With the official release of metallic hydrogen, the International Nuclear Fusion Conference also concluded successfully.
Neither Sebastian nor Eichendorf can stay in China directly, but need to return to Germany for work handover.
After bidding them a brief farewell, Chen Nian also left Shanghai.
However, he did not return to AH, but took a special plane directly to the Bohai Shipyard, preparing to witness the birth of another new piece of equipment.
That is, the Type 096 nuclear-powered submarine that he has been waiting for for a long time.
Up to now, Project 096 has been carried out for 11 months. Due to the great pressure from the United States and the South Island in the early stage, this project adopted a working method of starting at full speed regardless of the cost, and it was completed in a very short period of time. Performed most of the R&D and construction work.
However, as the pressure at sea eased, the progress of the project also slowed down, and the final outfitting finishing and optimization work time requirements were relaxed to two months.
This is why it was not until June 2010 that this nuclear submarine met the launch standards.
——
Of course, the word "talent" can only be adapted to the standards within China and Xinghuo.
Building a giant strategic nuclear submarine in 11 months can actually be regarded as a shocking achievement for any country in the world.
You know, during the Soviet era, it took about 3 years to build a nuclear submarine similar in size to the 096.
In the Russian era, the life cycle of the Typhoon-class nuclear submarine has gradually lengthened to 7 years - it is not unreasonable to say that it fell behind as soon as it entered service.
In comparison, the construction progress in the United States is faster, but the highest record in Chen Nian's memory was 14 months.
It can be said that China has truly broken the record this time.
Therefore, neither Chen Nian nor the project team or the superior departments were dissatisfied. Instead, they were already planning to reward the corresponding teams based on their merits.
On the plane flying to HLD, Chen Nian read the award plan drawn up above, and then made adjustments to several key personnel based on his own intuitive perception of technology.
After reviewing it several times and confirming that it would not be too biased, he put down the document in his hand, took out his mobile phone and browsed the forum to kill time, while thinking about the subsequent application routes of metallic hydrogen materials.
The first metallic hydrogen plant has entered the preparatory stage. According to the project plan, this plant will have an annual output of more than 40 tons.
This number sounds like a lot, and even if it is only used for laboratory experiments, it has reached the point where it cannot be used up at all.
But the problem is that this material will eventually be industrialized.
The annual output of 40 tons is actually unable to meet the needs of the large-scale "experimental projects" in the early stages of industrial development.
Needless to say, nuclear fusion projects, if you want to develop superconducting energy storage, you have to use a lot, right?
To engage in superconducting power transmission and build an experimental power grid, you have to use a lot, right?
When it comes to weapons and fourth-generation nuclear weapons, the amount used is even more exaggerated.
Not to mention those more subdivided fields, such as motors and semiconductors.
40 tons is not enough.
And most importantly, you can't prioritize these projects.
The power grid is important, but not urgent, and it is difficult to update and apply it.
Semiconductors are important, but not that important, and their application is not difficult.
Compare the two side by side, which one to choose?
If we really want to discuss it, there is no standard answer to the question.
So from top to bottom, there is no consensus on this issue.
On the contrary, netizens are very positive.
After reading the coverage of the nuclear fusion conference, especially the metallic hydrogen section, people with a little knowledge of physics were shocked.
In their view, the emergence of metallic hydrogen is almost equivalent to human beings achieving immortality.
"Within ten years, we will first develop nuclear fusion, then develop a lossless transmission grid, then develop energy storage and next-generation motors, and at the same time launch a charge for high-performance computers. Finally, it will take another ten years to leapfrog step by step. Develop anti-gravity technology, build a space elevator, build a galactic fleet, and rush to the stars and sea."
This is the basic route planned on the Internet.
It's perfect, and it's not an exaggeration. But the problem is that the people who designed this route really didn't consider the concept of productivity limit.
After doing so many things in 10 years, are you dying?
When the rate of increase in productivity cannot keep up with the rate of consumption, we will fall into the biggest new technology trap in history, completely destroying the future of the entire country.
