in the development process of our new generation of nuclear submarines, we will use submarine-launched anti-ship missiles as a fixed equipment?” Mr. Zhang finally understood what Qin Tao meant.
"Yes, that's it. In the future, the chance of our nuclear submarines using torpedoes will be far less than the chance of using anti-ship missiles. If possible, the size of this launch tube can be larger, such as 850 mm, so that in the future, Our domestic cruise missile technology has made a breakthrough, and it can be equipped with cruise missiles and other powerful weapons."
From now on, torpedoes are used to hide and seek with submarines of other countries, while anti-ship missiles are used to attack surface targets. These are two different combat methods.
Although it is not as big as the P-700, the performance of the Seahawk 8 is already very good, and in the future, without changing the external dimensions, as long as it is replaced with a new engine, the range can exceed 100 kilometer.
Therefore, when designing the 093 nuclear submarine, it is very necessary to take the submarine-launched anti-ship missile as an indicator.
With this thing, not only anti-ship missiles, but other missiles can also be used, such as cruise missiles for ground attack, advanced supersonic anti-ship missiles and even anti-ship ballistic missiles. In short, as long as possible, try to Make it bigger. After all, it is not easy for a nuclear submarine to replace its launch tube.
Those large weapons cannot be fired through a 533mm caliber torpedo tube.
Lao Zhang nodded: "We will seriously consider the plan you proposed."
"There is also the position of the towed body sonar. Lao Maozi's submarine has begun to be arranged above the tail. I think this plan is good. We can also consider placing it behind the command tower and making a turtle's back. It is too unsightly. .”
The turtle's back behind the 093 control tower has been criticized by many people. It is obviously attacking a nuclear submarine. It has to suffer from the hunchback problem of a ballistic missile nuclear submarine. What is stuffed inside? Towed body sonar? Can't you just change the place?
Look at Lao Maozi’s design, it’s really good.
Listening to Qin Tao's endless explanation here, Mr. Zhang suddenly had an illusion: "How do I feel that it would be better if you designed a nuclear submarine?"
“I just saw a lot at Lao Maozi’s place, so I came back to show off.” Qin Tao quickly said modestly.
"Yes, I am well-informed. If I knew there was such an opportunity, then I should also go there, Lao Maozi's Oscar nuclear submarine!" Mr. Zhang said with emotion.
Speaking of surface ships, Lao Maozi cannot compare to the Americans, but when it comes to underwater power, Lao Maozi is definitely powerful enough. The Oscar nuclear submarine is one of the masterpieces. What is the scene like inside a tens of thousands of tons of large sharks?
Mr. Zhang really wants to go and have a look.
"You want to see it? I'll find an opportunity to take you to see it next time. It's a joke." Qin Tao said generously. It seems that it is not a big deal here.
Qin Tao made introductions and arrangements until midnight. He also rushed over after hearing about what happened here. Zhao Ling was still taking Vitalia to play in the capital, doing her best to be a landlord.
Everyone was energetic, but Qin Tao couldn't stand it anymore. After returning to the office, he set up a folding bed and fell asleep.
The next day, he was woken up early in the morning, and the day's work began again at each work station.
Wu Shengli only rested for half the night. After dawn, he ran to see the construction of 051C.
Since time has not passed very long, the 051C at this time has only built the first segment of the bow, and the outline of the battleship cannot be seen at all. However, the construction progress of the aircraft carrier on the slipway is also It's much faster. The front half of the hull is almost completed. It looks really enviable.
Qin Tao rubbed his eyes and came to the slipway. A large group of people followed him, all reporting to him on their work during this period.
“The natural gas ship has been put into operation normally, and the response from the shipowner has been very good. Other peers have also seen our construction quality. It is estimated that it will not be long before new orders come.”
“The hull of the catamaran yacht has been built and the interior is being renovated. Do you want to go take a look?”
“The gantry crane has been erected and the shipyard is preparing to start construction. However, the geological survey is not optimistic and may affect the construction progress.”
Finally, he saw Qin Tao coming back. Everyone was surrounding him and kept talking about recent events. Qin Tao also responded casually and gave solutions.
In this way, all the way to the slipway, Qin Tao saw Wu Shengli and others, and showed a wry smile.
“Well, there are a lot of things to do when I come back.”
“The higher the position, the greater the ability, the greater the responsibility, and the more things to do.” Wu Shengli said: “This is also a test for you.”
"Well, I just want to build ships safely in the shipyard, and I don't want to deal with so many things." Qin Tao said, "Well, I will feel relaxed when everyone can take charge of themselves. By the way, titanium alloy Are the relevant experts here?"
While he was talking, Qin Tao's big brother rang.
“Mr. Qin, Mr. Qin, we just received a titanium alloy expert from the capital!”
“Well, invite him to the conference room.” Qin Tao was very satisfied. The expert came over today for the topic that was brought up yesterday.
