(It's the last day of 2023, I wish you all a happy New Year in advance, and get rich and rich in 2024!) ）

On the deck of the take-off area of the Haixi aircraft carrier, Xu Chuan saw two electromagnetic catapults installed on the deck that had been opened, or rather, it was called an electromagnetic catapult track.

As we all know, whether it is an ordinary civil airliner or a fighter jet, aside from a very small number of helicopters and vertical take-off and landing fighters that can take off vertically, the vast majority of aircraft need to use a narrow runway to complete takeoff.

The core principle depends on the difference in air velocity between the upper and lower wings of an airplane, which is quite basic knowledge in junior high school physics.

To put it simply, when an airplane glides on the runway, the wings cut the air apart and split it into two parts, the upper and lower parts. For the sake of shape, air will travel more than under the wing in the same amount of time. So, the velocity of the air above the wing is greater than the velocity of the air underneath the wing.

According to Bernoulli's principle, the pressure of a fluid is low where the flow velocity is high and the pressure is strong where the flow velocity is small.

The air pressure under the wing is stronger than the air pressure above, and the pressure difference between the top and bottom of the wing is generated, and the pressure difference produces the upward pressure difference, which is the lift of the aircraft, and when the lift is greater than the gravity of the aircraft, the aircraft can take off.

This is also the reason why airplanes need to reach a certain speed in order to take off.

On land, this acceleration step can be done by building a runway of several kilometers of meters.

However, on a ship like an aircraft carrier, which is not very large in size, how to make a fighter have a take-off speed that is sufficient to lift off into the air and not fall into the sea is a key indicator.

To this end, early engineers devised catapults that helped carrier-based aircraft take off.

The original catapult was somewhat similar to the 'slingshot' that was handed down in the hands of rural children in the early years, and used the catapult spring, tractor, ejection cylinder and other equipment to form a fly-assisted catapult.

When this fly-up catapult is stretched to the maximum, it is like a 'slingshot' full of power, and the carrier-based aircraft will be accelerated to a very high speed like a stone in the slingshot after returning to its position.

Then, in the history of the development of aircraft carriers, with the sharp increase in the weight and take-off speed of carrier-based aircraft, in addition to this mechanical catapult, many other types of catapults have also appeared.

For example, compressed air, gunpowder, rocket, electric, hydraulic, steam and so on.

However, in addition to the steam catapult, other forms of catapults have been gradually eliminated due to the limitation of safety or catapult energy, which restricts the development and use of carrier-based aircraft.

And in the 21st century, the shortcomings of steam catapults have gradually been exposed with the development of carrier-based aircraft and aircraft carriers.

For example, it has high requirements for the structure and weight of the aircraft carrier, requires a large steam generator and a complex piping system, and the take-off speed and acceleration are difficult to accurately control, which will cause the aircraft to be subjected to excessive stress during take-off, increasing the wear and tear of the fuselage and the risk to the pilot, etc., all of which limit its development.

As an electromagnetic catapult born in the new era, it has the advantages of precise control, high take-off efficiency and ability, which makes up for the shortcomings and shortcomings of the steam catapult.

In fact, the electromagnetic catapult is not a new concept, as early as the 40 years of the 20th century, the United States Navy used induction motor design technology to build linear motors and catapult tests on aircraft.

However, due to the difficult R&D problems in terms of R&D costs, energy supply, and power reserves, electromagnetic catapults are still not a mature technology.

In this regard, China is at the forefront of the world, and it can even be said that it is the first in the world.

Although the Hercy is the first aircraft carrier to use electromagnetic catapult technology, the relevant technology is mature enough.

The reason for this is, of course, the first mature controlled nuclear fusion technology.

Its ultra-high temperature plasma turbulence control technology not only involves top mathematical models, but also the development and application of superconducting materials.

Whether it is high-temperature copper-carbon-silver composite superconducting materials or improved superconductors, they have greatly enhanced and made up for Huaguo's shortcomings in this field.

The rated power of the improved superconducting coil energy storage core applied to the Haixi electromagnetic catapult reaches more than 50 megawatts, which is more than 200-300 times that of the most advanced electromagnetic catapult energy storage equipment on the market.