It’s not even something that a technological revolution can save.
Thinking of this, Chen Nian couldn't help but sigh.
Every step towards human progress is not easy. Walking on thin ice and taking steps step by step is the only option.
After thinking for a moment, he wrote down his suggestion on a piece of paper.
Different from the past, this proposal goes beyond the scope of pure technology, but begins to consider many factors such as economy, resources, labor, etc., and proposes the idea of starting with small-scale areas to iterate technology.
In his view, nuclear fusion is a priority project that must be guaranteed, but the power grid can be put aside, starting with high-performance computers.
As for what space elevator?
Don’t think about it for ten years.
He spent two thousand words expressing his views, and the document was quickly sealed by the accompanying confidentiality staff. After the plane landed, it would be sent to the highest decision-making level for reference.
After all the work was done, Chen Nian fell asleep.
When he opened his eyes again, the plane had landed smoothly.
Two hours later, he arrived at the Bohai Shipyard. Under the leadership of the project team members, he approached the giant submarine that had been quietly moored in the dock.
The person in charge of the introduction was 096 Chief Engineer Li Qingming. Like all other scientific researchers who had access to the core level, the first thing he expressed was his gratitude to Chen Nian.
After a brief polite exchange, the two quickly got down to business.
".So our submarine, no matter from every angle, is the most advanced in the world."
"It is extremely large, with a total length of 214 meters, a maximum water displacement of 31,000 tons, and a maximum underwater displacement of 52,000 tons, which is much larger than the typhoon class."
"It can carry 24 improved Julang-3 missiles, and its strike capability far exceeds that of the Ohio class."
"Two thorium-based molten salt reactors with a total power of 740 megawatts, which is almost exactly twice that of the Typhoon class."
"The maximum underwater speed is 28 knots, which is also the fastest in the world."
"However, due to size issues, the maximum diving depth has not been reached, which is about 450 meters."
"The noise level is 90 decibels, which is slightly worse than our target of 85 decibels, but this may indeed be the limit."
Listening to Li Qingming's introduction, Chen Nian nodded slightly.
In fact, when he originally set the target of 85 decibels, he had no expectation that it would be achieved.
Even if a variety of noise reduction technologies are used and a comprehensive electric propulsion system is installed, the noise of 85 decibels is already lower than the ocean noise most of the time. Once achieved, the sonar will basically be completely invisible - -Obviously, it's not that simple.
Therefore, he did not show any disappointment, but said with admiration:
"Once these parameters are announced, the United States will probably accelerate their Colombia project."
The Columbia project he mentioned refers to the United States' latest nuclear submarine research and development project, which is their fifth-generation nuclear submarine project.
Since the project was launched in 2003, there has not been much movement until now. The reason is very simple. In one sentence, it is "not necessary."
The Ohio class has been able to meet their strategic demands most of the time. Coupled with the continuous delay in the service time of Russia's Borei class, the United States has no motivation to spend big money to develop and install new submarines.
After so many years of procrastination, the design has not yet been completely finalized.
In the previous life, this was also a classic joke in the armaments circle.
However, it is clear that this project has not yet become a laughing stock. Even Li Qingming, who was opposite, after hearing Chen Nian's words, the first thing he showed was not ridicule, but serious concern.
"The other party's design ideas are still very advanced. I have read an analysis report on the Columbia-class nuclear submarine. According to their concept, this will be a 'killer' strategic nuclear submarine."
"Quick strike, quick disengagement, lone wolf style combat, extremely solid 'point deterrence'. Although it is almost impossible for it to have a head-on confrontation with our 096, it will definitely become the 096's strongest opponent."
"In contrast, the design concept of our 096 is not that advanced. It is very strong, but its strength lies in using strength to defeat cleverness. If rapid iteration is not carried out, it will easily fail to keep up with the pace of modern warfare."
After hearing Li Qingming's words, Chen Nian nodded solemnly.
