Chapter 744: Only the East can build a 12,000-ton gantry crane
After finishing his trip in Asan, Mitchell returned to China and went to report to Max Field.
Macefield said happily: "Let's go, Mitchell, let's go to Sir Benjamin to report to the work!"
Mitchell was taken to the Navy's conference room before he knew what was going on.
“Mitchell, I heard that you went to Asan, how was your trip?”
"Ah San still has concerns. They must have been frightened by Da Mao. Therefore, they do not want to directly purchase our warships. Instead, they want to purchase our design drawings and then build them in their shipyard." Mi Chel said.
He couldn't say that his trip was a failure. He had to put all the blame on Da Mao for cheating people, which made Ah San wary.
"Purchasing our design drawings?" Benjamin thought for a moment: "This is also possible. How much money our design will cost, then how much design fee we will charge them. This is equivalent to Ah San helping us pay the design fee, **** it , Brown has been holding us back, this guy, like the people before him, is most concerned about how to reduce our military, but he doesn't care at all about how to develop our national defense."
“Okay.” Mitchell nodded. It would be good if Ah San could pay the design fee.
After all, Britain really has no money. Although it is stimulated to build an aircraft carrier quickly, this thing will definitely not be accomplished overnight. Budget is the biggest problem.
"Sir, you said there is new news. What should you tell us about the changes in the design plan?" Maxfield was more concerned about this.
"Well, the guys in London are considering a new plan. According to this plan, our aircraft carrier will be divided into six sections, built in six different shipyards, and then assembled together. So, what you are designing At that time, it is best to follow a modular design. Each module can be completed independently, including cutting steel plates, component assembly, segment assembly, assembly of general segments, outfitting, and even power-on debugging of units that have formed a system. I think it must I need to tell you this news in advance to save you from having to modify the design at the end."
Divided into six sections and built in six different shipyards? Hearing this, Macfield became anxious immediately: "Why? We don't have that many shipyards!"
At the beginning, there were two main bidding teams, and Thales Group won. Their most important shipyard is Swan Hunt Shipyard. They can build in this shipyard, but now it is divided among six shipyards?
"This is the coordination of certain interests. Maxfield, don't pay attention to this. What you have to do is to design it in a modular way. Fortunately, we use a ship-wide integrated power system, which brings a lot to the modular design. the benefits of."
If it were the previous construction method, it would be absolutely impossible to build this kind of module. Even if the Mingzhou Group in the East builds aircraft carriers, it is built in sections. It is just the hull. After welding, it is launched into the water and outfitted, and all kinds of equipment are installed. Installed during the outfitting stage.
Now, the British aircraft carrier is divided into six sections. Not only is the hull built in six sections, but in addition to welding steel plates, the outfitting work will be completed in advance within each section, and it can even be powered on for debugging!
This can only be achieved by integrating the power of the whole ship. Each segment is independent, as long as there is a cable to transmit the current! There are great benefits to doing this. Many of the equipment inside the sections are huge. If they are all welded and then outfitted, they may have to cut openings. In this kind of section construction, there are openings on both sides, and the equipment can be directly installed. Tucked in, the construction is more similar to a submarine.
However, the six-stage construction is not to reduce costs, but to distribute benefits to other shipyards!
"No, you can't do this. Our Thales Group won the bidding, and now we want to allocate the construction work to other shipyards? BAE obviously failed, and as a result, they also got a lot of benefits from the construction? Isn't this right? fair!"
Benjamin sighed: "I know, this is a bit unfair to you, but you should know that our shipbuilding industry is not booming now. All shipyards in the country are waiting for this business. Politicians must consider Do you understand the overall situation?"
It is definitely unfair. Thales Group won the bid, but when it was finally built, it only shared one-third of the workload, and most of it was taken up by BAE, which failed in the bid! But what can they do?
Those in London have already begun to think about how to divide the benefits.
"Nowadays, advanced weapons and equipment are getting more and more expensive. Even teams that lose the bid will join in the research and development. Bidding is just a process. You can look at the fourth-generation aircraft bidding in the United States. Isn't it the same? "Benjamin comforted the other party.
He doesn't care who builds it. What he cares about is that the construction can be completed as soon as possible. Dividing it into six shipyards, building them separately or even outfitting them into giant sections, and then connecting them together will definitely speed up the construction progress greatly, and the navy can be more efficient. Get the aircraft carrier quickly!
