Warship of Great Power

Lakehurst Air Force Base, United States.

This is not only a naval aviation base, but also a testing base. The dazzling electromagnetic catapult and the blocking cable behind it are all being tested. While the technicians are busy testing, the base welcomes another thing New equipment.

The fuselage is slender, with propeller engines on the wings on both sides, a large plate on the back, and four vertical tails on the tail. Everyone in the base will recognize it at the first sight.

"It's the Hawkeye early warning aircraft."

"Is this early warning aircraft also here to undergo electromagnetic ejection testing?"

"I don't know, but...it's a little different from the ordinary Hawkeye early warning aircraft."

The Americans’ equipment has always liked to be continuously upgraded to achieve more functions. Take the medium-range air-to-air missile as an example. The AIM-7 Sparrow has been in service for decades and is still in service in some countries. By replacing it with different guidance By modifying the header, modifying the software, etc., the missile can have more advanced combat capabilities. In fact, the later models are very different from the early models, but they still use the same numbers, just different suffixes to distinguish them.

The same is true for the E-2 Hawkeye early warning aircraft. The original mass-produced model E-2A was equipped with the U.S. Navy in the 1960s. The radar performance used was backward. Not only was it unable to detect low-altitude land targets, but it also had a search range of only two hundred kilometers. distance.

But by the time the E-2C arrived, its detection range had reached four to five hundred kilometers, it had land detection capabilities, and its performance was very stable. It became the navy's main carrier-based early warning aircraft, not only for its own use, but also for export in large quantities.

However, the E-2 must continue to be improved so that it can adapt to the changing world situation.

The early warning aircraft landed slowly on the runway without using a blocking rope. When the aircraft landed, the propeller slowly stopped rotating, which immediately attracted more people's attention.

Eight-blade propeller! And the propeller has a unique twist angle, which makes it look particularly majestic.

"I heard that a few years ago, Hamilton Sundstrand developed a brand new NP2000 propeller. It is made of carbon fiber and has very advanced performance. Even if it is broken, the blades can be replaced individually." A technician said.

The E-2's four-bladed steel propeller has been used for decades and has finally been replaced with a carbon fiber propeller, which looks very advanced.

"When it comes to technology, the United States is number one. Our advanced equipment is not comparable to that of the Easterners. The Eastern early warning aircraft do not use such advanced propellers." Another person said.

"Well, on this early warning aircraft, the propeller technology is secondary, and the radar technology is important. Our E-2 has used meter-wave antennas for decades, and the Orientals have long used phased array radars."

This sentence made everyone think again, yes, when will our radar technology catch up with Dongfang? Aegis uses passive phased array radar, E-3 uses flat-panel slot radar, and E-2 uses the most backward meter-wave radar antenna!

Although the top of the E-2 is also carrying a large plate, inside the large plate, the same meter-wave antenna as the Yagi antenna is inserted. Because the UHF band coincides with the TV broadcast, it can also jump frequency according to the degree of interference. , but it’s still too far behind.

When will advanced phased array radar appear?

"Our early warning aircraft is equipped with a phased array radar!" At this moment, three radar officers walked out of the cabin. Hearing the discussion outside, they immediately announced proudly: "This is our Northrop -The latest E-2D developed by Grumman Corporation uses the most advanced radar!”

"Isn't it Hawkeye-2000?" someone asked.

"That one is backward. Our E-2D is the most advanced."

In fact, as early as the mid-1980s, the U.S. Navy felt that its E-2C was out of date and formulated the Advanced Tactical Support Aircraft, also known as the ATS plan. This plan was to build an advanced early warning aircraft. However, it was already in the 1990s when the plan officially started, so the project was cancelled.

However, the Navy still needs advanced early warning aircraft, and the E-X plan was proposed. Various companies strongly supported it. Lockheed launched its own S-3 anti-submarine aircraft, which installed a triangular radome on the fuselage with a phased array radar inside. , Boeing even directly decided to develop a brand-new airframe and adopt a wing-joint layout plan.

However, after evaluation, these plans were abandoned, and the Navy decided to continue improving the existing E-2C. The improved aircraft was called the Hawkeye 2000.

However, before the modification of this project was completed, the U.S. Navy watched with concern the changes in the world situation and the emergence of advanced early warning aircraft, especially the carrier-based early warning aircraft on Dongfang Gaodao. Although the aircraft body was copied from their Hawkeye, However, the internal equipment of this aircraft has undergone earth-shaking changes. The U.S. Navy is very envious, so it requires Northrop Grumman to continue to improve its performance.

The Hawkeye early warning aircraft needs to have a longer warning range, be used as a part of anti-missile, and can also perform command and control. This means that the Hawkeye 2000 cannot meet the requirements, so the newer E-2D began to be developed. The biggest change of this early warning aircraft is not the propeller or the engine, but the large plate on the top, which houses the phased array radar!

This is the most advanced radar!

"With the installation of phased array radar, this big plate won't need to be turned around, right?" someone asked.