In fact, speaking such words before a new submarine is launched is still somewhat inappropriate from any point of view.
After all, this ship embodies the efforts of countless scientific researchers, and it should not be poured cold water on casually.
But, can you say that what he said is wrong?
On the contrary, what he saw were the flaws in 096 that were easily overlooked.
Being able to point out these shortcomings shows that the project team is still constantly seeking progress.
This kind of thinking can be said to be striving for excellence to the point of arrogance and arrogance.
What they want is not an evenly matched battle, what they want is a crushing level of combat power that can crush all enemies in front of them, and the confidence that one country can monopolize all opponents.
This is probably their unique sentiment and romance.
At this time, several people had already stepped onto the submarine. The huge turtle's back did not exist on this submarine. Following the gangway, Chen Nian entered the interior of the submarine.
And his first feeling was only one word:
big.
The internal space is terrifyingly large, and it does not have the cramped and awkward feeling of a traditional submarine. Instead, it is closer to the layout of a surface ship.
"Gong Chen, how are you? Are you surprised?"
"The interior space of this submarine has been carefully planned. Due to the reduction in the size of the reactor and power system, we have freed up a lot of space to optimize the living area."
"On this submarine, you can even find a dedicated lounge and gym, which is based on the design of the Typhoon class."
"However, we did not install unnecessary facilities such as swimming pools and saunas internally, but simultaneously replaced them with larger activity rooms and separate single-person reading rooms."
"And, of course, a bigger kitchen."
"If today's dinner had not been arranged, I would actually like to invite you to have a taste of the taste here - logically speaking, it won't be too far worse than on land."
At this point, the assistant on the side kept hinting at Li Qingming with his eyes, seeming to want him to skip this topic quickly.
After all, in this day and age, most people's view of the military still remains at the level of "hardship, simplicity, and hard-line style."
Overly superior living facilities can easily be associated with corruption, weakening, and reduced combat effectiveness.
Of course, Chen Nian couldn't think so.
He is all too aware of the impact of a good living environment on combat effectiveness - there was a classic exercise that year that illustrated this problem.
There is no air conditioning in the infantry fighting vehicles of the Red Army. In the Gobi Desert, where the surface temperature is close to 70 degrees Celsius, the combatants will suffer from heat stroke and dehydration after arriving. They will be beaten violently by the Blue Army who are singing and singing with the air conditioner. You can leave it to your subjective initiative. No matter how strong you are and how determined your will is, you can't resist the loss of body functions.
So, he smiled and waved his hand, indicating to the assistant not to pay attention.
"So under such living conditions, how long can this submarine stay submerged?"
"I'm talking about extreme conditions."
Chen Nian's question is actually very artistic, because most of the time, what determines the submarine's diving time is not the food, water source and oxygen, but the will of the crew.
The reason why Li Qingming emphasized so many details about leisure implies this point.
Hearing his question, Li Qingming showed a smile on his face.
He stretched out four fingers and replied:
"4 months."
"This is almost the limit of human will."
Very strong.
Chen Nian couldn't help but sigh.
You know, so far, the longest submersible record in the world is still 83 days set by the United States.
After the 83-day extreme submersible test, the sailors on the submarine were all carried out on stretchers.
The few people continued to move forward and spent more than an hour visiting all the facilities on the submarine.
And Chen Nian also felt more deeply the power of the submarine that he could say he had built with his own hands.
It's like a mountain.
A mountain that is always buried under water, but ready to topple over the enemy at any time.
One day later, on July 1, 2010, on this special day, the 096-class strategic nuclear submarine was officially launched.
Next, it will also undergo short-term outfitting work.
It will take some time before it truly becomes combat effective.
There is no doubt that it will subvert everyone's imagination of "submarine".
This is another miracle in the history of human ship engineering, and it is also the pinnacle of real violent aesthetics after the Typhoon class.
Huge, cold, and depressing.
But it breeds a unique and overwhelming destructive power in this world.
And when the news was released, the whole world trembled for it.
(End of chapter)
