Great warships

Chapter 732 40 MW Gas Turbines

To develop a brand new aircraft, it is necessary to manufacture several prototypes, one of which will never go to the sky after being built, and do static tests directly on the ground, that is, to press jacks one by one on various parts of the fuselage and wings , press for thousands of hours, and after reaching the service life, increase the pressure until the plane is completely crushed to see what the maximum pressure it can withstand.

After such experiments, you can have a thorough grasp of the fuselage.

However, the research and development of the drone is very intense. Anyway, there is no one, and it will not be life-threatening if it falls, so this kind of experiment has not been done yet. As a result, after going to the sky, it was found that the wing was substandard.

After only going up once, there will be cracks when I come back. If I fly a few more times, it might break!
"Based on our current carbon fiber composite material, it can only be made up to half the length. If it is longer, it will not be able to bear it. However, if it is not made so long, it will not be able to provide enough lift. If aluminum alloy is used, It will gain too much weight, which is really a big trouble." Zhang Wanhe sighed.

He was also very helpless when a major technical problem suddenly appeared in the originally smooth research and development project. Yunma Factory was just an aircraft factory with a serious lack of design capabilities. Even if some experts were invited to come, it still couldn't work.

"Is it okay to add a pole on it?" Qin Tao asked.

Qin Tao completely understands that in future generations, the domestic Falcon WJ-700, which looks exactly the same as the Global Hawk, will not appear until 2021. Although the rainbow series drones are similar in appearance to the Global Hawk, they are smaller in size. There are problems with the engine, and there are also problems with the wings. It is really difficult to make such a straight wing with a large aspect ratio.

Since it can't be done, we have to find a way to modify it. Qin Tao thought of another design, that is WZ-7!

If you have never eaten pork, you must have seen pigs running. Qin Tao in his previous life did not specifically study drones, but he has seen many types of drones. The body of this WZ-7 is very similar to the Global Hawk. , but the wings are quite different.

The Global Hawk took the path of U-2, using long straight wings, but WZ-7 used two wings!

The position of the front wing is similar to that of the Global Hawk, but the wing is swept backward, and there is another wing at the back above the engine. This wing is swept forward, and finally touches together in the middle of the front wing.

The upper wing is like a shoulder pole. It pulls the lower wing. The scientific name is called tandem and joint wing. Since there are two wings, it does not need too long wingspan to provide the same At the same time, because of the shoulder pole, this kind of wing has higher strength. Even if one's own composite material technology is not up to standard, it is no problem to make this kind of wing.

In the past, the engine was weak and could only be made up for by the aerodynamic layout. Now the wing composite material is not good enough, and it can only be made up for by the wing!
When Qin Tao mentioned this design idea, everyone stared at him.

"President Qin, you are too powerful!" Zhang Wanhe said: "According to the method you said, the length of the wing can be shortened by one-third! Coupled with the fixing function of the pole above, the main wing below is definitely not It will break!"

The reason why the wings split is because the length is too long and the composite material is not good enough. Now the length is shortened and the reinforcement is carried out at the same time, which solves the problem!
"Is it easy to fold?" Wu Shengli is concerned about whether he can board the ship. If the wings are not folded, it will take up too much area.

"Of course, the aircraft used by the navy can completely fold the main wings from the part where the upper and lower wings connect. In this way, the footprint should be about the same as that of the J-[-]," Qin Tao said.

"Modifying the wings is a big project. Does our flight control have to be completely reprogrammed?" Zhang Dong was also very concerned.

This design solves the problem of insufficient wing rigidity, but if it is really done again, the price will not be low, maybe the current work is all for nothing.

"It shouldn't be necessary. This kind of aircraft is equivalent to a biplane. The flight control will be simpler than the existing ones. Even after taking off, you only need to go up and learn it. After all, this is only for reconnaissance and attack, not for fighting."

Fighter planes must be piloted, because they are flexible because they have talents. Fighter planes can perform various complex maneuvers, but drones are different, as long as they fly in a stable manner.

Zhang Dong nodded.

"If we only carry out these tasks, it should be completed before the air show." Zhang Wanhe said: "And, at the air show, no one can say that our products are imitating the Global Hawk."

Qin Tao said that Zhang Wanhe is looking forward to the air show. After all, they want to sell this drone. Only by selling it can they make money and their Yunma Factory can develop. After all, you can't live your whole life on the basis of annihilating Jiaoqi.

