Chapter 808 Transforming the Kirov-class?
"This time your Mingzhou Group has made a fortune. In addition to expenses, you can earn at least 400 million." In the Mingzhou Group, Wu Shengli, who passed by to inspect the progress of the aircraft carrier construction, said to Qin Tao with emotion: "Speaking of You guys are really capable of making money."
"Dad, why do you only see this little money? For us, the most important thing is to intimidate many people. No submarines will dare to come to our place in the future. Be careful of the sea cliffs to eat them." Qin Tao said.
Wu Shengli nodded: "Recently we have discovered that the sea area is very calm, and no one who is not afraid of death comes to cause trouble anymore. You have really done us a great service."
"This is also to make the development of our pony generation smoother and avoid being disrupted by them." Qin Tao said: "Dad, I don't know if I can go back for the Chinese New Year this year. I have to be busy building warships for Lao Maozi recently. "
"I know, this matter is the most important. The superiors have already spoken. Even if we lose money, we will make it happen. As long as we open this hole, we can gain a huge reputation." Wu Shengli said: "You are responsible for this matter. I Don’t worry, let’s talk about the submarine. They have suffered a loss recently, can you guess what new trends there will be?”
“They have a stalemate with the Americans, but this is only temporary. In the future, it is expected that they will be able to wear a pair of trousers, and the Americans may even provide them with nuclear submarines.”
“Nuclear submarine?” Wu Shengli’s expression changed.
Although nuclear weapons can only be owned by the five gangsters, people such as Lao Ba and Asan have also entered this club. When it comes to nuclear submarines, the restrictions are even smaller. For example, Asan likes to rent Lao Maozi's nuclear submarine to show his presence. feel.
However, if the country obtains a nuclear submarine, it will still have a great impact on its own side.
“How do we respond?”
“Huh, if they do it, we can’t stop them, but we can still sell the same equipment.”
“Same? We also want to sell nuclear submarines? Isn’t this not good?”
"Of course instead of selling nuclear submarines directly, we can transform a 039D." Qin Tao said: "Now we are developing nuclear power batteries. The effect of this thing is not bad so far. We can completely use nuclear power batteries for the AIP compartment of 039 replace."
There is a big difference between conventional submarines and nuclear submarines. They are completely different from the type of submarine to the combat tactics. Therefore, although there were conventional submarines in China back then, when developing nuclear submarines, we still had to buy a nuclear submarine toy from the United States for research.
However, as long as a nuclear power module is added to a conventional submarine, the conventional submarine will be transformed into a submarine with unlimited underwater endurance! Due to other constraints, it cannot stay underwater for several months like a nuclear submarine, but its combat flexibility is far beyond that of conventional submarines.
The islanders used 18650 batteries, but it failed. If something big happened, it would be much safer for us to use nuclear power.
Wu Shengli nodded: "If they want to sell it, we will sell it! That's right, let's do it. After all, it is a conventional submarine with an AIP section added. We do not sell nuclear submarines. We are not as unethical as the Americans."
"Report, there is a telegram from Moscow, they hope to send a naval inspection team." At this moment, an adjutant came over and reported to Wu Shengli.
"Inspection team? Why did they send the inspection team here?" Wu Shengli was curious.
“They want to inspect our destroyer No. 138.”
No. 138, a 10,000-ton drive? Qin Tao became curious: "The construction of the frigate hasn't started yet, and they are trying to transform the Glory-class cruiser again?"
"With your operation like this, Lao Maozi got a frigate for nothing, so they gritted their teeth and used the funds they originally raised for the frigate to refit the cruiser. After all, the cruiser is now the biggest thing they have." Wu Shengli saw it more clearly: "To say that the most successful modification is of course us, so they came to learn from the modification experience."
“They really take it for granted. Why should we let them visit our warship?” Qin Tao said.
“Of course it’s because of your relationship with Nicholas.” Wu Shengli said with a smile.
What kind of relationship is it? It’s not just mutual use! Qin Tao was a little helpless: "The navy doesn't care about our relationship. If you should refuse, just refuse."
"Refuse? Let them take a few glances without losing any of their meat." Wu Shengli said, "If they want to look at it, they can look at it. If they look at our No. 138, then we can also look at their warships."
"Their warships? What are they good-looking? They are all old-fashioned. The Kirov-class is still under overhaul, and the aircraft carrier is probably about to be overhauled. We don't need to look at theirs at all. Whatever we want, we can build it ourselves."
"Let's take a look at their warships. Of course it's time for the drill." Wu Shengli said, "The drill can also enhance relations."