As for whose pocket the profit goes into, that is not Benjamin’s concern, but now, he also needs to appease the people in front of him and not let these people resist too much.
"This construction method is not feasible." At this moment, Mitchell spoke. Just like last time, at this juncture, he once again showed his ingenuity.
“Why?” Benjamin became curious: “In the trend of world shipbuilding, segmented construction has become very popular. Doesn’t the Oriental man-made aircraft carrier also use segmented construction?”
"Yes, the Orientals are building ships using the segmented construction method, but the largest segment they build is only two to three thousand tons, and then the built segments are hoisted over by giant gantry cranes. What about us? We? If we want to divide the entire warship into six segments, even if they are evenly divided, each segment will have to be about six to seven thousand tons. And if we want to install an electromagnetic catapult, it will impose high requirements on the flatness of the deck. According to the requirements, it is best to use a whole segment. In this way, our largest segment will weigh more than 10,000 tons. Mr. Benjamin, with all due respect, the largest gantry crane in the world is in Mingzhou in the east. Group, their gantry cranes are only 6,000-ton, 10,000-ton gantry cranes? It’s crazy enough to think about it, it’s impossible!”
Without a giant gantry crane, how would you transport those huge sections and connect them? This is simply an impossible task!
Macefield nodded with satisfaction. Mitchell is so awesome. This time he will explain the problem to them from a technical point of view. Let’s see how these people will refute!
If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. You have to consider the interests, and we also have to consider the difficulty of construction. You have built it in sections, and we can’t assemble it! There is no place in the world where you can do final assembly!
Benjamin was stunned. Yes, they only thought about distributing benefits to various shipyards, but did not think about how to connect them. These politicians are really not good at it, but lay leaders are good at it!
That afternoon.
Benjamin returned to London and met several familiar people.
"Brown, I have already talked with Thales Group. Our construction method of dividing into six general sections is not advisable because there is no gantry crane. Only God can do a 10,000-ton gantry crane." Benjamin said in front of him. the person said.
"God? Sir Benjamin, please don't exalt the Orientals," said Brown.
Benjamin was stunned: "What does this have to do with Orientals?"
“Let Steve come in and let him do the talking.”
So Steve, an expert from BAE's Weibo Shipyard, which failed in the bid, walked in.
"We have conducted research on the segmented construction plan. According to the Thales team's plan, the largest segment will weigh more than 11,000 tons. Therefore, if we use this giant total segment According to the construction plan, we will need a 12,000-ton gantry crane," Steve said.
They came up with the construction plan for the giant general section. Although the bidding failed, money still had to be earned, and they also got a share of the pie. They encouraged other shipyards to fool Jimmy Brown and demand benefits. At the same time, they also Technical issues have to be solved.
The giant general section is being closed, what to do with the required gantry crane?
At this time, they received good news from the east.
"God bless, we have just received news recently that in order to further enhance its shipbuilding capabilities, Mingzhou Group has decided to purchase a giant gantry crane from Zhenhua Heavy Industries. The lifting capacity of this gantry crane will reach 12,000 tons! It is simply for us Tailor-made.”
Hearing what he said, Benjamin frowned immediately: "Is there a problem?"
This news comes too timely, right? Ever since they started the aircraft carrier project, the Oriental people have been making trouble and slandering their project. Now, the Oriental people want to purchase a gantry crane, or a 12,000-ton crane. Is there any problem in this?
"Our segmented construction plan has just been conceived, how could the Orientals know about it?" Brown said: "We have studied it carefully and there is no possibility of leaks, so this matter has nothing to do with the Orientals. They are just to satisfy them. own needs.”
“So, what do you mean, are you purchasing gantry cranes from the East? Where is the dignity of our empire?” Benjamin said.
They want to build a new aircraft carrier just because of the stimulation from the East. They also want to restore their past glory. What now? It is ironic enough that the gantry cranes used to build aircraft carriers have to be purchased from the East.
