Chapter 1506 Take-off and Landing Tests Ahead of Time

a few days later.

An early winter morning in Bohai Bay.

The huge steel body of the Liaosheng aircraft carrier cut through the calm sea, leaving a white trail stretching for several kilometers.

The 14° ski-jump deck at the bow pierced through the mist, like a giant beast awakening and lifting a veil covering its body.

The double-sided radar antenna on top of the island slowly rotated, making an almost inaudible buzzing sound.

This is the tenth sea trial of China's first aircraft carrier after its launch, and it is also the last comprehensive test before it is officially put into service.

Inside the bridge, Captain Colonel Zhang Zheng put his hands behind his back and scanned the vast sea in front of him on the right with a sharp gaze.

He is forty-six years old this year. He started out as a frigate captain and has more than twenty years of sailing experience.

But commanding a giant ship of more than 60,000 tons still made him feel that the burden on his shoulders was heavier than ever before.

According to the plan, the Liao Province will be incorporated into the combat sequence at the end of next month, allowing the Chinese Navy to completely bid farewell to its history of not having an aircraft carrier.

It will also replace the 2.8-ton Viraat and become the largest warship in Asia.

In fact, whether in public or internal occasions, the Navy rarely lists its Indian counterparts as its benchmark.

I can't afford to lose this person.

But on the other hand, we have to admit that for quite a long time, India was indeed the only country in Asia with experience in operating aircraft carriers.

To say that I have no thoughts at all about this current situation would be deceiving myself.

And now, the day to hold our heads high is finally approaching.

"Report to the Captain."

The voice of Chief Engineer Wang Haifeng came from the communicator, breaking the captain's somewhat rambling thoughts.

"The engine system has been inspected, the boiler and steam turbine are in good working condition and can deliver maximum power at any time."

Zhang Zheng nodded slightly:

"Continue to monitor, especially the pressure and vibration of the high-pressure steam pipeline, and report to me at any time if there is any situation."

Before being selected to board the Liaosheng, the chief engineer was specially arranged to study for a period of time on the Hangcheng destroyer, which also used steam turbines as its power.

But the size of the two ships differs by nearly ten times, so it is obviously impossible to make a simple analogy.

"The navigation department reports that the navigation system, communication system and weather radar are all normal."

The navigation captain's voice was heard immediately afterwards.

Zhang Zheng turned his gaze to the weapon platform on the right side of the bow, and at the same time switched the communication channel to the person in charge of the weapons system:

"Anti-aircraft missiles and close-in defense systems?"

The water director's voice was mixed with the sound of the wind and was not as clear as the previous two:

"The Hongqi-10 air defense missile system has completed simulated locking and launch tests, and the radar tracking system of the 1130 close-in defense gun has been calibrated. The reaction time has been shortened by almost half a second compared to the last sea trial."

These routine reports did not cause any emotional fluctuations in Zhang Zheng.

As an experienced captain, he knew these systems like the back of his hand.

What really concerned him was the aviation operation systems that were relatively unfamiliar to him, or the entire Chinese Navy.

It is also the key to determining whether the Liaosheng can truly become a combat aircraft carrier.

"Captain, report the situation."

Zhang Zheng turned to Colonel Lin Zhiyuan who was standing beside him.

The latter task is relatively complex, so reports are made in person during each sea trial.

Lin Zhiyuan opened the checklist in his hand:

"Captain, the aircraft elevator and ammunition elevator have completed 100 load tests without any jamming. The electromagnetic resistance module of the arresting cable has undergone 50 simulated force tests, and the maximum buffering energy has reached 120% of the design standard. The Fresnel lens optical landing system of the landing aid system has completed dynamic calibration at sea, and the laser rangefinder has an accuracy of ±0.1 meters."

Zhang Zheng noticed that Lin Zhiyuan paused:

"anything else?"

"The aviation fuel storage system has completed pressure testing, and all valves and pipes are well sealed; the environmental control systems of the ammunition depot and hangar are operating normally, with the temperature maintained at 18±2°C, the humidity at 45%±5%, and the salt spray content and acidity indicators both exceeding the national military standards." Lin Zhiyuan continued to report, "We and the shipyard technicians conducted two rounds of inspections respectively, and all inert simulated bombs were disassembled and verified, and no structural corrosion or circuit failure problems were found."

For an aircraft carrier that has already been in service, many of its parts should actually be inspected and maintained by the aviation operations department.

But they are still in the sea trial stage after all, and all parts that belong to "ship equipment" are related to the chief steward.

Only then did Zhang Zheng's tense brows relax slightly.

The Liao Province will conduct its first carrier-based aircraft take-off and landing test immediately after entering service, with almost no time window for adjustment.

