What the hell is a private enterprise?

Chapter 652 The Tomcat Arrives Home (August 2600 Monthly Tickets)

How large is a circular region with a radius of 1000 kilometers and a diameter of 2000 kilometers?

The distance from Beijing to Echeng is about this. If it were to be opened in the central region, it would be enough to affect 300 million square kilometers of major population centers across the country, affecting approximately 8 million people.

However, it would be much better on the open ocean, especially the South Pacific.

The vast South Pacific Ocean, especially the approximately 10000-kilometer-diameter stretch between Samoa and South America, is sparsely populated, with few established islands and even fewer shipping routes.

However, the 1000-kilometer radius is only the effective range; if we take into account the possibility of detection—there is no solution.

Due to the curvature of the Earth, the interference signals from the flood system rely on ionospheric reflection, and from a macroscopic perspective, the signals can also reach space.

The Kármán line is only 100 kilometers long, so the flood system can be launched directly into space and has a huge impact range, but it mainly interferes and cannot burn things up.

However, the possibility of it being located is 100%. The polar bear built a "woodpecker" antenna array for nuclear submarine communications that is a full 600 meters long, with a normal power of 10 megawatts and a peak power of 20 megawatts. Once turned on, it can be received globally, and it is famous for the sound of its special frequency waves, which resembles the sound of a woodpecker pecking.

Once activated, this flood system, with a stable power of 30 megawatts and a peak power exceeding 110 megawatts, is like the brightest little sun in the world, so bright that even satellites in geostationary orbit at an altitude of 36000 kilometers can hear it!
Locating this sun-like emission source was far too easy, so the country dared not test it on its own. When it was launched, a warning was issued that testing it at the base would expose its coordinates.

Tang Wen decided to move the Prussia to the Antarctic dock first, then move it to the vicinity of Chile before restarting it, which would take about 5 to 7 days.

After arranging the escort route for the Prussia, he also had to provide F-14s, since Lu Lao's time was extremely valuable.

……

Da Wan Shipyard

Three Hanma S9 luxury custom editions were parked at the entrance of the shipyard, and all the people in them went into the small shop next door first.

As is well known, submarines from all over the world often infiltrate the docks of the Tai Wan Shipyard to transport secret equipment, such as A4 missiles, or even 700 tons of gold.

Therefore, entering the shipyard requires multiple security measures. Upon arrival at the shipyard, one must undergo a body search at a convenience store run by the National Security Bureau before entering the shipyard and being checked by Gai Jin's own security personnel. Only a very small number of people can enter directly.

Today's group was different; after a thorough check, Tang Wen noticed two unfamiliar faces.

Both of them were very friendly, and after introducing themselves, they looked at Tang Wen with curiosity.

One was a colonel from the Air Force surnamed Li, and the other was a domestic aero-engine expert, who was said to be the designer of the "WS-10 'Taihang'" engine, surnamed Liu.

When they heard that the F-14 and F-110 really existed, the Air Force was just as excited as the Navy.

It is well known that the domestic air force is a big jerk, and it has to bear part of the blame for the many aborted and failed fighter jet projects.

Besides wanting to see it for themselves, they also dragged the designers who were engrossed in working on the WS-10 turbofan engine over to witness the imperial weapon, the F110.

The WS-10 turbofan engine project also started with imitation, by imitating the core engine of the general-purpose CFM56 and piecing it together with the bypass duct of the Russian AL31F.

The CFM56 is a civilian engine used in passenger aircraft, but its technology is derived from the military F101 engine, which is mainly used in the B1 series bombers.

Domestically, some parts of the engines from the two arch-rivals were borrowed and combined, with disastrous results:

The WS10 prototype really sprays parts!
At present, the WS10 is almost dead, and the completely redesigned WS10A is about to be launched. The latter will gradually become reliable and become the power source for the J-11B and J-16, but that will be more than a decade later.

Now that Tang Wen has heard of the existence of actual F-110 aircraft and original data, he speculates that China will likely change its mind and instead turn to copying the F-110.

Colonel Li rubbed his hands together eagerly upon meeting him:

"Where's the F-14? Let us see it!"

Zhao Yaohua and Old Lu also showed the same expression, their eyes already locked on the large warehouse that had been used to store gold last time.

"This way, please."

Tang Wen led his group through a small door, and once inside, they saw five unmarked Tomcats neatly arranged in a spacious warehouse. On the rack opposite the planes, a long row of engines stood as if they were replicas.

The group immediately scattered like wild horses. Designer Liu ran to observe the F110, while the others climbed directly onto the F14.

Old Zhang first went to the landing gear of an airplane to observe the wear and signs of use, but found that there was no dust even in the gaps of the hydraulic cylinders. This was a characteristic that only a brand-new airplane that had just come out of the factory had.

Colonel Li climbed into the cockpit, looked around a few times, and then started flipping the switch to confirm its authenticity.

Chief Designer Lu was touching the wing box, while Zhao Yaohua was trying to open the radar dome.

Tang Wen sat quietly on the golden toilet throne to the side, enjoying the shoulder massage service from Jean Bart and Zhenhai, until more than ten minutes later when he saw Zhao Yaohua reluctantly walk over.

Only then did the latter notice the blindingly bright golden throne, and for a moment, he was stunned and forgot what he was going to say:
"Is this made of gold?"

