Chapter 311 Testing the Warthog
"Boss, didn't you go out to work today?" Sig asked a little confused.
"You had a lot of fun last night. You even dared to go to the sweet third row with others. Do you know how you got back?" Zhang Ailun asked.
Sig said a little embarrassedly: "I really didn't have any consciousness, but I think Boktu and the others carried me back. I felt something was wrong after drinking, but there was nothing I could do. The bow was on the string and had to be shot!"
"In the future, try to take less of those little blue pills out there. Do you know how much technology and hard work are inside them? No one will care if you hurt your kidneys. If you really want to make yourself stronger, in addition to those natural fitness postures of standing facing the wall that I taught you, you can also go find Dr. Jerry and ask him to help you research small doses of Viagra." Zhang Ailun joked.
"Boss, I will definitely pay attention next time." Xige said hurriedly. This time he overestimated his own abilities, thinking that after following the chief leader for so long, his level and physique were already very strong.
But he didn't expect that as soon as he came into contact with the sweet three-row, he felt the pressure doubled, which was simply beyond his ability to bear!
Zhang Ailun gave Sig some instructions, asked him to wash his face and get dressed, and then went out with his female assistant Gwen.
Sig was asked to drive the vehicle to the hangar in the suburbs, and he was going to take professional ground crew to the General Dynamics Shipyard to select a few retired ships in good condition.
After all, the chief's knowledge of warships is just based on what he talks about on the Internet. In fact, he has never even been on a yacht or cruise ship many times. He doesn't quite understand the cost of maintaining a warship and how many people are needed. He especially needs the reference and advice of professionals.
First, Sig drove to the storage plant in the suburbs and picked up Haval, who was responsible for guarding and maintaining the nuclear reactor.
After parking the Rolls-Royce on the side of the road, Zhang Ailun called Haval, asked the silly boy to get in the car, and drove to the suburban hangar to pick up Qibatu and other outstanding ground crew workers.
After getting in the car, while driving, Zhang Ailun also asked Haval, "How do you feel about your life recently?"
"It's pretty good. Apart from the daily study of nuclear power drawings and open source information, there's not much else to do. Boss, did you call me to do something this time?" Haval answered honestly.
"Of course there is something. We have contacted General Dynamics Shipyard. They have several littoral combat ships and retired destroyers for sale. I want to buy them and do repairs and maintenance. Maybe I can make your dream come true." Zhang Ailun smiled.
"Littoral Combat Ship?" Haval was a little surprised. "Hasn't this thing been strategically eliminated?"
"If we are not strategically eliminated, how can we buy it at a low price?" said Zhang Ailun.
The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) took 20 years to build and cost about $300 billion, but was ultimately described by the US media as "the most failed project in the history of the US Navy."
But according to some of his research, he learned that the Littoral Combat Ship cannot be considered a complete failure. It was just that the Navy had too high expectations for it, which did not match the US Navy's hegemonic strength and strategic requirements, and the times were changing too fast.
If it is just for self-defense counterattack near the coast, then it is still very useful and meets the needs of small third world countries. Many countries are willing to purchase it, but if it is for active attack beyond the port, then it is useless.
It was originally created by the US Navy to replace the Perry-class frigate. Its main expected mission is to enter the opponent's coastal waters to attack the maritime defense forces, including attacking surface ships and conventional submarines, counter-mines, as well as transporting special forces and implementing near-shore surveillance and blockades.
Its characteristics are high speed, good stealth performance, modular design and construction, simple ship shape and easy modification.
The design emphasizes high speed, stealth, and the ability to use helicopters and unmanned combat platforms.
The shortcomings are also obvious. There are some fundamental problems in the design concept, which makes it almost impossible to defend against anti-ship cruise missiles, let alone complete the mission of being on the front line to compete for sea control and force projection. It can only complete some humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and self-defense counterattack missions in the near sea.
But it also has its advantages.
Cheap.
Although it is very expensive during research and development, the price is very cheap after it is eliminated.
Simple design means easier modification and retrofitting.
It has a high speed and can carry helicopters and speedboats, making it more suitable for self-defense counterattacks against illegal organizations and pirates at sea approaching private island territories.
For the struggle between countries, it is a strategic mistake. In front of the big countries, it is a rookie who is just giving away heads. After all, others have anti-ship missiles.
But for individual armed forces, its performance is extremely superior!
Because others cannot afford to use anti-ship missiles when attacking you, it will appear to be very "thick" and tough.
You think the retired frigate worth $100 million is thin-skinned, fragile, and expensive to maintain, and is outdated.