Its powerful output function, combined with high-power power control equipment, microcomputer industrial control system, linear induction motor and other technologies, can catapult the carrier-based aircraft in a shorter time with shorter acceleration distance and faster acceleration.

Combined with the Huaxing fusion reactor deployed on the Haixi, under the condition of extreme load, it can complete a cycle of energy within 20 seconds and launch a carrier-based aircraft into the sky.

Of course, this is only a theoretical speed, in practice you also need to take into account the fact that carrier-based aircraft move on the aircraft carrier, prepare and other aspects of work, far from such a high efficiency.

But there is no doubt that it has surpassed the electromagnetic catapult technology on the current state-of-the-art Ford, and is worthy of the name of a great power.

On the deck of the Haixi, Xu Chuan listened to Ouyang Zhen's introduction and looked thoughtfully at the electromagnetic catapult track in front of him.

The use of electromagnetic catapults is actually the same as electromagnetic guns, and its core is the use of electromagnetic fields, and the principle is based on electromagnetic induction and the action of Lorentz force.

From a combat point of view, this is part of the 'attack'.

However, if there is an attack, there must be defense, and the use of electromagnetic fields in defense is not unenvisaged.

For example, electromagnetic deflection shields.

Theoretically, the construction of an electromagnetic shield can be described in one sentence: "That is: through high-power capacitors, a powerful magnetic field is formed on the armor, which interferes, deflects and even paralyzes objects flying at high speeds." ”

But in reality, it is even more difficult to form a set of electromagnetic deflection shields that can interfere with high-speed flying objects than it is to control ultra-high temperature plasma in the chamber of a controlled nuclear fusion reactor.

The device in this science fiction work, through high-power capacitors, forms a powerful magnetic field on the armor, which jams, deflects and even spreads out incoming shells and missiles. Its core also belongs to the application of electromagnetic fields.

It's just that in terms of difficulty, the latter is much greater than the first two.

So much so that there is no detailed and perfect theory until now.

Of course, this is talking about the perfect and powerful electromagnetic deflection shield in science fiction, and as for the use of weaker electromagnetic field shields, it is not without it.

For example, in the fleet of a certain country's president, there is a special electronic jamming vehicle.

Netizens like to call it the 'watchtower', and in addition to being equipped with huge vertical antennas and satellite receivers, the car also has various radars and jammers.

The former can detect distant projectiles, smoke, gases and sound waves, while the latter can create a powerful interfering magnetic field that can cover the frequency range from 0.01 to 20,000 MHz, thus preventing unscrupulous people from planting remote-controlled bombs on the way of the convoy.

From a physical point of view, this is also an electromagnetic shield.

It's just that it's not as functional as in science fiction.

For Xu Chuan, when he first completed the mathematical model and control system of high-temperature plasma turbulence, he once thought of forming a structure similar to a 'magnetic field shield' by controlling the 'ultra-high-temperature plasma', but he gave up after a period of research.

The first is that his focus was on controlled nuclear fusion technology at that time, and the second is that it is too difficult to realize this kind of shield.

However, now seeing the electromagnetic acceleration orbit on the Haixi aircraft carrier, Xu Chuan couldn't help but think about the use of electromagnetic fields.

It is impossible to achieve the kind of 'brilliant and gorgeous' shield in science fiction movies with the current technology of human technology, even if he has stood at the highest peak of the current physics world, he cannot think of any possibility to achieve that kind of shield.

Unless there is a tech explosion two or three more times.

But this does not mean that it is not possible to create a layer of 'field' on the surface of an object by using electromagnetic fields and high-density plasma to counteract some technologies such as interstellar dust, space radiation, and fine meteorites.

Plasma also doesn't have to be in a controlled fusion reactor to be achieved and controlled.

If he really wants to do it, he still has a way.

For example, the plasma generator is used to generate plasma, and at low temperatures, high energy is provided in the form of high frequency and high voltage through the power supply, and then the gas medium is activated through gap discharge or surface discharge, so that it ionizes to form a plasma field.

