This is how the Chinese nuclear submarine started
Chen Zhijun, Luo Xiaoming, Chen Jinnan
On July 1, 2018, Chen Zhijun wrote an article entitled "The Road Traveled to Develop Nuclear Submarines in the Fifties", which was published in the "Memorandum on China's Nuclear Submarine Engineering" [1] and [2]. In order to delve into the spirit of nuclear submarines, we cooperated in revising and editing the article, Luo Xiaoming provided references [3], [4] and photos, and Chen Jinnan was responsible for editing and added references and photos.
1. China must develop nuclear submarines
After the founding of New China, the CPC Central Committee and Chairman Mao decided that within a few decades, efforts would be made to change the backward state of the mainland in terms of economy, science, and culture and to rapidly reach the world's advanced level. On January 25, 1956, Chairman Mao Zedong proposed at the Supreme State Council: "The people of the mainland should have a far-sighted plan, and strive to change the backward economic, scientific, and cultural situation of the mainland within a few decades, and quickly reach the advanced level in the world." Five days later, at the Second Plenary Session of the Second National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Premier Zhou Enlai loudly issued the slogan of "marching towards modern science and technology." He also specifically demanded that the State Development Planning Commission, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and relevant departments draw up a long-term plan for the development of science and technology from 1956 to 1967 by April.
In October 1954, Zhou Enlai and Mikoyan signed the text of the agreement on the construction of construction projects in China by the Soviet Union.
In August 1958, Zhou Enlai, Chen Yi and He Long accompanied foreign guests to visit the China Institute of Atomic Energy for a photo.
With regard to the general principles and requirements of this plan, Premier Zhou also gave clear instructions: "The starting point of this long-term plan is to introduce the most advanced achievements in the world's science to the mainland as quickly as possible in accordance with the needs and possibilities, to replenish as quickly as possible the categories that are most in short supply and most needed in the mainland's scientific undertakings, to arrange and plan our scientific research work in accordance with the existing achievements in the world's science, and to strive to bring the most urgently needed scientific departments on the mainland close to the world's advanced level by the end of the third five-year plan period." 。
In order to formulate this long-term plan, the CPC Central Committee decided to set up a science and technology planning committee under the leadership of Premier Zhou Enlai and Vice Premiers Chen Yi and Li Fuchun, and organized hundreds of scientific and technological experts from all over the country to formulate the "Outline of the Long-Range Plan for the Development of Science and Technology from 1956 to 1967 (Draft)" after repeated studies, put forward the scientific and technological development guidelines of "focusing on development and catching up" and "leading disciplines with tasks", and determined "the study of atomic energy as a military power reactor" and 57 other important scientific research tasks.
On June 27, 1958, Nie Rongzhen reported the "Report on the Development of Missile Atomic Submarines" to "Comrade Dehuai, the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Newspaper, and the Central Committee." On June 28, 1958, the day after the report was submitted for review, Premier Zhou gave the following instructions on the report: "Comrade Xiaoping is requested to review it and submit it to the Standing Committee of the Central Political Committee for approval, and withdraw from the office." The next day, General Secretary Deng Xiaoping carefully reviewed the report and instructed: "I plan to agree." Chairman, Mr. Lin, and Peng Zhen retreated after reading. And the word "good thing" was added to the "October 1 launch". Chairman Mao and Mr. Peng also immediately read the report. In this way, an important cutting-edge technology project that has a bearing on the overall situation of naval construction and the overall situation of national defense modernization has been decided.
Marshal Nie Rongzhen
Nie Rongzhen's report on June 27, 1958 on the issue of proposing the mainland to develop nuclear submarines, and the silhouette of Premier Zhou Enlai's reply on June 28 (selected from "Nie Rongzhen's Biography" [5]).
After the report was approved, the nuclear submarine project was launched for the first time. In October 1959, Chairman Mao, in the face of Khrushchev's refusal to provide nuclear submarine technology and unreasonable demands for the establishment of a joint fleet and the establishment of long-wave stations off the coast of China, issued: "Nuclear submarines must be built in 10,000 years!" The oath.
The development of nuclear submarines is a huge military systems project, which contains many cutting-edge new technologies and major technical difficulties that must be solved, and it is necessary to devote all the efforts of the whole country to organize and implement them. After more than 10 years of developing nuclear submarines, more than 2,000 scientific research institutes, schools, and factories participated in the development of nuclear submarines, involving 24 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions at that time. The organization, coordination and management involved 21 ministries and commissions of the State Council at that time. The scale of cooperation is unprecedented not only in the history of naval development, but also rare in the whole army.
In order to ensure the smooth progress of this major project, the Central Military Commission ordered the formed units to go to the bases, factories, and sea areas to provide military support. Practice has proved that under the historical conditions at that time, only under the unified command and leadership of Chairman Mao, Premier Zhou, the Central Military Commission, and the State Council could China's nuclear submarines be born safely, and the great dream of "building nuclear submarines in 10,000 years" could become a reality.
During the two months of writing the article "The Road Taken to Develop Nuclear Submarines in the 50s" [1.2], Chen Zhijun had the opportunity to visit several surviving veteran "09 old men" and asked them to recount the history of the 50s of the 20th century when they participated in the initial work of developing nuclear submarines.
In this article, Chen Zhijun chose Luo Xiaoming's manuscripts and materials compiled by his father Luo Shunchu and published the relevant chapters of the article: "Seeking New Naval Technologies" [3] as a guide and support for historical facts.
During this period of time, Chen Zhijun continued to receive historical materials from insiders and received help from them, and he is deeply grateful. At the same time, I would like to thank Comrade Wu Xiaoshan for assisting in the editing and sorting of the article. Since this article is only a preliminary compilation of the past, if there is any doubt about the article, I sincerely hope to point out that we will seriously revise it. We believe that the facts that can stand up now and withstand questioning in the future are the facts that can stand up to the present and the future, and the achievements of a generation of pioneers will forever be remembered in the annals of national history.