"The best gantry crane in our country is the Goliath brand. The maximum lifting capacity of this gantry crane is only 1,500 tons. No matter how high the lifting capacity is, it is no longer possible. In Europe, we have the largest gantry crane production The company is Konecranes of Finland. The maximum lifting capacity of the gantry crane they can produce is 2,000 tons. We have already asked that they can increase the lifting capacity to 3,000 tons at most. In this way, even if we purchase two gantry cranes, It can only meet the lifting capacity of 6,000 tons at most, and Dongfang has currently achieved a lifting capacity of 6,000 tons for a single unit. If two units are used together, that is 12,000 tons. Therefore, even if there is no such 10,000 tons For gantry cranes with a lifting capacity of 1,000 tons, we also have to purchase two 6,000-ton gantry cranes from the East, and there is no other option.”
The lifting weight of the gantry crane is an important indicator. The further it develops, the more difficult it becomes. European technology has been limited to two thousand tons, and it is difficult to achieve even three thousand tons.
Finnish company Kony is already the strongest in this field. When the Red Empire wanted to build a Kiev-class heavy-duty aircraft carrier cruiser, it purchased two gantry cranes with a lifting capacity of 900 tons from Kony. Each crane was high With a span of 110 meters and a span of 150 meters, the two machines can work together to lift a 1,500-ton large hull section onto the slipway, meeting the needs of the advanced modular segmented production method.
Now, the sections they want to build weigh tens of thousands of tons. This is definitely something that has never been done before in history.
“Damn it, why do Easterners have things we don’t have?” Benjamin murmured.
"Because we have to take care of our environment." Brown said: "Gantry cranes actually have little technical content. They are considered a backward industry here, and the production of gantry cranes consumes a lot of steel. For us, this is definitely a It’s inappropriate. What we need to develop are industries such as finance and tourism so that they don’t pollute the environment. This is a major event that benefits our future generations. If Easterners want to produce, let them produce, and their environment will gradually deteriorate.”
“Fuck you, care for the environment. We even have to buy the tools for building aircraft carriers from the East. Why are we talking about caring for the environment?” Benjamin complained.
It’s not just gantry cranes, it’s the same in many industries.
Europe is the first place to carry out the industrial revolution. The industry here is already very developed. An ordinary worker will earn enough wages. If they encounter unfair treatment, there will be a trade union to stand up for them, so , they already have higher spiritual pursuits. They want blue skies and clear rivers, so polluting industries must be moved.
As a result, after the transfer, many of their industries were abandoned, and gantry cranes were one of them. Not only were their lifting capabilities poor, but their prices were also quite high, so purchasing from the East was the cheapest.
Although Benjamin was full of complaints, he had no other choice but to purchase from the East.
"However, this money cannot be spent by the navy. This is the infrastructure of the shipyard, so it should be purchased by the shipyard." Brown said.
Steve was stunned for a moment. This idea came from him. He had always felt that it must have been funded by the state. Now, the shipyard was actually asked to purchase it? How much does it cost?
Surely no shipyard is willing to do it!
“Which shipyard is willing to purchase this kind of gantry crane, we will hand over the final assembly task to that shipyard.” Brown continued.
Brown certainly knew that it would be meaningless to rely solely on administrative orders. The shipyards must be given some benefits.
The construction of the aircraft carrier is planned to be carried out by six shipyards. This is the result of profit distribution. However, it has not yet been determined which shipyard will do the final assembly. The final assembly is the most memorable, because whoever does the final assembly will be the one who will do the final assembly. Can become a superficial aircraft carrier manufacturing plant.
When it is announced to the outside world, it will definitely not be said which shipyard built which part. It will only be said that a certain shipyard is the aircraft carrier shipyard, and this shipyard is the one where the final assembly is done.
Brown has given benefits to the shipyards, but he did not expect that these shipyards still did not buy it.
“The price of purchasing a 12,000-ton gantry crane is absolutely astronomical. We have spent a huge amount of money just to build two aircraft carriers, which is not worth it at all.”
“Our shipyard doesn’t have the funds. Once you buy it, you can use it twice. It will definitely become a laughing stock.”
“Segmented construction is inherently unreliable. We just need to build the largest segment. We don’t have to worry about the final assembly.”
Every shipyard took a stand, and the news reached London. Brown's face was ugly.
These shipyards are actually not up to date? Let them purchase their own gantry cranes. This is also to enhance their aircraft carrier construction capabilities! Now, they are so inactive?
Brown is very annoyed. Should we continue to increase the stakes? Whichever shipyard produces the largest module will be responsible for the final assembly?
While he was hesitating, people from Rosyth Shipyard arrived.