Qin Tao nodded: "Okay, then you go and see it."
“You must keep me company. It’s not far away anyway.”
Three days later.
Nicholas came to Dongfang with a large number of officers. After getting off the plane, he first had some exchanges with Dongfang Navy. The next day, he went straight to the station of destroyer No. 138: the military port near Mingzhou.
Here, Nicholas met his old friend Qin Tao again.
“Qin, we meet again.” Nicholas said excitedly: “I recently heard that you have completed the salvage work. Congratulations.”
“These are all trivial matters.” Qin Tao said: “We have been improving the design drawings recently, and we estimate that they will be handed over to you next week.”
"Qin, there are some unexpected changes in this project." Nicholas said: "Our domestic Northern Design Bureau has also designed a set of plans. When the time comes, you will need to bid to see whose plan is more suitable. Of course, construction or In your Mingzhou."
"Northern Design Bureau? Okay." Qin Tao nodded: "If we had known they wanted to design, we wouldn't have been busy."
If you are not busy, can they design it for free? I still don’t know how much money it will cost, Nicholas thought in his heart, but he said: "They haven’t started construction in ten years. I don’t think they can design a more advanced warship. I am still optimistic about your design plan. You guys The experience is the richest. Even the modification of this Glory-class cruiser is so perfect. Now, let’s go up and take a look first.”
At this time, everyone was chatting on the dock. Behind Qin Tao was the destroyer No. 138.
For a long time, the No. 138 was the warship with the largest displacement in the country. It had first-class air defense, anti-submarine and anti-ship performance. It was the first Chinese ship. Until the aircraft carrier was put into service, this warship often served as the bodyguard of the aircraft carrier.
However, as the Aegis warships continued to be launched, the status of this warship became slightly embarrassing. After all, although it has a large number of missiles, it does not have a four-sided phased array radar, so its omnidirectional air defense capability is not strong.
During the renovation, Yang Dawei was very excited and designed the models of the four-sided phased array radar and the Hongqi-9 missile. However, such modification was too wasteful, even more than a new build, so Qin Tao rejected it as a second-hand product. It's not worth remodeling like this and it can't cost too much.
As a result, the Glorious class was transformed into what it is now. It still uses S-300 missiles and a tombstone-like single-sided radar. The orange-flap radar on the top of the bridge was removed and replaced with a top-plate radar and a meter-wave antenna. , the original medium-range missile was removed and transformed into a vertical launcher of the Hongqi-16.
This warship has been in service in the navy for several years, but it is well maintained. When you step onto the warship, you can see that the deck is spotless, all the sailors raise their hands in salute, and the military appearance is neat.
With Qin Tao accompanying him, it would be easier for the others. Wu Shengli followed with a smile without saying a word, leaving the reception task to Qin Tao.
“After modification, this warship has nearly two hundred anti-aircraft missiles. Can its air defense system be deployed in a unified manner?” Nicholas asked.
Sure enough, they came here to inspect because something went wrong on their own modified warship!
"Of course, long-range air defense relies on the S-300. If a fish slips through the net in the long-range air defense, the medium-range Hongqi-16 missile will be fired." Qin Tao said: "If the medium-range missile fails to intercept, then there is still a short-range missile. Cheng's rapid-fire cannons form three fire defense networks. If they are not intercepted, it can only be said to be bad luck."
“Can you sell this technology to us?” Nicholas asked.
Qin Tao shook his head: "Sorry, Nicholas, although we are good friends, these involve our national defense secrets and are impossible to provide to you. However, if you plan to transform them, you can send the warship to us. Come from the shipyard and let us upgrade it. Do you plan to transform the Glorious class?"
“No, we are planning to upgrade the Type 1144 cruiser.” Nikolai said: “This is related to the future of our navy.”
However, after the collapse of the Red Empire, these warships quickly withered like flowers.
The first Kirov, later renamed Admiral Ushakov, had a nuclear power plant failure in 1990, struggled to return to its home port, and never left again.
The second ship Frunze, later renamed Admiral Razaev, was parked in the port in 1994 and was officially decommissioned in 1997.
The third Kalinin, later named Admiral Nassimov, was a relatively new ship. It was launched in 1986 and entered service in 1988. However, a reactor failure occurred in 1997 and it has been docked at the dock. .
This type of warship, as well as the fourth Peter the Great, entered service in 1998, which is considered relatively new.
Now, the Mao Navy is estimated to be planning to refit the third warship.
