Chapter 270 An important chapter in the history of aircraft carrier development: the 2003 project
In the past, Qin Tao had talked with Wu Shengli about the issue of carrier-based aircraft, but after all, it was not a professional occasion. Even if Qin Tao had talked, it was just talking nonsense. It was different today. In such a formal meeting,
, if this argument is raised in front of these aircraft carrier engineering demonstrators, it will be considered as a formal proposal.
"We can look at the United States. Whether it is F-14 or F-18, they are all twin-engine. Let's look at Lao Maozi. When we were testing, we chose MiG-29 and Su-27.
Twin-engine. Although the French are still using single-engine Super Etendard, the Charles de Gaulle currently under construction plans to be equipped with twin-engine Rafale fighter jets. Countries that operate medium and large aircraft carriers have all chosen twin-engine aircraft carriers without exception.
This is accumulated through many years of experience in developing fighter jets. If one of the engines fails, at least it can still fly."
Twin-engine fighter jets are all high-performance. After all, they have large power reserves and strong thrust-to-weight ratio, which can better take the lead in air combat. At the same time, twin-engine aircraft also have power backup. If one stalls, the other will be able to rely on it.
One can still fly, but if it were a single-engine model, it would be completely useless.
On land, a single-engine aircraft can make an emergency landing if it stalls, but this is not possible at sea. Once it falls into the sea, it is likely to be a disaster.
"However, among our existing aircraft, there are too few twin-engine ones, and they cannot meet the demand."
"Why not? Isn't our Air Force planning to purchase the second batch of Su-27?" Qin Tao said: "If the Su-27 is improved, it will be the Su-33 used by Lao Maozi's navy."
The people present immediately started whispering.
None of these experts, scholars and researchers who are engaged in the 8*91 project have thought about the Su-27!
The first batch of Su-27s flew back to China a month ago, and immediately attracted countless attention. The smooth shape, the huge body, and the dozen external pylons all displayed this aircraft.
of strength.
They were all sighing that the motherland's air force finally had a third-generation aircraft that could compete with the West! When faced with the threat of the enemy, it could finally get out of its way!
They just never thought that this kind of aircraft could also be used by the navy as a carrier-based aircraft!
"This kind of aircraft is too big. Even if we can get it, it will cause a serious decrease in the number of aircraft carried on the aircraft carrier." An expert said below: "If the number of carrier-based aircraft is too small, then the number of aircraft carried on the aircraft carrier will be serious."
It will be impossible to form effective combat capabilities."
If divided according to the size of the aircraft body, the Su-33 and F-14 are the only two heavy-duty fighter jets in the world. Their maximum take-off weight exceeds 30 tons.
As for the F-18 and Rafale, the maximum takeoff weight of these fighters is about 20 tons, which is considered a medium-sized fighter.
The Yak-38 and Sea Harrier, which weigh more than ten tons, are considered light.
The larger the aircraft body, the smaller the number that can be carried on the aircraft carrier. If there is not enough number, it will not be able to form effective combat capabilities. The combat effectiveness of twenty or thirty aircraft and forty or fifty aircraft is obviously different.
Qin Tao smiled: "The quantity of aircraft dispatched is important, and the quality is also important. Let's give a simple example and compare the Su-33 and Rafale."
Qin Tao doesn't want to get into a quarrel, especially now that Zhang Yang has been left alone. However, these basic things must be determined. Only by unifying the thinking can we avoid detours. After all, scientific research funding is so limited.
Points cannot be shared.
"The Su-33, with a dead weight of 18.5 tons, can achieve a maximum takeoff weight of 33 tons when taking off from a far point of 195 meters. Subtracting these two data, that is to say, the Su-33 can carry 14.5 tons of fuel and ammunition. We
For comparison, the Rafale M carrier-based fighter has an empty weight of about 10.2 tons. According to the French plan, a larger thrust engine was used to achieve a maximum take-off weight of about 22 tons, which means less than 12 tons of fuel and ammunition.
Compared with the mount capacity, there is a difference of about three tons."
Qin Tao looked at the people present: "In the eyes of aircraft designers, knowing what these three tons mean, under the same circumstances, the Su-33 can carry three more one-ton anti-ship missiles and precision-guided bombs.
Or you can install more fuel to increase the endurance by 1,000 kilometers or the air combat time by 5 minutes."
If you don’t compare, you don’t know. If you compare, you will be shocked.
"Moreover, if we produce our own carrier-based aircraft in the future, we can make various improvements to increase the thrust of the engine and reduce the weight of the aircraft. Carrier-based aircraft similar to the Su-33 can eventually achieve a load carrying capacity of more than 16 tons.