This drone is an important product of their transformation.

However, if you take it directly, it will definitely attract criticism, because it is almost exactly the same as the Global Hawk.Zhang Wanhe is not afraid of being scolded by others, and can even use this to create momentum, just like Global Hawk, but the price is less than half, come and buy it.

However, that is not very good after all. Now, as long as the wings are modified, we can say that our aircraft has nothing to do with the Global Hawk, it is completely made by ourselves!

Regardless of the fuselage, look at the wings. The most important thing about an aircraft is the wings. If the wings are different, it can be said to be a different aircraft!
Qin Tao nodded: "Then keep going!"

Originally, this drone was going to be tested in Huangdi Village, but since the wing has changed, it has to continue to modify the design, and it will have to wait until later to test it on the simulated deck of the aircraft carrier.

However, apart from the wings, other aspects of the system are still very good, especially the advanced autopilot system of the UAV, and their pioneering missile attack solution, which are all amazing.

The matter of coming to Yunma Factory this time is considered to be over. Now that Wu Shengli has come, Wu Shengli has no plans to go back immediately, and it is not bad to go to Genghis Khan Airlines by the way.

After all, Genghis Khan Aviation is preparing to produce the D-227 engine, which is related to many carrier-based aircraft projects of the Navy.

Since Wu Shengli wanted to go, of course Zhao Ling would lead the way. After all, Zhao Ling had worked in Genghis Khan Airlines for a long time and was very familiar with everything here. When everyone passed by, they happened to see a group of new old men.

"Mr. Wu, Qin, Zhao, let me introduce you. I am surrounded by Varisy Omelchenko." Zamotayeva said: "He used to be the general manager of the Zaporozhye Aero-Engine Factory. Presided over the production of the D-227 engine."

Hearing Zamotayeva's introduction, Qin Tao was very excited: "Varisi, welcome to the East!"

Generally speaking, when you greet someone you are not familiar with, you always call them by the last surname. Only those who are familiar with you will call the first name affectionately. Qin Tao is a familiar person, so he immediately uses the most affectionate address.

"I'm over 60 years old, I hope you don't dislike my age." Varisi Omelchenko said.

"Of course not." Qin Tao said: "Since an experienced technician like you is here, there is nothing to say. You should be the general manager of our D-227 engine."

This appointment stunned Zamotayeva. According to the original agreement, the top leaders here were all sent by the Mingzhou Group. Now, Qin Tao actually appointed Ermao as the general manager of the project?This authority is very large.

Varisi Omelchenko was also shocked: "President Qin, what are you talking about? I will be in charge of the production of this engine?"

"That's right, you used to be the general manager of the factory. Now that you are the general manager of the project, it's a demotion. I hope you don't feel wronged. Although your position is not high enough, your salary can be adjusted according to the level of the factory leader. Open." Qin Tao said: "What do you think?"

Varisi Omelchenko's face was full of excitement: "President Qin, don't worry, if I am the person in charge, within three months, we will be able to put this engine into production!"

"Okay, then when the first D-227 engine rolls off the assembly line, I will personally attend the roll-off ceremony! At that time, all participants will be rewarded!"

Zamotayeva was very curious. Even when the AI-222 engine project was launched, President Qin was not so concerned. If it wasn't because Zhao Ling was in charge here, it is estimated that Qin Tao would only come here once every half a year.

Now, President Qin attaches so much importance to this kind of engine?
"Then let's not bother Mr. Qin, let's go to work now!" Varisy Omelchenko immediately threw himself into his work. He has already become the leader of the project, and there will be a large sum of money salary!
Watching these old men leave, Qin Tao continued to ask: "How about the bidding in Europe?"

In order to prevent Motor Sich from continuing to export technology to the East, the Europeans decided to drag Ermao into the A400M transport aircraft project and put forward conditions to destroy the cooperation with the East. However, under Qin Tao's suggestion, the cooperation continued, while the Europeans How is the progress of this transport aircraft project?Can Motor Sich succeed in its bid?

"Qin, your conjecture is correct, the Europeans are just trying to disrupt our cooperation." Speaking of this incident, Zamotayeva was very annoyed: "At the beginning, only a few French companies from Airbus invited us. It’s just human beings. When we went to participate in the bidding, we immediately received hostility from other people. The British, Italians, and Spaniards, none of them gave us a good face. Even other French people were full of hostility towards us. We There was no way they would have won the bid for the project, and they had no intention of actually considering our engine."

