Chapter 736 Various technologies are being upgraded

In the past, domestic research and development capabilities were very weak. The Hongqi-61, which had been tinkered with for more than ten years, could not mature and eventually fell behind before it could be equipped with troops. But now, domestic scientific research capabilities are very strong, and advanced regional air defense Missiles can be developed, let alone such simple close-defense weapons.

“Okay, let’s stop talking about the Hongqi-10 project here, and then talk about our warships.” Leader Wu said.

At the top of the mast is the 364 radar, and below is the bridge. In front of the bridge is the 366 over-the-horizon sea search radar. This radar was copied from Lao Maozi's warship and is now on almost every destroyer. It is standard equipment in all cities, and the effect of using it in the East is better than that of Lao Maozi. It is simply tailor-made for our own navy.

There is no need to introduce too much about this, the next step is the highlight.

Xing Wenge, who was in charge of this project, walked up to the rostrum and looked at everyone with excitement: "Dear leaders, let me introduce to you the modification of our 346 radar. In our case, it is temporarily called the 346A radar. It has the same main features as the original version. The difference is that it changes from air cooling to water cooling.”

At that time, domestic active phased array radar technology was still in its infancy. In order to reduce the complexity of the system, a simple air-cooling method could only be used. The arc-shaped radome was its biggest feature.

Over the years, their radar technology has been constantly developing. They have more and more advanced T/R components on hand, and their production technology has also been constantly improving. Now, they have finally made a breakthrough!

"Dear leaders, look at the 200W S-band gallium nitride power amplifier tube in my hand, and look at the one-yuan coin in my right hand." Xing Wenge held two things in his hand and compared them, you can see that although one One is round and the other is square, but the area of ​​the round coin is larger than the area of ​​the square power amplifier tube.

 Such a small thing has two hundred watts!

"The two hundred watts I mentioned are its normal power. In fact, at its peak, it can reach a maximum power of 350 watts, with an efficiency of 60%. In order to better dissipate heat, the base plate of this power amplifier module A copper plate with excellent thermal conductivity is used and welded to the base plate. There are liquid-cooled pipes inside the base plate to take away heat directly through the flowing liquid."

Even if you install a computer, you will know that liquid cooling is better than air cooling. Therefore, even if the cooling system of liquid cooling is complicated, in order to make the radar antenna work better, an advanced liquid cooling system is needed.

This thing is a key component of the active phased array radar. The performance of this component has been greatly improved compared to the original version. This shows how rapidly domestic electronic technology has developed in recent years. The leaders present were very satisfied.

“So, what kind of performance improvement can be achieved by installing this component on a radar?”

"Dear leaders, this kind of component is smaller in size, so more components can be deployed in the same area. At the same time, due to the reduced weight, with the same weight, we can expand the area and the side length is from the original The 3.5 meters has been expanded to 4 meters. Our original 346 radar search range was about 400 kilometers. After this improvement, the search range will be increased to 500 kilometers."

The emergence of this radar has brought the search capabilities of the Navy's air defense ships to a higher level again!

"Okay, not bad!" The leaders present were very satisfied: "It seems that the 002 aircraft carrier we are under construction also has the opportunity to be equipped with this kind of radar."

 Although the design has been finalized and the warships whose drawings are frozen are not suitable for further modifications, with such a good thing, of course they must be replaced.

Some people are also worried: "How much does it cost to build such a radar array?"

 Performance has improved, but will the price also rise a lot? It cannot be beyond the capabilities of the navy.

“Leaders, this radar can still maintain the same price as previous radars. The total cost of the four-sided phased array is 100 million.” Xing Wenge said: “Looking at the world, ours is the cheapest.”

 Speaking of the price of the Aegis battleship, many street literature will introduce it endlessly: This kind of battleship is quite expensive, and the radar on it costs 500 million. This is because we cannot produce it ourselves, and the chips on it need to be imported.

This is pure nonsense. Can things in the military industry be imported? 500 million is the initial price. When the technology matures in the later stage, the price will of course come down. We can’t do anything else, but there is still no problem in making high-tech at a bargain price.

 Upgrading from air cooling to liquid cooling, the price can still remain the same. For the navy, this is enough!

“Okay, the 14th Institute is indeed the largest radar institute in our country. It’s really awesome to build these things. It’s matured so quickly, and the price can be controlled.”

 “This is all forced by the Mingzhou Group.” Xing Wenge said.

Everyone is stunned again. Are they forcing you?

