Great warships

Chapter 1204 Our Technology Far Exceeds that of the United States

Lakehurst Air Force Base, USA.

This is not only a naval aviation base, but also a testing base. The dazzling electromagnetic catapult and the arresting cable behind it are undergoing testing. While the technicians were busy testing, the base welcomed a new piece of equipment.

The fuselage was slender, with propeller engines on both sides of the wings, a large plate on the back, and four vertical tails at the tail. Everyone in the base recognized it as soon as they saw it.

"It's a Hawkeye early warning aircraft."

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

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

The Americans always like to upgrade their equipment to achieve more functions. Take the medium-range air-to-air missile for example. The AIM-7 Sparrow has been in service for decades and is still in service in some countries. By replacing different seekers, modifying 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 number, just with different suffixes to distinguish them.

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

But by the time of E-2C, the detection distance had reached four to five hundred kilometers, and it had land detection capabilities. Its performance had become very stable, and 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 ever-changing world situation.

The early warning aircraft did not use arresting cables and slowly descended on the runway. After the aircraft landed, the propeller slowly stopped rotating, immediately attracting more people's attention.

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

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

The E-2's four-blade 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 unmatched by the Orientals. Eastern early warning aircraft do not use such advanced propellers." Another person spoke up.

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

This sentence made everyone fall into deep thought again. Yes, when will our radar technology catch up with the East? Aegis uses passive phased array radar, E-3 uses flat slot radar, and E-2 uses the most backward meter-wave radar antenna!
Although the E-2 also has a large plate on its top, inside the plate is a meter-wave antenna similar to the Yagi antenna. Because the UHF band coincides with TV broadcasts, it can also hop frequencies according to the degree of interference, but it is still too backward.

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 and heard the discussion outside. They immediately announced proudly: "This is the latest E-2D developed by our Northrop Grumman company, and it uses the most advanced radar!"

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

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

In fact, as early as the mid-2s, the U.S. Navy felt that its E-C was outdated and drafted the Advanced Tactical Support Aircraft, or ATS, program, which was intended to develop an advanced early warning aircraft. However, when the program was officially launched, it was already the s, so the project was cut.

However, the Navy still needed advanced early warning aircraft, so it proposed the EX plan, which was strongly supported by various companies. 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 decided to directly develop a brand new fuselage with a connected wing layout.

However, after evaluation, these options were abandoned and the Navy decided to continue to improve the existing E-2C, and the improved aircraft was called Hawkeye 2000.
However, before the project was fully modified, the U.S. Navy watched the changes in the world situation with concern, watching the emergence of advanced early warning aircraft, especially the Eastern high-end carrier-based early warning aircraft. Although the fuselage was copied from their Hawkeye, the internal equipment of the aircraft had undergone earth-shaking changes. The U.S. Navy was very envious, so it asked Northrop Grumman to continue to improve its performance.

The Hawkeye early warning aircraft needs to have a longer early warning range, be part of an anti-missile defense system, and be able to perform command and control. This means that the Hawkeye 2000 cannot meet these requirements. As a result, the development of the newer E-2D began. The biggest change in this early warning aircraft is not the propeller or the engine, but the large plate on the top, which contains a phased array radar!
This is the most advanced radar!
"After installing the phased array radar, this big plate won't need to rotate anymore, right?" someone asked.

The technician of Northrop Grumman blushed and said, "Of course it has to rotate. After all, the aircraft is too small, so we choose to use electric scanning in the pitch direction and rotation in the horizontal direction."

In fact, the Oriental sea plate also has this design. It looks like a big plate on the outside, but it is actually a shoulder 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 pitch and roll. However, if you want to achieve a 360-degree horizontal scan, it will be beyond your ability. Therefore, the horizontal direction is still rotated and the vertical direction is electronically scanned, which constitutes a unique working plan for the naval carrier-based early warning aircraft.

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

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

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

Phased array radar does not need to rotate, it can search for targets directly, which is quite fast. However, once it rotates, if it finds the target 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 takes 15 seconds to rotate once, but if necessary, it can also rotate once every 12 seconds or even 10 seconds." The technician continued, "Moreover, when necessary, we can stop rotating the radome and aim the radar antenna directly at the target, projecting a large number of radar waves to detect the target at a greater distance."

Rotation also has its advantages. Don't think that rotation means backwardness.

"Our radar is absolutely the most advanced of this era!" the technician continued proudly.

"How does it compare to the sea dishes from the East?"

"Definitely better than theirs!"

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

Dongfang, Hefei, 38 institutes.

