Siheyuan: I eat melons while doing scientific research

Chapter 1473 Getting a Beating (3k)

In his excitement, Gao Zhendong asked, "What are the speed and range?"

This is very important. Unlike most missiles these days, which generally don't consider speed except for air defense and missile defense, torpedoes have listed speed as one of the most important indicators from the very beginning, on par with range, and they also influence each other.

After all, there's a saying about missiles: "No matter how fast they fly, they can't be faster than a missile." But torpedoes are different.

Missiles fly through the air with relatively little drag compared to torpedoes, so the cost of increasing their speed is not high. People are used to the fact that missiles fly much faster than their targets, and generally don't think about this issue.

However, torpedoes are different when "flying" in water. The resistance is extremely high, and the cost of increasing speed is also high. Unlike missiles, which are often dozens or hundreds of times faster than the target except for air defense and anti-missile systems, the speed difference between a torpedo and its target is considered high technology if it can double. In fact, against the S2 destroyers, torpedoes can only be 10 to 20 knots faster than destroyers. They are better than battleships and aircraft carriers, being about 60% faster.

Moreover, speed and range are inversely related, and it is quite troublesome to achieve both. In fact, in the 21st century, there are far fewer countries that can independently develop and produce torpedoes than those that can produce missiles.

Thinking of this, Gao Zhendong quickly added, "If it's inconvenient to say, just pretend I didn't ask."

This thing is highly classified, and Gao Zhendong, a military enthusiast in the 21st century, understands this very well.

However, to Gao Zhendong's surprise, when he asked the question, the chief engineer was willing to answer, but he was a bit hesitant.

"Ah... this... the 533 heavy torpedo has a speed of around 27 knots, and a range... a range of 5 kilometers..."

"How much? So little?" Gao Zhendong blurted out.

No wonder he could say on the phone that there's not much to keep secret about its performance; since it won't be installed on a ship anyway, it's fine to say whatever you want.

Why are you speaking such blunt truths! This perfectly encapsulates the feelings of the Chief Engineer at that moment.

"Well, we're still copying Big Brother's Type 53-51 torpedo, and we haven't cracked the power system yet."

53-51, weapons that came in along with the W-class submarines from the north, but the process of copying them is a bit hard to say.

To put it simply, the W-class submarine was successfully assembled in 57, the R-class conventional submarine was successfully copied in 63, and this seemingly small and inconspicuous 53-51 torpedo was successfully copied in 71.

Currently, the propulsion system for torpedoes has not yet been mastered, so their speed and range are naturally not very impressive.

"I see. Well, the main challenge for these two types of torpedoes right now is guidance; propulsion is a separate matter." Gao Zhendong didn't bother asking about the propulsion of the 324; it was smaller and probably even worse. After all, given that even the 533 missile program hadn't mastered propulsion technology, trying to do something within the confines of the smaller 324 was even more difficult.

After hearing Gao Zhendong's words, the chief engineer gave a wry smile: "Yes, yes, that's exactly the point. At least the guidance system is solved."

The chief engineer has the mindset of acknowledging that we are behind and being pragmatic.

However, there is at least some good news. In terms of time, we first solved the problem of propulsion, and then it took us a long time to solve the guidance problem. Now the order has been reversed, which means that by 71 at the latest, we will have a usable guided torpedo.

"It's pretty fast," Gao Zhendong thought to himself. "Compared to the timeline of my previous life, it's much better overall."

Although thermal power has been around for a long time, it's still quite challenging, especially for us...

Huh?! What the hell was I thinking just now?!
Gao Zhendong suddenly felt like he remembered something.

"Chief Engineer, are 53-51 related to thermal power?"

Thermal power, simply put, can be compared to the internal combustion engine in torpedo propulsion, which generates power through fuel combustion.

Correspondingly, there are electric torpedoes.

However, unlike cars in the 21st century, thermal power holds an absolute advantage in torpedoes due to the issue of energy density.

Apart from the supercavitating torpedo that Gao Zhendong had already presented, which could only travel in a straight line, there were only these two types of propulsion for torpedoes. In the decades that followed, advanced torpedoes were almost all thermally powered.

However, there are many types of thermal power.

The Japanese used the Type 93 oxygen torpedo during the S2 era, which was a thermal torpedo. It was actually the same thing as the kerosene-pressure oxygen engine of the Type 53-51. The "oxygen" that the Japanese referred to was oxygen.

"Oh right, right, what's wrong? You..." The chief engineer seemed to realize something at this point.

"Kerosene and oxygen, right?" Gao Zhendong blurted out.

"Yes, high-pressure oxygen and kerosene." Since the comrades had reported on the torpedo-related situation, the power system would definitely have been mentioned, and the chief engineer remembered it very clearly.

“This thing won’t work.” Gao Zhendong curled his lip. “Huh? This is already the most advanced mainstream technology, and it still won’t work?” You’re just talking without understanding the pain… No, when this kid says his back doesn’t hurt, it has nothing to do with his posture; it’s probably because his back really doesn’t hurt.

