Chapter 1080 The Stimulated Person: We Want to Build Something Bigger and More Advanced!
In previous eras, three to four thousand tons was a destroyer, and six to seven thousand tons was a cruiser. However, in recent years, the trend of larger warships has become more and more obvious.
In the 1980s, the U.S. Navy also decided to expand naval construction and implement the "Sea Plan 2000" offensive theory. In conjunction with the Reagan administration's Star Wars plan, the Navy was also about to usher in a period of great development, and decided to build 600 modern warships.
In this context, the Burke-class destroyer was born. Although it is called a destroyer, its displacement is limited to 8,500 tons. It not only has a maximum speed of 30 knots, but also has an advanced Aegis system. It also had to have good habitability and sufficient scalability. After several modifications, in 1985, the entire project officially started construction and was named the Arleigh Burke-class. It has continued to be constructed since then.
However, this kind of construction was also done in batches. Initially, the Burke 1 was built, and after improvement, it became the Burke 1A. A total of 21 ships were built, and only 7 Burke 2s were built, followed by the Burke 2A. After these were built, It's Burke's turn 3.
The previous batches used passive phased array radars, and it was not until Burke 3 that active phased array radars were installed.
But now, the U.S. Navy can no longer wait for the continued construction of Burke 2. In order to compete with the 055 that appears in the East, they must quickly improve the level of their fleet, and they must have a model that can compete with the 055 destroyer in the East!
The DDG-1000 is indeed advanced enough and has a large displacement, but it is too expensive.
It is more realistic to modify the Burke class.
After hearing Swift's words, everyone thought about it and then nodded: "Yes, we need to improve the performance of the Burke class immediately and call the people from NAVSEA!"
NAVSEA, the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command, is the unit responsible for warship design, and the Ali Burke class is operated by them.
Soon, the conference room was filled with people, and designer Lucas said with great interest: "Everyone, we have completed all the design tasks for the Burke 3-class destroyer. As long as the Navy needs it, we can authorize the shipyard to start construction at any time. This destroyer will be the most advanced Aegis warship in the world!”
They didn't just sit in the office drinking tea and chatting all day long. After the construction of the Burke 2A destroyer started, they were working non-stop to design a brand new warship, and the Burke 3 was about to be born.
"As the most advanced Aegis warship, it must be equipped with an active phased array radar. We plan to replace it with a newly developed air and missile defense radar, AMDR's new SPY-6 active phased array radar system. The original SPY-1D antenna will have a diameter of 4.27 meters, exceeding the 3.66 meters of the existing SPY-1D antenna. The larger area means that it has stronger performance, whether it is to intercept aircraft or ballistic missiles. Good performance. At the same time, in addition to a large number of S-band modules on the front of this AMDR, it will also integrate some X-band modules. In addition to searching for targets, this X-band also has a fire control function, which can perfectly replace the current Some SPG-62 illuminate the radar."
In order to attack the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier formation, Lao Maozi proposed the saturation attack theory. Hundreds of anti-ship missiles were fired over to see if the U.S. aircraft carrier formation would kneel down. According to Lao Maozi's saturation attack theory, the U.S. Navy proposed the anti-saturation attack theory. The key to the Aegis system is the four-sided phased array radar and vertical launch system. In theory, as many missiles as there are, it can intercept as many targets.
However, this data is shrinking. The number of missiles that the Aegis system can intercept at the same time is limited by the target illumination radar. Although the SPY-1 radar can search for targets and can also guide missile attacks, it only guides the initial and middle stages. In the final stage, target illumination radar is still needed to allow the standard missile to accurately fly to the target. The fire channel of the Aegis system is limited by the number of target illumination radars.
Even if the Americans have made some preparations in advance, for example, when irradiating a target, the second missile can be launched, fly inertially first, wait until the first missile hits the target, illuminate the radar and then aim at the target. Even so, at most That is to say, it only deals with two targets at once. Even if four targets illuminate the radar, it can only fight eight targets at the same time. If nine targets fly in at once, it will be dumbfounded.
Not to mention that these four target illumination radars are arranged in four directions. If the missiles all fly from one direction, only three will be needed to penetrate the defense, so the Aegis system is far from as powerful as imagined.
how to solve this problem?
Active radar guidance is the most suitable solution. Dongfang's Hongqijiu comes with active radar guidance, which does not require target illumination radar at all. Although it also requires a small-area C-band radar front, it only provides mid-course guidance instructions.
However, after all, the U.S. Navy has a large inventory of old missiles. Even new warships must be able to launch old missiles. Therefore, their solution is to integrate an X-band radar on the S-band radar array. The target illumination radar, because it is an active phased array radar, can allocate T/R components as needed, and the number of targets guided at the same time is greatly increased.
This is the best design solution!
All the navy leaders nodded.
"Yes, this design works."
"We just need this kind of advanced system!"
"Hmph, the Oriental system is not mature at all, our Aegis system is still the strongest!"