You think that a second-hand battleship worth 400 million US dollars is well-made, strong and durable. It can fight for another ten years!
Harvard: “…”
After thinking about it, there is nothing worth refuting. After all, you can buy an American-equipped battleship for four million dollars, or even slightly more. So what do you want from a bicycle?
If you blindly pursue performance, there are many excellent warships on the market, but even if you can afford to buy them, you can't afford to maintain them.
"The retired Spruance-class destroyer is an old-fashioned warship that has been replaced by the Burke-class 123 destroyer, but its performance is still excellent even now. The Aegis was developed based on the Spruance destroyer. If we can buy it back and use it for experiments and research to improve nuclear power, if successful, it will also be a very qualified modern destroyer." Harvard became interested.
Zhang Ailun nodded and did not refute.
Sig drove to the suburban airport.
After getting off the car, I saw a mighty Warthog parked at the airport from afar. The Beggar Gang disciples and Qibatu were also surrounding it in a circle. Warning banners were hung all around, prohibiting passage.
In order to debug and test the overall performance of the A10, takeoff and landing, the Beggars' Sect disciples took the initiative to temporarily rent a dedicated runway from the airport. There were also many people watching the A-10 Warthog in amazement, taking out their phones to take pictures, after all, this thing is something that most people can only see in movies.
Zhang Ailun walked over to watch, but did not disturb them, just nodded and said hello. After Qibatu and the Beggar Gang disciples finished checking and confirmed that everything was correct, an air force officer boarded the A10, debugged the instrument and electronic equipment, and after the official start, the two turbofan engines also began to turn.
The a10 engine emitted a roaring noise similar to that of a motor and sprinted forward for a distance. The front wheels of the Warthog gradually lifted up, raising the nose of the aircraft, and then with a humming sound, it flew high into the sky.
"No. 001, please confirm whether the electronic equipment and engine speed are normal." Qibatu called the A10 driver with the radio.
"001 received, confirmed that the equipment is normal. Requesting an air cycle flight test, gradually accelerating from cruise performance to maximum performance." The Warthog pilot replied.
"Acceleration allowed."
Qibatu had just finished speaking.
Then I saw the Warthog suddenly speed up, and with a whoosh, the entire silver-white body of the Warthog tilted, making a low roar, and disappeared in an instant.
Zhang Ailun looked up and watched the warthog turn flexibly and whiz past his head.
Listening to the roar of the turbofan engine, I seemed to feel the deterrent power brought by the machine even from a long distance, and I couldn't help but feel my heart surging.
"Over 2 million to buy this thing? It's a huge profit!!"
Zhang Ailun sighed, watching the Warthog flying around overhead. The black dots disappeared into the horizon, and the next second, a rumbling sound was heard from a long distance, and then it whizzed past your head at a speed of 833 kilometers per hour! If it weren't for the fact that private firing tests were not allowed here, and the Warthog hadn't loaded the magazine yet, but was just doing flight tests, Zhang Ailun really wanted to try the Gatling gun on the Warthog's mouth right now to spray a hundred times in a second and lick the ground crazily! That scene must be very exciting.
As an enemy, he must be terrified.
It is worthy of being called a tank box opener.
Who said the Warthog should be retired? What a great pig!
A10 conducted a flight test for about ten minutes, reporting the status of the attack aircraft from time to time. The result was also in good condition.
The practical ceiling is 13700 meters. The maximum range with three auxiliary fuel tanks and no armed load can reach 3900 kilometers. The close air support combat radius is 460 kilometers, and the anti-armor combat radius is 500 kilometers.
When the A10 slowed down and landed smoothly at the airport from high altitude, the pilot got off the plane with help, which also marked the successful completion of the test of the attack aircraft.
Zhang Ailun led the people around him to applaud, and walked over to praise: "Well done."
"It's a pity that we can't test the Gatling's charge attack for the time being, and can only do the unarmed belt-loading Gatling's idling." Qibatu felt a little regretful.
"Such small things can be tested at any time. The warthog is in normal physical condition, so are you worried that it won't be able to spit out bullets from its mouth? If I really let you test the power here, I'm afraid the state police will come to arrest you." Zhang Ailun smiled.
He took the initiative to seek help from Colonel Wood and made an appointment at the military base so that he could use their facilities to conduct performance tests. He could even apply to conduct actual combat exercises with their pilots, but there was actually no need for that. Bullets were so expensive!
Even if the Warthog Gatling gun is firing at a target, it will take dozens or even hundreds of rounds per second, so it's better to leave it to the big players.