Once it takes off, its flight time in the sky will be twice that of a medium-sized aircraft!" Qin Tao continued to promote his point of view: "Moreover, the huge body of a medium-sized aircraft can carry more weapons, and the potential for future modifications is greater.
, For example, after our flat-panel gap radar technology matures, it can be easily replaced on the nose of the Su-27, which can reduce the weight of the Su-27 by at least half a ton."
"Mr. Qin, you are very familiar with this kind of aircraft! It even surpasses the Air Force that just received the Su-27 fighter jet." Someone finally sighed.
"Of course. When Lao Maozi split up, I accompanied Lao Maozi to sail back the Kuznetsov aircraft carrier. Their captain and I often drank and chatted together. These data, of course
Know everything clearly."
"Now, the Air Force is discussing the introduction of the second batch of Su-27 fighters and the production line. If everything goes well, we will produce the Su-27 series of fighters domestically." Wu Shengli said: "For now, the carrier-based
If the aircraft project is pinned on the illusory J-13 and so on, it is better to wait for the Su-27 produced by ourselves. What do you think?"
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! The Su-33 is ready-made, what about the J-13? The moon in the water, the flower in the mirror!
Apart from the huge size of the machine, there are no other shortcomings, so why is there any hesitation?
"However, this will reduce the number of aircraft carriers our aircraft carriers can carry."
"The quantity is small, so we can increase the displacement. If 50,000 tons doesn't work, then 60,000 tons. If 60,000 tons doesn't work, then 65,000 or 67,000. Taking the hangar and deck together, it can carry 36 aircraft
Fighters similar to the Su-33, plus 12 helicopters, that’s about it, right?”
When Qin Tao said the number sixty-seven thousand, everyone present became thoughtful.
Isn't this the displacement of the Varyag?
Wu Shengli nodded: "I think the figures of 65,000 to 67,000 are about the same. Our 8*91 project can modify the initial design parameters and study it based on this displacement. What do you think?"
Hey, is my father-in-law serious?
Qin Tao has already had a premonition that the things he deceived before are slowly becoming reality. If this is the case, then Qin Tao can also save a lot of money!
"Ski-jump takeoff, blocked landing, and a modified version of the Su-27 as a carrier-based aircraft." Zhang Yang stood there, talking about this, and then said: "If we want to consider feasibility, this will obviously be higher. We
From now on, the entire team will be permanently stationed at the Second Institute."
The Second Design Institute of Mingzhou Shipbuilding Industry Group is called the Second Institute for short. People go there every day and say that the full name is too tiring, so we just call it the Second Institute.
When Zhang Yang said this, he was still teasing, but Wu Shengli took over the words: "Yes, this is also what the navy means. Our 8*91 project can be moved there in the future.
Let’s study it on the side. This project can also be led by Mao Gengxin. According to the rules there, let’s call it the 2003 project.”
What?
The people present were shocked again.
Our Navy's own aircraft carrier demonstration project is set up in a non-state-owned research institution, which is outrageous enough. Now, a foreigner is actually allowed to preside over it?
"How is this possible? What if the secret is leaked?"
"That's right, although that old man Mao is very powerful, he is a foreigner after all!"
"No, absolutely not."
"He is the chief designer of the Lao Maozi aircraft carrier." Wu Shengli said: "Now, his wife and children have come to our country and will never leave again."
What?
Chief designer of the Lao Maozi aircraft carrier?
No one objected.
No matter how many demonstrations of aircraft carriers have been conducted in China, they have never really built an aircraft carrier. They are all talking on paper. This is different. They have launched four Kiev-class ships, as well as the Ustinov. In the future,
The completed Varyag…
When they were working on the 2001 project, they could already feel Mao Gengxin's professionalism. There were some speculations at that time, but now, the speculations have finally been confirmed.
Wu Shengli hasn't said Babic's real name yet, he just told everyone that he is Lao Maozi's aircraft carrier chief designer, and his wife and children are here. What else can he say next?
Who dares to dissent?
"Can our project get state support?" Zhang Yang continued to ask.
"Not yet, so we have to move the project to the Second Institute. The equipment there is the most advanced. The navy's scientific research funds are simply not enough to purchase an advanced computer." Wu Shengli smiled.
Then he looked at Qin Tao: "Does Mr. Qin have any objections to this arrangement?"
"That is to say, the Second Solo will become a secret-related unit in the future. There will be soldiers standing guard at the door, and all entrances and exits will be checked. Even if people from our group want to visit, they will have to report to the Navy for approval first?"
Listening to Qin Tao's plaintive words, Wu Shengli nodded: "Of course, but you enjoy privileges and can come and go at any time."
"Did Babbage know that he was being entrusted with such an important mission?"