"Mingzhou Group sold a batch of fighter planes to the local tycoons in the Middle East. According to the plan, the subsequent versions of these fighters will be equipped with active phased array radars. On fighter planes, liquid cooling is the best choice. We have Mingzhou Group The funds provided have been worked out,” Xing Wenge said.

 So that’s what happened!

Fighters are also entering the era of phased array radars. Generally speaking, they will not choose air cooling. Therefore, the 14th Institute can only step up its efforts in research and development. Anyway, 14th Institute provides funds.

"Then you have to keep working hard." Qin Tao said: "This is just a small step in a long march of thousands of miles. Our goal is to achieve comprehensive radio frequency capabilities. Installing a few flat-panel radars on a warship can solve all problems. This It is your sacred and glorious mission.”

Xing Wenge showed a wry smile, Mr. Qin, you said it easily, do you know how difficult this is?

“This kind of radar array must have certain C-band components pre-installed, right?” asked another leader.

"Yes, as long as the guidance method of the Hongqi-9 air defense missile remains unchanged, we have to continue to pre-set C-band components." Xing Wenge said: "We have already reserved it during the design, but we prefer that the Hongqi Nine missiles can change the guidance method."

 This is the transition from radar to missiles.

Just now I mentioned missile silos, not missiles. When I heard the words above, Mr. Wu who was sitting below spoke.

"Dear leaders, our Hongqi-9 missile has now developed into Hongqi-9A. The range of this missile has been expanded to 150 kilometers. Everything else remains unchanged. It can be launched using the existing 052C. As for the more advanced Hongqi NineB is still under development.”

The original Hongqi-9 missile had a range of less than 100 kilometers. However, when developing the 346 radar, Ben Lao of the 14th Institute insisted on improving the indicators to be able to detect smaller targets farther away. At that time, the range of the Hongqi-9 missile was considered The improved guidance problem is that if the guidance capability is insufficient, the missile will not be able to guide even when it comes out.

Now, this design comes in handy. Even if the Hongqi-9A range is increased to 150 kilometers, the existing 052C can still be guided, allowing the air defense capabilities of this regional air defense ship to be rapidly expanded.

 If it needs to be modified, it will be a major project.

After the land-based Hongqi-9 was developed, the Navy could have used the off-the-shelf radar, but the Navy did not do so. It insisted on developing an advanced active phased array radar and did not use the land-based passive phased array with a search range of 200 kilometers. Controlling the formation is for this reason.

The Air Force dislikes the fact that the radar is not easy to use and needs to upgrade it, so it can just replace the radar truck. If the Navy wants to upgrade it, it has to drive into the shipyard and perform major surgery, which is not that easy.

　　The improvement targets that Ben Lao insisted on at the beginning have finally been proved by facts to prove his foresight.

“The range has been improved a lot.” Qin Tao said with a smile.

Hearing Qin Tao's words, Mr. Wu shook his head helplessly: "Mr. Qin, please stop making fun of us. The performance of the Hongqi-16 has developed rapidly, from a range of more than ten kilometers to forty kilometers, and plans to improve it to seven. Ten kilometers. If our range is not improved, we will be overtaken by the Hongqi-16. However, the range of 150 kilometers is still too low. The range of the next Hongqi-9B needs to be increased to Two hundred kilometers, but this depends on the technology of solid propellants, so there is no need to rush."

 Once it develops to a certain level, it will become difficult to improve. Although they want to continue to improve performance, this still has great limitations.

“As we just said, the depth of the new generation launcher has been increased to nine meters. Can the range be increased by increasing the length of the HQ-9 missile?” said a leader.

"Simply increasing the length will cause many problems. A larger length also means a larger take-off weight, so the final effect may not be good." Mr. Wu said: "Now, our 6.5-meter-long missile is no longer short. Moreover, it is easy for the Navy to increase the length, but it is difficult for the Air Force, so we still have to stay on the right track."

The land-based launch vehicles are all fixed. If the missile is lengthened by two meters, it will be even more difficult to transport. The Hongqi-9 missile is not only developed for the navy, but also used by the air force.

“Range aside, how is the research on the anti-missile capability of this missile going?”

 The increase in the range to 150 kilometers is already quite a lot. From 150 to 200, it actually does not constitute a qualitative change. The key is the anti-missile capability.

Dongfang has never signed an agreement in the field of ballistic missiles, so it can sell missiles to big companies at will. However, to be safer, our range is limited to 300 kilometers, but the error is a bit large. However, Dongfang not only wants If there are ballistic missiles, they must also develop anti-missile weapons. After all, if a country wants to seek unilateral absolute security, its own side can only develop along with it.