2. General Luo Shunchu was the first to put forward the proposal for the development of nuclear submarines
In April 1956, under the co-chairmanship of Zhou Enlai, Chen Yi, Li Fuchun, Nie Rongzhen and other national leaders, the "Scientific Planning Committee of the State Council" was established. The committee invited more than 600 domestic scientists and 18 Soviet experts to participate in the preparation of the "Outline of the Long-term Plan for the Development of Science and Technology for 1956-1967 (Draft)".
Premier Zhou said at the time: "After World War II, the development of atoms, electronics, and supersonic speed has been faster than ever before." He hoped that "a number of scientific fields and key construction projects that need to be developed urgently for the development of science and technology on the mainland will be identified." To build a strong China, we must first have a strong national defense. Establish a naval (submarine), land (missile) and air (cruise) combat readiness system......"
Under the leadership of Marshal Nie Rongzhen, the armed forces accordingly put forward the "Preliminary Opinions on the Research Projects of the Mainland's Science on the National Defense Needs in the Next 12 Years." The part of the opinion on the navy, which was drafted by Luo Shunchu, deputy commander of the navy, mentioned that "in terms of thermonuclear applications, it should be combined with the peaceful use of atomic energy to carry out comprehensive research on small nuclear warheads, nuclear submarines, and military power reactors." According to the level of science and technology on the mainland at that time, it is estimated that it will not be possible to put the development of nuclear submarines on the agenda until after 1960. This opinion was approved by the central government. For details, see Luo Xiaoming's two articles published by his father, Luo Shunchu, in his collation of manuscripts and materials: "Seeking New Naval Technologies" [3] and "1958-1959: The Difficult Start of China's Nuclear Submarines" [4].
General Luo Shunchu in 1955.
In June 1958, Luo Shunchu (1st from right) had a discussion with the sailors of the Nanchang ship.
On May 23, 1959, Luo Shunchu reported his silhouette to Commander Xiao Jinguang and Political Commissar Su Zhenhua.
3. General Luo Shunchu seeks the development of nuclear submarines in the Navy
On July 1, 1959, Luo Shunchu, then deputy commander of the Navy and head of the nuclear submarine development team, wrote a report to Nie Rongzhen. The report mentions a number of difficulties in the development of nuclear submarines. After reading it, Nie Rongzhen commented: "Comrade Shun Chu." Research work should not be discouraged, but should be carried out with full enthusiasm and persisted in for a long time. Human, material, and financial resources should be considered by General Director Huang (Kecheng) and supported as much as possible, which is a snapshot of Luo Shunchu's report and Nie Rongzhen's comments on the report (selected from "Nie Rongzhen's Biography" [5]).
The development of China's nuclear submarine industry to the scale it has reached today must first think of the contribution of General Luo Shunchu. The following are excerpts from the key milestones:
1. "In September 1957, Marshal Nie Rongzhen led an industrial delegation of the Chinese government to the Soviet Union for negotiations. Before leaving, Comrade Lei Yingfu asked me for my opinion and asked the navy if there were any questions worth asking. As far as I understand from the side, the USSR was preparing for the creation of atomic submarines at that time. I suggest that when talking about the atomic industry project, the submarine nuclear power reactor should be raised as an issue, so as to make some technical preparations for the nuclear submarine project in the future. ”
2. "In the first half of 1958, the atomic reactors on the mainland began to operate. After hearing the news, I immediately took my staff officer Jin Ning to visit the reactor. On the way back, I was always very excited, and I felt that the use of atomic power for national defense was no longer an impossible thing to do. ”
3. "On June 18, 1958, President Nie convened a meeting of Liu Jie, Zhang Liankui, Wan Yi, Anton and I to discuss the issue of studying nuclear submarines. Shortly thereafter, Su Zhenhua, political commissar of the Navy, and I invited Zhang Jinfu, Qian Xuesen, and other leading comrades of relevant departments to come to the Navy to discuss the issue of developing nuclear submarines. ...... Everyone's motivation is very high, they are very enthusiastic about building nuclear submarines, and all departments are willing to go all out. On June 27, Mr. Nie summarized everyone's opinions and formally submitted a report to the central government, suggesting that in line with the principle of self-reliance, he should design and test produce an atomic submarine capable of launching missiles on his own. The report also suggested that me, Liu Jie, Zhang Liankui, and Wang Zheng form a group, and designate me as the leader and Comrade Zhang Liankui as the deputy leader to plan, organize, and lead this work. It was quickly approved by the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the Central Committee. ”
4. "(1958) At the beginning of July, the first meeting of our group of four people was held to study the specific division of labor and plans for the construction of nuclear submarines. Everyone unanimously agreed that there are difficulties in the design of the submarine's hull, electromechanical, radio, and rocket weapons, but we are confident that we can overcome them and basically be self-reliant. The most difficult thing is the atomic power plant, which, in addition to actively researching on its own, needs to enlist the necessary foreign assistance. For example, Soviet experts were invited to review our preliminary design and technical design to help review and make necessary modifications....... Although it was mainly self-reliant, the Soviet Union could not have helped on some key issues. ”
5. "In mid-July (1958), I met with Comrade Deng Cunlun, director of the Ninth Bureau of the First Aircraft Ministry, with Soviet experts Ivshkin and Shevchenko, and briefed the two experts, explaining our idea of preparing to build nuclear submarines, and hoping that they would make suggestions on what work the First Aircraft Department needed to do, what kind of personnel it needed, and what tasks it would undertake......
As a matter of fact, the party committee of the Navy began the work of developing nuclear submarines when Su Zhenhua was in charge of the daily work. The Navy Party Committee decided that Luo Shunchu should take charge of this aspect of the work. Luo Shunchu chose Xue Zonghua to specifically direct the development of the nuclear submarine.
