RPAGF #408 - Z-5 test flight combined brigade breaks through limits
#408 - Z-5 test flight combined brigade breaks through limits
In the blink of an eye, it was June.
Ren Zhong received another invitation to observe the first test flight of a heavyweight product.
The Zhi-5 helicopter, based on the UH-1 Huey helicopter, had taken shape!
The biggest challenge was solving the imitation of the T53-L-13 turboshaft engine. Because it was the first time working with such a turboshaft engine, a lot of time was wasted on selecting and testing blade materials to overcome these problems. Finally, three months after the completion of the production of other parts, Liming Power finally produced four turboshaft engines.
The T53-L-13 turboshaft engine has 1400 shaft horsepower, which is obviously sufficient for this light helicopter weighing just over 4 tons.
Although it is smaller than the 1770 horsepower of the Piston-7 air-cooled radial 14-cylinder piston engine used by the Zhi-5 helicopter in the main world's timeline, the speed and ceiling are similar. The old Zhi-5 had a load capacity of only 1.2 tons, while the UH-1's load capacity reached 1.75 tons. The old Zhi-5 had a maximum speed of 210 kilometers per hour (at an altitude of 0-1000 meters), while the UH-1 had a maximum speed of 207 kilometers per hour.
In terms of maximum range, the old Zhi-5 was 520 kilometers, while the UH-1 had a maximum range of 493 kilometers.
It can be said that they are on par, but in terms of reliability, the T53-L-13 turboshaft engine is obviously far superior to the Piston-7 air-cooled radial 14-cylinder piston engine.
The Maozi Mi-4 helicopter itself followed the idea of 'powerful brute force.' When we introduced this helicopter for production in the historical timeline of the main world, we couldn't even guarantee the basic quality of spare parts, which led to all the early Zhi-5s being unqualified!
This history is simply unbearable to look back on.
Of course, the reason is well known, in that special era.
Now, based on the UH-1, Ren Zhong felt that there was no major difference from the original version at first glance.
Because it was the first helicopter produced, the research team basically respected the original design, so they were pursuing originality!
The Zhi-5 produced according to this idea is almost 100% identical to the UH-1. If the paint scheme is considered a design, then this is the only difference.
"Old Ren, is this the good thing you wanted to show us today?" Accompanying Ren Zhong were Li Yunlong, Ding Wei, and Kong Jie.
"That's right, this thing will soon be the killer of tanks in the steel torrent!" Ren Zhong said with a smile. Although the original intention of the UH-1 helicopter was to support small platoons, its core role was to provide the combined brigade with real air strike power!
"How do you say that?" Kong Jie looked at the helicopter and found that it was very similar to the 'air tricycle'. "I think this thing is about the same as the 'air tricycle'. How can it become a tank killer?"
Kong Jie has always been very genuine in front of these people, saying whatever he thinks.
"Old Kong, look at the size of this helicopter. It's obviously much bigger than the 'air tricycle', which means it has the ability to carry more weapons. If we produce an air-launched anti-tank rocket launcher and install it on this helicopter, as long as the aiming problem is solved, then the tank will become a target for the helicopter. Hitting low from high altitude and the ground, obviously high altitude has an absolute advantage. Not only that, the helicopter's load capacity starts at least one ton, which means it can provide a continuous supply of materials to the front line. How can these functions be compared with the 'air tricycle'?"
Ding Wei is indeed a master of strategic tactics, and he immediately saw the potential of the helicopter.
Li Yunlong stared at the helicopter and blinked, suddenly feeling that this thing was really pleasing to the eye.
So next, he didn't consider anything else at all, but secretly sent familiar team members who were assigned to the escort team to inquire about how many of these things there were.
When he heard that it was the first one, he immediately started making plans in his mind, and at the very least, he had to find a way to win the right to use this one.
After all, Li Yunlong had already seen what Ding Wei said at a glance.
Although Li Yunlong, this student, is not very reliable, he has been doing research in this direction for a long time. He listens to Ren Zhong more when it comes to the combined brigade. Old Ren has been saying that the combined brigade lacks offensive armed helicopters, and the overall combat effectiveness is much worse.