 Electromagnetic guns and the like are all difficult. At present, research and development based on Red Flag Nine should be the most appropriate.

"Currently, our Hongqi-9 missiles can intercept targets such as Scud missiles, but it is still difficult to further intercept medium-range missiles. After all, medium-range missiles already require extra-atmospheric kinetic energy interceptors." Wu Said the old man.

 For the navy, intercepting short-range ballistic missiles is meaningless. It can only intercept medium-range or even long-range ballistic missiles. In this regard, its own technology is still lacking.

 Short-range missiles can be intercepted by modifying the program of the interceptor missile. However, mid-range missiles are different from long-range missiles. They are at a higher altitude and have already reached the outer atmosphere, so the existing rudder control will fail.

"Extra-atmospheric interception is very difficult, but we must persevere so that we can provide a protective umbrella for our country. Our navy's task is even more difficult." Wu Shengli said: "Old Wu, you must Work harder!”

Sea-based anti-missile is more important than land-based, because the navy can go out to the ocean, so it can intercept ballistic missiles further away and protect the security of the motherland more effectively.

 But at the same time, this technology is also more difficult. We are still blank in kinetic energy interception outside the atmosphere.

 On the one hand, we need to develop sharper spears to pierce the enemy's air defense system. On the other hand, we also need to develop more advanced shields that can block enemy attacks.

"Yes, in this regard, we are studying foreign technology, such as the American Patriot-3 missile. They use a very complex attitude control system. This system contains 180 attitude control engines, which can provide attitude control for the missile. Adjustment, response speed and control accuracy have all been qualitatively improved, and we are currently studying this technology."

 “One hundred and eighty engines?” This number shocked the big guy.

"Yes, there are one hundred and eighty, but they are all very small. Each one is only eight centimeters in length. It is loaded with 28 grams of solid thrusters and has a working time of 24 milliseconds. However, the thrust can reach 6,000 Newtons. Each one is only Being able to work once provides an opportunity to adjust one’s posture.”

"This missile not only has a small engine for attitude adjustment, but the entire missile is also very small." Mr. Wu continued: "It can be said that it is completely different from our current missile body, using a dual-pulse engine. "

Whether it is Patriot-3 or Standard-3, as long as it is used to intercept exospheric ballistic missiles, they are small in size but have incredible range. Why is this?

 Certainly because of its working mode.

Ordinary missiles fly within the atmosphere and are subject to huge air resistance. The range of the same missile can vary several times between low-altitude and high-altitude ballistics.

 This kind of interceptor missile, after being launched, goes directly to the sky and breaks out of the atmosphere. It encounters little air resistance and naturally has a long range.

The Yankees' Patriot-3 is theoretically capable of intercepting ballistic missiles with a maximum range of one thousand kilometers. In the improved model, this indicator has been increased to three thousand kilometers.

 If the country wants to have this capability, it still has to continue to work hard.

 Qin Tao was also very emotional.

"Let's talk about radar next?" Wu Shengli once again brought the meeting back to the topic. We cannot rush to intercept ballistic missiles. We have to wait for the maturity of domestic technology. At least the range of Hongqi 9A has been greatly improved. Our warships The air defense combat capability can be greatly improved.

 When talking about this, Wu Shengli also felt a little funny. In the past, every time the Navy held an equipment meeting, the four-sided phased array radar must be discussed, because this is what the Navy needs most.

What now? After talking for a long time, the four-sided phased array radar took the least time. Why is this?

 Of course it is because the strength of the navy has increased and the technology of the military industry is making leaps and bounds! When the 052C was launched, it has become China's number one ship, and also the world's number one ship. The United States' Aegis still uses passive phased arrays, but our own side can already use active phased array radars!

Now, the 346 radar has been improved to the 346A, which has stronger performance, but in the eyes of the Navy's top brass, this is already a matter of course. Therefore, there is no need to continue to struggle with this project. As long as the 14th Institute continues to engage in research and development, this Will suffice.

 The navy is concerned about other things.

For example, intercepting ultra-low-altitude sea-skimming missiles, such as intercepting ballistic missiles.

Now, let’s get back to the topic.

"The radar has almost been said. On the mast at the back, we have installed a meter-wave radar. In addition to providing long-range early warning capabilities in peacetime, it also has the ability to detect stealth aircraft. In our 052C and J-32 This has been confirmed during cooperative training." Qin Tao said: "However, our 517B is still too lagging behind, so our 14th institute has come up with a brand-new product."

Xing Wenge was only in charge of the 346 radar. After talking about this radar, he came down and Mr. Ben came up.