Fourth, began to conceive for China's nuclear submarines
In the spring of 1958, Deputy Commander Luo Shunchu asked Xue Zonghua, deputy director of the Ship Repair Department, to prepare for the establishment of the "Shipbuilding Technology Research Office of the Naval Ship Repair Department" (later referred to as the 09 Research Office due to the project code 09, the same below). At the same time, Xue Zonghua was asked to immediately carry out technical research on China's nuclear submarines without delay. In the shortest possible time, the outline of China's nuclear submarine should be sketched in a more practical way, and even the necessary parameters should be given for reporting.
Xue Zonghua first thought of Chen Chunshu, the military representative of the Jiangnan Shipyard who was specifically responsible for the supervision and acceptance of the 6603 submarine, and Guo Zuodong, who had been a military representative at the Hudong Shipyard for a year.
Before the end of May 1958, Chen Chunshu first returned to the submarine department of the Ministry of Construction, and then reported to Xue Zonghua. From 1957 to 1958, Chen Chunshu and Guo Zuodong organized to overcome the technical problems of heating and excessive temperature of the 6603 battery pack during charging. Because this work needed to be completed, Guo Zuodong returned to the Ministry of Construction later than Chen Chunshu and before the end of June 1958 and reported to Xue Zonghua.
In the summer of that year, after Li Jianqiu, who was studying at the Soviet Naval Academy, returned, he was temporarily detained by Xue Zonghua in the newly established 09 research room. The three of them are together, professionally they have ships, machines, and electricity, forming a technical backbone framework, and thus building the talent base of the 09 laboratory.
Looking back, after Chen Chunshu reported for duty, because the chief explained that the task of developing nuclear submarines was urgent, he had to take action and start work immediately. Chen Chunshu has been engaged in the manufacturing, acceptance, and trial of conventional submarines for many years, and has accumulated rich experience in construction and testing. At that time, he already had a strong reading of English and Russian, and had read some materials on nuclear power. All this strengthened his confidence in the development of nuclear submarines and found an entry point. Xue Zonghua immediately took Chen Chunshu and went to the first machine department at that time to see Director Wang Xinmin. Director Wang showed great enthusiasm for the development of nuclear submarines. On the spot, it was determined that Chen Chunshu was the contact person between the Navy and the First Aircraft Department.
After Director Wang arranged the plan to go down to the factory, Chen Chunshu invited the director of the power research unit affiliated to the Navy to visit the Harbin Steam Turbine Factory, Shenyang Water Pump Factory and other relevant units, and discussed and studied the horsepower, length, width and height of the marine steam turbine and reduction gearbox, motor and pump, total weight, operating parameters, maintenance requirements, working life, etc., especially the reliability of running the steam turbine under saturated steam. The range of changes in working conditions is more carefully understood, and it is hoped that the factory can first carry out the conceptual design of the equipment according to the requirements of naval combat technology.
Immediately afterwards, Xue Zonghua personally took Chen Chunshu to meet Director Bai Wenzhi of the Second Machine Department and designated Chen Chunshu as the contact person. Director Bai immediately called the nuclear experts Han Duo and Dong Yin of the agency and introduced them to Chen Chunshu. Xue Zonghua took Chen Chunshu to the 401 Institute to meet Director Li Yi. The 401 Institute is the Institute of Atomic Energy of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which is under the dual leadership of the Second Ministry of Machinery and the Academy of Sciences, and is a relatively comprehensive atomic energy research institution built with the aid of the Soviet Union. There are many talents in it, including well-known nuclear physicists at home and abroad, and well-known chemical engineering engineers.
Director Li Yi called nuclear reactor experts Huang Zuqia and Lian Peisheng and said, "Let's discuss!"
Xue Zonghua is a commander who has a strong ability to think independently and can well implement the intentions of the chief. He instructed Chen Chunshu: "We must closely follow the US nuclear submarine 'Stingray' (also known as 'Nautilus') to carry out its work." ”......
Chen Chunshu went to the 401 Institute several times. In 1958, public transportation in the suburbs of Beijing was extremely inconvenient, and he had to leave early and return to the city late. He explained to Huang Zuqia and Lian Peisheng the requirements for the main tactical and technical indicators of nuclear submarines required by the navy. To sum up: the nuclear reaction power plant must be small in size, light in weight, able to be installed in the boat, and capable of emitting tens of thousands of horsepower, so as to ensure the ability of the submarine to sail underwater for a long time. It cannot have a nuclear accident and has a high operational reliability.
According to foreign design practice, Chen Chunshu, on behalf of the Navy, proposed a thermal neutron pressurized water reactor (PWR) in which water is the preferred choice for 401 as a neutron moderator. The temperature, flow rate and pressure of the reactor carrying heat agent make the secondary circuit produce saturated steam that can propel the steam turbine under certain working conditions; So, the pressure inside the reactor is around ××× atmosphere, and so on. Within a short period of time, two nuclear reactor experts, Huang Zuqia and Lian Peisheng, submitted to Chen Chunshu an overview of the PWR nuclear power unit demonstration plan.
In just 20 or so days, the leaders of the navy have been busy with the important matter of developing nuclear submarines, and Chen Chunshu has from time to time reported to the chiefs on their work and listened to the spirit of the new instructions. He saw that General Luo Shunchu, in order to squeeze out time to do more work, did not go home at noon and rested on the simple marching bed in the office.
Within the specified time, Chen Chunshu handed over to the head of the navy a document on the technical feasibility of developing a nuclear submarine. Chen Chunshu still remembers some of the technical descriptions in the document: attack nuclear submarines that are responsible for ocean-going sabotage warfare. Due to the large nuclear power plant, the weight of the submarine is large, and the displacement of the submarine is more than several thousand tons. Its powerplant needs to be around ××××× horsepower. Only one steam turbine unit can be arranged in the auxiliary engine room to provide saturated steam work. Due to the excessive horsepower, the propeller with a large diameter should be selected, and the single-shaft transmission method should be adopted. The nuclear submarine should carry a sufficient number of torpedoes to increase its offensive capability and the probability of detection by the enemy. In the bow of the hull, there must be a large-diameter, high-profile front-mounted sonar base array, and the teardrop-shaped hull can meet the above requirements. The round-trip voyage time of the ocean-going nuclear submarine is relatively long. In order to prolong the cruising time in the formation, it is necessary to increase the speed of the nuclear submarine by about ×× knots. In order to achieve this combat skill index, it is also necessary to ensure the teardrop-shaped hull. Based on the phenomenon of nuclear submarines "burying their heads" at high speeds, Chen Chunshu believes that it can be solved by adjusting the arrangement and counterweight of each device.