The technician from Northrop Grumman blushed: "Of course it has to be rotated. The body is too small after all, so we chose to use electric scanning in the pitch direction and rotation in the horizontal direction."

In fact, Dongfang's sea plate is also designed in this way. It looks like a big plate on the outside, but in fact it is a pole inside, occupying one diameter of the big plate. The big plate is just to reduce flight resistance.

There are a large number of T/R components on both sides of the pole, which can complete electronic scanning in the pitch direction. However, if you want to achieve a horizontal 360-degree scanning, it is beyond the capability. Therefore, the horizontal direction is still rotated, and the vertical direction is electronically scanned. Scanning, thus forming a unique work plan for naval shipborne early warning aircraft.

"Then what's the point of installing a phased array radar?" Someone immediately started to despise: "It still has to rotate, it's no different from the previous one."

"The difference is huge. The search distance has doubled, and the number of tracking targets has also doubled."

"What's the use? If you spin, you may lose the target."

The phased array radar does not need to rotate and directly searches for the target, which is very fast. However, once it rotates, if it is searched this time, it will have to turn back and search again next time, and the target may be lost.

"Our radome can rotate quickly. Normally, it rotates once in 15 seconds, but if necessary, it can also rotate in 12 seconds or even 10 seconds." The technician continued: "And, when needed, We can also stop rotating the radome, aim the radar antenna directly at the target, and project a large number of radar waves to detect the target at a longer distance.”

Rotation also has the benefits of rotation. Don't think that rotation means backwardness.

"This radar of ours is definitely the most advanced in this era!" the technician continued to declare proudly.

"How does it compare to the sea plates in the East?"

"Definitely better than theirs!"

They don't know that when they start to compare with those in the East, they are already at a disadvantage. Only the backward ones will aim at the advanced ones and compare with the advanced ones. They don't even know that the East has left them far behind!

Dongfang, Hefei, No. 38.

Big business owners have seen drones, and they have also prepared large quantities of equipment, but they have never seen this unmanned early warning aircraft. After hearing Qin Tao's introduction, they immediately became interested.

"Okay, let's go take a look."

So that afternoon, everyone went to see the drone with its wings removed. Looking at the skin on the surface of the drone, and listening to the technician's introduction, the big business owners nodded repeatedly, "Not bad, not bad!" This kind of drone is more suitable for us to use. It does not require a pilot, which is so convenient! You can order fifty frames first!

Ordinary drone production lines can be exported to them and handed over to them for production, but this special and complex drone can only be produced by the East, and they only need to spend money to purchase it.

Fifty! The entire R\u0026D team is excited. This is a big deal. Moreover, this is just the beginning. Mr. Qin can sell them more unmanned early warning aircraft in the future!

"Eastern's technology is the most advanced, an era ahead of the United States!" Before leaving, Salman enthusiastically expressed his conclusion: "We are very satisfied with Eastern's products!"

Next stop, the capital of the East!

In fact, if you only order warships, you can go to the Mingzhou Group. However, Salman has other tasks when he comes this time, and some people can only be seen in the capital.

On the plane, Qin Tao and Salman continued to talk and laugh.

"We have completed all the designs for the warship we mentioned last time. As long as you come this time and formally sign the contract, we can start construction immediately." Qin Tao said, "We guarantee that this will be the most powerful ship in the world." A large amphibious assault ship can be used as an aircraft carrier, can transport amphibious equipment, and can play a powerful role at sea. "

"We also believe that your warship will be more suitable for us." Salman nodded: "We are here to place an order this time."

After getting off the plane, it was already midnight. Of course, guests needed to be arranged to check into the hotel first. Qin Tao looked at Xu Zhengyang: "Is my room ready?"

"Yes, Mr. Qin, but you can also go back to live. After all, you haven't been home for a while."

"Don't worry, let's entertain the guests first."

Seeing Qin Tao's confident look, Xu Zhengyang secretly smiled in his heart, are you afraid that Leader Wu will cause trouble when you go back? So you still have to stay in the hotel with your guests and don't dare to go home. However, you can't hide from the first grade of junior high school, but you can't hide from the fifteenth grade. You have to go back.

"Mr. Qin, our guests need to go to Huanglou tomorrow to discuss jointly maintaining the situation in the Red Sea. Will you go?"

"Well, the customer is busy with national affairs, so I won't get involved." Qin Tao said: "I am only responsible for selling equipment. By the way, Babbage is here, right? I will discuss 076 with him tomorrow. When the plan is refined, I think some entertainment facilities need to be added inside. What do you think we add a racing track inside?”

There are very few entertainment activities for big dog owners. After all, they are not allowed to drink or pick wild flowers. Therefore, all big dog owners like to play with cars, and they are also tall off-road vehicles. Anyway, oil is cheaper than water there, and every house has several car.

Xu Zhengyang shook his head: "Of course not. The amphibious ship is a combat machine, not a racing track. Moreover, no matter how large the area is, it is not enough for racing. It would be enough to have a few racing simulators to enjoy."