—He might have some solution!
"It really won't work. No matter how high the pressure is, high-pressure oxygen can't hold much gas by nature, so the energy density can't be high." Gao Zhendong had already thought of many things by this time, and he didn't even need to think about the energy density of kerosene high-pressure oxygen; he knew it purely from analysis.

After all, it's not very practical to put liquid oxygen on torpedoes. Unlike launch vehicles and missiles that can be temporarily refueled, high-pressure oxygen, no matter how high the pressure, has a limited supply due to the existence of a critical temperature.

Moreover, the higher the pressure, the heavier the container becomes, and one careless move could lead to a regression in the system's energy density.

"Do you have a solution?" The chief engineer remembered something.

—Gao Zhendong has made great achievements in energetic materials, pyrotechnics, and missile fuels; he might also be good at torpedoes.

It's not just a possibility, it's a certainty! Wasn't it he who replaced the liquid oxygen and kerosene used in ballistic missiles back then?
Torpedoes use kerosene and high-pressure oxygen, pretty much the same.

"Hehehehe... I actually have one! And compared to the current high-pressure oxygen scheme, at least it doesn't require a high-pressure container, and the energy density is much higher!" Gao Zhendong laughed smugly.

To be honest, the solution that Gao Zhendong knew about, apart from the trouble of manufacturing the fuel itself, was much better in terms of engine technology than the kerosene-based solution.

"I'll have them come to you as soon as possible!" The chief engineer was overjoyed. Just the fact that it didn't require a high-pressure vessel was a huge improvement over the existing plan. Even if the energy density was similar, there was ample reason to replace it.

That was all that could be said over the phone; the rest was unspeakable. The chief engineer decided to arrange for someone to take over as soon as possible.

Gao Zhendong smiled and said, "If it's convenient, let's do it today. The sooner this is resolved, the better. If there's a helicopter, please have them come today."

It's morning now. Gao Zhendong knows that the underwater weapons testing site is in Bohai, so there's still time for him to come over.

Moreover, this matter is actually very simple and doesn't require much preparation. After all, it's just a recipe, how complicated can it be?

To be honest, we really have to thank Citibank for open-sourcing this. Even just open-sourcing a part of it, the performance it demonstrates can leave the high-pressure oxygen kerosene solution far behind.

"Alright! Time is of the essence. To be honest, the comrades who copied the Type 53-51 have been troubled by this power problem for a long time. If they hear that there is hope of a solution, they will probably crawl over here even if they have no transportation. I will contact them immediately and arrange a helicopter for them!" the chief engineer said with a smile.

On the shore of Bohai Bay, the two comrades watched a Mi-4 modified copy slowly approaching in the distance, their minds filled with countless questions.

One of the younger colleagues said to the older colleague next to him, "General Manager Jiang, our test report was only submitted yesterday, so why are we being asked to go to Beijing today? And why didn't they call the guidance team, but instead called our power team?"

"Little Fu, don't you understand yet? Go over there and get a beating."

"Get a beating?"

General Manager Jiang laughed and said, "Yes, the guidance system is progressing extremely smoothly. Torpedoes, apart from that unique and amazing supercavitating torpedo last time, don't have many complexities in terms of hydrodynamics. Even the propeller, which is very important on submarines, doesn't have as many intricacies in a single-use weapon like a torpedo. The only thing that affects the core performance of a torpedo is our propulsion system. If we report those parameters, who else but us will get a scolding?"

Xiao Fu scratched his head: "Oh, I see. Then why are you so happy?"

In reality, although General Manager Jiang said he was going to be punished, his face was full of smiles.

He gave me a "you're too young to understand" look: "Of course I'm happy. You have to take the blame when you're supposed to. It's all about ability, it's perfectly normal. But after you get a beating, you usually get a sweet treat. After all, the higher-ups don't punish you for fun; they want to solve the problem. You see, after you've been punished, something good is bound to happen. Maybe more funding, maybe better conditions, maybe... well, never mind, I don't expect that."

These words made Xiao Fu beam with joy: "Really? If that's the case, then getting a beating would be worth it."

In fact, Mr. Jiang only guessed half of it correctly.

When he met the chief engineer of the committee, the chief engineer didn't even have time to punish him.

"You're here? Come on, come with me right now!" The chief engineer hurriedly pulled General Manager Jiang and the other man away.

This completely caught Old Jiang off guard, who had been mentally prepared. It felt like he had punched a cotton ball, leaving him feeling empty inside.

"Boss, aren't you going to say something?" No, if we don't get a good scolding today, we won't feel at ease when we try to get some benefits later.

"What are you saying? It's normal to have difficulties. We're here to solve them. Hurry up, everyone else has arranged things in the shortest time possible. Don't let us down."

The chief engineer hadn't even considered the possibility of reprimanding him, but he still offered a very generous reward.

(End of this chapter)