Launch a devastating bombardment on the enemy fleet outside the range of its gunfire!
It was this sentence in Lu Rende's report that attracted Cheng Bichen's attention and made him change his plan temporarily.
As a naval commander, and a naval commander who won the South Pacific naval battle with inferior forces, the fleet commander knew very well how he won the last war.
It's technology!
It was his absolute technical advantage that enabled him to win the naval battle.
Because of this, he has always paid great attention to technological innovation, and of course, he is also one of the supporters of the dreadnought.
The Imperial Navy is indeed a beneficiary of the technological dividend, and even has a certain dependence on technological change, which is path dependence!
In fact, this is the biggest feature of the imperial military and enterprises. They attach great importance to the research and development of technology because they have all enjoyed the benefits of technology. Businessmen believe that technological innovation can bring them wealth, while soldiers believe that technological innovation can help them win the war.
Over the years, the Imperial Army, which has been victorious time and again through technological leadership, has kept one eye on war practice and the other on new technologies, and has been extremely sensitive to accepting new technologies.
“If you want to do your work well, you must first sharpen your tools.”
The imperial military generals had never doubted this. That was why Cheng Bichen immediately changed his plan after seeing Lu Rende's report.
The dreadnought may be powerful, but it is a warship that has already been launched and a technology that has been put into practical use. Even if it is leading, it is only temporary. Even if the dreadnought is the soul of the navy's future and the guarantee of victory in naval battles, but... so what?
Even if he arrived a day later, the dreadnought would not have escaped, but the young officer in front of him brought him a completely new concept.
Cheng Bichen made his choice because of his sensitivity to new technologies.
Even if his idea was impossible, it was no big deal.
It's just a delay of a few hours, the dreadnought can't escape!
"Take off from a ship, um, like a helicarrier?"
Cheng Bichen asked.
The helicarrier is an original creation of the Empire. In fact, it is just a converted cargo ship. It can carry four small combat airships. It can provide air cover for the fleet during naval battles and prevent the fleet from being attacked by airships.
"Almost the same, but completely different, because aircraft need a deck to take off, and an aircraft carrier can carry up to twenty aircraft. After they take off from the ship, they can not only provide air cover for the fleet to prevent airship attacks, but more importantly, they can attack warships."
In fact, the aerospace forces have long tried to attack warships with air power, but the airships carried by the aerospace carriers are not suitable for this task because the combat airships have too small a carrying capacity and the large airships are too large.
"Twenty planes! They can actually carry that many!"
"It could even reach thirty! And each plane, in addition to having a machine gun, can also carry a 250-kilogram bomb and fly 300 kilometers. Sir, do you know what this means?"
what does that mean?
Cheng Bichen smiled and motioned for him to continue.
Taking a deep breath, Lu Rende continued.
"The dreadnought is indeed powerful, but sir, the range of the dreadnought's cannon is less than 30 kilometers, but our planes can carry 250 kilograms of bombs and bomb them from 100 kilometers away, sir. If we build an aircraft carrier, it will definitely play a role in the unexpected in naval battles, sir."
When Lu Rende made this suggestion, Cheng Bichen's adjutant walked into the room with a tray of porcelain cups and a teapot to match the cups. He heard Cheng Bichen say to him:
"...You've got the point. This is its greatest advantage. Even the most powerful naval guns have a range of only 30 kilometers. Even if our technology is more advanced and the firing angle is increased, the maximum range is only 40 kilometers. Indeed, just as you said, this will greatly increase our advantage. It will definitely play a role of surprise in naval battles."
Being praised always makes one happy, and Lu Rende is no exception. He smiled and nodded. When the adjutant served the tea and left, Cheng Bichen gestured to the cup, and then picked up the cup himself.
"My only question is, can the plane take off from the ship? Or, what should we do? I don't know much about planes, or even how they fly, so I hope you can explain it to me."
"Sir, this is very simple. It needs a runway, wings, and an engine. The forward traction generated by the rotation of the propeller driven by the power of the engine..."
Then Lu Rende explained the operating principle of the aircraft. Of course, it was just a simple explanation. Although it was simple, Cheng Bichen still understood it.
"So it needs a platform and then glides to take off? It's similar to a glider, but a glider is towed by a car, while an airplane has its own engine."
Gliders are very common in the empire now. Not only are there many university-related clubs, but even several universities have begun to organize glider competitions. As a sport, it is becoming popular in the empire in an unprecedented way.
"Yes, that's about it. As long as there is a runway of about 100 meters, it can fly..."
Nodding, Lu Rende explained.
"We have existing ships that can be used to conduct experiments in this area."
"A ready-made ship?"
"Yes, it is the Shenzhou-class immigration ship. On the right side of the ship is a deck that is more than 150 meters long and more than 20 meters wide. If the side railings are removed, it will be the most suitable takeoff platform. It doesn't even need any modification."
"Oh? The Shenzhou-class immigration ship is OK, right? Hmm..."
After thinking about it, Cheng Bichen said.
"So what do you need me to do?"
Looking at the officer in front of him, Lu Rende took a deep breath and said,
"I hope you can requisition that ship, um, temporarily, so that we can conduct take-off and landing tests. Commander Cheng, you must believe me, when the aircraft carrier appears, it will definitely change the war!"
Just before leaving, Lu Rende kept repeating his views.
"It will definitely change the war, Commander Cheng. I guarantee it with my head..."
“You don’t need to use your brain to guarantee it. Whether you succeed or fail, you must first have the courage to try.”
Cheng Bichen patted his shoulder.
"Don't worry about it. Just sort out the report first.
There are always some details to consider before we start trying. For example, the details of the plane taking off and landing on the ship, these are not understood by me, but you are definitely a professional, you have to figure all these out first. "
After thinking for a while, he continued.
"Also, the 903rd Unit is a confidential unit, including your aircraft. Regarding the issue of the aircraft boarding the ship, well, I can go and coordinate with the Army Department, but we also have to consider various reasons such as confidentiality. Of course, there is also the requisition of uploads, and we also need to find a suitable reason. But I will handle these issues, and your task now is to study the issue of the aircraft boarding the ship..."
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