Pressurized water reactors can be small in size and can be arranged in the reactor compartment. As a neutron moderator, water has the advantage of negative temperature effect, which can ensure that the reactor has a high nuclear safety. The reactor is at ××× atmospheric pressure and the outlet temperature is ××× °C, which can ensure that the secondary circuit produces saturated steam for the steam turbine to work. Auxiliary engines such as steam turbines can be arranged in the auxiliary engine room......
Vice Minister Xue Zonghua thought that this document was feasible, and after review, it was submitted to Luo Shunchu and Su Zhenhua for revision and approval, and then returned to Chen Chunshu for reorganization, and finally it was written by the party committee.
In the end, the Party Committee of the Navy submitted a "Report on the Development of Missile Atomic Submarines." Chen Chunshu's entourage Xue Zonghua sent the document directly to Senior General Chen Geng, chief of the General Staff of the Central Military Commission. When the two met Chen Geng, he was on the phone. He said, "Put it here!" Xue Zonghua didn't say anything, put the documents on the table and left. Later, I learned that Chen Geng immediately personally sent the document to Defense Minister Peng Dehuai. Peng Dehuai sent Nie Rongzhen after his instructions.
On the morning of June 27, 1958, the first "Report on the Development of Missile Atomic Submarines" was summarized by Nie Shuai and officially submitted to the Central Committee. After that, it was quickly approved by the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee and read by Chairman Mao.
In July 1958, Luo Shunchu, deputy commander of the Navy and leader of the four-member group, convened Zhang Liankui, Liu Jie, and Wang Zheng to preside over a meeting of the four-member group.
5. Xue Zonghua established the "Shipbuilding Technology Research Laboratory"
In the spring of 1958, the Navy received the news that Nie Shuai planned to suggest that the central government start the development of nuclear submarines, and responded positively: "The Navy Party Committee personally grasped the nuclear submarines, and the Navy chiefs all worked around this major event. ”
Under the arrangement of Deputy Commander Luo Shunchu, Xue Zonghua, deputy director of the Navy's Ship Repair Department, immediately set up the 09 Research Room. Promptly compiling information on nuclear submarines and submitting opinions on the development of nuclear submarines is an urgent task after the establishment of the 09 Research Office.
In order to ensure the quality and progress of this important task, it is first necessary to establish a core team with technical experts as the backbone. Xue Zonghua designated Li Jianqiu as the deputy leader of the overall ship group, Chen Chunshu as the deputy leader of the marine engineering group, and Guo Zuodong as the deputy leader of the electrical team. With the three major units of the submarine overall system, the nuclear power system, and the electronic control system, the needs of the start-up period of the development work can be guaranteed.
Xue Zonghua (quoted from the Internet).
Chen Chunshu and Guo Zuodong still remember that the first batch of technicians who entered the 09 research room included Liu Siyi (military representative stationed in Shanghai Hudong Shipyard), Wu Jie (hull strength), Jin Shimo (overall layout of the ship), Zhang Jingcheng (Shanghai Ship Design Institute), Lin Longji, Chen Zhijie (diesel engine expert of Jiangnan Shipyard), Li Yichuan (sent by the Navy to Tsinghua University for further study), Lin Jie (electronic control, student in the Soviet Union), etc.
Before the winter of 1958, a group of technical cadres and auxiliary personnel were transferred to the 09 research room by the system of the Ninth Bureau of the First Machinery Department. Among them are You Ziping, Chen Kongjia, Huang Shilong, Huang Xuhua, Lin Longji, Liu Bingyang, Lu Kaili, Fu Jiazhang, Shi Tongxian, Gao Guozhong, Li Wenhua, etc.
Most of the technicians in the third group are students who have returned to China from the Soviet Union and graduates of domestic universities. It is said that Hu Guozhong of the Political Department came forward to receive it. Among them are Zhou Zhongyao, Han Weifen, Tong Lisheng, Ju Yuxin, Ni Bokang, Qian Lingbai, Xu Jinghe, Wang Shidong, An Jichang, etc.
After three transfers of technical cadres and auxiliary personnel, the 09 research laboratory began to take shape. On this basis, it consists of the Submarine General Section (Deputy Section Chief Li Jianqiu), the Marine Engineering Section (Section Chief Chen Zhijie, Deputy Section Chief Chen Chunshu), the Electrical Section (Section Chief Lin Longji, Deputy Section Chief Guo Zuodong), and the Special Equipment Section (Guo Zuodong). The leaders of the Ministry of Construction and Construction have great respect for foreign comrades and have invited them to take up their main posts, and the technical backbone of the Ministry will all serve as deputy posts.
6. Don't expect foreign countries to help you in the development of nuclear submarines
On September 8, 1958, Premier Zhou Enlai finally received a telegram from Khrushchev, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union, "inviting the Chinese government to send a delegation to the Soviet Union to discuss the construction of China's navy." After the study of the Central Military Commission, it was decided to send a "delegation of Chinese government experts" to the Soviet Union to discuss the issue of new technical assistance for the navy. The head of the regiment was Su Zhenhua, political commissar of the Navy; The deputy commanders are Zhang Liankui, deputy director of the First Aircraft Department, Liu Jie, deputy director of the Second Aircraft Department, and Fang Qiang, deputy commander of the Navy; The members of the delegation included Bai Wenzhi, director of the Second Aircraft Department, and Lin Zhen, director of the Naval Ship Repair Department. The attachés included Huang Zuqia, Zhao Renkai, Lian Peisheng, Han Duo, and Dong Yin of the Second Aircraft Department, You Ziping of the Ninth Bureau of the First Aircraft Department, Chen Faquan of the Navy's Repair and Construction Department, and Chen Chunshu of the Nuclear Submarine Overall Design Group.
