Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

"President Qin, your Hongqi-16 missile system already has a well-developed land-based version. Can the radar from this land-based version be transplanted onto warships?"

Back when we were designing it, Qin Yang promised to transplant the Hongqi-16 onto warships, and now it's being designed according to that plan. So, besides the guidance radar, can the land-based long-range search radar be transplanted as well?

Qin Yang shook his head: "I don't know about that, but we can try. Actually, for warships, radar using waveguide antennas should be more suitable. Our relevant departments can work towards this direction."

The orange-peel-like parabolic antenna is the oldest radar antenna, with the lowest efficiency. Waveguide antennas are one generation ahead. In terms of efficiency, they are not much different from planar slotted antennas, except that they don't have slots on a flat surface, but rather on the waveguide. This lowers the manufacturing requirements, but the structural weight is higher.

The Old Russians couldn't handle planar slotted antennas, so they used waveguide antennas instead, even for early warning aircraft. American early warning aircraft use planar slotted antennas, while the Old Russians use waveguides. As long as it works, that's all that matters.

For warships, weight is not an issue, so waveguides can certainly be used.

At this moment, everyone fell silent upon hearing Qin Yang's words. That's right, we know that waveguide antennas are advanced, but we don't have anything to copy.

"This shipborne radar is crucial, and we must finalize it today," Elder Pan said. "President Qin, if you can't handle it, then we'll follow our plan and purchase from abroad."

"That's right, that's the way to do it," Qin Yang nodded. "Let's import for now. When we have the strength in the future, we will also develop a system like Aegis. At that time, our Factory 960 will also take on a major role."

In this era, the most advanced air defense system is of course the Aegis system. This system uses four-sided phased array radar to search the surrounding airspace. It doesn't need to rotate and can clearly see the entire airspace. Coupled with vertical launch missiles, it can meet the need to withstand saturation attacks.

Currently, Eastern warships still rely on anti-aircraft guns for air defense, and can only drool over the Aegis system.

Besides the Aegis system, the Old Russians also have a similar Sky Sentinel system, which also uses a four-sided phased array, but the performance is somewhat inferior, especially because the four radars cannot integrate data for processing, each looking at its own area, resulting in duplication and waste.

For now, there can only be regret regarding shipborne radar. In the future, these regrets will surely be made up for!

Qin Yang made up his mind.

"Yes, if we want to develop a strong fleet, we must have a system similar to Aegis. President Qin, don't wait for the future, we can start now. Are you willing?" Elder Liu asked.

The navy can't wait. Thinking of the high-end Aegis system, the navy is filled with enthusiasm. At this time, since Qin Yang has said it, he must be urged to do it now, not later.

Now?

Qin Yang frowned: "The technology isn't good enough yet."

"What technology isn't good enough?"

"Active phased array radar technology."

The most proud feature of Aegis warships is active phased array radar technology. This was the first time active phased arrays were put on warships, and they were quickly developed, with one ship after another being launched. While Europe was still stingy, using four small shields or two rotating radars, the East already had a large number of four-sided phased array radar fleets, making them envious and jealous.

"President Qin, this technology has only just emerged and will take a long time to mature. Why can't we do what the Americans and Old Russians did and first develop air defense systems with passive phased array radar, and then develop active phased arrays when they mature? We are most familiar with passive phased array radar technology."

Seeing a flat antenna doesn't necessarily mean it's a phased array. It could also be a waveguide or planar slotted antenna. Even if it's a phased array, it's divided into active and passive.

Passive ones still use the electromagnetic tubes of normal radar antennas, but with a phase shifter in front to change the phase of the electromagnetic waves before radiating them out. This radar technology is not difficult. The East made it in the 1960s and 70s. The 7010 strategic phased array radar was of this type, directly embedding the antenna on a hillside. Without moving, the electromagnetic waves could change direction under the action of the ferrite phase shifter.

But this is very bulky, so the technology transitioned to active phased arrays. This type of radar antenna requires individual T/R components, each component being a chip, relying on this to emit electromagnetic waves. This requires microelectronics technology to reach a certain level.

The power of a single component is very small, such as only ten watts, but when thousands are put together, the power is very strong. This is the most suitable form of radar antenna, suitable for everything, whether it's radar, communications, or interference, etc. In later generations, all domestic warships use phased array radar antennas. The 003 aircraft carrier even has eighteen shields, displaying its might, leaving others only with envy, because they make them too expensive, and only the East can make them at cabbage prices.

Therefore, when talking about Aegis warships, Qin Yang immediately thought of this technology. But this technology is not so easy to make. Now, experts on the scene immediately reminded him, why insist on active phased arrays? Aren't passive phased arrays good enough?

Qin Yang was about to retort, but immediately realized, that's right, he had fallen into a mental trap. Since active ones are not good, then use passive ones. Who cares about the performance, first solve the problem of having something.

In terms of early warning aircraft, Qin Yang didn't have this mental trap. Since we don't have active phased arrays, let's first make planar slotted antennas, making big guys like the E-3, solving the problem of having something first. How did he fall into the pit with this shipborne radar?

"That's right, the Old Russians and Americans both use passive phased arrays. We don't seek to surpass their technology, just to catch up."

Elder Liu looked at Qin Yang: "President Qin, how long do you plan to take to develop it for us?"

Qin Yang looked at Elder Pan's design drawings: "Our 052 will definitely not be able to catch up. When it's developed in the future, it can be installed on the 052B or 052C."

Aegis ships must have a displacement of more than 6,000 tons to be meaningful, and they must also be regional air defense ships. These cannot be rushed. Let's start working on it first, and wait until it matures before putting it all together.