"Next, I will introduce other designs. Because the new radar requires a strong power supply, the power output of the original three LM2500 gas turbines is not enough. We decided to add another one to give it sufficient power output. The ship's integrated power system can meet the power needs of the four-sided phased array radar and propulsion system working at the same time, and can also supply other equipment. Even if the electromagnetic gun is installed in the future, there will be sufficient power reserves."
The ship's integrated power, four LM2500 gas turbines, these designs are acceptable, it seems that NAVSEA's efficiency is still good.
"Okay, okay, these designs are good!"
"In order to make the performance of the warship more perfect, we decided to increase the displacement to 9,500 tons." Lucas said here, looking at everyone: "We think this is necessary, after all, the power compartment and so on need to increase space."
What he was afraid of was that the navy would not allow the displacement to be expanded. After all, the larger the displacement, the higher the construction cost! When the Burke class was first designed, it was limited to 8,000 tons. Later, it was found that it could not be achieved, so it was increased to 8,500 tons.
Sure enough, he saw dissatisfied expressions on the faces of a group of naval leaders.
Are they dissatisfied with the increase in displacement, which is the same as the Ticonderoga class?
Just when Lucas wanted to continue explaining, Swift spoke up: "No, the displacement of this destroyer is too small!"
Small?
It's actually small?
Lucas couldn't believe his ears. Did he hear it wrong? Are these leaders trying to make fun of him? Today is not April Fool's Day!
"In order to surpass the warships of the East, the displacement of our Burke-class destroyers must be increased to more than 13,000 tons." Swift said.
"Surpass the warships of the East? The largest warship in the East is 052DL, and the displacement is only about 7,000 tons." Lucas was very curious.
"No, that was in the past. Today, the East launched a new warship, model 055, with a full load displacement of more than 12,000 tons."
"How is it possible? How can the East have the ability to build such a warship?" Lucas was stunned.
"Look at the photos taken by our satellite." Swift threw a large-scale photo over.
Lucas took it and looked at it, and his eyes lit up immediately.
"The design of this island is very good, and there are some holes reserved on it. Is it to install more radars? The mast is also relatively simple, and the design concept is very advanced."
"Four chimneys should have four gas turbines. The most commonly used on the Eastern warship is GT25000. If there are four, it will be easy to propel a 10,000-ton warship."
"There is also a vertical launch unit at the back. This vertical launch unit should be able to arrange large launch tubes, and there is enough space underneath."
"The hangar at the back is not small either, and can accommodate two helicopters. It should not be the old Russian Ka-27, but may be the same helicopter as our Sea Hawk."
As a warship designer, Lucas found that he could not find any faults. This warship is too perfect. If he wants to design it, he can completely follow this plan!
"Mr. Lucas, you are very satisfied with the design of this warship."
"Yes, the other side has a first-class warship designer."
"What about us?"
"We have it too. We will definitely come up with a qualified design plan and will never let the navy down. For us, the larger the displacement, the easier it is to design! As long as the navy gives us technical parameters, we can perfect the detailed design." Lucas looked at the photo again. According to this appearance, will the navy criticize it?
"First of all, the displacement must be higher than that of the Orientals. For the time being, the displacement of 13,000 tons is used as the standard, and it may continue to increase." Swift said: "Secondly, in terms of weapons and equipment, this modified active phased array radar is OK, but the vertical launch system is not enough. Our MK41 is outdated, and our MK57 system does not meet the needs. We also need a brand-new large-caliber vertical launch system. The diameter of the Oriental vertical launch has reached 850 mm, and ours should be larger, at least 900 mm!"
The others present widened their eyes.
"Swift, is such a large vertical launch necessary?" asked a naval officer.
"That depends on what's in it. If it's just anti-aircraft missiles, of course it's not necessary. But everyone, don't you find that there are too few types in our arsenal? In the future, we will face the aircraft carriers in the East, the Russians' aircraft carriers. What weapons will we use to attack their aircraft carrier formations? Rely on Tomahawk or Harpoon?"
The US Navy has not developed anti-ship missiles before. The Harpoon missile with a range of more than 100 kilometers is the main anti-ship missile of the destroyer. If the range is too short, the Tomahawk will be replaced with a warhead to temporarily play the role of anti-ship missile.
After all, they don't need it! They have the strongest navy in the world. They don't have to worry about how to deal with the enemy's aircraft carrier formation. The combat goal of their navy is to control the land with the sea, drive to the enemy's doorstep, and use their own carrier-based aircraft to bombard the enemy's territory.
But now, the times have changed, and they also have to consider how to penetrate the enemy's layers of defense and finally attack the enemy's aircraft carrier. Now, they are blinded, and there are no suitable weapons in their arsenal!
"Look at the East. There are already supersonic anti-ship missiles and hypersonic ballistic missiles, which pose a huge threat to aircraft carrier formations. We also need to develop new anti-ship missiles, whether they are supersonic or hypersonic. , there will definitely be a huge volume, and our vertical launcher must expand in size!”