On September 27, 1958, Nie Rongzhen took a photo at the handover ceremony of the heavy water reactor and cyclotron.
One day in mid-September 1958, Minister Lin Zhen came to Chen Chunshu and only said one sentence: "Hai Si called you to go and measure the size to make clothes." "At that time, the requirements for the implementation of the "Regulations on Guarding State Military Secrets" were very strict, and secrets that should not be known should never be asked. It was only later that Chen Chunshu received a notice to send him to the Soviet Union with the regiment.
The delegation had been on a Soviet flight to Moscow on 17 October. Because Premier Zhou asked Su Zhenhua to talk about things, he changed his ticket and postponed it to next week's flight. Unexpectedly, this rescheduling saved the lives of the whole group, because the originally scheduled plane (Figure 104) crashed in the air, and more than 80 passengers, including the Chinese cultural delegation led by Zheng Zhenduo, vice minister of the Ministry of Culture of the mainland, were killed.
Liu Jie, Bai Wenzhi, and other representatives of the Second Machinery Department went ahead because they wanted to discuss other issues with the Soviet side first. At the end of October 1958, the rest of the delegation gathered at the home of Deputy Head Fang Qiang for a meeting to study and arrange the work arrangements and negotiations after arriving in the Soviet Union.
At the beginning of November 1958, the delegation flew to Moscow, and the naval personnel of the delegation were arranged to be arranged separately in the Beijing Hotel in Moscow, and Minister Lin Zhen and Chen Chunshu were arranged to stay in the same room. During the meal, Fang Qiang, Lin Zhen, Chen Chunshu, and Chen Faquan were all together. Sometimes political commissar Su Zhenhua also dined with his comrades in the navy.
November 7 marked the 41st anniversary of the October Revolution in the Soviet Union, and the delegation was invited to participate in the military parade on Red Square and other commemorative events. Chen Chunshu recalled: "The attaché did not attend formal talks. Scientists can only serve as technical advice and prepare negotiation materials on the sidelines. At the second and third talks, the Soviet representative replied: In addition to the power of atomic-powered submarines and guided missile destroyers, other projects, such as ship-based missiles and research on shipbuilding technology, can basically meet the requirements of the Chinese Government. They are always tight-lipped about nuclear submarines.
The naval group of the delegation arranged for the Soviet Government to visit the bases of the Soviet Navy's fleet in Sevastopol, Feodusia, Kronstag, and Vladivostok, and to visit the factories of submarines, speedboats, and ship equipment in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) and Gorkigrad (now Nizhny Novgorod), which are the Soviet shipbuilding industrial bases, saw experimental submarines fueled by hydrogen peroxide, and participated in the launching ceremony of a cruiser of the "Sverdlov class."
It is worth mentioning that the Soviet side asked Chen Chunshu, Huang Zuqia, Zhao Renkai, Lian Peisheng, Han Duo, Dong Yin, and You Ziping to visit the Lenin atomic icebreaker. The experts were amazed: the reactor compartment, the power compartment, the circulating water pump, the reactor control compartment were all seen. They separately memorized the type, quantity, and size of the equipment, especially the size of the reactor itself. In order to prolong the visit of the nuclear experts, Su Zhenhua intended to talk with the Soviet personnel who led the team. Many years later, Zhao Renkai and Chen Chunshu still recalled the visit to those of us who came after them with excitement, because it was very beneficial for them to carry out follow-up work.
The delegation reported to the Military Commission for approval and approved Liu Jie to return to China ahead of schedule with the personnel of the Second Aircraft Department. Zhao Renkai was not left behind because he had not participated in the development of 09 at that time.
The Central Military Commission agreed that the delegation would throw bricks and stones into the plan and invite the Soviet side to discuss the "Preliminary Design Ideas for Mainland Atomic-Powered Submarines" brought by the delegation in the form of forums and discussions. After discussing the technical parameters and other issues, You Ziping drafted an interim discussion paper for the delegation.
During the technical talks, the Soviet side proposed that it only agree to discuss it in writing, reluctantly accepted the documents submitted by the Chinese side, and promised to provide advice as soon as possible. It was not until early April 1959 that a reply such as "no comment" was given, but the Soviet side still mentioned one point in the letter: the displacement of nuclear submarines below ×××× tons cannot be done.
At this time, You Ziping had already returned to China in advance. The remaining naval personnel continued to negotiate with the Soviet side. After returning to the Beijing Hotel in Moscow, Lin Zhen said to Chen Chunshu: "The Soviets said that they were not prepared for atomic submarines, but the Soviet side could give the 629 submarines and 6633 submarines. You have done 6603, you are ready, does China want 6633?" Chen Chunshu replied to Minister Lin Zhen with many years of experience in building boats: "I want 6633, it is an improved version of 6603, and some experience can be gained from it, and the performance of 6633 is better." In the end, Su Zhenhua adopted this suggestion.
Su Zhenhua remained in the Soviet Union until February 4, 1959, when he and Arkhipov, vice chairman of the USSR Committee for Foreign Economic Relations, signed the "Agreement on Technical Assistance to the People's Republic of China in the Construction of Chinese Naval Vessels" (hereinafter referred to as the "24 Agreement") on behalf of the two governments. According to this agreement, the Soviet Union will sell conventionally powered missile submarines (629 submarines) and medium torpedo submarines (6633 submarines) to the mainland, and transfer the above-mentioned manufacturing concessions to China.
Xiao Jinguang (1st from left) and Su Zhenhua (1st from right) sent off Soviet experts for a photo (provided by Su Chengye).
