Chapter 292

"Cough cough, regarding the matter of replacing the radar on the J-8, let's tentatively decide on that; I estimate that during the improvement process in Shenyang, Ha Gong Da has already developed the airborne radar for us." Section Leader hurriedly changed the topic: "Let's continue with the next plan. Old Gu, please re-report your J-13 plan."

"Wait, wasn't this plan already shelved?" Lin Lao said.

In 1971, Shenyang had already begun research on a next-generation fighter, after all they knew their J-8 was too backward to compete with the 611 Institute's J-9 plan, merely a stopgap.

Of course, in the end the stopgap became the mainstay while the original main fighter was shelved, which is indeed lamentable.

After carefully studying troop requirements and drafting various needs, this process continued until 1977, when the Third Ministry of Machine Building held a flight demonstration meeting for the J-13 in the Capital.

The aircraft's overall shape somewhat resembles the F-16, with fuselage inlet, leading-edge extensions, and a high-thrust turbofan engine at the rear, namely the Turbofan Six from Factory 410.

However, just a year later, after acquiring the MiG-23, they drafted a plan to reverse-engineer its engine, naming it Turbojet-15 for use on the J-13; but after feasibility study lasting until March 1981, the decision was made to halt development.

Only a few months have passed, and now we want to launch it again? Such back-and-forth is not good!

"Yeah, the J-13 project was shelved initially for many reasons, such as our country needing to focus on economic construction and insufficient military R&D funding, but mainly due to technical issues—our indigenous Turbofan Six had many problems, while the Turbojet-15 is after all just a turbojet." Section Leader explained: "Now we have obtained the high-thrust engine used on the F-16 fighter, so based on the F100 engine we will carry out reverse-engineering work, thereby solving the Air Force's heart problem; we deem this very necessary, and this project can be entrusted to Factory 410."

Next, the personnel from Factory 410 hurriedly stood up: "Please rest assured, leaders, we will surely complete the task satisfactorily!"

"Since we now have the high-thrust turbofan engine, the J-13 project can naturally be revived, after all the Air Force still has a need… By the way, at the previous meeting we mentioned reverse-engineering the M53 engine; these two projects are actually not conflicting, after all the latter is supported by Ha Gong Da…"

"Old Duan, with our country's industrial base we cannot accomplish reverse-engineering of the F-16 engine," Lin Lao shook his head: "A J-13 based on that engine would be a castle in the air…"

Such an offensive matter certainly shouldn't be left to Qin Miao! Lin Lao remembered Qin Miao's words—reverse-engineering the F100 engine now? That's a joke!

This kind of offending thing, of course we can't let Qin Miao do it! Old Lin remembered Qin Miao's words, and now you're talking about surveying and copying the F100 engine? You're joking!

The personnel from Factory 410 stood up again.

"Old Lin, please trust Factory 410; we are the top aircraft engine factory, our technical level is the highest nationwide, and during the development of the Turbofan Six we accumulated many R&D achievements; we are confident we can reverse-engineer this engine!"

"Old Lin, please believe us, Factory 410; we are the top aircraft engine factory, our technical level is also the highest in the country; in the process of developing turbofan six, we have also accumulated many R&D achievements; we have confidence to complete the survey and copy of this engine."

Yin Haifeng stared for a moment, then… gritted his teeth and said: "Three years… no, five years!"

"Alright, five years it is, but… if by then we fail to reverse-engineer it and waste a large sum of funds, then… are you folks at Factory 410 willing to bear that responsibility?"

"Old Lin, conducting scientific research is all about trial and error; one might succeed at once or encounter various problems. Now using responsibility to pressure them will only increase their stress; we leaders should support them."

"Old Duan! I, Old Lin, do not support empty boasting and bragging! I am a soldier; failing to complete a task deserves execution!" Lin Lao looked at the Factory 410 personnel: "You have ambition, and I, Old Lin, am pleased, but your experience developing the Turbofan Six tells me I cannot easily believe your great leap forward! Unless you sign a military pledge! The state's meager R&D funds cannot be wasted; someone must be held accountable."

