what happened?
Swift looked at the transformer, and it was unusual for it to suddenly fall off.
"This transformer is too old, and it will automatically trip out occasionally." Sulich said: "It's not a big deal, Mr. Swift, you see, your car has been ejected."
In front of the catapult is the normal runway, so even if the ejection fails, the aircraft can continue to take off or stop in the normal way. At this time, the accelerated car is taxiing on the runway and should have slowed down and stopped. came down, but for some unknown reason, the car gradually tilted to the left while rolling, and finally left the runway, and continued to sway left and right on the lawn beside it for a while before finally stopping.
I don’t know if it was broken up.
“Well, yes, my car was indeed ejected, but my car is still too light, and it is far behind a fighter plane that can eject dozens of tons.”
Sulich felt his eyelids beating involuntarily, and he shook his head: "Sir Swift, we can only eject vehicles of one or two tons at present. We still have a long way to go before we can eject fighters of dozens of tons. But we believe that with continuous experiments, this catapult will gradually mature, and eventually it will have the ability to eject fighter jets. What the Easterners can do, we can also do, and do better."
Swift nodded: "Yes, you are right. Since your progress is so advanced, the navy's catapults are counting on you."
Sulich was overjoyed: "Okay, we will never let you down."
The Navy can't wait any longer. Dongfang's aircraft carriers are already in service, and electromagnetic catapults are also being tested frequently. They have to speed up and complete the experiment of this more advanced catapult as soon as possible. As for the blocking cable, they can wait until the catapult is successful. Do it.
After sending Swift away, Sulich began to lead his men to investigate the cause.
"It would be reasonable if the gate fell during the energy storage process. After all, it requires a huge power supply, but the energy storage has been completed and the catapult has been used. How could the gate fall at this time? This shouldn't be the case." Sulich asked said his subordinate.
"Yes, although our set of transformers are connected from the mains, it is the same as the medium-voltage AC system on our aircraft carrier. It uses a 13,500-volt AC power distribution system. Ordinarily it should not be used. Problem."
Everyone is puzzled.
"That's just an accidental failure. Don't worry about it. Next, we should consider how to increase the ejection weight. At present, our energy storage technology cannot keep up and cannot meet the energy required for ejection of stronger carrier-based aircraft. Our flywheel energy storage The installation also needs to become more efficient as soon as possible.”
Medium-voltage DC systems can use flywheels for energy storage or supercapacitors, but medium-voltage AC systems can only use flywheels for energy storage. Although the Yankees have been working on it, they have only recently started to make efforts, so they have all these technologies. There are many problems to be solved. Even if the linear motor is ready, the energy storage device is not powerful, and it still cannot complete the ejection requirements.
Fortunately, the Navy finally gave them the order. They will be able to obtain large sums of funds from the Navy in the future. With the funds, research and development will of course be on the fast track.
“Yes, I heard that the development of nuclear reactors is progressing smoothly. This brand-new reactor can provide more power supply, and electromagnetic ejection will not have power problems.” Another person said.
If a brand new aircraft carrier is to carry out electromagnetic catapult, it needs a surging power supply. The old supplier Westinghouse developed a special A5W reactor, but in the bidding in 1999, it lost to the US government's Betty in Pennsylvania. Sri Lanka Nuclear Power Laboratory, this new generation of aircraft carrier reactor is called A1B, where the B stands for Bettis.
The new generation aircraft carrier only needs two A1B reactors, which has a 25% increase in power output compared to the previous Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, and has a power supply capacity of 200,000 kilowatts, which is three times that of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. , these power supplies supply power to the entire ship through a 13,500-volt power transmission and distribution system.
Because of the sufficient power supply, everything on the warship can be operated by electricity. For example, all rooms on this aircraft carrier are equipped with air conditioners, which was impossible before. At the same time, there is enough power for other equipment. Provide, in particular, electromagnetic ejection systems.
They took another look at the old transformer in front of them and didn't think there was anything wrong with it. The equipment must be aging. Of course they didn't know that this was just the beginning of their nightmare. As the ejection experiment continued, they would suffer all kinds of things. Troubled by various problems.
When they were tortured terribly by the medium-voltage AC system, they looked to the east, very puzzled. How did the Easterners mature electromagnetic ejection and electromagnetic interception? Is it true that the technology of Easterners is higher than ours? No, no, impossible! They answered in the negative and continued to toss their catapults, suffering and enjoying themselves.