However, just over a year later, in August 1960, the Soviet government unilaterally tore up the agreement. This caused huge losses in the construction and development of the Navy. Since then, China has embarked on the road of developing China's cutting-edge science and technology independently and self-reliantly.
7. A number of new technologies have entered the field of vision of the leaders of the laboratory
The electrical team was headed by Lin Longji, an electrical engineer from the Shipbuilding Bureau, Guo Zuodong was the deputy leader, and only Liu Bingyang, Zhu Jingguan, and Wang Yang, a teacher from Kazakhstan's military industry, came to participate in the work. Under the organization of Lin Longji, head of the group, and according to the guiding ideology of Vice Minister Xue Zonghua, director of the office, it was necessary to make a preliminary idea of what electrical equipment should be used on missile nuclear submarines.
Secondly, as special equipment for ocean-going submarines, observation (radar), communication (radio transceiving) and navigation, as well as sonar (active and passive) are indispensable.
At that time, the first thing I thought was that submarines needed to have an autopilot or autopilot when navigating at high speed underwater, and with the support of the Kazakh military industry teachers, a group composed of Comrade Liu Bingyang and the Kazakh military industry teachers was quickly set up to ask the pilot data of the Il-18 aircraft that had just been purchased from the Soviet Union for reference from the civil aviation department, and asked Comrade Chen Chunshu, who accompanied Su Zhenhua to the Soviet Union for negotiations, to help collect this information.
The work had a clue, but no one did it (the work of strong electricity was not carried out until 1959 after the arrival of new college students), especially the special equipment could not be started, and the matter was reported to Vice Minister Xue, at that time, the Navy Command had electromechanical, communications, navigation, radar, hydroacoustic, weapons and other business chiefs and staff officers according to the Soviet Union, all of whom were experts in this field, Xue Zonghua contacted the Hai Division and invited them to participate in the study, but in order to keep it secret they did not go to the "Shipbuilding Technology Research Laboratory" At that time, Lu Jianxun (communications), Zhai Liangke, Xie (radar), Zhao Yingxuan (sonar), electromechanical business chief (name unknown) and many other people intervened. Since he had to enter and leave the headquarters, it was more convenient for Guo Zuodong to be an active-duty soldier, so he handled the matter. Their profession has made them very knowledgeable about the situation at home and abroad, which has been of great help to the research work.
During this period, Xue Zonghua sent Guo Zuodong to the Fifth Research Institute of the Ministry of National Defense to contact and learn about the missiles to be installed on the boat, and with the specific help of Li Jianqiu, deputy head of the hull group, he listed the requirements for loading the missiles on the boat (diameter, height, weight, depth into the water, how long it will be installed on the boat, when it will be supplied, etc.), and submitted it to the Fifth Academy after Xue Zonghua reviewed it.
The discussion took a long time, and Guo Zuodong came to the conclusion that the existing missiles cannot be used on ships, and it is necessary to develop missiles for submarines, and there are no conditions yet, and it is not possible to get them in a short time. But Guo Zuodong also has other gains. He explained the tactical elements that need to be used for missiles on the boat, such as the accurate time to reach the accuracy of the atomic clock, the real-time dynamic horizontal plane (accurate plane) of the boat, and the real-time dynamic accuracy of longitude and latitude. The missile is fed into the missile's control system based on this data. Otherwise, it will be a millimeter or a thousand miles.
After this period of brainstorming, Xue Zonghua felt that strong electricity and conventional observation were not difficult problems, but there was no bottom for precise underwater positioning and automation (involving nuclear power units and operational command). After discussing with Yu Xiaohong, minister of the newly established Navy Scientific Research Department, he decided to submit the issue of underwater positioning to the New Technology Bureau of the Chinese Academy of Sciences for study.
In February 1959, some experts from the Chinese Academy of Sciences held a meeting in Tianjin, which was co-chaired by Gu Yu, Yu Xiaohong, and Xue Zonghua, director of the New Technology Bureau, and Guo Zuodong of the military also attended. The research topic was determined at the meeting, and the whole project was named "Inertial Navigation System", referred to as "Inertial Navigation System". Later, according to the "24 Agreement" signed by China and the Soviet Union, a conventionally powered missile boat (Type 629) was introduced, which was equipped with a set of positioning system called "Saturn". In August 1959, three experts from the Soviet Naval Research Institute (Smirnov, Kavalev, etc.) were invited to consult in China for a period of three months. After completion, write a report and submit it directly to Minister Yu Xiaohong for review and answer Minister Yu's questions. At that time, the leaders were worried that there should be no missing items.
General Yu Xiaohong.
Due to the complexity of the special equipment of nuclear submarines, the fourth section was established in the winter of 1959 (at this time, the group of the research office was reorganized into a section), and Comrade Zhang Congxin of the Department of Maritime Transfer was appointed as the section chief, and Guo Zuodong was temporarily replaced before Zhang took office. This is one of the most complex majors, and its personnel include astronomy, geophysics, remote sensing and telemetry, mathematics, radio, radar, hydroacoustics, missiles, microwave communications, and so on.
8. The birth of the "Preliminary Scheme Design of Submarine Nuclear Power Plant (Draft)".
After signing the "24 Agreement" with the Soviet side, Political Commissar Su Zhenhua returned to China and reported to the party Central Committee and Premier Zhou that the negotiations were not going well and that the nuclear submarines had been "closed." Premier Zhou conveyed the determination of the CPC Central Committee to develop not only atomic bombs but also nuclear submarines. If they don't help, we'll do it ourselves.
At that time, the Second Aircraft Department took measures to adjust its forces to explore the power of nuclear submarines, formally established the "Nuclear Submarine Research and Design Office," and decided to use the Atomic Energy Research Institute as a research base to undertake research tasks. Later, the 09 design team led by Huang Zuqia and Lian Peisheng was merged into the Atomic Energy Institute and temporarily incorporated into Room 12. At that time, the number of personnel who could be engaged in the work of the 09 reactor increased to more than 30, and according to the needs of engineering design, under the 09 group, a number of professional groups such as physics, thermal engineering, structure, fuel elements, circuits, instrumentation, automatic control, and shielding protection were set up according to their specialties.