"This is your task. You need to convey this arrangement of the Navy. I believe that he will be willing to dedicate his youth and life to this glorious and sacred mission."
As my father-in-law, he is also very shrewd, so he can forget about plotting against himself and even plot against Lao Maozi. However, he is not wrong. Babbage will definitely be very willing to participate in this project!
"So, will the Navy provide us with funding?" Qin Tao asked the most critical question.
If the Navy only has such little funds and sends people to Qin Tao, will they try to get him for free?
"I remember that a total of 40 million was allocated for the entire 8*91 project. How much is left?" Wu Shengli looked at Zhang Yang.
"There's still... about three million left."
"Okay, all this money will be transferred to the account of the Second Institute, and it will probably be enough to support it for one or two years." Wu Shengli said: "The Navy will not supervise it anymore, so you can spend it how you want."
Qin Tao was speechless. How generous is this little money? It’s not even enough for salary!
"Then we don't care about the wages of these people on site. This small amount of money is just enough to cover the wages and water and electricity bills of the current staff in the institute. We have to pay for the wear and update of the machinery and equipment ourselves." Qin Tao squinted.
He glanced at his father-in-law and said, "Okay, just think of us as being selfless."
I got rid of my old man, and fell into the trap of my father-in-law again!
However, this was actually Qin Tao's thought on the way here.
He poached Babbage and set up a special design institute, which was actually for the purpose of developing aircraft carriers. Even if his father-in-law didn't tell him, Qin Tao had to find a way to bring it up.
The 8*91 project is a research project that the navy tightened its belt and saved money. If it continues to demonstrate the original project of a 50,000-ton aircraft carrier that can be catapulted into takeoff, it will be a waste! It is better to build a practical one based on the Watts
Liangge takes it as a standard to design a brand new aircraft carrier.
Originally, after the end of the 2002 project, Qin Tao was supposed to start this aircraft carrier project similar to Varyag. Babbage can't always be a teacher. What should I do if he becomes irritable and loses his temper after a long time?
Now my father-in-law is doing this to help Qin Tao.
In this way, whether it is to modify the Varyag or build a new aircraft carrier in the future, the theoretical foundation has been laid. When the state funds funds, then roll up your sleeves and get started!
This meeting unified thinking, determined future goals, and wrote an important chapter in the history of the development of Chinese aircraft carriers!
Qin Tao couldn't help but feel complacent when he thought of this.
As for the cost issue, it’s not a big issue. It’s just that it doesn’t cost much to design the drawings, and it will only burn money during the hands-on stage. Next year, with some stimulation, the country may start to pay attention to the role of aircraft carriers.
At the end of the meeting, Qin Tao looked at his father-in-law: "Dad, come with me to meet Babbage. With you here, he will definitely believe me more."
Wu Shengli nodded: "If we had notified Babbage in advance, we could have called him over for this meeting. It would still have to go back and forth, but it will be fine in the future. All meetings about aircraft carriers will be held in the Second Institute."
.”
Boom!
The door to Babbage's office rang. He lowered his head to work and said, "Come in, the door is unlocked."
All the work has been arranged, and Babbage is still very busy. He is writing the block diagram stroke by stroke on the drawing.
As the chief engineer of the aircraft carrier who stayed at the shipyard, he has a deep understanding of how to construct the aircraft carrier. It is difficult to modify the aircraft carrier and it is easy to cause risks. He must take all these risks into consideration and control them.
"Mr. Babbage, you are such a workaholic."
"Those of us who are designers don't understand engineering matters. Problems may arise, so I have to think more carefully."
The only one who could call him Babbage and still communicate in Russian was Qin Tao. Babbic and Qin Tao were already familiar with each other. When talking, they still didn't raise their heads and were still busy.
"People like you should do more work. Now, I have invited the relevant leaders of the navy to come to you. Our navy's aircraft carrier project will also be handed over to you."
Babbage's hand stopped and his breathing became rapid.
When he first came here, Babic met Wu Shengli, but they didn't talk much at that time. Babic also knew that it would be impossible to gain the navy's absolute trust just after he came here. He had been waiting all this time.
And now, the opportunity has finally come!
"The new project, named Project 2003, is a design plan for a medium-sized aircraft carrier with a displacement between 65,000 and 67,000, with ski-jump takeoff and arrested landing, and is intended to carry a modified version of the Su-27.
Qin Tao said from the side: "You will be appointed as the chief engineer of this project. After the 2002 project ends, a new project will begin. Mr. Babbage, are you willing to accept this task?"
"Varyag?" Babic muttered the name.