Originally, Li Yunlong didn't care, but after he got used to using the 'air tricycle', he realized that having the army's own air attack power was really great.
Not to mention attacking tanks, after all, in the current ground tank battles, the Dragon Tank II is basically crushing opponents. Just the rapid air deployment of troops to the enemy's rear is something that the pure army can never do.
Just imagine, ambushing the opponent's logistics more than 300 kilometers away, where would you have such ability before? Now that you have helicopters, it's okay. Within a range of 500 kilometers, there is almost no concept of front and rear, it's all the front line of combat!
"Old Ren, after this helicopter is finalized, you must first give my 16th Army a battalion's worth. I don't want too much, twenty-four aircraft will do." Li Yunlong said with a smile, twenty-four aircraft is just a helicopter battalion. If it were the organization of the main world on the rogue eagle's side, a division would probably be assigned a combat aviation brigade, with 40 armed helicopters and 87 various helicopters such as Black Hawks, for a total of 127 helicopters.
According to the transport capacity of the UH-1 Huey helicopter, it can just carry 24 combat squads, the size of a battalion, which can do a lot for taking out strongpoints and cutting off transportation lines in the rear.
"Don't worry, after this helicopter comes out, it will first be assigned to the navy, and the air force will wait for the second round." Ren Zhong said with a smile, "We don't have reliable means of attack in terms of anti-submarine and landing operations at sea. With helicopters, we can at least attack the opponent's heavy firepower points on the beach."
"If we add the helicopter's ability to transport and airdrop soldiers, we won't need to fix our landing sites near some ports in the future, but we can carry out landing operations anywhere, and send out special detachments to open up breakthroughs."
Li Yunlong and Ding Wei had no difficulty understanding Ren Zhong's words.
After all, since there is no need for ships to approach the coast to project troops, where can't the transport ship be parked? Even if it is several tens of kilometers away in the distant sea, what does it matter to the helicopter, it's just a matter of moments.
"Do we still need to strengthen the amphibious operations force for the navy now?" Li Yunlong was a little curious. Now that Frog Island has been taken back, there is basically no place for the navy to use its troops.
It seems that there is not so much need to establish this naval amphibious operations force.
"Our ocean fleet that goes out cannot be without land combat power, otherwise many of our overseas interests will lack the necessary means of maintenance." Ren Zhong explained, "Although we are facing small-scale local wars, we must also enter the land to solve the problem."
"In the future, the overseas opponents we face will most likely be guerrilla forces at the battalion level, or special combat methods like counter-terrorism warfare. In this case, a mixed fleet with an amphibious assault ship as its core can carry a composite battalion, which is basically enough to cope with most of the battles we will face in protecting our overseas interests in the future."
Ren Zhong spared no effort in training these older students like Li Yunlong.
He didn't hesitate to spoil some things to give them some psychological preparation.
"Are we going to fight our way out in the future?" Kong Jie didn't understand Ren Zhong's main point and asked somewhat confusedly.
"Not just in the future, I estimate we'll be going out in a few years," Ren Zhong interjected. "We're going to open up overseas markets next. In addition to selling goods, we're going to build our own raw material supply bases overseas. Without a reliable armed force, it will be difficult to protect our overseas interests. A special mixed fleet with strong combat capabilities, combined with a marine corps at the battalion level, can go to most countries in the world."
Hearing what Ren Zhong said, Li Yunlong yearned for it.
This was the real expansion of territory.
"How about we directly transform the 16th Army into a Marine Corps?"
Li Yunlong said something shocking. Indeed, after fighting the Zangnan battle, Li Yunlong knew that there would not be many opportunities to fight.
Now, the prestige of fighting India has been deeply rooted in people's hearts. Even if the Indians are still stubborn, they can only keep it in their hearts now, and they have learned many humble words.
"Don't say that, the 16th Army really has a chance to transform into a Marine Corps," Ren Zhong said. "After all, you have the longest time in forming composite battalions, and now you are the best in the army in terms of combat effectiveness. It may not be an option to use Lao Li's troops to build a new Marine Corps, but you have to fight for these things yourself."
Li Yunlong's subordinates have always had the nickname of being invincible in the world, and they can't get rid of such honor no matter who they fight!