In January 1959, the 09 design group was directly led by Meng Gefei. Zhao Renkai and Li Lefu served as the principal and deputy team leaders respectively. There are more than a dozen professional groups below, and the principal and deputy leaders are Han Duo, Wang Weifang, Zhou Yongmao, Zan Yunlong, Jiang Binsen, Pan Shiren, Li Lefu (concurrently), Tang Quanfu, Zhao Shande, etc. The leaders of the other large groups in Room 12 include Yang Zhongwan, Shen Junxiong, Peng Shilu (who had not yet been involved in the 09 work at that time) and so on.
In September 1959, the Atomic Energy Research Institute underwent another major reshuffle. At that time, three lines were formed, of which the reactor front was in charge of Meng Gefei and Lian Peisheng, and it had jurisdiction over the reactor theory part of room 12, room 101, room 4, room 6 reactor materials, room 13 nuclear electronics, and material reactor room, with more than 800 people. At this time, there were more than 100 people directly engaged in nuclear power, and the various professional categories of reactors were basically complete.
At that time, study and training were the main things. The main scheme and main parameters of a nuclear reactor can be selected only on the basis of publicly available data and information abroad. Then, each professional group conducts thematic research. For the sake of confidentiality, 09 is proposed and issued to each laboratory in the name of the department. In 1959, under difficult conditions, more than 100 tasks and tasks were completed.
At the end of June 1960, under the leadership of Zhao Renkai and Li Lefu, deputy chief engineers, the "Submarine Nuclear Power Program Design (Draft)" was completed, and in early July 1960, in the conference room on the sixth floor of the Second Machinery Department, he made a two-and-a-half-day report to Song Renqiang, Minister of the Second Machinery Department, Liu Jie, Deputy Minister Liu Jie, Deng Mingming, Bai Wenzhi, Ma Zhengyi, Li Yi, and Feng Lin. The leading comrades said that they were very encouraged by what they heard, and they did not expect that in such a short period of time and under very poor conditions, they would be able to come up with a well-founded "scheme design" for the power reactor of a nuclear submarine. The Chinese are sure to build their own nuclear submarines.
As later stated in the book "Contemporary China's Nuclear Industry": "The design of the scheme was submitted as a draft at the time, but there was no major repetition in later practice, which proves that it is generally feasible." This has laid a good foundation for future research and development work. ”
9. Special research and preliminary scheme design of nuclear submarines
1. Scientific formation of technical routes
During the period when Xue Zonghua presided over the work of the overall design group of nuclear submarines, he attached great importance to the construction of a technical backbone team. In the summer of 1958, after Li Jianqiu, Chen Chunshu, and Guo Zuodong came to the overall design group, the submarine general group, the turbine group, and the electrical group were established, and they served as the leaders of the group respectively. When the scale of the overall design team was further expanded and the specialties were basically complete, they served as the heads of each section. Coincidentally, for a long time, the three of them lived in the same room, which can be described as getting along day and night, and it is also convenient for technical exchanges.
At that time, Xue Zonghua advocated working together, and through the process of brainstorming, a scientifically based design idea was formed, which was reflected in the results of technical research. Xue Zonghua emphasized that the design ideas in the 6603 submarine should be used as a reference for the development of the 09. It is necessary to grasp the major problems in the development of the program, study the most important problems of 09 from a strategic point of view, and explore attack nuclear submarines from a strategic level.
2. Scientific demonstration of the teardrop-shaped boat type
In the general section of submarines, a number of professional and technical personnel specializing in shipbuilding, hydrodynamics, and ship outfitting have gathered. When Li Jianqiu, Chen Chunshu, and Guo Zuodong further discussed the technical tasks of nuclear submarine warfare, they unanimously agreed: In order to ensure the ocean-going combat capability of China's nuclear submarines, shorten the sailing time, and give full play to the combat effect and guarantee of torpedo weapons, there will be an output of about 10,000 horsepower. In order to increase the underwater speed, it is necessary to reduce the underwater navigation resistance, and the use of a drop-shaped boat type can reduce the underwater navigation resistance. At that time, the Navy also had information that "the United States was conducting "comparative navigation tests" on the surface and under the water of the "Big Mackerel-class" conventional submarine with a drop-shaped hull. At that time, in the general design group, there was no "boat type dispute" between the drop type and the fleet type.
The power exceeds tens of thousands of horsepower, the diameter of the propeller has increased significantly, and it is already difficult to arrange torpedo tubes in the tail of the nuclear submarine. Nuclear submarines fighting far away from the territory must increase the distance at which the enemy can be found, and it is required to install a large-size sonar base array at the bow of the nuclear submarine, which can only be solved by using a drop-shaped bow.
Xue Zonghua proposed: "We must use data to speak!" Li Jianqiu led the relevant technicians to use 7 electric calculators to calculate the resistance. For those who did not have the professional ability to calculate parameters at that time, Li Jianqiu arranged to use a wooden abacus to calculate the wet water area of the hull. After the general department led by Li Jianqiu completed the calculation, according to Xue Zonghua's instructions, he went to Shanghai Jiao Tong University to drag the pool and conduct a water model test. Because the length of this pool does not meet the technical requirements, the test was stopped, and the test was completed later in Wuxi pool.
Xue Zonghua is a humane leader, he considered that Huang Xuhua had been coming to Beijing from Shanghai for several months, so he took the opportunity of Li Jianqiu's business trip to Shanghai to take Huang Xuhua to Shanghai to reunite with his family.