Zhang Allen waved to Gwen and asked her to take out the handbag from the trunk of the Rolls-Royce. Sig took it and opened the zipper, took out stacks of cash and US dollars from it, and rewarded them one by one. At least $300,000 was rewarded!
"There will be more work like this in the future. When I officially take over Jehovah Island, you can also go with me to the island to be stationed and help us get armed and equipped." Zhang Ailun continued to encourage them.
"Boss, you also bought a private island?" The Beggars' Sect disciples were shocked.
"Someone gave it to me." Zhang Ailun smiled calmly and waved his hand to show that he was calm.
The Beggars' Sect disciples were amazed and began to discuss.
After completing the inspection and debugging of the A10, Zhang Ailun also informed Qibatu about the fighter jets and destroyers of the General Dynamics Shipyard.
Qibatu knew more about these things than an outsider. He thought, "The Spruance-class destroyer is meters long, meters wide, has a full load displacement of 7700 tons, and a maximum range of 6600 nautical miles. If you just want to operate it skillfully, sail around the island coast, and do basic navigation and daily maintenance, you need at least 50 to 80 people. To fully utilize its capabilities, you need at least 200 people. The military's service requirement is that each Spruance-class destroyer has 300 people in service."
"Don't worry about maintenance and repairs, because if a retired ship is used privately, it will not participate in the front-line war. It only needs to be maintained according to the minimum standards. Including staff salaries and food, drink, defecation and other expenses, it will cost at most two to five million US dollars a year."
Listen, it’s only two to five million US dollars a year, and this is the minimum standard.
If you serve in the navy, wouldn't it cost millions of dollars in military expenditure just to fire a gun, order takeout that can be shipped all over the world, or for the captain to lead a banquet on the high seas?
I won’t even mention how much of this was wasted expenditure.
Auditor? The moment the auditor landed on the warship with his left foot, he accidentally slipped and fell into the sea.
So what can you do?
Auditors are soluble in water, fire, electricity, bullets, airplanes, heart attacks...
The captain guarantees with his integrity that we tried to save him, but we didn't save him. The plane he was on also sank into the sea due to a malfunction. It was not my fault.
Even if so, do you have evidence?
Zhang Ailun then asked him whether he could build a nuclear-powered destroyer?
Qibatu was a little speechless: "It's possible, but it's not necessary, right? The destroyer's main engine is four General Electric LM-4 gas turbines with a total power of 2500 horsepower. Replacing the nuclear reactor can indeed save fuel, but the project is much more complicated than assembling an A86000, and it takes time and effort. And we don't seem to have any technical talent reserves in this area."
“He is a talent!”
Zhang Allen pulled Haval out.
Qibatu looked at the boy's wise appearance and was a little skeptical, but after understanding his 'strength' and background, he couldn't help but be surprised: "You modified the nuclear reactor without permission and you haven't been killed by radiation? You are really lucky! How did you do it?"
Harver said nonchalantly, "It's just a basic understanding of the principles of nuclear reactors. This and that. And then it's all done."
"..."
Qibatu was numb after hearing this.
She looked at him with strange eyes. You should be the lunatic, right?
"Do you think it can be done?" Zhang Ailun asked.
"You can do it, but take it slow." Qibatu said tactfully.
"Ok, then there's no problem."
Zhang Ailun nodded. As a leader, he only needs to focus on the results and not the other processes.
After all, the chief leader is not a professional and is not qualified to make decisions. If he fails, he might end up making things worse.
We will give you money and manpower, and then just wait for the nuclear-powered destroyer to be completed.
Zhang Ailun asked the other Beggar Gang disciples and Mark to stay here to maintain the Black Hawk helicopter and pull the A10 back to the hangar to load ammunition. He took Qibatu and Sig and others to the port area where the General Dynamics Shipyard was located.
It took some time to get to the Bay Area near San Juan-Castellano, California.
Sieg drove the Rolls-Royce along the highway unimpeded, arrived at the General Dynamics Shipyard dock, and parked in a nearby parking lot.
A few people got out of the car and walked along the road lined with sand and palm trees. In the distance, they saw a shipyard processing plant. There were several warships and destroyers parked on the sea level. There were also many other private cruise ships and yachts undergoing maintenance and repair. Many shipyard staff were watching and browsing on the destroyers.
Zhang Allen and Sig entered the dock area and admired the scenery of the coastline. He took out his phone and took a few photos. Then he called the relevant person in charge and explained the situation to him. The other party quickly brought people to meet him.
The leading supervisor wore glasses, black stockings and high heels, and was a beautiful woman with big wavy red hair.
(End of this chapter)