"Old Duan! I, Old Lin, do not support talking nonsense, spouting nonsense! I am a soldier! If the mission is not completed, that deserves execution!" Old Lin looked at the people of Factory 410: "You have ambition, I, Old Lin, am pleased, but your experience developing turbofan six tells me I cannot easily believe your Great Leap Forward! Unless you issue a military order! The country's meager R&D funds cannot be wasted; someone must take responsibility for this."

Who dares to take responsibility? No one!

They want this project merely because they fear falling behind; as for whether it can actually be made… let's get it first and talk later! Having a project in hand keeps one from panicking.

They want this project, but only because they're afraid of falling behind; as for whether they can actually produce it… first get it, then talk! Having a project in hand, they won't panic.

"Comrade Qin Miao, you may speak." Section Leader looked at Qin Miao, his face showing approval.

"Comrades of Factory 410, what is the turbine inlet temperature of our Turbofan Six?"

"1077 degrees Celsius; we used the film-cooling technology from the Turbojet-7A, effectively raising the turbine inlet temperature, making us the second in the world to achieve this technological breakthrough…"

Qin Miao of course knows that the veteran engineers working on these technologies are all at Ha Gong Da now!

"Then do you know what the turbine inlet temperature of the F100 engine is?"

"Then do you know what the turbine inlet temperature of the F100 engine is?"

"The turbine inlet temperature of this engine is 1399 degrees Celsius, over three hundred degrees higher than what we currently have; can Factory 410 develop such high-temperature materials within five years?"

"The turbine inlet temperature of this engine is 1399 degrees Celsius. It's over three hundred degrees higher than what we currently have; Factory 410, can you develop such high-temperature material within five years?"

"What a joke, they don't even research materials!"

"What about the M53?" Lin Lao asked.

"The turbine inlet temperature of this engine is 1200 degrees Celsius, two hundred degrees lower than the F100; we at Ha Gong Da have the capability to produce similar materials." Qin Miao answered.

"The turbine inlet temperature of this engine is 1,200 degrees Celsius, two hundred degrees lower than the F100; Ha Gong Da has the capability to produce similar materials." Qin Miao replied.

One is aiming too high, the other is down-to-earth; comparing these numbers will tell the story.

The French's engine technology is far behind other nations, after all WWII left them crippled; the M53 is based on the ATAR 9 engine, with an added bypass duct turning it into a turbofan, and then further upgraded.

For example, raising the turbine inlet temperature from 900°C to 1200°C increases thrust, and this technology is exactly what Ha Gong Da can achieve.

As for the F100… it requires advanced high-temperature directionally solidified single-crystal materials; although Ha Gong Da's materials department is also researching them, this will take some time!

"The high-pressure rotor of the F100 engine spins at 30,000 rpm, and its disk requires powder metallurgy material; does Factory 410 have this production capability?"

The faces of the Factory 410 personnel turned red, and nobody spoke.

Lin Lao nodded: "The M53 is a single-spool engine, with no high- and low-pressure twin-shaft structure; its rotor runs only over ten thousand rpm, which we can definitely achieve."

Qin Miao continued looking at the Factory 410 personnel: "The pivot bearing in the F100's twin-spool requires a machining precision of 0.001 mm; can the Grade 8 workers at Factory 410 achieve that precision?"

Lin Lao nodded, just about to continue saying the M53's difficulty is low, when he was interrupted.

"Comrade Qin Miao, by saying that you are slandering the working class; we may lack advanced technology, but we have diligent hands and an unyielding spirit! We believe the wisdom of the working people is boundless!"

"So… you just shout slogans?" Qin Miao turned his head: "Section Leader, I have finished speaking."

"So... you guys just shout slogans?" Qin Miao turned his head: "Section Leader Duan, I've said my piece."