Chapter 740 The British Aircraft Carrier

UK, Rolls-Royce plc.

“The Orientals actually want to develop a 40-megawatt gas turbine!” Engineer MacLee said angrily: “We in Great Britain are the first country to develop gas turbines, and we must not lose to the East in this field!”

“That’s right, when it comes to vertical take-off and landing fighter jets, we let the Easterners take the lead. On this kind of gas turbine, we must not fall behind!” Stanley said.

Rolls-Royce is a long-established aero-engine giant. Generally speaking, it does not have a great relationship with the shipbuilding Mingzhou Group. However, they had a competition on vertical take-off and landing fighter jets. Although the results have not yet come out, everyone Everyone knows that they lost.

Oriental's vertical take-off and landing fighter is progressing smoothly. At the last exhibition, the vertical take-off and landing function was demonstrated. This year's International Defense Exhibition has not yet been held, but it can be guessed that their vertical take-off and landing fighter will definitely fly. performance.

 What about Rolls-Royce?

Although the UK does not have a stealth fighter project, the British and Americans jointly developed the JSF fighter. In this project, the highly skilled Rolls-Royce company helped design the vertical take-off and landing system, and helped one of them design an aerodynamic fan solution. Facts have proved that this route simply does not work.

 Now, when it comes to gas turbines, are they going to continue to lag behind?

"Of course not, we have to start research and development immediately!" At this moment, a middle-aged man with an indifferent expression walked in. It was Conrad, the senior executive of Rolls-Royce: "Everyone, I have just received the task of researching and developing four... Ten-megawatt gas turbine!”

 Everyone became excited immediately: "Will we develop it now?"

"Yes, research and development now! The national defense department has officially decided to develop a new class of aircraft carriers to replace our outdated invincible-class aircraft carriers." Conrad said: "The displacement of this kind of aircraft carrier cannot be smaller than that of Dongfang. It is scheduled to use the gas turbine we developed!”

 A new level of aircraft carrier? Everyone got excited. Those invincible-class ones were too shabby and could not show the strength of their Great Britain. During the 82-year war, they deeply realized this, but they had no money!

Only powerful countries can have aircraft carriers. Look at how many countries in Europe have aircraft carriers now, and what is their displacement?

“Mr. Conrad, the displacement of Eastern aircraft carriers exceeds 60,000 tons. If we want to build an aircraft carrier of this level, do we really need to use gas turbines to drive it?” Stanley asked.

  So far, the largest warship driven by gas turbines is just a cruiser with more than 10,000 tons. No matter how large it is, it is either boiler or nuclear power, and there is really no gas turbine.

"Yes, there are currently several alternatives, but even if the displacement exceeds 60,000 tons, we can still use gas turbines to drive it. If two are not enough, we will use four at most." Conrad said: "The matter of the aircraft carrier We don’t have to worry about it, we just need to take care of the gas turbine.”

"If we start from scratch, the research and development time will be too long. It is better for us to use existing aero engines to improve." McLeary said: "It is most appropriate to use our Trent800 aero engine to improve, just like It’s the same as the S*M1 engine we used to modify from Spey.”

In terms of aviation engines, the British are still very powerful. In the 1950s and 1960s, the Spey engine was definitely the most eye-catching. The civilian version of this engine was used in a large number of passenger aircraft, and the military version was used in different fighter jets. , at the same time, the developed gas turbine modifications were also used on warships. The British Navy was the first to realize all gas turbines, relying on this gas turbine.

Times have changed, and the gas turbines modified by Sibei have become outdated. They need more advanced gas turbines, and it is most appropriate to improve them on aero engines.

At the beginning, Rolls-Royce pioneered the three-rotor RB211 series engines, which achieved great commercial success. They provided 40% of the world's passenger aircraft engines. Later, they improved on this engine. Trent700 engine.

 However, the fan diameter of this engine is too small to meet the power needs of the latest Boeing 777. Therefore, Rolls-Royce continued its efforts and developed a new engine with a 2.8-meter-diameter fan. This is the Trent800.

Although it is not as powerful as the GE90 in terms of thrust, this engine has a big advantage: it is the lightest of several engines equipped on the Boeing 777. It is 8,000 pounds lighter than the GE90, 5,400 pounds lighter than the PW4090, and 5,400 pounds lighter than the PW4090. The PW4098 is 6,500 pounds lighter. A simple calculation can save airlines $200,000 per aircraft per year.

 So, after this engine appeared, it immediately became the most popular Boeing 777 engine among customers.