Facts have proved that cooperation with Dongfang is the most correct choice, and other people are unreliable!
"It's really great that you can keep your eyes open." Qin Tao said: "When the D-227 engine is mass-produced, there will definitely be no problem in sales, and it will be installed on many of our aircraft."

After being fooled again and again, Er Mao finally learned to be smart and knew how to choose.

"Yes, the East is our best friend." Zamotayeva said: "No matter how the external situation changes, our attitude of cooperation with the East will not change, and we will continue to deepen our cooperation."

Still want to deepen?Qin Tao is also a little curious. The production lines of the AI-222 and D-227 engines have been moved here. Are they still not satisfied?How do they plan to continue to deepen? The D-18 engine project has been vetoed by myself. After all, it is too big. For the time being, we have no suitable aircraft to use it. The rest is the turboshaft engine for helicopters. Is it necessary to jointly produce turboshafts next? engine down?Lao Maozi's technology is a little behind, and I'm afraid my side will look down on it.

Although he didn't like it, Qin Tao couldn't say it directly. He pretended to be very interested: "Zamotayeva, how do you plan to continue to deepen cooperation?"

"President Qin, you should know that our D-18T has one of the few high-thrust turbofan engines in the world. Its thrust has reached 23 tons, and it is on the same level as the CF5 engine used by the American C6 Galaxy transport aircraft."

In the long history, there have been many versions of CF6. The thrust of the initial version was about 23 tons, and it was further expanded to more than 30 tons in the later period. Now, Zamotayeva said that the two are of the same level, and there is no Wrong.

Although the thrust of many bomber engines can also reach this level, or even higher, the thrust of this kind of engine is based on the afterburner, which is produced by taking drugs, and turbofans such as D-18T The engine can output this kind of power for a long time.

At this time, Qin Tao nodded after hearing Zamotayeva's words: "So?"

"We have noticed that the Americans have developed the LM6 gas turbine based on the CF6000. The maximum power of this gas turbine can even reach 50 megawatts." Zamotayeva said: "They can do it, and we can do it too." It can be done, if we can develop a gas turbine based on the D-18T, there must be a broad market!"

Qin Tao's eyes suddenly lit up. He never thought that Ermao was so creative!

Now, the most commonly used gas turbine in the international market is the LM2500, which was developed by the Americans on the TF39 engine. It is also a common way to convert an aero engine into a gas turbine, and the British gas turbine was also developed in this way.

The LM2500 gas turbine has been continuously improved in its long history. At the beginning, the power output was 18.7 megawatts, which is about 2.55 horsepower. In 98, the improved LM2500+ gas turbine had reached an output of 30 megawatts. , which is about 4 horsepower. In the later stage, when it is improved to LM200+G4, the power has been increased to 34 megawatts, almost doubled, but at the same time, its power output has also reached the end. If you want to continue to improve, That's almost impossible.

Therefore, a new power output is needed. This is the LM6000 gas turbine. The initial power output is 40 megawatts. After improvement, the output can reach 50 megawatts, and it can continue to improve in the future. It can be said that the performance is quite powerful.

Looking at China again, the gas turbines currently mainly used are UGT-25000 gas turbines obtained from Ermao. The power is only 20 megawatts. 26.7 horsepower, and this is almost the limit, and it is difficult to increase it.

The American LM-6000 gas turbine has twice the power!

Different power corresponds to different warship displacement.The 052C currently built has a displacement of only six to seven thousand tons, because the gas turbine is only so big. If the displacement increases, the speed will have to drop.

The 055 uses four gas turbines, which expands the displacement to 1 tons, but it has also come to an end.

Now, what if it is replaced with a D-18T improved gas turbine?Even if the output power is only 40 megawatts, two units can drive a 30-ton large drive at a speed of more than [-] knots!Four units can drive a warship of more than [-] tons!
If high speed is not required, the tonnage of the warship can be expanded to 6 tons, or even 30 tons. After all, the British Queen-class aircraft carrier has a displacement of more than 36 tons, and only two MT[-] gas turbines are installed. The power of a single unit is only [-] megawatts.

