Chapter 257: Watching Movies and Doing Scientific Research
Xiao Peng opened a cabin and held up a camera. "Look at this real gem, the biggest treasure on this ship: our country's operational manned submersible, commonly known as the HOV. This is the 'Deep Sea Warrior.' I haven't used it yet for a simple reason: it's more expensive. A single trip costs over 100,000 euros! Even I have to consider the cost, and I wouldn't use it unless it was crucial."
"Anyone familiar with our country's deep-sea diving history will surely know that, in addition to the new machine currently in production, our country has a total of three deep-sea submersibles. The first is the 'Jiaolong', which set a 7,000-meter diving record. Then there is this 'Deep Sea Warrior', with a maximum diving depth of 4,500 meters. The third is the 'Struggler', which set a 10,000-meter diving record. Many people don't understand why our country would develop a 4,500-meter 'Deep Sea Warrior' when we already have the 7,000-meter 'Jiaolong'. Well, I can answer everyone now. In my eyes, the most impressive of our three deep-sea submersibles is probably this 'Deep Sea Warrior'! It will also probably be the HOV with the heaviest workload in the future! Let me say this here: the new 'Jiaolong' and 'Deep Sea Warrior' are currently being produced in China. If my financial situation allows in the future, I will buy the 'Deep Sea Warrior' for my own use!"
After hearing Xiao Peng's words, the barrage started to scroll frantically.
"If you have the guts, buy the 'Struggler'! What are you bragging about?"
"This dive is clearly the shallowest, so what's so great about it?"
"Damn, am I the only one shocked he's buying this? This thing must be worth hundreds of millions, right?"
"My husband has always been so generous!"
"Husband, I care about what gift to give today!"
Xiao Peng looked at the comments and shook his head. "Let me explain to you all what makes the 'Deep Sea Warrior' so great. First, let's answer your first question: Why did we develop a 'Deep Sea Warrior' with a 4,500-meter dive capability after we already had the 'Jiaolong', which can dive to 7,000 meters? I can tell you that if it weren't for the 'Deep Sea Warrior', we probably wouldn't have the 'Struggler' today, which can dive to 10,000 meters."
"First, let's talk about the Jiaolong. As China's first operational manned submersible, the Jiaolong was a learning experience for the Chinese people. It was produced through a combination of 'independent design and inherited innovation,' and many of its key components utilize foreign technology. For example, when the Jiaolong was first developed, domestic titanium alloy production was limited, and the titanium alloy for the Jiaolong's spherical shell had to be researched and manufactured in collaboration with foreign countries. This production process was both a learning process and a research and development process. Once the Jiaolong's spherical shell was completed, domestic titanium alloy production levels also improved, and further innovations were made based on foreign technology. The titanium alloys used in the spherical shells of the subsequent Deep Sea Warrior and Striver were all domestically modified titanium alloys. The Striver's ability to dive to 10,000 meters is directly related to this modified titanium alloy. Even more impressive is that the localization rate for both the Deep Sea Warrior and Striver exceeds 95%, and their operating costs have been greatly reduced."
"Some people might say, 'Oh, so the Deep Sea Warrior is just a transitional vehicle, no big deal, just a test of localization and a precursor to the development of the Striver.' If anyone thinks that, I can only say you're completely wrong!"
Xiao Peng took out a cigarette and prepared to light it, but then thought it wouldn't be a good idea to light a cigarette during a live broadcast. He coughed dryly twice, put the cigarette aside, and continued, "The environment at different depths of the seabed is different. Different depths of the seabed have different mineral resources and species. If you use the 'Struggler' to dive here, it would be like 'killing a chicken with a butcher's knife', which would increase costs in vain. Therefore, the correct R&D routine is 'genealogical development'. In addition to the 4,500-meter dive, it would be best to develop 3,000-meter and 1,000-meter dives to adapt to different sea conditions... Why do I say that the 'Deep Sea Warrior' will probably be the one with the most work and the heaviest workload in the future? The reason is simple. The 4,500-meter diving depth of the 'Deep Sea Warrior' can cover most of our country's territorial waters, while the 'Struggler' and 'Jiaolong' can go to farther and deeper oceans to perform scientific research missions. The 'Deep Sea Warrior' can be used to solve domestic problems."
Xiao Peng smiled and said, "Don't look down on this 'Deep Sea Warrior'. It has a technology that's unique in the world! You all know that the tighter the seal, the better the pressure resistance. Every hole carries the risk of a leak due to a poor seal. That's why manned submersibles in the world that can reach depths below 3,000 meters have, at most, three observation holes. Look at how many the 'Deep Sea Warrior' has? Five! That's a sign of confidence! A depth of 4,500 meters is sufficient in most situations. Now, I feel like my 'Super Box Jellyfish' ROV is a little inadequate... Let me tell you a joke, but do you know how our country produces these world-class working manned submersibles?"
Xiao Peng was at a loss for words as he watched the various answers on the comment board. He simply explained, "Our country has always been technologically blocked by Western countries, so we basically have to rely on our own research for everything. For example, the development of our country's first-generation nuclear submarines was actually based on a submarine model that a diplomat bought from the United States. Can you believe it?"
"You're just bragging, right?"
"Developing a submarine based on a toy model? That's unbelievable!"
"You're still young, this is all true! When we were developing nuclear submarines, we had no technology. We designed our country's nuclear submarine based on an American toy model."
Xiao Peng looked at the comments and shook his head. "Let me tell you something even more incredible. In 1986, how deep could our country's most advanced deep-diving submarine dive? Only 600 meters! Although the country has always wanted to develop a manned submersible, the technology was lacking. At that time, China couldn't even produce a single ROV! Even so, they never gave up on the development of submersibles!"
"It wasn't until 1997 that a movie came out, the famous love movie "Titanic." After seeing it, Xu Qinan, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering at the time, used it as a textbook for the Chinese manned deep-sea submersible research team! Without this movie, we might not even have our own HOV today! Friends who watch my live broadcast, stop chasing this star and that star. The beautiful women and handsome boys you admire are far inferior to these scientists! These scientists are the backbone of our country!"
"Okay, I've introduced you to the ship today. Why am I doing this livestream? To tell you we'll be heading to Palermo tomorrow to resupply and rest for a while. When we come back next time," Xiao Peng patted the Deep Sea Warrior. "I'll take this guy down to find a shipwreck and show you what the deep sea is like!"
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