"Okay, that's the racing simulator."

Qin Tao said as he opened the room he had opened for himself. There was someone inside? Wait... Qin Tao had the urge to turn around and leave immediately.

"Taozi, you're back? Come in, let's talk business." Wu Shengli's voice came from inside.

"Oh, Dad, why are you here?"

"I guessed you wouldn't go home, so I came here to wait for you. Come in, what are you afraid of? I won't eat you."

The next day, afternoon, Huanglou.

"Our 076 amphibious assault ship has increased in length to 260 meters and width to 60 meters. This will greatly expand the deck area and the number of aircraft that can be carried will also increase greatly. For this amphibious assault ship for you, we plan to mainly carry drones." Qin Tao stood in front of the conference room, projecting on the big screen and introducing it to customers.

If it was the navy, they would definitely not want so many drones, but the dog owners were different. They simply didn't have enough people to fly fighter jets. The existing fighter jets were already two or three per person, so they simply changed their thinking: drones.

Unmanned early warning aircraft, unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, unmanned attack aircraft... These large fleets of unmanned aircraft can replace manned aircraft and perform a variety of tasks. They are also safe. The drone operator is on the ship island. Even if the drone crashes, the operator can still be safe.

"Under normal circumstances, a 076 can carry five J-31A and five tilt-rotor aircraft, two of which are early warning type. The remaining space can carry more than 40 drones, and even more than 60 in extreme cases. Such an amphibious assault ship will have a strong long-range attack capability. Taking off 40 drones at a time is enough to blow all the key targets of a small country into ashes."

Salman and others nodded repeatedly. When they were communicating in China, they did not have this ratio. Now that they have come to the East, the other party has made such a drastic improvement, which is more suitable for them to use. It is really thoughtful.

This time, when 075 was performing a mission in the Red Sea, the drone had already shined. When they came to the East, they saw the unmanned early warning aircraft in advance, and they were even more impressed by the progress of Eastern technology. Since drones can replace people to perform various tasks, what else do people do?

Five J-31A are used to perform special tasks, such as when the drone finds a target coming, it will urgently notify the fighter jets to take off and intercept, or when attacking, it will follow the drone as a backup force. If the drone fails, it can go in to make up for it.

"The amphibious assault ship can carry amphibious tanks, hovercraft and other equipment below. Once there is a combat mission that requires rapid cross-sea landing, it can also be easily completed. For example, to fight pirates, when necessary, you can directly besiege the pirates' lair."

"Can it attack coastal land countries?"

"Yes, if we can go up, then we can make the enemy surrounded on all sides. In the past, we can only attack from three directions at most. The sea is still theirs, and they can get continuous support."

"Of course, in fact, your maritime power is already strong enough, and you can completely block the sea areas you want to block." Qin Tao said.

Some things cannot be said too clearly, everyone can just point it out.

A 40,000-ton aircraft carrier and two 60,000-ton amphibious assault ships, such a powerful force, are you still afraid that you can't block the relevant sea areas? Of course, this is based on the premise that there are no 100,000-ton aircraft carriers to interfere.

"What if we encounter interference?"

If it is not true, they will definitely interfere!

"At that time, you can launch hypersonic anti-ship missiles. You don't have to really aim at them. Just test one or two missiles to make them afraid to move forward." Qin Tao said.

The technology in the East is developing rapidly, and the old anti-ship missiles are all weapons and equipment that can be exported! And this kind of weapon can effectively intimidate some people.

At this time, everyone smiled when they heard Qin Tao's words.

"Let's continue to introduce the warship. In terms of power, we use four 40-megawatt gas turbines, combined with the ship's integrated power system and the ship's electric propulsion system. These systems will effectively guarantee the power supply of the entire ship. At the same time, they can also make reservations for future improvements. For example, in terms of close-in defense weapons, we are already developing advanced laser weapons."

What 1130 close-in defense guns, what Haihongqi 10, these are outdated. The new generation of laser weapons have been developed and mature, and will soon be installed on warships for testing. This kind of weapon requires very high instantaneous power, and only the ship's integrated power can meet the needs.

In the past, the Eastern system was kept hidden. After all, the route was different, and it couldn't be leaked out, so that the Americans would go back on their ways. But now, it's no longer necessary.

The Americans have been researching the system for several years, and now it has to be installed on the Ford-class aircraft carrier, so the Americans definitely don't have time to start over. Besides, the medium-voltage DC route we take is also based on our advanced high-voltage power transmission technology. The American power grid is backward and can't copy our route at all.

In this way, the amphibious assault ship will be tall and majestic, and it is normal to ask the dog owners for more money.

Sure enough, the dog owners present became excited again.

"Laser weapons? Mr. Qin, are you still developing laser weapons?"

"Yes, when the warship is launched and outfitted, can this weapon be developed and mature? Can it be installed for us?"

"Ahem, everyone, let's continue to talk about other subsystems..."