Back in 1978, I was admitted to Northwestern Polytechnical University.

Chapter 122 Making Up for the Regrets of the Y-10

In that special era, it was a great pity that leaders could not travel on their own passenger planes when they went abroad for visits. So, the aviation industry system mobilized its best personnel and launched a large passenger plane project in Shanghai, codenamed Y-10.

At the time, there were many technical approaches, such as using modified H-6 bombers to map domestic Trident passenger planes. However, at that time, a Boeing 707 belonging to Pakistan crashed. After surveying the wreckage of the Boeing 707, the technicians decided to follow the Boeing 707 approach.

With four domestically produced WS-8 turbofan engines mounted under the wings, the Y-10 has a range of no less than 7,000 kilometers, a maximum takeoff weight of 110 tons, and a service ceiling of 12,000 meters. Thus began the development of the Y-10.

In July 1976, the first Y-7 was manufactured, but it was destined never to fly and needed to undergo static testing on the ground. Historically, the second Y-80 successfully made its maiden flight on September 26, 9, causing a sensation both at home and abroad.

Unfortunately, just two years later, the Y-10 became an unwanted and neglected entity. No one cared about its fate, and the civil aviation industry preferred to buy Boeing 707s from the United States rather than the Y-10.

The project persisted until 1986, when the higher authorities rejected tens of millions of yuan in fuel costs, and the Y-10 project was completely terminated. From then on, only Boeing and McDonnell Douglas remained in the skies of the East, and later Airbus joined them.

As for the three-step plan proposed by the civil aviation system, it got stuck on the first step: producing the McDonnell Douglas MD-82 passenger plane. With McDonnell Douglas being acquired by Boeing, the project came to an abrupt end. Joint development with foreign countries resulted in being tricked by them time and time again. It wasn't until later, with the emergence of the C919, that the East could finally breathe a sigh of relief. However, the maximum takeoff weight of the C919d is only over seventy tons, which is no match for the Y-10.

Of course, opinions on the Y-10 are multifaceted. Those who support it believe that its cancellation delayed China's civil aviation passenger aircraft program by a full twenty years. Those who criticize it argue that the Y-10 was merely a political project with no chance of success: the main beam lacked a 10,000-ton hydraulic press for pressing, and the engine and avionics used spare parts from civil aviation...

For Qin Liang, the cancellation of the Y-10 project has always been a source of anxiety for us Easterners. The current Y-10 is completely in sync with Airbus. If Airbus can succeed, why can't our Y-10 succeed?

Avionics? The Super-7 project has already imported a lot of avionics technology from abroad; it all depends on how well it is digested and absorbed domestically!

Engine? We already have the Spey facelift!

The JT3D engine has a maximum thrust of only eight tons, while our Spey variant has increased it to ten tons! With this increased thrust, the takeoff weight of the Y-10 can be further increased, resulting in increased payload and range, lower fuel consumption, and improved economy.

Who else dares to say that the Y-10 is a castle in the air or a vanity project?
At this moment, Mr. Ma had already gone straight to the test stand and looked at the engine that had become much fatter.

"Excellent, excellent! This engine can be perfectly installed on our Y-10! This way, we won't need to borrow engines from the civil aviation industry... Old Wu, produce four of these engines for us first!"

Old Wu's expression was complicated: "Old Ma, if you use the Spey, what about the WS-8? What about the No. 1 Automotive Auxiliary Plant in Shanghai, Changzheng Machinery Plant... won't they have any objections?"

"If the WS-8 engine were mature, we could certainly use it. But right now... our Y-10 is for carrying passengers, so we can't use an immature engine!" Old Ma said. "We've been worried about engines lately. We originally planned to borrow engines from civil aviation, but... we don't need them now. The Spey engine that we spent a lot of money to import back then wasn't a waste of money!"

Mr. Ma was originally in the capital, where he had done a lot of work to ask the Civil Aviation Administration to provide their backup engines. However, the Civil Aviation Administration was only vague about the matter. Then he heard about the progress of the Spey engine modification at Factory 430 and was very excited, so he immediately came over.

At this moment, his gaze was fixed on the Spey on the test bench, and he looked radiant.

Although Spey is still far from the world's advanced level, at least the problem of whether or not it exists has been solved!

"Ah, we really have to thank Comrade Qin Liang for this. These fan blades were made by them, and they've reached world-class standards!" Old Wu exclaimed. The technology that even the British wanted to import—it's absolutely world-class! Whoosh!
A pair of large hands grasped Qin Liang's hand.

"Comrade Qin Liang, on behalf of the Shanghai Aircraft Factory and the Y-10 R&D team, I thank you for your contributions!"

"Professor Ma, this technology was developed by the Materials Science Department of Northwestern Polytechnical University. I feel very honored that it can enable my Y-10 passenger plane to fly. The Y-10 passenger plane is of great significance to us. It can not only serve as a passenger plane, but also as an aerial refueling aircraft, an electronic warfare aircraft, and an airborne early warning aircraft. This aircraft provides the Air Force with a suitable platform for a large passenger plane... What do you say, Professor Lin?"

The road to the Y-10 is tortuous. The civil aviation industry will make things difficult for it with all sorts of excuses and refuse to take it. If the civil aviation route is not feasible, then the only option is to take the military route first!
The air force lacked suitable airframe platforms, so in later generations, when developing aerial refueling aircraft, they could only modify the old H-6 bombers; for electronic warfare aircraft, they could only use Y-8 transport aircraft; and as for airborne early warning aircraft, they had to purchase Il-76 transport aircraft from the Russians.

With the Y-10, all these problems will be easily solved!

Old Lin had mixed feelings. These days, the air force is lucky to even maintain a large fleet flying normally! Aerial refueling and airborne early warning are things he can only dream about!
But... how can I say no in front of so many people? I have to give everyone hope!
“That’s right, Qin Liang is right!” Old Lin nodded: “The domestically produced large passenger aircraft is of great significance to us! This engine is also of great significance to the development of our aviation industry! Today, we’re all gathered here, so we should have a good drink! Someone, take my Moutai off the plane!”

Factory 430, canteen.

"Come on, Liangzi, drink!"

Qin Liang was in a real bind: "Old Lin, I... my stomach is telling me I can't drink anymore." Old Lin, you're the kind of person who can knock out all those Russian officers; my alcohol tolerance is nowhere near yours!
"It's alright, you have to practice your alcohol tolerance. Using Moutai to practice your tolerance is an honor for you, kid! Drink up!"

After downing another glass of wine, Qin Liang heard Old Lin's question.

"When you went to the UK this time, you used their equipment to build an advanced radar antenna. Can this be made in our country?"

"Not yet, we have to wait for the CNC machine tools we ordered to arrive..."

"Alright, once you've built the advanced radar antenna, I, Old Lin, will bring you Moutai to celebrate your success!"

At the table, someone asked curiously, "What kind of radar antenna does it require CNC machine tools to process?"

"Planet slot radar antenna".

"What? That antenna, isn't it only Americans who can manufacture it?"

"That's right, we'll soon be the second one!"

(End of this chapter)