Theoretically, this is also a way to compose the plasma field outside the object.

However, the plasma field formed in this way is difficult to sustain for a long time, and how to form a covering field is also a key problem.

It is like an inertial magnetic contract, another route of controlled nuclear fusion technology, which realizes the intermittent nature of high-temperature plasma through continuous laser ignition.

"But overall, is it really possible for this plasma field to do it?"

Thinking about it, Xu Chuan couldn't help but mutter. The voice was not loud, but Ouyang Zhen's ears on the side were very sensitive, he quickly turned his head to look at it, and asked curiously, "Plasma field?" What do you mean? ”

Hearing the voice, Xu Chuan came back to his senses, smiled embarrassedly, and said, "I'm sorry, I just thought of something else." ”

Ouyang Zhen had some curiosity in his eyes, and said with a smile: "It's okay, it's okay, I'm more curious about the plasma field you just said, what is it and what new technology?" Can you tell us about it? ”

As the head of the Naval Armament Department, he is naturally very sensitive to this type of terminology.

The plasma field, if he understood correctly, might have something to do with the kind of thing that was circulating, especially when it came out of the mouth of the person in front of him, which couldn't help but make him more interested.

On the one hand, it was a greeting from the superiors, and on the other hand, after knowing that the other party was interested in the aircraft carrier, he wanted to see if the other party could help improve and improve some science and technology in related fields on the aircraft carrier.

For example, the electromagnetic catapult, its two cores are improved and optimized after the breakthrough of this research achievement.

Compared to their own expert professors, this person obviously knows the performance and data of these things better, and a casual mention may save them a lot of time and effort for subsequent optimization improvements.

Shaking his head slightly, Xu Chuan smiled: "It's not a very mature idea at all, if you can do it in the future, you will definitely know." ”

For him, to stand at the height and status he is today, it is necessary to be cautious in his words and deeds, at least in science-related fields.

Those ideas and ideas that are not very mature, just know it yourself. Speaking out may interfere with other people's research.

Just like the Naval Equipment Department, it is obvious that he is interested in the technology and ideas in his hands, and this is about to be put on this Ouyang Zhen's face.

If he could, he wouldn't mind cooperating in research and development.

But now we can't even determine the feasibility and theoretical basis, so let's stop tossing around and study it yourself.

And more importantly, judging from the current level of human science and technology, even if this technology can be achieved, its prospect is probably not in military use, but in the exploration and development of outer space.

On the side, a trace of regret flashed on Ou Zhen's face, and then he said with a smile: "The research and development capabilities of the Naval Equipment Department are still very strong, and Academician Xu can also cooperate if necessary." ”

Xu Chuan nodded with a smile and said, "If necessary." ”

After briefly going through the relevant thoughts and ideas in his heart, Xu Chuan recorded these things, and followed Ouyang Zhen to browse on the aircraft carrier, satisfying the curiosity in his heart.

Of course, some places that can help optimize some equipment or materials, he also gave Ouyang Zhen unreservedly, although it may not play a big role.

After staying in Jiangnan Shipyard for a day, in addition to participating in the launching and naming ceremony and tour of the Haixi in the morning, Xu Chuan found Academician Zheng Yuanhang, the chief designer of Jiangnan Shipyard, and chatted for a long time in the afternoon.

Mainly for some developments and future of intelligent industrial projects, he understands in detail.

It is not a shame to learn from the old factories with mature technology, especially in industrial development, and it is possible to save a lot of time and money if the Xinghai Research Institute takes this route in the future.

In the evening, after politely declining the invitation to the dinner at the Jiangnan Shipyard, Xu Chuan took the high-speed train from the magic capital Chongming Island back to Jinling.

The manufacturing and assembly of the space shuttle has entered the final stage, and according to estimates, in another week or so, the spacecraft, which cost more than 1.5 billion RMB, will be officially completed.

At this critical juncture, he naturally wants to return to the Xinghai Research Institute to preside over the overall situation.

PS: It's the last day of 2023, I wish you all a happy new year! Tomorrow on New Year's Day, I will give you a blast!