As the engine with the highest thrust of Rolls-Royce, it is certainly his choice to convert it into a gas turbine for ship use.

"Yes, we will improve on this gas turbine! We will definitely make faster progress than the Easterners. The Easterners develop it from scratch, which is not that easy." Stanley nodded.

Conrad shook his head: "No, the Orientals did not necessarily develop it from scratch."

"Instead of starting from scratch? Do they have any other aero engines that can be modified? They don't have such a large thrust at hand." When Macley said this, he suddenly thought of something: "Is it the D-18T?"

For a long time, the D-18T engine has firmly occupied the throne of Dalmatian's largest thrust aeroengine. This is evident from the fact that this engine is used by the world's largest transport aircraft.

"Damn it, Motorsic can't do this. They can't export such strategic-level engines to the East. We must sanction them!" Stanley almost shouted.

 His worries are understandable. In the past few years, the East has developed too fast and is now about to surpass the United Kingdom. How could they be willing to do so?

"Sanctions? How to sanction? We have no evidence. The Easterners said they did their own research, and they will not publish the research results to us." Conrad said: "However, in retaliation, Airbus has made a decision. Deprive Motorsic of the right to bid on A400 transport aircraft engines."

In fact, this kind of decision is of little use, because Motorsich has long known that their engines are just for fun, and it is impossible to successfully bid. How can the Europeans give such a big cake to Motorsich? Strange company? It’s not like Europe doesn’t have first-class aviation engines.

 This method is just to satisfy their own psychology. Their most important thing at the moment is to develop high-power gas turbines. After all, no matter which bidding team wins, Rolls-Royce is the only engine supplier.

 The British want to build an aircraft carrier. This is of course a big piece of cake, attracting countless teams to bid.

 The British Royal Navy even cried with joy.

I think back then, every government came to power and had a high interest in killing its own troops. Under their butcher knives, the size of the navy was getting smaller and smaller. The British Invincible-class aircraft carrier was in the mouths of many people. , they were all deceived by the Americans, thinking that small and medium-sized aircraft carriers were the future. In fact, the more reason was poverty. At that time, the Navy racked its brains and used the rhetoric of anti-submarine ships to complete the construction of the Invincible class, but it did not dare to say It is an aircraft carrier, otherwise, their navy will completely lose its fixed-wing aviation power.

 After 1982, everyone was awakened. Out of the empire's sense of honor, no one objected to building aircraft carriers anymore. A consensus was finally reached: they needed more powerful aircraft carriers.

However, needs are one thing, and whether they can meet them is another. It's already 1998, and they are still arguing about what kind of aircraft carrier to build. If it weren't for Dongfang's plan to develop a 40-megawatt gas turbine, Stimulated, the aircraft carrier on the slipway of the Mingzhou Group gradually showed its outline, and they still could not make up their minds.

 Portsmouth.

"Everyone, we can't be entangled anymore. We must choose three options from the nine options as soon as possible." In the conference room, Sir Benjamin sat on the rostrum, looked at the flagpoles standing in the military port outside, and then looked at the people below. Said: "Now, many companies have formed bidding teams, waiting for our bidding. We have to come up with a charter first."

Starting in the 1980s, when they decided to build a new aircraft carrier, they put forward various plans. There were nine plans in total, seven of which were newly designed and built, and two of which were modified from existing ships. .

Those two options can be eliminated. Now the country must be built completely new, so we have to choose from seven new options.

These solutions are mainly divided into three categories, namely STOVL (short takeoff and vertical landing), STOBAR (short takeoff and arrested landing) and CATOBAR (traditional aircraft carrier's catapult takeoff and arrested landing). The first model is from the British They were already using it, so they were most familiar with this model. They proposed four solutions, the third one proposed two solutions, and only the second one proposed one solution, so there were seven.

 They need to select three from these seven options and then invite bids.

"Our plan cannot be decided by ourselves. It still depends on the support of the country." Charles said: "The aircraft carrier we want is naturally bigger and better. The more advanced the performance, the better, and the more carrier-based aircraft it carries, the better. "

“We also have to look at the choice of carrier-based aircraft.” Hook said.

"Based on the photos taken by our satellite, it can be determined that the Dongfang Mingzhou Group's shipyard is starting to build an aircraft carrier. The manufacturing of the first two segments has been completed. We can estimate that this aircraft carrier It will not be smaller than the Varyag they are using now, and its displacement may be more than 60,000 tons. Our own aircraft carrier cannot have a lower displacement than this, so we set the target at 65,000 tons." Sir Benjamin said: "Now that the displacement is available, the key is the choice of carrier-based aircraft. Once the carrier-based aircraft is determined, we can even determine the only solution."