Li Yunlong looked at Ren Zhong's magic and didn't seem to be joking, so he really wrote this matter down in his heart.
While the four were talking and laughing, the helicopter was prepared over there.
"Mr. Ren, we are about to start the experiment. Do you have any instructions here?" Professor Lu Feng, who was in charge of the helicopter team, said hurriedly.
After listening, Ren Zhong said to Professor Lu Feng: "What instructions do I have now? Everything should be done according to your experimental requirements. We will just be spectators and audiences. You should operate as you should, and don't change anything to cater to us."
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He is not an authority on helicopters. Only the members who use them on the front line know best.
"Okay, Mr. Ren, then we'll start taking off!" Professor Lu Feng said.
The propeller slowly rotated and soon became an airtight appearance.
The helicopter quickly rose from the ground and flew into the sky.
Seeing the helicopter flying higher and higher, and almost unable to see clearly, the helicopter began to descend and soon returned to its original place.
The first flight had almost no flaws. After a quick inspection, there was no need to fly the same thing again.
Next, we will test the flight speed, airborne electrical equipment unit performance, and other individual items.
Ren Zhong and Li Yunlong watched the tests again and again without any boredom, and waited for the results of the first wave of tests to come out before leaving the test site.
Judging from key indicators such as flight speed, altitude limit, and flight speed, this is already considered a mature product. Everything has achieved the expected goals. In terms of quality, this current helicopter with the largest load capacity, the longest cruise time, and the largest range perfectly achieved the expected goals.
"Lao Li, dare to sit down and try it?" Ren Zhong looked at the test indicator data, had a good idea, and said to Li Yunlong beside him.
"What's there to be afraid of? It feels much safer than a three-wheeled motorcycle in the air," Li Yunlong said with a smile, "Lao Ding, let's go up and try it."
"No, only one person can go up at a time," Ren Zhong shook his hand and stopped him. "It's still in the testing period. If something goes wrong, we can reduce our losses."
Ren Zhong made a joke, but there are indeed too many unforeseen things about the test flight model, so it is right to be cautious.
Now, Ren Zhong will definitely not have the opportunity to be among the first batch of people to go up for such experiments. As the soul figure on the scientific research front, Ren Zhong's protection level has exceeded that of most senior officials, comparable to the highest-level leaders.
Of course, if there is anything abnormal in the test indicators, Ren Zhong will not let Li Yunlong take the risk.
The quality control of the parts of this one-to-one replica of the Zhi-5 helicopter is higher than the requirements for mass production, so the quality is almost at the level of mass production. For the design of this mature model, Ren Zhong is absolutely confident. Ren Zhong is not surprised at all that he has achieved such a first test result.
After everyone had experienced it, Ding Wei and Kong Jie were silent.
For the army, the introduction of helicopters is a earth-shaking change. With this thing that ignores cliffs, mountains, and rivers, many deeply rooted tactics can now be updated.
Even if this thing cannot be equipped on a large scale to the front-line troops, even if several armies have completed the equipment of the helicopter aviation brigade, it may play a role in reversing the sea and air in local battlefields.
Even if the plan now is to install a 20mm cannon as a weapon on this helicopter, its combat capability exceeds the role of a tank.
If we really have such new weapons in the army and division-level teams in the future, we can completely use the high mobility of this special air assault team to attack the opponent's logistics and rear strategic points. It's just too convenient!
It can be said that the composite brigade is even more powerful with this thing.
Soon, not long after the helicopter test flight, this helicopter passed a detailed professional test and obtained a birth certificate. The Aviation Industry Corporation began to produce this helicopter at full capacity.
Compared to big guys like the C-47, the difficulty of producing the Zhi-5 helicopter is not high, so after the test, the speed of bursting production capacity is very fast.
As for the Marine Corps, after Li Yunlong fought for it, he really obtained the construction rights.
The higher-ups approved the construction of a traditional division in accordance with the modern Marine Corps method. Li Yunlong's 16th Army originally had 5 composite brigades, plus a mixed formation of a reorganized division. Now that the reorganized division is left outside, two of the five composite brigades will be used for the reorganization and reorganization of the Marine Corps.
A brand new army is about to be born!