"Mr. Brown, we are willing to undertake the final assembly work of the aircraft carrier, and our shipyard is willing to raise its own funds to purchase gantry cranes." Lambert, the head of the shipyard, said: "I hope the government will hand over the final assembly work of the aircraft carrier to us."
"Of course." Brown was immediately delighted: "Are you really willing to raise your own funds to purchase the gantry crane?"
"Yes, for the strength of our country and for our navy to have a modern aircraft carrier, we are willing to contribute. Even if this business will lose money, we will do it!" Lambert said, in a capitalist country, it is still Brown was very happy that someone had such a high consciousness. He thought of the scene in the country in the 1980s after the war started: everyone was working hard for the country!
Those cargo ships sailed on the Atlantic Ocean to provide supplies for the ocean-going fleet. Those cruise ships and container ships were transformed into warships that could take off and land Sea Harrier fighter jets. Countless people donated money and materials to support the war.
The situation now is the same as that time.
"The country will not treat you badly, and the funds allocated to you will not be small." Brown said, he almost said that he would hand over the construction task of one of the sections to them, considering that the benefits have already been distributed, He didn't say much, and just let them at Rosyth Shipyard just do the final assembly. However, when dividing the funds, they could be given more, which would be considered compensation.
“As soon as the agreement is signed, we will immediately go to the East to purchase gantry cranes.” Lambert continued.
Lambert was very excited when he came out and faced the sunset.
"Mr. Lambert, I'm a little surprised. Is this really in our interests?" Lambert's deputy Strass said to him.
“Of course, with this construction, our Rosyth Shipyard will become the most advanced aircraft carrier shipyard in Europe. We cannot miss this opportunity.” Lambert said.
Soon, there will be a ranking list of aircraft carrier shipyards in the world. Those small aircraft carriers with a ton of 10,000 to 20,000 tons will not be ranked, and the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier with a ton of 40,000 tons will not be ranked. Now, if the ranking is re-ranked If the United States is first and the United Kingdom is second, their Rosyth Shipyard will become the second largest aircraft carrier shipyard in the world! Yes, this is how it is announced to the public.
Rosyth Shipyard is a shipyard with a century-old history. It first appeared in 1872. However, during its century-old history, they remained unknown. After all, this shipyard covers an area that is too small and has no The main warships that have been built for the empire that has never set for hundreds of years are basically unknown. After this construction work, they will be famous all over the world.
“However, the gantry crane to be purchased will also cost a lot of money.” Strass said.
“Everyone knows that buying a gantry crane will cost a huge sum of money, so they are reluctant to spend money to buy it due to various concerns, but they ignore one problem.” Lambert said: “We are just building We will use it for the aircraft carrier, and after the construction is completed, we can sell it. This level of gantry crane is the only one in the world, and other shipyards will definitely come to purchase it. After we sell it, Maybe you can even make some money.”
Strass was still worried: "Mr. Lambert, if the customer wants to purchase, why not go directly to the Eastern people to purchase, but come to purchase our second-hand gantry crane?"
Want to spend even more money? This is unscientific!
"Many shipyards in our country are ashamed of purchasing gantry cranes from the East, and feel that it undermines the dignity of our empire on which the sun never sets." Lambert said: "There are more than one country that has this idea. For example, Asan is one of them. .”
Asan?
Stras seemed to understand Lambert's thoughts, and his eyes lit up.
"In order to reduce R&D costs, people from Thales Group went to Asan and invited Asan to purchase our aircraft carrier. However, due to various reasons, Asan did not intend to purchase it directly, but wanted to buy our design. Figure, produce it yourself, so they also need a gantry crane. I have already investigated and found that their largest gantry crane is only 500 tons, which cannot meet our needs for segmented aircraft carrier construction. Moreover, Asan The 40,000-ton aircraft carrier is still being built. Before it is completed, we will definitely not build a new aircraft carrier. During this period of time, we can just complete the construction work, so when that time comes, Ah San will come to purchase our aircraft carrier. Gantry crane is the best choice.”
There is demand for Ah San, but Ah San will not buy from the east. Therefore, Ah San is the best buyer. When he has used up the gantry crane, he can resell it to Ah San!
This is a wonderful idea!
“Now we go to the East to negotiate the purchase of gantry cranes.”
(End of this chapter)