Carry out devastating bombardments on the enemy fleet beyond the range of its artillery fire!
It was this sentence in Lu Rende's report that attracted Cheng Bichen's attention and made him change his plan temporarily.
As a naval admiral, and a naval admiral who won the Great Battle of the South Pacific with a weak force, the fleet commander knew very well how he won the last war.
It's technology!
It was his absolute technical superiority that allowed him to win the naval battle.
Because of this, he has always paid great attention to technological innovation. Of course, he is also one of the supporters of dreadnoughts.
The Imperial Navy is indeed a beneficiary of technological dividends, and even has a certain dependence on technological changes, which is path dependence!
In fact, this is the biggest characteristic of the imperial military and enterprises. They attach great importance to technology research and development. This is because they all enjoy the technological dividends. Businessmen believe that technological innovation can bring them wealth, but soldiers? They believe in technology.
Innovation allows them to win wars.
Over the years, through technological leadership, the Imperial Army, which has won many battles, has one eye on war practice and the other on new technologies, and is extremely sensitive to accepting new technologies.
“If a worker wants to do his job well, he must first sharpen his tools.”
The imperial military generals had never doubted this. Because of this, after seeing Lu Rende's report, Cheng Bichen immediately changed his plan.
The dreadnought may be powerful, but it is a warship that has already been launched, and it is a technology that has been put into practical use. Even if it is ahead, it is only temporary. Even though the dreadnought is the soul of the future of the navy and the guarantee of victory in naval battles, but...
So what?
If he left a day late, the dreadnought would not escape, but the young officer in front of him brought him a brand new idea.
Sensitivity to new technologies made Cheng Bichen make his choice.
Even if his idea is impossible, it's not a big deal.
It's just a delay of a few hours, the dreadnought can't escape!
"Take off from the ship, um, like a floating carrier?"
Cheng Bichen asked.
The floating carrier is an original creation of the empire. It is actually just a converted cargo ship. It can carry four small combat airships. It can provide air cover for the fleet during naval battles and prevent the fleet from being attacked by airships.
"Almost the same, but completely different, because planes need a deck to take off, and an aircraft carrier can carry up to twenty planes. After they take off from the ship, they can not only provide air cover for the fleet to prevent airship attacks, but also
Importantly, it can attack warships."
Attacking warships with air power has actually been attempted by aerial troops for a long time. However, the airships carried by the aerial carriers are not suitable for this job because the combat airships have too small load capacity and the large airships are too large.
"Twenty planes! They can actually carry so many!"
"Maybe even thirty! And in addition to having a machine gun, each plane can also carry a 250 kilogram bomb and fly 300 kilometers. Sir, do you know what this means?"
what does that mean?
Cheng Bichen smiled and motioned for him to continue.
Taking a deep breath, Lu Rende continued.
"The Dreadnought is indeed powerful, but sir, the range of the Dreadnought's cannon is less than thirty kilometers, but our aircraft can carry 250 kilograms of bombs 100 kilometers away to bomb them. Sir, if we build a carrier
As for the aircraft carrier, it will definitely play an unexpected role in naval battles, sir."
When Lu Rende made this suggestion, Cheng Bichen's adjutant walked into the room, holding a tray of porcelain cups and a matching teapot. He heard Chief Cheng say to him:
"...That's exactly the point. This is its biggest advantage. The distance. Even the most powerful naval gun has a range of only 30 kilometers. Even if our technology is more advanced and the firing angle is larger,
Breaking through the sky, that is, 40 kilometers, indeed, just as you said, our advantage will be greatly increased in this way, and it will definitely play an unexpected role in naval battles."
He always feels happy when he is praised, and Lu Rende is no exception. He smiled and nodded. After the adjutant served the tea and left, Cheng Bichen gestured to the cup, and then picked up the tea cup himself.
"My only question is, can a plane take off from a boat? Or what should we do? I don't know much about planes or even how it flies, so I'm hoping you can explain it to me.
"
"Sir, it's very simple. It needs a runway, its wings, and an engine. It relies on the power of the engine to drive the forward traction generated by the rotation of the propeller..."
Then Lu Rende explained the operating principle of the aircraft, which was of course a simple explanation. Although it was simple, Cheng Bichen still understood it.
"So, it needs a platform and then glides to take off, right? It's similar to a glider, but the glider is towed by a car, while the airplane has its own engine."
Glider is very common in the empire now. Not only many university-related clubs, but also several universities have begun to hold glider competitions. As a sport, it is becoming popular in the empire in an unprecedented way.
"Yes, that's pretty much it. As long as there is a runway of about 100 meters, it can fly..."
Nodding, Lu Rende explained.
"We now have a ready-made ship that can conduct experiments in this area."
"Ready-made boat?"
"Yes, it is the "Shenzhou-class immigration ship". On the right side of the ship is a deck more than 150 meters long and more than 20 meters wide. If the handrails on the side are removed, it will be the most suitable take-off platform. It is not even needed.
How to transform it.”
"Oh? The "Shenzhou-class immigration ship" is ready, right? Hmm..."
After thinking about it, Cheng Bichen said.
"Then what do you need me to do?"
Looking at Commander Cheng in front of him, Lu Rende took a deep breath and said,
"I hope the commander can requisition that ship, um, temporarily requisition it, and then we can conduct take-off and landing tests in this area. Commander Cheng, you must believe me, when the aircraft carrier appears, it will definitely change the war!"
Just before leaving, Lu Rende repeatedly expressed his views.
"It will definitely change the war, Commander Cheng. I guarantee it with my head..."
"You don't need to use your head to guarantee it. Whether you succeed or fail, you must first have the courage to try."
Cheng Bichen patted his shoulder.
"Don't worry about this matter. Please sort out the report first.
Before we start trying, there are always some details that need to be considered. For example, the details of the aircraft taking off and landing on the ship. I don’t understand these, but you must be a professional, and you have to figure out all of this first.
Clear."
After thinking for a while, he continued.
"Also, Unit 903 is a confidential unit, including your aircraft. Regarding the matter of putting the aircraft on the ship, well, I can go and coordinate with the Ministry of War, but we also have to consider confidentiality and other issues.
Of course, there are also reasons for uploading, and a suitable reason must be found for this. But these issues are left to me to handle. Now your task is to study the matter of putting the aircraft on the ship..."