Suddenly, Qin Tao's heart became inexplicably excited. Let alone the matter of the aircraft carrier, next, his side must build an amphibious assault ship. This kind of warship has a large tonnage, but the use of boilers is somewhat backward. A 40-megawatt-level gas turbine can be used as a power source!
Amphibious assault ships do not need high speeds, two are enough!The plan that Zamotayeva is talking about now is simply a tailor-made power for her own amphibious assault ship. Moreover, if advanced warships such as [-]-ton destroyers are further developed in the future, this kind of engine is also very suitable. , Even if it is a [-]-ton large-scale drive, using a combination of two gas turbines and two diesel engines is cheaper than four gas turbines.

Although he was happy in his heart, he still didn't show it on his face, and said with doubts: "Is it feasible to use D-18T to develop gas turbines? After all, there is no such precedent in Ermao's side."

The West uses aero engines to develop gas turbines, but Lao Maozi is not. Lao Maozi’s gas turbines are specially made, and they are still produced in the research and development unit of steam turbines, so their marine gas turbines are very large, one year larger than Western ones. However, the performance of this gas turbine is very solid, and the old man still pays attention to practicality.

However, this also led to a result: Lao Maozi has no experience in modifying gas turbines on aero engines!
"We do not have a precedent, but we have the technology." Zamotayeva said: "We have carefully studied the improvement of the LM-6000 gas turbine in the United States, and feel that their changes are not difficult, and we can completely follow their changes. What we lack now is capital, as long as there is capital injection from Mingzhou Group, we will be able to develop it successfully.”

Aeroengines of this level are turbofans with a large bypass ratio and a huge fan in front, which can provide high enough thrust and save fuel at the same time, but as a gas turbine, this thing is meaningless.

Therefore, when the Americans designed the LM-6000, they removed the CF6 as the fan of the turbofan engine and the low-pressure turbine that drives the fan, and then redesigned the low-pressure compressor and low-pressure turbine. Moreover, under the ingenious design, the new The low-pressure turbine not only drives the low-pressure compressor, but also drives the load to act as a power turbine. This method is of course to simplify the power system.

Adjustable guide vanes have to be added to the inlet of the low-pressure compressor to facilitate the start-up of the unit and the operation under variable conditions. Limited to liquid fuels, natural gas is fine too.

Motor Sich has the ability to make changes, but the premise is that there is money. After all, improvements need to spend a lot of money.

Wu Shengli didn't speak at the side, and his heart was overwhelmed. If a [-]-megawatt gas turbine is developed, the navy will be able to have a suitable power system when it builds larger warships!

However, he couldn't open his mouth. This involves a huge exchange of benefits, and everything is waiting for Qin Tao to decide.

"If you want to change it, I suggest putting the research work in our country." Qin Tao said: "As you know, we have already started mass production of marine gas turbines in China, and we have accumulated rich experience. We also have experience in operating LM2500 gas turbines. , in our place, the efficiency of improvement is the highest."

If the Mingzhou Group just spends money and asks Motor Sich to improve it, then of course it won’t work. It’s okay to pay, but it has to jointly research technology, and it has to be in China!
"President Qin, you do have experience in producing marine gas turbines, but you don't know about our D-18T engine." Zamotayeva said: "If you invite your technicians to Zaporozhye, How about working together there?"

Qin Tao shook his head: "I think it's best to stay here. After all, our research environment is very good. Your Motor Sich company is just a production plant and has no research and development capabilities. Although Ivchenko-Progress Design Bureau is They are engaged in aero-engines, but they have never designed gas turbines, and the conditions there are too backward, if they are unwilling to go to other places, they can set up a special heavy-duty gas turbine design unit next to Genghis Khan Aviation.”

Qin Tao's attitude is also firm. If you want to research and develop, you have to come to the East. I don't want the project to be terminated suddenly halfway through the research, and hundreds of millions of dollars in research and development funds will be wasted.

If you come to Dongfang, even if you don’t succeed in the end, at least the information is still here. If you are at Ermao’s place, if you are driven away, the information cannot be taken away.

Zamotayeva pondered.

"This kind of gas turbine is not only used for ships, but also has many uses on land. Places such as oil and gas fields need this kind of gas turbine. Together with the generator produced by our Golden Sun Electric Company, it can form a power system." Qin Tao said: "After the research and development is completed, we should be able to sell more than a dozen units a year. After all, our business is worldwide."

"President Qin, I need to report to the country." Zamotayeva can't decide this kind of thing by herself.

"Okay, then we look forward to your good news." Qin Tao said: "Next, let's go to the production line to have a look."

(End of this chapter)