Dongfang, the sea trials of the 002 aircraft carrier are going smoothly. Almost all projects can be passed at one time or passed after simple modifications. Everyone is excited to find that according to this progress, the aircraft carrier will complete the sea trials earlier and join the navy. service.
Of course, serving in the military does not mean having combat effectiveness. After getting together fighter jets and pilots, it will take at least a year or two to get them to truly have actual combat capabilities. This cannot be rushed.
However, some people are starting to make mistakes again.
“The U.S. Navy’s aircraft carriers also need to be tested to withstand shock waves during sea trials.” On the ship island, Delano said: “This is a necessary step before entering service, but I guess you don’t dare.”
These words were clearly a way to provoke others, and no one would be fooled. Therefore, no one responded to Delano, and the atmosphere fell silent for a moment.
Delano looked around. Everyone was doing their own thing and didn't listen to him, so he finally couldn't help it anymore: "Mr. Qin, do you know about this anti-shock wave experiment?"
"Hello, hello, who's there?" Qin Tao picked up the phone and shouted while walking outside. This operation made Xiang Jing burst into laughter.
This aircraft carrier is far away from the mainland, so where is the mobile phone signal coming from? It would be better if Mr. Qin had a satellite phone, but the satellite phone is much larger than a mobile phone.
Hearing Xiang Jing’s laughter, Delano turned around and said, “Xiang Jing, do you know?”
“I work in electronics. If you talk about electromagnetic pulse shock, I know that. If you talk about ordinary air or seawater shock wave, I don’t know about that.”
“I can explain it to you.”
"No, there are specialties in the art industry, and it's useless for me to listen." Xiang Jing also stood up: "I'm going to see how the electronic warfare aircraft is being maintained. Maybe I can help."
Delano spread his hands: "Humph, I know you don't dare, you don't even have the courage to listen to me. I despise you!"
Delano grumbled.
Of course Qin Tao knew about the impact test, which was to detonate a few bombs next to the aircraft carrier and use the bombs to create shock waves. The surging sea water would impact the aircraft carrier to check whether the aircraft carrier could withstand it. Americans can do this. It doesn't matter if one destroys one. , they have more than a dozen aircraft carriers, can Dongfang do this? If something really goes wrong, the Navy will become furious.
Different national conditions have different responses. Delano always uses the U.S. Navy's approach, and not all of it is suitable. We can tolerate him playing with ejecting shoes, but we absolutely cannot tolerate using bombs to blow up our own aircraft carriers.
"Mr. Qin." At this moment, Xu Zhengyang came over: "The shipyard sent news that the power system of the cruiser modified for Lao Maozi has been improved. Do you want to go back and take a look? Nikolai and the others Will come too."
Unconsciously, Qin Tao has been undergoing sea trials with the aircraft carrier for a month, and it has been half a year since the cruiser was modified for Lao Maozi. Mingzhou Group has never delayed the construction period, and it will take as long as it takes.
The Admiral Razaev has been replaced with a gas turbine and can continue to serve. For Lao Maozi, the 25,000-ton giant ship is a symbol of their former strength. It is of course very important to be able to use it again. one thing.
Therefore, Lao Maozi will definitely publicize it with great fanfare, and Nikola will also come to the East. In this case, as the person in charge of Mingzhou Group, Qin Tao should indeed appear in the delivery and sea trials after the transformation is completed. Ceremonial.
As for the aircraft carrier, although there are still many items in the sea trials, he has already experienced what should be experienced. He cannot stay on the aircraft carrier for sea trials for one or two years. Therefore, after thinking about it, Qin Tao decided to do it The decision was made: "Okay, then let's go back. We just have to bring a helicopter over, and we have to spend money on the navy."
"There is no need for the Navy to spend money. Your Mingzhou Group has helicopters. Just fly your helicopters over. Anyway, during the sea trials, this aircraft carrier does not officially belong to the Navy. Your shipyard can completely land its own aircraft." Zhang Zhen said The voice sounded.
Qin Tao was helpless: "Captain Zhang, are you just picking on me like this?"
“It’s not us, it’s your Mingzhou Group that is very powerful. You already have a special plane, so you definitely can’t get used to flying on our military plane.”
“Okay, I’ll take my own plane back.”
"Mr. Qin is going back?" Delano's voice sounded: "According to our U.S. Navy's practice, when picking up important people, they always use a Navy two-seater aircraft to pick up and drop off. I once picked up a fool. He was restless during the flight and actually pulled the ejection handle! That Mr. Qin, I am not talking about you, you are definitely not this kind of person."