The Glorious class can be regarded as a smaller version of the Kirov class. Therefore, they came to observe and learn from experience, especially the experience of the air defense system.
"We will never send this kind of cruiser to you for modification. Qin, you should also know that just because you are asked to help produce frigates, there has been a huge quarrel in the country. The Type 1144 cruiser was not built by you. You haven’t had any contact with it, so it definitely can’t be transformed here,” Nicholas said.
Qin Tao shook his head: "If it is a Type 1144 cruiser, it should be renovated here. Only we can renovate this kind of cruiser. If you do it yourself, there is no hope for shipbuilding." The shipyard of the factory will eventually have to be delayed until it is finally delayed."
"Why?"
"The biggest problem of the Kirov-class is the unreliability of the power system." Qin Tao said: "Air defense and other things are secondary. If your Kirov-class wants to regain its vitality, it needs to replace its original unreliable Dismantle the reliable nuclear power system and replace it with conventional power.”
Lao Maozi seems to know that their nuclear power system is unreliable, so the Kirov-class is designed to use a hybrid power system (CONAS) with a nuclear reactor and a boiler. It is equipped with two nuclear reactors. It drives two steam turbines and two four-blade propellers. (I don’t understand why it’s an even number.) But at the same time, it also added a conventional boiler auxiliary in another cabin. If the nuclear reactor suddenly fails, burning the boiler can also allow the Kirov-class to continue running, but The speed was reduced from 32 knots to 14 knots.
This power system is very complex and cumbersome, but it has proven to be useful. At first, the nuclear power system of the first ship Kirov failed to work due to a malfunction. As a result, it used the boiler to slowly drive back to the base, and then returned to the base. Never went out either.
Now, Qin Tao talked about the power system, and Nikola nodded helplessly: "Yes, its nuclear power system is very unreliable. If the nuclear power system is removed and replaced with a boiler, it should be more suitable for us. .”
“Boilers? Apart from aircraft carriers, where else can there be boilers?” Qin Tao said, “Nicholas, you must have heard that we have developed a 40-megawatt gas turbine, right?”
Nicholas nodded: "That's right."
"If the Kirov-class cruiser is given to us for renovation, we can remove the unreliable nuclear power system inside and replace it with our gas turbines. Just two of them can output more than 100,000 horsepower, which is completely It can meet the needs of the cruiser. It is usually paired with two diesel engines to form an alternating diesel power. We can even use all-electric drive. Only when the problem of heart disease is solved can the Kirov-class cruiser be able to fulfill its needs. Some fighting ability."
Replacing a warship with an engine is not a trivial matter, especially replacing a nuclear-powered warship with a gas turbine. The intake and exhaust are a big problem. However, if you want to use all-electric propulsion, there will be no problem. The gas turbine is placed directly under the bridge chimney.
Of course, this is definitely a big project.
Since Nicholas has this idea, Qin Tao has to provide the most appropriate way. After all, Nicholas is his good friend.
Under Qin Tao’s deception, Nikola’s idea finally shifted from upgrading the air defense system to upgrading the engine!
Wu Shengli watched the excitement from the sidelines, watching how Qin Tao deceived Nicholas step by step.
The combined nuclear power and conventional power of the Kirov-class cruiser have a total output of 140,000 horsepower, which can allow this beast with a displacement of 25,000 tons to soar at a speed of 32 knots. Now it is replaced by two gas turbines. The maximum output power is 108,000 horsepower. Although it cannot reach a speed of 32 knots, there is still no problem at 30 knots. (I don’t know if the calculation is correct. Two 40-megawatt gas turbines can allow the British 65,000-ton aircraft carrier to reach a speed of 26 knots. It should be possible to allow a 25,000-ton warship to reach 30 knots.)
For a warship, the speed of 30 knots is already up to standard. The key is that the power system will be more reliable. This gas turbine power system is much more reliable than the Kirov-class nuclear power system. Take a look at the existing ones of Lao Maozi. Just look at the status of the Kilo-class ship. The nuclear power system is a scam.
Even if Lao Maozi still requires modification by himself, he can still sell gas turbines!
The 40-megawatt gas turbine is only owned by our own side, and it was jointly developed with Ermao. Lao Maozi should rest assured.
Nikolai thought about this power system seriously, and then nodded seriously: "Okay, Qin, I hope you can come up with a detailed plan, and when the frigate design bidding is held, give this plan to us. Next, Let’s talk about the configuration of the weapon system.”
Nicholas came here originally intending to discuss the weapon system. Although he was deceived about the power system, his focus has not changed.