“The future is already an era of stealth aircraft, and our aircraft carriers must be equipped with stealth aircraft,” Charles said.

They have very few carrier-based aircraft to choose from.

 Now they are using the Sea Harrier, which is a carrier-based aircraft developed and produced by themselves, but it is also the only one. What else do they have on hand now? A Tornado fighter with variable swept wings? Or the jointly developed Eurofighter? None of these fighter jets have stealth characteristics.

If it is a stealth machine, then the only one is the American JSF.

"No, our aircraft carrier is imminent. The US stealth aircraft has not yet completed the bidding. It will take at least five years to mature. We can't wait!" Hook shook his head: "Let's use our own Typhoon."

“Can the Typhoon be used as a carrier-based aircraft?” Benjamin was stunned.

"The French Rafale fighter jets can be used as carrier-based aircraft, so why not our Typhoon?" Hook said: "BAE is doing research on Typhoon modified carrier-based aircraft. We can invite them to make a simple According to the introduction, compared with the American stealth aircraft, our Typhoon can definitely catch up with the progress of the aircraft carrier."

Everyone nodded.

The Typhoon fighter jet has been brewing since the 1970s. By 1994, the first one left the factory. Now it is getting closer and closer to finalization. If it is converted into a carrier-based aircraft, it can keep up with the progress of the aircraft carrier. Moreover, the Typhoon is a European own, which also saves a large amount of money from flowing to the United States.

BAE aircraft engineers arrived quickly.

"Everyone, I am very honored to introduce our Typhoon carrier-based aircraft to you." A rendering was printed on the projector, which is exactly the graphic of Typhoon taking off and landing from the aircraft carrier. Since the aircraft carrier did not have a sample, it directly used the effect of an American aircraft carrier. picture.

"It is not complicated to convert the Typhoon fighter into a carrier-based aircraft. Compared with other aircraft models, we do not need to fold the wings because we can reduce the deck area by placing two aircraft opposite each other, which can save a lot of time. Space, we just need to simply modify the landing gear and increase its strength..." the engineer introduced eloquently.

“Wait a minute, what is that thing on the cockpit?” Someone saw something strange and asked.

“Well, if Typhoon wants to board the ship, it must increase the angle of attack when landing. In order to give the pilot a better line of sight, we added a periscope to the canopy.”

What?

 Everyone was shocked.

 When Typhoon is on board, a periscope is actually required?

"No, we can't do this. We have laughed at Lao Maozi for decades. Their MiG-21 trainer aircraft uses periscopes. When it is our turn, we actually have to add periscopes? Moreover, it is still a carrier-based aircraft landing!"

You must know that there is a big difference between what you see in the periscope and what you see directly! Forget about the training aircraft, the landing of a carrier-based aircraft is inherently dangerous, and now you have to watch the periscope land, the risk is not ordinary.

Although the United Kingdom does not have an aircraft carrier to block landings, the United Kingdom and the United States have a good relationship. Their pilots go to the United States to train on American aircraft carriers every year to have a great time.

 They knew the dangers of landing, but they still used periscopes? That is absolutely nonsense.

“No, ours is not an optical periscope, but an electronic periscope. Specifically, a camera is installed at the top of the cabin’s partition frame, and then the image can be displayed on the cockpit’s display.” The engineer explained.

“That’s not okay, it’s also very dangerous! If the plane can’t land in a normal attitude, then we refuse!”

The dream of putting Typhoons on ships was shattered in this way. For BAE, this is nothing. Anyway, the Air Force needs a large number of Typhoons, which need to be put on ships for special improvements. Moreover, the demand is not high, so it may not be cost-effective. The Navy does not see it. Forget it.

There will be many problems when a canard layout fighter is put on a ship. Therefore, in the future, except for the Rafale fighter, there will no longer be a canard layout fighter that can be put on a ship, including the J-20.

For Typhoon, it is even more difficult to board the ship because it uses long-distance coupling and its canards are under the front of the cockpit!

 Such a design allows the canards to have the smallest size and maximize the control torque, but at the same time, it will also block the pilot's front and lower vision on both sides.

Normal takeoff and landing is fine, but the takeoff and landing of a carrier-based aircraft is different. Especially when landing, these two canards are very obstructive and will most likely block the light of the Fresnel light box when the aircraft is approaching.

 So, if you want to put it on a ship, you have to change it. The way to change it is to add a periscope. Unfortunately, the military doesn't buy it.