“Report, there is news from XAC that they have produced a carrier-based transport aircraft and hope to test it on our aircraft carrier.”
Qin Tao's eyes lit up: "Okay, I'll take this plane."
There are many materials that need to be transported on the aircraft carrier and on land. In addition to personnel, there are also aircraft parts, postal packages, or express delivery.
This requires communication. For people on the aircraft carrier, the most anticipated aircraft is the carrier-based transport aircraft. This kind of aircraft will bring several postal packages every time it comes down.
Helicopters can also perform this kind of mission, but helicopters fly slowly and transport less supplies, so they are not as fast as ship-based fixed-wing transportation.
On the aircraft carriers of the U.S. Navy, there is a special C-2 transport aircraft, nicknamed Greyhound. This transport aircraft is modified on the E-2 body platform. It retains the wings and power plant of the original E-2. The fuselage has been enlarged, which means the aircraft has become fatter, and a loading and unloading ramp has been added at the tail to facilitate loading and unloading of cargo.
Since the U.S. Navy can do this, the country can do the same. After all, the country also has a carrier-based early warning aircraft, the Air Warning 600. It is easy to improve on the body of this aircraft. After the modification, the aircraft carrier can also have a professional Carrier-based transport aircraft.
Relevant domestic departments are very quick to take action. They have already modified it and asked for testing.
Zhang Zhen directly refused: "No, this kind of aircraft is not a combat aircraft. Let them test it in the wasteland village first. After more than a hundred take-off and landing tests, it can be equipped on our aircraft carrier."
Ship-based early warning aircraft can take risks, and ship-based electronic warfare aircraft can take risks, but why do ship-based transport aircraft join in the fun? Of course Zhang Zhen would not agree.
Seeing Zhang Zhen's resolute attitude, Qin Tao was speechless: "Okay, Lao Zhang, then we are friends. If you need my help in the future, please don't talk!"
"Of course we won't speak. We ask Leader Wu to speak." Then Qin Tao was completely speechless.
The Mingzhou Group's helicopter flew to the aircraft carrier that afternoon. It was a Mi-171 helicopter. The Mingzhou Group purchased a large number of them that year, and the price was not expensive anyway. Whether it was transportation, exploration, tourism, etc., All can play a huge role.
Amidst the roar of the helicopter, Qin Tao left the 002 aircraft carrier. There were a lot of people seeing him off below, and Zhang Zhen was among them. They did not raise their right hands to salute, but just waved to greet Qin Tao. Looking at the crowd below, Qin Tao knew, Any words of friendship are false, and his relationship with these people can never be dissolved.
Because he is the one who built the aircraft carrier.
Mingzhou Group, a large group of old men were very excited. They looked at the brand-new warship on the floating dock, and they were all in high spirits.
"The ten million dollars were well spent!" Nikolay said: "We only spent ten million dollars to renovate this warship! It looks like new. I thought about the time when this warship had just been refurbished. It looks like I’m serving, now, I can’t wait.”
Hurry up and get into the water and test it!
“By the way, where is Mr. Qin?”
“Mr. Qin will be here soon.”
As he spoke, the roar of a helicopter sounded overhead. After circling in a circle, the helicopter landed steadily on the helicopter platform of the Admiral Razaev.
Although the Mi-171 is a land-based helicopter, the pilot skills of the Minzhou Group Transport Company are first-rate, and the Kirov-class cruiser's helicopter landing platform area is very large, so the Mi-171 helicopter can land easily .
Several people got off the helicopter, and then the helicopter rose up again and left the deck. The people who got off started waving to the people on the shore.
“Qin!” Nicholas was very excited: “Wait, let’s go up too!”
The crowd excitedly walked along the bridge of the floating dock and onto the warship. Nicholas almost ran towards Qin Tao. He stretched out his arms and gave Qin Tao a warm hug.
“Qin, you must be doing something important, right?”
"Yes, it is indeed an important matter, but when I heard that you were coming, of course I had to put down everything in my hands and come to receive you." Qin Tao said: "This giant ship has finally been repaired and will be delivered to you soon. , how is it, how are you feeling?"
"We are very excited. As long as there are no problems with the sea trial of this cruiser, the remaining ones will be sent to you for repair." Nicholas said: "After these 1144 cruisers are modified, they will become the main warships of our navy. The tonnage will increase by 100,000 tons!”
