Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

Missile boats may look small, but their actual performance is quite powerful. To achieve high speeds, the power of a missile boat is considerable.

Take the later 022 missile boat as an example. This type of missile boat uses two 16-cylinder engines from MTU, each with nearly 7,000 horsepower, totaling 14,000 horsepower. This immense power allows the 022 missile boat to reach a high speed of 50 knots at sea.

One knot is 1.852 kilometers per hour, so 50 knots is more than 80 kilometers per hour. At sea, this speed is definitely considered a rapid pace. Normal ships usually have a speed of only a dozen knots, and even warships can only reach a maximum of 30 knots.

The unit 'knot' is only used at sea, which is a long-standing tradition. In the past, before modern equipment was available, measuring speed at sea involved throwing a knotted rope into the water. Over time, the unit 'knot' became widely used.

Missile boats are speed-oriented vessels that rely on high speeds for combat. However, they generally only reach 40 knots. No one has ever seen a large vessel reaching 50 knots, as it's not safe to travel too fast, except for catamarans.

The engine power of a ten-thousand-ton ship at sea is less than 10,000 horsepower. Missile boats weighing just over two hundred tons use such large engines, so it would be strange if they weren't fast.

Qin Yang explained these designs, and everyone listened attentively. The officer next to Old Liu even took out a notebook and began to take notes diligently.

Seeing his serious demeanor, Qin Yang suddenly felt a little embarrassed. This was supposed to be a meal, so how did it turn into this?

"Come on, eat some food. The dishes are getting cold. How many liang of food stamps did I just eat?" Qin Yang changed the subject.

"President Qin, what's the rush to eat? Tell us more. What weapons and equipment will this missile boat use? The YJ-8?"

The Navy's previous anti-ship missiles were large ones with liquid rocket engines. The YJ-8 is the first solid-propellant missile in the Navy's arsenal, and it's small in size. Previously, it would have been impossible to fit four missiles into the same space.

"Yes, that's right, the YJ-8. Speaking of which, we need to find a way to increase the range of this anti-ship missile."

The YJ-8 uses a solid rocket engine, and even with a booster, its range is only about 30 to 40 kilometers. This level of anti-ship missile is only suitable for dealing with the navies of some weak countries. It's completely useless against a powerful enemy because it simply can't get through.

The U.S. Navy's defense radius can extend to 500 kilometers, with carrier-based aircraft patrolling within that range. Once a target is detected, it can be intercepted immediately. Therefore, the range of the old Soviet Union's heavy anti-ship missiles was over 500 kilometers, as only this range could ensure safety.

What about our side? It's less than 50 kilometers!

Therefore, after the YJ-8 was developed, it was quickly finalized and equipped by the troops. However, it only solved the immediate problem. Later, anti-ship missiles improved based on this missile became the top priority.

How to improve it? Of course, by changing the engine.

"President Qin, how can this be improved?"

"Replace the solid rocket engine with a small turbojet engine. This should increase the range to over 100 kilometers."

Qin Yang was referring to the C802, which is an export model. Domestically, it's called the YJ-82. The previous YJ-8 is also called the YJ-81, belonging to the same series of products.

"The current missile engines have started to become popular with this type of engine. In fact, turbofan engines are even better, but we can't make them yet. Let's first get a fuel-consuming turbojet engine and increase the range."

Speaking of these, one cannot help but mention the Tomahawk's engine.

The Tomahawk missile is the U.S. military's vanguard in combat. The first wave of attacks is inevitably Tomahawk missiles. This missile uses a small F107 engine. Depending on the model, the thrust varies. The commonly used F107-WR-402 only has a thrust of just over 200 kilograms, which is very small, and the fuel consumption is also very low, giving the Tomahawk a range of hundreds or even thousands of kilometers.

Don't underestimate this small engine; it's the result of American high technology. Especially since the price is also very cheap, after all, missiles are disposable products, and they can't afford to equip them if the price is too high.

Our C802 also needs to be equipped with a turbojet engine. Compared to turbofans, the structure is simpler, but it consumes more fuel, so the C802 only has a range of just over 100 kilometers. There is a world of difference between the two.

Wait, it seems like I can help!

Now is the 1980s, a period of friendship between the East and the West. There are many things that can be done during this period, such as getting the Tomahawk missile engine from the Americans?

However, how should I operate specifically? Asking to import it openly, the Americans will definitely not agree. Only special methods can be considered.

This idea flashed through Qin Yang's mind. How to help specifically will have to be considered later. For now, I can't agree.

"Old Liu, I can pay attention to it in the future, but as for me helping, forget it. After all, I make guns and cannons."

"What making guns and cannons? Your 960 factory's subordinate enterprises have already started working on aero engines." Old Liu glared at Qin Yang: "However, not only our Navy needs this type of missile, but the Air Force definitely needs it too."

The Air Force doesn't need anti-ship missiles, but the Air Force needs land-attack cruise missiles. If the range of the YJ-8 is increased, it can be completely used as a cruise missile to attack land targets. Changing the warhead is not too much trouble.

"Well, let's eat some food first. The dishes are getting cold."

Old Liu didn't move his chopsticks, obviously thinking about something. After Qin Yang finished a mouthful of food, Old Liu spoke again: "President Qin, if the range is increased, how will the guidance method be solved?"

For a long time, the range of anti-ship missiles has only been 30 to 40 kilometers, due to both the missile's own technology and objective conditions.

The earth is a sphere, and the sea is a curved surface. Thirty to forty kilometers is the distance that shipborne radar can search. At this distance, shipborne radar can detect and lock onto targets. If the distance is further, then the target will be below the sea level.

What to do in this situation?

Air-launched missiles are easier to handle, after all, the aircraft is in the sky, overlooking the situation, so naturally it can see far. However, ship-launched missiles have no way to do this.

If this problem is not solved, then long-range anti-ship missiles still have no need to exist.

"This is simple. The international practice is to use helicopters as relay guidance. There are other methods as well. For example, we can develop a sea-based over-the-horizon radar, so even if the other party is below sea level, we can still find it."