"Similar to Varyag, but not exactly the same. What we want is an aircraft carrier, not a heavy-duty aircraft-carrying cruiser. It will not carry a large number of offensive weapons and will mainly carry aircraft." Qin Tao continued: "As long as we want
It carries 36 Su-27 modified carrier-based aircraft and 12 helicopters."
"This project is my favorite. For this project, I am willing to devote the rest of my life!" Babbage's tone was very exciting.
They didn't like the heavy aircraft-carrying cruisers of the past, but they had no choice. After all, there was a large group of missile sects in Moscow. They had to meet the needs of these people, and the final product was neither fish nor fowl. Now, they are finally going to build one.
An aircraft carrier similar to the West!
"Mr. Babic, I assure you that our design will definitely become a reality." Wu Shengli said.
"Yes, it will definitely become a reality, and I firmly believe this." Babbage was full of confidence. During this period, he occasionally went out and saw the development of Huating, and he was full of confidence in this country.
"Why did you choose the modified version of the Su-27 as the carrier-based aircraft?" After getting excited, Babbage began to think about practical issues.
"We are talking to Damao about the introduction of the Su-27 production line, so in the future we can produce and improve the Su-27 ourselves."
"If this is the case, the T-10K prototypes in the Nitka base will be very important." Babbage said: "I am very familiar with the people there. If necessary..."
"We will handle this kind of thing." Qin Tao said: "For us, you are very important. You can't go anywhere. If something happens, it will be a heavy loss for our navy's aircraft carrier project."
Qin Tao is also an aircraft carrier designer, but he also knows that the power of one person is very small. It takes many people and many experts, especially Babbage, who is very important.
Now Qin Tao is running around a lot and cannot stay here all day doing research. Babbage is very important and cannot have any accidents.
Babbage nodded.
"You are right to choose the ski jump takeoff plan. It is the safest choice. However, if you want the aircraft carrier to have sufficient combat effectiveness, especially if it can carry an early warning aircraft, the catapult is also necessary." Babbage continued.
: "If the Red Empire had not collapsed, there would have been a catapult on our nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. You..."
"We will definitely have catapults in the future, but steam catapults have lagged behind. We may consider pre-development of a new generation of catapults."
Babbage brought up a key issue: catapults.
Speaking of dispatch efficiency, the Kuznetsov is not slow. The deck is large enough and there are two take-off positions. Therefore, if you take turns queuing up, it can be launched quickly, and one can be achieved every minute.
Steam catapults look awesome, but they actually have flaws. Each ejection consumes a lot of steam. Therefore, after more than a dozen catapults, there is not much steam in the aircraft carrier's boiler, and the speed slows down. The carrier-based aircraft is released.
It has to be paused.
However, if you want to allow a ship-based early warning aircraft to board the ship, a catapult is necessary.
The power of the carrier-based early warning aircraft is very weak, and it is also carrying a large plate, so it is difficult to have enough power to take off by ski jump. Even if there have been experiments on ski jump, even a model of Yak-44 has been flown by Kuznetsov
No., it is destined to be impossible to safely ski jump and take off, so it is safer to use the ejection method.
"A new generation of catapult?" Babbage was very curious.
"Yes, it is electromagnetic catapult." Qin Tao said: "We no longer need to follow the path that others have taken. In this aspect, we must innovate. By the way, our 2003 project can be reserved on the angled deck.
The location of this ejector makes it easy to modify later.”
Speaking of the electromagnetic ejection, Qin Tao thought of a technical expert. He had wanted to meet this person for a long time, but he had never had time. Now, it was almost time to go and find him.
After all, in addition to electromagnetic catapults, this person has to take the lead in all-electric drives of warships, etc. Qin Tao is an aircraft carrier expert, not an electric power expert. Such professional matters must be left to professionals.
deal with.
As for Qin Tao himself, the most important task is to make money!
"Electromagnetic ejection? It sounds like something from the Star Wars era." Babbage seriously considered: "Is it possible to realize this technology?"
At the Nitka base in Ermao territory, they have already built related steam catapults and plan to use them on the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Even though Lao Maozi's technical experts have taken the American Star Wars plan very seriously,
I never thought about using electromagnetic ejection.
"Yes." Qin Tao was very sure: "Steam catapults will soon become obsolete. In the future, electromagnetic catapults will dominate. We don't have the energy to develop steam catapults that Americans have been polishing for decades. In terms of electromagnetic catapults,
, we stand directly on the same starting line as the Americans!"
Regarding catapults, this was the first time Qin Tao had brought it up, and Wu Shengli didn't think there was anything unreliable. Anyway, it was all a matter for the future, and it was still early to talk about it now.
But he didn't expect that after the exchange with Babbage was over, Qin Tao would immediately go find relevant professionals, and specifically find a young man.