Of course, it still has many problems. For a fighter with air intake in the belly, strengthening the front landing gear is also a big problem. However, because the Typhoon fighter has strong short take-off and landing capabilities, if it takes off by ski jump, there is no need to eject. The device will be fine.

The key is landing. In order to improve performance, when the British fooled Ah San later, they also created a vector version. It was easier to fool Ah San into boarding the ship, but Ah San still had no choice. You can't ask for this thing. Ah San shouldn't be taken advantage of.

 Typhoon is not suitable, so you can only outsource it!

“We cannot purchase the French Rafale, that would be an insult to us.” Benjamin said: “The only ones left are the American F-18 and the stealth aircraft under development.”

 The American F-14 is also gradually being retired, and the F-18 has become the main force. This aircraft has even undergone major changes. When it comes to the E/F version, it has been partially stealth modified.

“If we use the F-18, it means we have to use catapults and arresting cables. We don’t have these technologies. We need to purchase them from the United States like the French do.” Charles said.

“So, you’re saying we’re waiting for a vertical landing version in JSF?” Hook asked.

 The truth is formed in discussions. Now, they have no time to wait, they must make a choice.

"In this case, our carrier-based aircraft can be assumed to be F-18 and JSF, and our aircraft carrier can also use three options. We will proceed to the next step of bidding and see if the bidding team can provide us with the most suitable solution. "Benjamin said.

There are three types of JSF, whether it is a vertical take-off and landing or an ordinary carrier-based aircraft, they can choose from it. It is outsourced anyway, so there is no point in continuing the discussion at the meeting. They still need to wait for the opinions of the bidding team. After all, the bidding team is also very professional. of.

 “Sir, I have an idea.” At this moment, someone spoke.

"explain."

“We, can we invite Mingzhou Group to bid?”

As soon as these words came out, the expressions of everyone present changed.

“Do we, Europeans, need Easterners to design our warships?”

 “Geiger, is there something wrong with your brain?” Everyone cursed.

“Geiger, tell me what you think. If you just want to **** people off, congratulations, you did it. I think you will be torn to pieces before you leave this conference room.”

“Everyone, do you know who has the most experience in designing aircraft carriers in the world so far?” Geiger knew that his words would cause an uproar, but his proposal was also for the Royal Navy, and he had a clear conscience.

"Of course it's Newport News Shipbuilding and Dockyard Company. This company has built dozens of aircraft carriers for the US Navy. If other ships are included, there will be a total of seven or eight hundred ships," Charles said.

“So, have they ever built a 65,000-ton aircraft carrier?”

 Everyone was silent.

Since the end of World War II, the displacement of the U.S. Navy's aircraft carriers has been rising. When the Kitty Hawk class was used, the displacement was 80,000 tons, and the current Nimitz class has been expanded to 100,000 tons.

 60,000-ton aircraft carrier? Americans really haven't done it before.

"There are very few aircraft carriers of this level in the world. Originally, Lao Maozi was very experienced, but now, almost all those experienced people are in the East." Geiger said: "The Mingzhou Group has built several aircraft carriers, and some of them are for Siam. The Luo Kingdom has a 10,000-ton light aircraft carrier, a 30,000-ton aircraft carrier for Football Country, and a 60,000-ton aircraft carrier that their own navy is building. They even sold aircraft carrier blueprints to local chickens. Their designs are also unique. One Style can be said to lead the trend of the entire era, so when we call them to bid, we can see their best design plan. Anyway, we will not adopt their plan in the end.”

Geiger's meaning is also very clear: trick the Mingzhou Group into coming over and come up with the best plan to bid. This will give the British Royal Navy one more option and it will also be good to gain some knowledge.

"Your idea is very interesting, but how can we invite them? This will make them proud." Charles said.

"We don't have to invite them in person. As long as we mention a few more words when we make a public statement, they will definitely come," Geiger said.

The United Kingdom wants to build two 60,000-ton aircraft carriers, which is a lot of money. The Mingzhou Group is expanding and will definitely join in the fun.

Benjamin nodded: "Okay, next, I will hold a press conference."

"In order to better maintain world peace, we in the UK have decided to build two aircraft carriers with a displacement of 65,000 tons. Therefore, we have decided to launch a global bidding. Any company with the ability to build aircraft carriers can come to bid. Those who have built aircraft carriers Companies or groups, we welcome them. I will invest at least two billion pounds for these two aircraft carriers!" At the press conference, Benjamin talked eloquently, and his bidding advertisement also spread all over the world.

 (End of this chapter)