"Pure Gold, would you like to come up and have a seat?"

"No, no, no, this is too... Let's talk about the F-14. I feel like this was assembled at the Grumman factory, it's definitely not a refurbished one."

"Don't worry about it."

Tang Wen put his hands behind his head, his smug expression seeming to say, "I have a wide road ahead of me in the United States." Soon, the others also came over, only to find that Tang Wen had already prepared their stools—golden stools, and even a golden coffee table and golden teacups.

The group was deeply shocked by the extravagance that was both extremely rustic and extremely luxurious. After sitting around the city, they all felt that the atmosphere had changed.

Old Lu tried his best to look away from Tang Wen's golden throne:

"The aircraft is completely new, and there is no dust accumulation in the pipelines. As for replacing it with F110, it is not a problem. The United States has done a very good job in general design, and there is no difficulty in terms of modification."

However, the flight control system must be adjusted to adapt to the new thrust, which will take approximately two to three months to complete.

"2 to 3 months?"

Old Zhang was somewhat confused:

"The Persians tried for seven years without success, Chief Engineer Lu."

The replacement of the F-14A with the F-110 is a route that has been envisioned. Previously, the Persian Empire hoped to replace the unreliable TF30 with the F-110. However, after spending a huge amount of money and trying for a full 7 years, the flight performance actually decreased after the replacement.

This is something that is generally known in the aviation industry; Persia only announced its abandonment a year ago.

Zhao Yaohua explained on his behalf:
"It's different. Persia's technical strength is too weak. Although Hongdu is not a first-class institute, it is not at this level. In addition, we have the data on the aircraft and engines, so it will be easier to find the corresponding nodes to make modifications."

Replacing the engine is like replacing the heart; the Persians would also need to undertake a certain amount of reverse engineering work on the F-14 during the replacement, which is almost impossible for them to do.

Mr. Lu: "But if we can't even complete this step, then imitation is out of the question."

Old Zhang nodded, while Tang Wen felt he had gained some knowledge.

Colonel Li: "I saw the Phoenix. The Air Force wants to organize a confrontation exercise. In addition, we need to ask the aircraft department to assess and compare the logistical and maintenance difficulties of the Su-27 and F-14."

Mr. Liu, do you think the F110 can be installed on the J-11?

"This needs to be evaluated, but the likelihood is relatively small."

Chief Designer Liu: "The F110 has a higher degree of electrification. Replacing the engine requires modifying the airframe's electrical system and rematching the flight control. Modifying the center of gravity and nozzles is a minor issue. The biggest problem is the air intake volume."

The F110 requires a higher air intake volume, and replacing its engine would essentially necessitate modifications to the Su-27's air intake system.

Colonel Li immediately showed a disappointed expression. It was clear that Shenyang Aircraft Corporation could not possibly have the capability to significantly modify the Su-27 at this time. At least they would have to wait until they had fully mastered the technology and successfully localized it before they could attempt to do so.

But Chief Engineer Liu immediately comforted him:

"But if we start copying the F110 now, then by the time the copy is successful, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation will have mastered the Su-27 airframe, and modifications will no longer be difficult."

"Wait, I have a question. How many years does it take to replicate a product?"

Tang Wen finally interjected. Chief Engineer Liu was very curious about this man who possessed the golden throne, and after thinking for a moment, he replied:
"Since you have the complete set of data, considering the need to overcome the process issues, it should take about 5 to 7 years."

"so slow?"

Chief Engineer Liu immediately shook his head: "No, no, we have to wait for the metallurgical industry to make a technological breakthrough. We can't rush it."

Tang Wen frowned immediately. How could his red Tomcat use a domestically produced engine? What if the military used this as a reason not to purchase it?
The intelligent engine selection solution is probably not feasible, so why not just do it ourselves? After all, the aviation machinery factory has copied the JT3D before, so it's not like we have no foundation at all, it just lacks guidance from some top-notch experts.

"Chief Engineer Liu, do you have any colleagues who are down on their luck, short on money, but have some skills? Sell them to me."

Chief Engineer Liu: "I'm sorry..."

Tang Wen interrupted him: "I will pay the institute $100 million for a chief engineer, $50 for a deputy chief engineer, and $20 for an experienced senior researcher. If that's not enough, you can name your price."

5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Your lack of response clearly indicates dissatisfaction. Therefore, the chief engineer receives 200 million, the deputy chief engineer 100 million, and the researcher 50.

5, 4, 3…

"I'll report this to my superiors!"

Chief Engineer Liu called off the second round of price increases; he was genuinely scared.

If he doesn't agree now, and Tang Wen takes this price tag around the 606 Institute's residential compound, believe me, a bunch of people will come up with excuses like "going into business," "my father is seriously ill," or "wandering the world" and run away?

Another $200 million... He had no idea he was worth that much, and he was inexplicably a little excited.

The others, witnessing such terrifying power of money, gasped in astonishment.

No wonder he's the man who can sit on a golden toilet!

While buying and selling people may sound immoral, the success rate for domestic research institutes that are desperately poor is quite high.

In the end, Colonel Li coughed and changed the subject:
"The Air Force can provide a semi-abandoned base in the Northwest, where the facilities are very complete. We will cover the basic costs, but we hope that Chief Engineer Sun Yat-sen can get these F-14s flying as soon as possible."

(End of this chapter)