"Dear leaders, let me now report to you the latest development of this radar. This is a new radar built by our 14th institute using the most advanced technology. It is not only used in naval equipment, but also in ground radars. , continue to weave an airtight radar network for the airspace of our motherland."

“Lao Ben, looking at the way you 14 are doing, it seems that you pay more attention to it than the 346A radar?” said a naval leader.

Ben Lao boldly delegated power, and Xing Wenge was asked to develop the 346 radar. However, this seemingly backward meter-wave radar was actually handled by Mr. Ben himself.

"Our 14th Institute was originally engaged in ground-based long-range radar." Mr. Ben said: "I am also using my remaining energy. This radar is my last project before retirement, and I must do it well."

"Okay, Lao Ben, let me introduce you. Wait, why does your radar look like a flat panel? It's just like a large fly swatter." Looking at the pattern that appeared on the projection screen, a naval leader He spoke.

Although Qin Tao had already given the design of the entire warship at the beginning of the meeting, it was just a quick glance after all. The big guy didn't pay much attention to the big guy poking at the rear mast. Only now can he finally see it clearly. .

  The previous 517B radar was a Yagi antenna, which was a rotating rod with some vertical rods placed on it. Although it was three-dimensional, it was still inherited from the ancient Yagi antenna. What now? It actually turned into a tablet!

“That’s right, this is a good name, we will call it a fly swatter from now on.” Qin Tao interjected: “We finally upgraded from a clothes drying rack to a fly swatter, so we can better detect flies in the future.”

"On the 517B radar, we use the P-band, which has a long detection range and low power, making it easy to turn on for a long time. Now, our brand-new meter-wave radar also uses the normal band when working as a long-range early warning radar. Come use it.”

“If you work on the normal band during normal times, can you change to another band during war?”

 This is quite important! You must know that during war, radar is the first target that the enemy must destroy. The enemy's anti-radiation missiles will attack the radar station as soon as the war begins. As for the parameters of these radars, they are collected in peacetime. After all, as long as the radar works , it will radiate electromagnetic waves, thereby leaking its own signal characteristics.

(Can anti-radiation missiles kill meter-wave radars? The Hero of East China really doesn’t know. It seems that this kind of anti-radiation seeker must be at least half a wavelength long to receive radar waves? Some information says that our fly swatter The two-dimensional working mode of the active 3D system is used. The East China Hero did not graduate from elementary school and cannot understand this sentence.)

“Yes, once wartime comes, we can still switch within the meter wave band at any time.”

P band is a meter wave band. Because it was used in the past, it is commonly called P band. P means past. The frequency of this band is between 230 and 1000 MHz. Therefore, it is not fixed on a specific band and can be switched completely.

 This greatly improves flexibility on the battlefield.

“You have developed a new radar magnetron?” Wu Shengli said.

Before the active phased array radar, all radar wave emission required a radar magnetron. This is a special electronic tube specially used to radiate electromagnetic waves. In this regard, China is still very powerful. Although we have transitioned to the era of active phased array radar in recent years, we have not given up on the research and development of this kind of electronic tubes. We are still developing new products. After all, this can not only be used in radars, but also in microwave ovens.

“Yes, we have newly developed the radar magnetron. At the same time, we have used new electronic technology to transform it, giving it more advanced performance and fully capable of undertaking the tasks of surveillance and anti-stealth.”

“This radar is good, what’s its name?” Wu Shengli asked.

"On the land-based radar, we call it the JY27 radar. On the navy side, we haven't named it yet." Mr. Ben said.

 Different radars have different numbers. Although these domestic numbers look like English letters, they are actually Chinese Pinyin. J stands for maneuver and Y stands for early warning. They are the first letters of the Chinese Pinyin of these two words respectively. If the Navy's radar continues to use this name, it will be inappropriate. After all, the Navy does not need to be mobile.

“Our navy should get a new number, Mr. Qin, what do you think?”

Hearing the leader's question, Qin Tao said without hesitation: "How about calling it 517C?"

The 517 radar is an early warning radar commonly used by the Navy. It was later upgraded and became the 517A. Later, when the 052C was put into service, the 517B was improved. Now, it is the turn of the 517C.

"Mr. Qin, our radar has no inheritance from the 517 radar. It is newly developed." Mr. Ben said.

“Yes, that’s why we call it 517C.”

Wu Shengli nodded: "Yes, true or false, this is the best way to fool people. At present, our warships have placed meter-wave radars to detect stealth aircraft. The method has not been discovered by the outside world. Of course, we can continue Use this number!”

 (End of this chapter)