At that time, Lao Maozi built a total of four such giant ships, three of which were lying dormant and one was lingering. If they were all transformed according to the Mingzhou Group's method, then these four warships would be full of life. One ship is 25,000 tons, and four ships are 100,000 tons, which is of great significance to the Mao Navy!
Qin Tao smiled: "Okay, of course there is no problem. As long as you dismantle the nuclear reactor yourself and ensure that there is no radiation left in the engine room, we can carry out transformation. Now, the world is developing towards unipolarity, which is very important for the balance of the world." It’s not good for you, your Da Mao Navy should become stronger as soon as possible.”
“Yes, you are right! With these four warships, our navy will once again regain its former glory!”
“Let’s go, let’s go see the engine room first.”
The exterior renovation is secondary, and the replacement of the engine inside is the main thing. A group of old men were very excited and followed Qin Tao to the turbine room. Inside, two brand-new gas turbines had been installed in place. They looked so spectacular. .
"In addition to these two gas turbines, we also overhauled the backup diesel generator. When the warship is parked, it can only start the diesel generator to meet the needs of the warship." Qin Tao pointed to the backup unit inside. : "Only some spare parts were replaced, and no new machines were replaced, so it is considered our complimentary service and no additional funds will be charged."
"Thank you." Nicholas was very grateful. Mr. Qin, an old friend, is very interesting.
"However, gas turbines are very delicate things. Therefore, after this warship enters service, you must fully comply with our operating procedures. If you still operate according to the barbaric operation as before, an accident is likely to occur. If it is because of you If a problem occurs due to rough operation, we will not provide warranty."
Nicholas nodded: "If anyone damages the power system of this precious warship, I will skin him!"
"However, during the repair, we found that the propeller of this warship was rusted and could not be used after renovation. The four-blade propeller was also outdated, so we simply installed two brand new five-blade propellers on this warship. , we only charge a cost of 10 million US dollars for these two propellers. You should know that if ordered from the West, such a propeller is worth tens of millions."
Of course, the maintenance costs have still increased, but the increase is not much. Another ten million yuan is completely affordable. Moreover, Mingzhou Group has already installed it, so can they not pay for it?
If they want to default on their debt, Mingzhou Group is not worried. Don’t count on the subsequent modifications of several warships. We are not short of the money.
“Five-blade propeller?”
"Yes, the four-blade propeller you manufactured is technologically backward and should have been eliminated long ago. Our five-blade propeller can be better matched with the electric motor and is more efficient. Even though the power of the main engine is not as high as before, the speed is also low. It can meet the standards.”
Lao Maozi’s early warship propellers were all four-blade. This was symmetrical and easy to process. However, this symmetrical propeller was prone to vibration during use, and the efficiency of the four-blade propeller was not high.
The design of propellers is a complex subject. Generally speaking, the greater the power output, the larger the area of the propeller. However, this will lead to an increase in resistance. If the area is not increased and the power is increased, then the propeller must be increased. The number of propeller blades.
Irregular bodies like propellers are too difficult to process and can only be processed by multi-axis CNC milling machines. The patents are in the hands of a few companies, so they are expensive.
Mingzhou Group is one of them. If they want to build so many ships, they must have special processing methods.
According to the original plan, they were only responsible for modifying the interior of the hull, replacing the power system, removing the steam turbine from the reducer, and replacing it with a motor to complete the power output. The original propeller was still driven, but since the propeller was broken, then Of course you have to replace it with a new one.
"Well, the original propeller is indeed outdated." Nicholas said: "As long as the entire warship can speed up to 30 knots after the sea trial, then we can pay for the propeller."
This also has a prerequisite. You can spend money, but you have to see results.
"Well, we are sure of it." Qin Tao nodded: "Everyone, our transformation these days has been limited to these places. We have not been to other parts of this warship. Now that you have finished reading, can we go to the dock Inject water and launch this warship into the water?"
“Okay, we will stay on this warship, launch it with this warship, and participate in the sea trial!”
Having just taken part in the audition, Qin Tao actually wanted to take part in the audition again. Qin Tao felt a little nauseous, but he also knew that his companionship was necessary.
“Attention, prepare to fill the dock with water!”
When repairing a ship in a dock, the launch and slipway are of course different. On a floating dock, it is simpler.
As the seawater poured in, the floating dock sank, and the cruiser inside floated. Then, the floating dock moved away, and the huge Admiral Razaev was revealed again.
Everyone came to the bridge, and Nicholas said excitedly: "Start the engine!"