"If this kind of vertical launch system is to be developed, what launch method should be used?" Lucas frowned: "We are used to using thermal launch, but this launch method requires a smoke exhaust duct, 900 mm caliber vertical launch device, the diameter of the missile inside will definitely exceed 850 millimeters. The tail flame produced by such a missile when launched will be very large, and our exhaust duct may not be able to meet the needs. "
Thermal launch can have a faster response speed, but it requires additional exhaust ducts. The larger the missile, the larger the tail flame, and the larger the exhaust duct required. Lucas really cannot imagine that this level can be achieved. How big should the missile launch exhaust duct be?
If hot launch is not realistic, then cold launch?
Although the surface ships of the U.S. Navy are all thermal launchers, it does not mean that they cannot use cold launches. In comparison, cold launches have lower technical content.
"We use electromagnetic ejection for cold launch, what do you think?" Swift said.
Everyone was shocked again. Launched by electromagnetic ejection? This technology is not ordinary high!
"We already have an electromagnetic catapult. Although it is not yet mature, it is just for the purpose of ejecting carrier-based aircraft. If we eject missiles, the technical content required will be much lower." Swift said: "As long as It’s enough to throw the missile into the sky and ignite it autonomously. Anyway, this kind of vertical launcher has not been developed yet. Let’s work together to develop this advanced vertical launcher system, so that we can show the technological level of our United States!”
Swift has ideals. This brand-new warship must be a warship built with high technology. It must be eye-catching and must be compared with the warships of the East. What if the East has a hot and cold warship? Let’s build a cold launch device for electromagnetic ejection!
Lucas nodded: "This should be possible, but it will definitely take time. We believe that in our design stage, we can first use the MK41 vertical launch system to assemble it, but we retain the ability to use new vertical launchers until the new vertical launch system is installed. It has been developed and can be changed at any time, what do you think?”
Swift nodded: "Yes, that's it, but when we show it to the outside world, we must show off the new hair hanging device!"
Lucas has understood Swift's psychology. This leader wants to be tall and superior to the warships of the East!
Not only is the displacement higher than that of Dongfang, but it also needs to surpass other subsystems!
This is easy to say. Let’s upgrade all the high-end ones. As for the price, the shipyard will definitely like it.
"We are currently developing electromagnetic guns. Our bow main gun can also use the existing 127mm main gun, but we retain the ability to install electromagnetic guns. When needed in the future, we can replace the electromagnetic guns at any time when displaying them to the outside world. , we also show the electromagnetic gun version. What do you think?" Lucas suggested.
"That's right, it's an electromagnetic gun. After so many years of research and development, our electromagnetic gun will soon be mature!" Swift made the decision immediately.
Dongfang used electromagnetic catapults on aircraft carriers, allowing the whole world to see Dongfang's technology. Now, the U.S. Navy is also doing its part, and they also have their own unique skills!
"In terms of close-in defense weapons, our current Phalanx and Ram have fallen behind. Our navy is currently testing ship-based laser weapons. I think that high-power and high-energy ship-based laser weapons can be installed in the future. If something slips through the net, , you can use laser cannon to destroy it."
laser weapon!
In the Star Wars project, there were many stages for laser weapons to be displayed. Although Star Wars was later considered a hoax, many weapons continued to be developed. For example, the United States began to deploy them, such as Damn and Damn. Laser weapons are also under development, and are involved in the navy, land and air forces. The U.S. Navy is testing the Helios laser weapon, but the power is only 60 kilowatts, so it is dazzling and disruptive at best, and it cannot really directly burn incoming anti-ships. missile.
"We need to carry two laser weapons, with powers of 150 kilowatts and 600 kilowatts respectively, which are enough to directly destroy incoming missiles. In the high-tech field, we are still the most advanced." When talking about this, Lucas Suddenly realized something: "But, if these are equipped, then the power system of our warship will not be enough!"
The four-sided active phased array radar consumes a lot of power. For this purpose, they also added an LM2500 gas turbine, so the power is more than enough and there is still margin. However, that is for the Burke 3 which is less than 10,000 tons. Said.
Now, the Navy requires the displacement to be expanded to 13,000 tons, and the power of four LM2500s is already stretched. What's more, the electromagnetic ejection vertical launch system, electromagnetic gun, and laser close-in defense weapons are also required, which are all large power consumers. ! It's okay to use them separately, but if they are used at the same time, the warship must not trip due to overpower?
Four gas turbines are not enough, what next? On Channel 5?
This won’t work. Surface ships can only have four gas turbines at most. It would be inconvenient to deploy one more, and the required intake and exhaust systems would also be difficult to arrange. It would be best to choose the gas turbine with the largest power. However, except for the 40-megawatt gas turbine in the East, other countries don’t have it at all. The British haven’t developed it yet!