Magic Underachiever

The Turtle-class multi-functional combat platform was racing inside the Imperial Navy's naval port. After showing that it was far faster than other surface ships, it began to demonstrate its flexible maneuverability. The hovercraft dropped its speed to 40 knots and began to make a sharp turn. The entire hull tilted at a large angle, as if it was about to roll over...

This kind of large-angle sharp turn is difficult to achieve on ordinary warships, because the sides of the hull have to withstand great water pressure when turning, which can easily cause damage to the hull structure or direct breakage. Therefore, at the beginning of the design, ship designers limited the maximum steering angle of common ships.

Water pressure is not dangerous for hovercrafts.

The turtle-class multifunctional combat platform completed a 180-degree turn at an incredible speed, and then began to accelerate towards a shoal in the military port.

With such speed and maneuverability, in a naval battle at a regular distance, hitting it is really a matter of luck. However, once the Turtle-class multifunctional combat platform seizes the opportunity to use its speed to break through, and then releases torpedoes at close range... If it can sink a battleship, even if it is sunk, it will still be profitable.

Marquis Whitehead and Marshal Hopkin have been shocked by the performance of the Turtle-class, and their impressions of this battleship have undergone a subversive change.

This is the kind of warship the Imperial Navy needs, one whose speed and maneuverability make it possible to ignore its defensive weaknesses. It can perform multiple functions at the same time, and is extremely suitable for the current Fromink Navy.

Marshal Hopkin was already imagining what caliber cannons he could install on this battleship.

At this time, Roux was also aware of the crisis. This warship broke the traditional thinking. Regardless of its final combat effectiveness, looking at it now... it covered all its weaknesses with just its speed.

However, Roux would never give up easily. He could not let such a large order slip away from his hands.

"Your Majesty the Governor, Your Majesty the Marshal. The performance of the Turtle-class multi-functional combat platform brought by Blackfire Company has indeed exceeded everyone's expectations. It can be said that it has created a new ship design system.

But there is one thing I need to remind you.

The principle of the Turtle-class battleship is to use steam to form a strong air pressure between the bottom of the ship and the water surface. This air pressure is large enough to lift the entire battleship above the water. It is not affected by water resistance and can show such high speed.

However, while the Turtle class is not subject to water resistance, it also does not enjoy the benefits of buoyancy.

Before air pressure is established, the Turtle's sailing speed is very slow. After the air pressure is formed, it takes a lot of energy and water to lift such a heavy battleship. Based on my experience, I estimate that the Turtle-class consumes three to five times more energy and water than the Sailfish-class corvette.

This means that the Turtle-class multi-functional combat platform has a very small cruising range and load capacity. It is not suitable for long-distance ocean voyages, nor can it perform high-intensity maritime combat missions. "

The cruising range and load capacity are both important indicators of a warship.

A battleship lifting its hull out of the water will definitely consume more energy than a battleship floating in the water. If a warship cannot run far, its combat value will definitely be greatly reduced; if it takes up too much load in order to carry more energy and water, insufficient weapons and ammunition will also put a warship in an embarrassing state. .

Marshal Hopkins said: "Mr. Roux is indeed an expert in the shipbuilding industry. He can see the advantages and disadvantages of the Turtle-class multi-functional combat platform at a glance. But for the current Fromenk Navy, the top priority is to be fast Create an offshore defense fleet.

The Turtle's short range is acceptable.

Of course... the Sailfish-class light frigate is also very good, and the Imperial Navy will never miss this good frigate.

I think other torpedo boats, minesweepers, minelayers... these are too complex warship models, so there is no need to consider them. The Turtle-class multi-functional combat platform can fully assume their combat functions.

Then the frigate... we will choose the Sailfish class from Roux Shipyard, so that our fleet will have certain high-sea combat capabilities.

Sailfish-class light frigate in the open sea.

Turtle-class multifunctional combat platform for offshore use.

Coupled with security artillery, when we face a maritime invasion, we can organize three lines of defense.

What do you think? Lord Governor. "

Marquis Whitehead did not agree immediately, but asked Daliang: "Master Liang, does Blackfire Company's turtle-class multi-functional combat platform have any other advantages?"

Daliang replied: "Of course there is...the Turtle-class multi-functional combat platform has a cruising range of 3,450 nautical miles at an economic speed of 35 knots.

In addition, the Turtle class now only has a hull and a power system. Its empty weight without any armament is 954 tons, and its fully loaded weight is 1847 tons.

The cruising range is tested under full load. "

"This is impossible!" After hearing Daliang's announcement about the cruising range of the Turtle-class multi-functional combat platform, Roux immediately shouted: "Even if you use all the loading weight to carry mana ore and water, your ship will It cannot have a range of 3,450 nautical miles. It has to carry a weight of more than a thousand tons, so how can it have a farther range than my Swordfish class?”

Daliang smiled and said: "That's because the turtle-class multi-functional combat platform does not need to contain water. Our newly developed steam engine can directly convert the seawater in contact with the bottom of the ship into steam. Without pipes and nozzles, there is no unnecessary energy loss.

Therefore, although the Turtle-class multi-purpose combat platform consumes more energy than conventional warships, it is certainly not as much as Mr. Rooks described.

Moreover, the Turtle-class does not need to carry a large amount of pure water when sailing, which further increases the internal space and reduces its own weight. "

Lux was stunned.

Directly turning seawater into steam... How is this possible! The current steam engines all vaporize water instantly in the cylinder, but the sea surface is open, and turning seawater into steam is not a simple heating.

How did Blackfire do it?

Marshal Hopkins didn't care about this technical problem. He only saw that the Turtle-class multi-purpose combat platform could run farther and carry more than the Sailfish-class light frigate. So... since there is a simple and high-performance warship that can undertake offshore combat missions, why choose a frigate that runs slowly, carries less and is so complicated?

The sea power needs of the Vlomink Empire are the Turtle-class multi-purpose combat platforms.

But when Marshal Hopkins was about to announce the official purchase of the warships provided by Blackfire, chaos suddenly broke out at the naval port.

For some reason, the Turtle-class multi-purpose combat platform, which was returning, did not slow down to the appropriate landing speed when it approached the coast. It rushed towards a shoal, and the huge hull rushed to the gravel beach with a huge roar...

What happened?

Is it out of control!