After inspecting the shipyard and returning to the conference room, the Santana sedan that picked up the experts also drove into the shipyard.
office.
Qin Tao looked at the person who appeared in front of him with great respect: "Mr. Cao, I didn't expect that they actually invited you here!"
Mr. Cao, born in 1934, is the founder and pioneer in the field of titanium alloys in China. He accepted a nationally designated task at the age of 22 and began to study titanium alloys. At that time, he knew nothing about titanium alloys. Now, he has become With authority in this field, he is the chief scientist of the domestic "863" project.
Hearing that there were thousands of tons of titanium alloy here, he was immediately moved and rushed to Mingzhou overnight.
Now, everyone sat on the chairs in the conference room and started communicating in a friendly atmosphere.
"Lao Cao is the authority on titanium alloys in our country. I remember that in 1956, Lao Cao participated in the preparations for the first aviation titanium alloy laboratory in China. In the blink of an eye, decades have passed." Wu Shengli Said with emotion.
"Yes, I have spent my whole life studying titanium alloys. In our country, titanium alloys can only be used in the aviation industry. Lao Maozi is so luxurious that he directly uses titanium alloys to make the shell of submarines. Mr. Cao said, "Now, I just want to take a look."
Qin Tao quickly waved his hand: "Mr. Cao, you can't see anything now. The equipment inside is still being disassembled, and the outer shell is still stained with silencer tiles. We have to wait for a while. However, some preparations need to be done. We have to start, for example, cutting this shell, what is the most suitable tool for us to use?”
If it were an ordinary steel-hulled submarine, they would have been able to cut it into pieces using gas cutting.
However, titanium alloys cannot.
This thing is very special. If it is directly exposed to an oxygen-acetylene flame, it will probably change the internal composition of the titanium alloy. Qin Tao is not a materials professional and can only know a general situation about hydrogen embrittlement and the like.
Professional things must be done by professional people.
"Mr. Qin, it seems that you have done some research on titanium alloys." Mr. Cao said with a smile: "You know you can't use flames to cut, that's good. In order not to damage the performance of titanium alloys, we'd better use a cold saw way to cut.”
"Cold saw? This is a huge project!" Qin Tao couldn't help but sigh.
The oxygen-acetylene flame is the fastest, but the cutting saw is much slower. If it is cold sawing, it is simply a snail's pace!
Titanium alloy material is one of the most difficult types of metal alloy materials to process. For cutting titanium alloy, a cold saw is generally used. It uses a special wear-resistant cermet blade and then cuts slowly.
The faster the speed, the more frictional heat will be generated. Once the heat exceeds a certain value, the properties of the titanium alloy will change.
When cutting steel, you can see sparks flying, but when cutting titanium alloy, you must not see sparks, otherwise the material will be scrapped.
A submarine has 600 tons of titanium alloy. If it is cut slowly, how long will it take?
Qin Tao had the urge to vomit blood.
“Yes, so I suggest cutting a small piece first, and we study its composition. If it meets our needs, we can directly cut it into the required shape and process it into a finished product on site.” Mr. Cao put forward his own opinion.
Although they are all titanium alloys, there are still big differences. There are a lot of specifications such as TC4, TA15, TA7, TA5, Ti-75, TA12, TA18, TA19, etc. You must first know what the specific composition of this titanium alloy is.
"Well, your plan is feasible. We will buy the required equipment, and your technical service fee will definitely not be small." Qin Tao said: "After all, this is second-hand goods. If it can be processed into the required parts, we can charge the normal fee." 20% off the product.”
It would be a bit wasteful to directly disassemble and sell titanium alloys for tens of thousands of yuan per ton, so Qin Tao planned to make them into industrial parts. However, he was not familiar with these. Now, experts came and proposed the best plan. Of course he agreed, and provided all the money and everything, allowing these people to stay and help. As for the product, after all, it is not brand new, and the profit from selling it at 20% off is quite astonishing.
"Twenty percent off? I think many departments will be grateful to Mingzhou Shipbuilding Industry Group." Mr. Cao said to Qin Tao: "Especially for our fighter manufacturing, we need more and more titanium alloys."
The amount of titanium alloy used in the J-8 currently being produced in China is only 2%. When it comes to the J-10, it will be increased to 4%. When the domestically produced Su-27 is the J-11, the amount will be increased to 10%. five.
The proportion of titanium alloy used is getting higher and higher, and the price of aircraft is getting more and more expensive. If Qin Tao can provide a batch of high-quality and low-priced titanium alloy parts, he can still effectively reduce the cost, even if it is 80%. Can save a lot of money.
“Teacher, if we use these second-hand titanium alloys to make parts, will it cause stress problems?” At this moment, a student brought by Mr. Cao asked.
Any metal has stress problems, and the stress is slowly released over a long period of use. Now, if you use these second-hand titanium alloys to re-create parts, you will continue to encounter this problem.