At this time, after hearing what Nicholas said, Qin Tao thought for a while: "Nicholas, if we talk about the weapon system, we plan to use a four-sided phased array radar on the frigate. We can transplant this system to the base On the Love level."
Dongfang's transformation of the Glorious Class was successful. It involved the hard work of many people, including Zhao Ling. Of course, Qin Tao would not let these efforts go abroad. However, the upgrade and transformation of the Kirov Class was also completely Other solutions are available.
Such a large warship does not even have a four-sided phased array radar, which is really too backward.
In fact, Lao Maozi has an improved version 22350M after the 22350 frigate. Based on the former, the displacement is enlarged to more than 8,000 tons. Thanks to the credit of Lao Maozi PPT, the number of missiles carried has increased several times. It has become the most powerful destroyer, and the radar system on it is also a modification of the 22350 frigate.
Now, if we want to modify the Kirov class, wouldn't it be faster to directly use the radar system of the frigate under development?
Nikolai thought about it seriously, then shook his head: "The search range of the radar system on the frigate is too close to meet the needs of the Type 1144 cruiser."
The frigate has a small displacement and carries a small number of missiles. It even only needs medium-range air defense. If it puts S-300, it really can’t put a few missiles, and the launcher they share has not been developed.
However, the Kirov class has a large displacement and uses many weapons. There are nearly a hundred long-range air defense missiles such as S-300. Is it possible to use the frigate's radar system?
"Nicholas, you probably don't know enough about active phased array radar. The biggest feature of this radar system is that it can increase the transmission power by increasing the number of T/R components, thereby increasing the search distance. If On the Kirov-class, the search distance can be doubled. Are you worried that it is not enough? The advantages brought by the four-sided phased array radar are obvious, and the omnidirectional air defense and anti-saturation capabilities will be stronger."
Nicholas did not know much about these advanced technologies. In the past few years, his main business line has been interpersonal relationships. When he heard Qin Tao's words, he thought about it seriously and then nodded: "Qin, your proposal Yes, we need to go back and negotiate with Fazolong to see how it works with their system. If it is feasible, it means that our entire system can be transplanted from the frigate."
"Of course." Qin Tao nodded: "This method is the safest."
While talking, everyone had already walked around the warship. Nicholas finally came to the bridge and looked at the combat command structure composed of modern display screens with envy in his eyes. He knew that Dongfang was very good at electronic systems. It is very advanced, but at the same time, he also knows that it is difficult for Damao to reach this level for the time being. If it is purchased from the East, it may not be compatible with the previous system. Therefore, these can only be achieved by relying on domestic technological development. .
There is still a long way to go.
The one-day visit ended like this. In the evening, Qin Tao hosted a banquet at the Mingzhou Group Guest House to entertain Lao Maozi and his party. The navy accompanied them. The reception fee was also saved, and they could also eat good food.
Looking out from the huge bay window here, you can see the busy scene inside the Mingzhou Shipyard, especially the huge warship under construction in the dock.
“Over the years, the development of the East has been so fast. Our navy’s aircraft carriers have just been equipped with carrier-based aircraft, and have not yet completed a full set of training. You have already started building a second aircraft carrier.” Nikolai said with emotion.
"If you want to have a strong national defense, you still need a strong motherland. Only when the economic level is reached, military development will naturally be on the fast track." Qin Tao said: "Nikola, our Mingzhou Group is willing to develop with you. More cooperative relationships, developing your economy through cooperation, so that you have more funds."
Nicholas nodded: "Yes, Qin, you have helped us a lot. Whether our navy can obtain more warships depends on you. Do we have more areas of cooperation?"
Over the years, Mingzhou Group and Da Mao have mainly cooperated in the energy field, importing large amounts of oil and natural gas. Mingzhou Group has also helped open up the Arctic route, allowing Lao Maozi to play an increasingly important role in the world economy. However, these Apparently not enough.
If Damao wants to develop its economy, it needs more cooperation projects.
Qin Tao thought for a while: "Of course, there is a lot of timber in your Far East. How about we work together to develop the timber business?"
As the shackles of environmental protection become tighter, you don’t have the right to cut down the trees you plant. However, the situation is different for foreign trees. Imported wood can be used at will without any restrictions. Therefore, in later generations, many furniture Wood such as large hairy larch is used. That’s because trees imported from abroad are cheaper than those used for one’s own use.
Although Mingzhou Group does not produce furniture now, it can help domestic furniture factories import wood.
(End of this chapter)