3. Scientific arrangement of nuclear submarines
Under the auspices of the General Section, the Marine Engineering Section, the Electrical Section, the Special Devices Section, and the Weapon Systems actively cooperated, first providing the main equipment, auxiliary equipment, pipelines, etc. of each system, such as the size parameters, weight parameters, functional requirements, and elements for the maintenance of submarines. Jin Shimo of the General Section is an engineer and technician in charge of the arrangement, and he has to arrange the cabins according to the above-mentioned elements, and he has to set the position of the equipment to be loaded in a three-dimensional space, and then Li Jianqiu and other professionals will calculate the center of gravity, buoyancy, and stability of the submarine. This kind of work has to be repeated many times to find the best arrangement. At this time, Chen Chunshu, Zhao Renkai, Lian Peisheng, and others had already visited the Soviet Union's "Lenin" atomic icebreaker and learned about the US nuclear-powered merchant ship "Shavana" from the data. This is very helpful in completing the work on the arrangement of equipment inside the nuclear submarine.
4. Put forward technical requirements for the development of nuclear power units
Liu Siyi was originally a military representative of Hudong Shipyard, an expert in steam turbines, and the first person to come to the 09 laboratory, where he played a key role in the marine engineering team. He proposed that the saturated steam turbine is the most suitable, its size and weight can meet the requirements of the ship, and its output can be connected to the propeller through a reduction gearbox and a single shaft, which can provide rated power. At the same time, the saturated steam turbine reduces the design temperature and pressure requirements for the primary circuit, which brings benefits to improve the safety and miniaturization of the reactor. His suggestions and arguments were later accepted by Zhao Renkai and Li Lefu. The second machine department selected the pressurized water reactor to carry out the scheme design work, and finally came up with the design results.
5. Design of strong current system and instrumentation equipment of the whole boat
Guo Zuodong is a veteran comrade of the Navy Repair Department, graduated from Nanjing University in 1952 and was assigned to the Design Department of the Repair Department, engaged in the design of strong and weak electricity. In 1957, he went down to the shipyard as a military representative, and together with Chen Chunshu, he cooperated for a year on the technical problem of overheating of the 6603 battery pack, and formed a friendship.
The complexity of a nuclear submarine is also reflected in the variety and sophistication of the instrumentation it requires. Guo Zuodong investigated and coordinated the development of navigation clocks, high-precision theodolites, atomic clocks, and underwater positioning systems. Make an important contribution to this. (See Article 7 for details)
6. Demonstrate the seven major problems that need to be solved
After working day and night, coupled with the vigorous cooperation of relevant research units, and referring to and relying on foreign design practices, the "Shipbuilding Technology Research Laboratory" has identified seven difficult projects:
(1) Nuclear power units that are small in size, reliable in operation, have no nuclear safety risks, and can emit rated thermal power;
(2) an integrated inertial navigation system that can ensure accurate positioning and navigation underwater;
(3) long-distance underwater acoustic detection system;
(4) covert communication system;
(5) An air-conditioning system that ensures that the crew can breathe normally in the closed cabin for dozens of days and nights;
(6) torpedo weapon systems required for operations;
(7) Teardrop-shaped hull, single-shaft propeller, hull strength calculation.
Several "09 old men" recalled: One day after dinner, Li Jianqiu, Chen Chunshu, Guo Zuodong, Jin Shimo, Liu Siyi and others were walking on the road, and suddenly heard Li Jianqiu speak: "Now "Five Golden Flowers" is playing in the cinema. Our seven tasks are called "Seven Golden Flowers"!". Since then, the "Seven Golden Flowers" have been called.
7. Explain the knowledge of nuclear submarines to the head of the navy
In June 1959 in Dalian, the Navy Party Committee held a plenary meeting. Commander Xiao Jinguang attended with illness. During the conference, Chen Chunshu, Guo Zuodong, and Huang Zuqia were arranged to attend a meeting to explain to the chief of the navy the popular science knowledge of nuclear submarines, nuclear power plants, and the powerful current system and control system of the whole ship. Their speeches became a hot topic at the meeting. Through this lecture, the leaders of the Navy at all levels have gained a new understanding of improving the modernization of naval equipment.
During the meeting, Commander Xiao Jinguang cordially met with Chen Chunshu, Guo Zuodong, and Huang Zuqia, and asked them about their personal information, such as asking Chen Chunshu and Guo Zuodong "which school they graduated from." The naval chiefs took this opportunity to convey their affirmation of the work of the 09 Research Laboratory and also to the praise of all 09 personnel.
10. Trek
In 1958, under the organization of Luo Shunchu's four-member team, the work was carried out in three design groups: the overall design of the professional boat, the power and the electrical, among which Director Xue Zonghua was responsible for the overall design of the missile nuclear submarine. In 1958, conception and preliminary research began. In 1959, the preliminary plan was completed, and the research and research were continued, which laid a preliminary technical foundation for the future technical design and construction design. At the same time, a set of experiences were summed up for the development of naval equipment in the later sixties: "Adhere to self-reliance and actively strive for the introduction of advanced technology; follow the law of scientific development and obey the overall strategic situation of the state and the whole army; Adhere to seeking truth from facts, pioneering and innovative, and lay a technical foundation for independent development. ”
March 18, 2024
Bibliography:
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[2] Chen Youming, Li Zhongxiao.China Nuclear Submarine Engineering Memorandum (2nd Edition)[M].Contemporary Literature and Art Publishing House,2022.6.
[3] Luo Shunchu, Luo Xiaoming, ed.Seeking new naval technology[J].Centennial Tide,2006.1:22-29.
[4] Luo Xiaoming.1958-1959: The difficult start of China's nuclear submarines[J].Yanhuang Chunqiu,2020.12.
[5] Chongqing Nie Rongzhen Research Association, Chongqing Jiangjin District Committee of the Communist Party of China, Jiangjin District People's Government, Nie Rongzhen Pictorial Biography[M].Shanghai Literature and Art Publishing House,2009.11.
(About author:Chen Zhijun, Ship Systems Engineering Research Institute, China State Shipbuilding Corporation; Luo Xiaoming, a retired cadre of the former Navy Command; Jinnan Chen, Beijing Institute of Technology. )