“I have an idea to avoid this problem.” Qin Tao looked at the student and said, “Have you ever heard of 3D printing technology?”
If you have brain pain, go to the hospital for a CT scan, and you will get pictures one by one. This is equivalent to cutting the brain into many layers, and then taking pictures of them layer by layer. If you stack them all together, you can reconstruct a brain.
The same is true for 3D printing technology. It prints a three-dimensional pattern, but it is achieved by printing layer by layer. Raw materials such as metal powder or silk are melted, arranged according to the requirements of the computer, and then solidified, layer by layer. , keep melting and solidifying, and keep accumulating, it can become a three-dimensional part.
What are the benefits of doing this?
Since the metal is melted and then solidified, the stress is automatically eliminated. At the same time, it can print complex parts. If mold forging is required, the cost will be quite high. At the same time, it can also perfectly integrate different metals. Come together.
In 1986, American scientist Charles Hull developed the first commercial 3D printing machine, but it did not print metal materials.
At this time, hearing Qin Tao talk about this technology, the student nodded solemnly: "Of course I have heard of it, but it is only used to print non-metals. Can our titanium alloy also be 3D printed?"
Qin Tao nodded: "Now, this technology is temporarily blank, which also gives us an opportunity. If we can overcome this difficulty, then we will be able to mass-produce a variety of titanium alloy parts in the future without worrying about various weldings." For the problem, any complex-shaped parts we need can be made by just inputting them into the printer! This will be a technology for us to overtake in corners!”
Qin Tao spoke eloquently because he knew that domestic research in this technical field was advanced. The Americans began research in 1985, but had to give up because they could not figure out the rapid solidification of metals and other technologies. In China, it took more than ten years of persistence and finally succeeded. In 2005, the J-11 used the first parts produced by 3D printing technology. After that, various parts emerged in an endless stream, and whatever was needed was printed. Even large aircraft components can be printed.
Compared with open-mold die-casting, it saves a lot of costs and improves efficiency. Moreover, it can be applied to other aspects and eventually becomes a technology that is needed by the public.
"We have heard of this technology, but it is too difficult to research." The student continued: "We need to melt the consumables quickly. This requires a laser beam or a high-power electron beam, and then solidifies quickly. The layers are stacked on top of each other. Right now, we have no theoretical foundation whatsoever.”
Qin Tao's eyes lit up. The other party explained these difficulties clearly, which meant that he knew it!
"That's right, scientific research can never be without difficulties." Qin Tao said: "We, Mingzhou Shipbuilding Industry Group, plan to establish a new research institute to specialize in the application of titanium alloys. Mr. Cao, do you want to give it a try? "
Mr. Cao sighed: "Mr. Qin, they all say that you are very far-sighted, and seeing it is better than hearing it a hundred times. Your knowledge is quite good. The technology of 3D printing is indeed very promising, but it also requires a lot of investment. You Now, do you want to fund our research in this area?"
"Yes, we will provide the capital, you will provide the technology, and we will jointly conduct research. Each of us will hold half of the shares. If it succeeds, we will also share the profits half and half. How about that?" Qin Tao said.
Their Mingzhou Shipbuilding Industry Group has developed very well now. It can completely allocate part of its funds to research 3D printing of titanium alloys. If there is a chance, Qin Tao will certainly want to get started on such a high-end project.
“If it succeeds, it will be equivalent to a revolution in materials science and metallurgy, which can have a great impact on our manufacturing industry, and our military equipment can also benefit from it.” Qin Tao continued to lie.
He has money, but no skills. He can build warships, but for materials, he can only rely on others.
The Mr. Cao in front of him has been studying in the field of titanium alloys for many years. The people under him are also elites. It would be great if these talents can help him.
Mr. Cao looked at his student: "Xiao Wang, what do you think?"
"Teacher, in fact, I have discovered the advancement of 3D printing technology a long time ago, but I just have no way to dabble in it. Now, with this opportunity, I want to give it a try." The student said: "I, Wang Hua, will only do anything in my life. If you accomplish something, it will be considered an achievement.”
Wang Hua?
Qin Tao was surprised for a while, what is this called?
You can’t find anything even if you wear iron shoes, but it takes no effort at all to get there!
The Wang Hua in front of me is still Mr. Cao’s apprentice, so what can be wrong? This man must be the inventor of domestic 3D printing technology! If you fund him to do this project yourself, the success rate will be 100%!
"Well, since you want to do it, then go for it, but I have a suggestion." Mr. Cao looked at Qin Tao: "You don't have an R&D atmosphere here. You can put this R&D institution in the university. , you can use the brand name of your Mingzhou Shipbuilding Industry Group, and then each of you will hold half of the shares."
Qin Tao originally planned to do it in Mingzhou, but after all, this is not a big city. Excellent talents like to stay in big cities, so he thought about it and nodded.
“It can be established in Huating or the capital.”
(End of this chapter)