Any minor problem could lead to the postponement of this historic moment.

"very good……"

At this moment, a burst of hurried footsteps sounded from outside the bridge, interrupting the captain's instructions.

Soon, a middle-aged man in blue work clothes and black-framed glasses appeared at the cabin door.

He is Director Guo Chunyu, the ship's representative from the Aviation Industry Aerodynamics Research Institute.

"After you go back, discuss the relevant work with the chief engineer..."

The captain motioned Lin Zhiyuan to leave, then turned to the door:

"Please come in, Director Guo."

"Captain Zhang, excuse me." Guo Chunyu's voice was gentle but professional. "Our atmospheric sensor arrays have been installed and we can start measuring the airflow field of the actual ship at sea."

Zhang Zheng turned his head and looked out the window on the other side, and saw that there were now dozens of whip-shaped sensors erected on the originally flat flight deck, with a group approximately every 15 meters, making this simple-looking giant ship look like a hedgehog with its hair blown up.

Apart from the mast, most surface ships do not pay special attention to the fluid dynamics design, but aircraft carriers have to consider the issue of aircraft takeoff and landing.

Especially during high-speed navigation, the asymmetric deck design often leads to extremely irregular deck winds. In addition, the carrier-based aircraft do not land parallel to the ship's course, which undoubtedly makes the situation more complicated.

Guo Chunyu and his team are trying to solve this problem.

"I saw it, Director Guo."

Zhang Zheng nodded, then picked up the ship's communicator and gave the order according to the plan that had been prepared in advance:

"Attention, all departments. Increase engine power, change course to 180 degrees, sail against the wind at maximum speed, and prepare to cooperate with airflow field measurements..."

"..."

As the order was issued, the heads of various departments quickly returned to their respective posts.

The bridge soon became busy.

"Director Guo, can this data be processed before the commissioning ceremony?"

Zhang Zheng asked in a low voice, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the console.

Guo Chunyu pushed his glasses and replied, "Please rest assured, Captain Zhang. This project is currently the highest priority for our institute. As long as there is no extreme weather or other accidents, it will definitely be completed within the deadline."

Perhaps seeing the doubts in the other party's eyes, Guo Chunyu immediately added:

"According to the national military standard, the measurement of the airflow field on a real ship is only a supplementary verification of CFD simulation and wind tunnel testing, and is not a necessary condition for the take-off and landing of carrier-based aircraft... In fact, even naval powers such as the United States and Russia have only conducted similar measurements on some aircraft carriers, while the French Navy and the British Navy have never even conducted comprehensive airflow field tests."

"I know the standard requirements." Zhang Zheng's eyes turned back to the gradually accelerating waves outside the window, "But Liaosheng is our first aircraft carrier. I hope it can complete the preparations for the take-off and landing of carrier-based aircraft with specifications higher than the standard..."

The captain held the command desk in front of him with his right hand, exerting more and more force:

"After all, history will remember every detail of us."

Guo Chunyu was stunned for a moment, then nodded solemnly:

"it is good."

At this time, the door of the bridge was suddenly opened again.

This time, the person who came in was the ship's political commissar, Colonel Mei Wen, holding a document in his hand and with a slightly solemn expression.

Seeing this, Guo Chunyu immediately turned around and tried to avoid it.

It just so happened that he was about to return to the deck to personally organize the entire data measurement process.

But before he could take a step, the other party reached out to stop him.

"Director Guo, please stay for now."

Mei Wen said as he quickly walked to the command desk and handed the document in his hand to the captain:

"The communications department just received an order requiring us to complete a report on the readiness of the entire ship as soon as possible. It also said that if conditions permit, the superiors are considering conducting carrier-based aircraft take-off and landing tests in advance."

The latter took the document and raised his eyebrows slightly:

"In advance? But hasn't the time for the induction ceremony been determined?"

The commissioning of an aircraft carrier is no different from that of an ordinary destroyer or frigate; it is a major event that will be attended by high-level leaders.

"The ceremony time is not convenient, so the take-off and landing test may be changed to before the commissioning." The political commissar explained, "Considering that this is the tenth sea trial, from a technical point of view, it is equivalent to just changing the process... But after we return to the port this time, we may only have a few days of rest time."

Zhang Zheng quickly browsed the file, thought for a moment and replied:

"The sea trials are relatively short and have been conducted in the coastal area. Both the ship and the crew are far from being fatigued. I believe in the level and determination of our comrades."

After saying that, he looked up at Guo Chunyu:

"Director Guo, please look at the airflow data..."

"I understand the situation." Guo Chunyu responded immediately, "If it is really necessary to advance, I can apply for additional computing resources to speed up data processing."