The dog owners had seen drones and they had prepared a large number of equipment, but they had never seen an 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 technicians' introduction, the dog owners nodded repeatedly, "Not bad, not bad! This kind of drone is more suitable for us to use. It doesn't require a pilot. That's really convenient! We can order 50 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&D team was excited. This was a big deal. Moreover, this was just the beginning. President Qin could sell them more unmanned early warning aircraft in the future!

"Eastern technology is the most advanced, one era ahead of the United States!" Before leaving, Salman excitedly said his summary: "We are very satisfied with Eastern products!"

Next stop, the capital of the East!
In fact, if you only want to order warships, you can just go to Mingzhou Group, but Salman has other tasks this time, and some people can only be met in the capital.

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

"We have completed all the designs for the warship you 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 amphibious assault ship in the world. It can be used as an aircraft carrier, can transport amphibious equipment, and can play a powerful role at sea."

"We also believe that this type of warship from your side 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, they needed to arrange for the guests to check into the hotel first. Qin Tao looked at Xu Zhengyang and said, "Is my room ready too?"

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

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

Seeing Qin Tao's confident look, Xu Zhengyang laughed in his heart, "Are you afraid that Leader Wu will cause trouble for you when you go back?" So you have to stay in the hotel with the guests and dare not go home. However, you can't avoid the fifteenth day, you have to go back.

"Boss Qin, our guests need to go to Huanglou tomorrow to discuss the issue of jointly maintaining the situation in the Red Sea. Are you going?"

"Well, the customer is busy with national affairs, so I won't get involved." Qin Tao said, "I'm only responsible for selling equipment. By the way, Babich is here, right? Tomorrow I will discuss the details of the 076 plan with him. I think we need to add some entertainment facilities. What do you think about adding a racing track?"

There are few entertainment activities for dog owners. After all, they cannot drink alcohol or pick wild flowers. Therefore, they all like to play with cars, and they are high-end off-road vehicles. After all, oil is cheaper than water there, and every family has several cars.

Xu Zhengyang shook his head: "Of course not. An amphibious ship is a combat machine, not a racetrack. Moreover, no matter how big the area is, it is not enough for racing. It would be better to install a few racing simulators to satisfy your desire."

"Okay, that's a racing simulator."

Qin Tao said as he opened the room that he had reserved 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 about something serious." Wu Shengli's voice came from inside.

"Oh, Dad, why are you here?"

"I figured 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.

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

If it were the navy, they would definitely not need so many drones, but it is different for the big dogs. They simply do not have enough people to fly fighter jets. The existing fighter jets are only two or three for each person, so they might as well change their thinking: drones.

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

"Under normal circumstances, a Type 076 can carry five J-As and five tilt-rotor aircraft, two of which are early warning aircraft. The remaining space can carry more than drones, and even more than in extreme cases. Such an amphibious assault ship will have a strong long-range attack capability. Taking off 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, this ratio was not the case. 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 performed brilliantly. When they came to the East, they saw the unmanned early warning aircraft in advance, and were even more impressed by the progress of Eastern technology. Since drones can already replace humans to perform various tasks, what do people need to do?
The five J-31A aircraft are used to perform special missions. For example, after the drone detects an incoming target, it will urgently notify fighter jets to take off and intercept it. Or, during an attack, it will follow behind the drone as a backup force. If the drone fails, it can go in and fire again.

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

"Can we attack coastal land countries?"

"Yes, if we can get up there, we can surround the enemy on all sides. In the past, we could only attack from three directions at most. The sea is still theirs, and they can get constant support."

"Of course you can. In fact, your maritime force is already strong enough. You can completely blockade any sea area you want." Qin Tao said.

Some things cannot be said too clearly, just give a brief hint.

A 40,000-ton aircraft carrier and two 60,000-ton amphibious assault ships, with such a powerful force, are they still afraid that they can't block the relevant waters? Of course, this is premised on the fact that there are no 100,000-ton aircraft carriers interfering.

“What if there is 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 actually aim at them. Just test-fire one or two missiles and they will be afraid to move forward," said Qin Tao.

The technology in the East is developing rapidly, and the old anti-ship missiles are 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, which are matched 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 provisions for future improvements. For example, in terms of close-in defense weapons, we are already developing advanced laser weapons."

The 1130 close-in defense gun and the Haihongqi 10 are all outdated. The new generation of laser weapons has been developed and will soon be installed on warships for testing. This kind of weapon requires very high instantaneous power, and only the comprehensive power of the entire ship can meet the needs.

In the past, this system in the East has always been kept hidden. After all, the routes are different, and it cannot be leaked out, causing the Americans to go back on their ways. But now, it is no longer necessary.

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

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

Sure enough, the big dog owners present became excited again.

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

"Yes, by the time the warship is launched and outfitted, will this weapon be fully developed? Can it be installed on us?"

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

(End of this chapter)