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

Chapter 165 This anti-ship missile is going to defy the heavens.
"The biggest problem with the No. 8 missile is its insufficient speed. Our relevant departments are also developing anti-ship missiles with ramjet engines, but those are all very large and not suitable for small warships to carry, let alone fighter jets," said Elder Liang.

"No, no, subsonic missiles have their basis for existence, and supersonic missiles are not omnipotent. The biggest problem with our No. 8 missile is not speed, but range."

Qin Liang continued his deception: "So far, the range of most anti-ship missiles is limited to 40 kilometers, because that is also the farthest distance that shipborne radar can detect targets on the sea surface. Any further and they will be below the sea surface. However... this distance is not safe. With shipborne helicopters, anti-ship missiles can be launched from 100 kilometers away through search and relay guidance, which will make our warships safer."

Forty kilometers away, you spot me, I spot you, let's all open fire and attack!

We need to increase the firing range! As for the guidance issue, shipborne helicopters can solve that! And later, there will be "Music Stand" radars capable of attacking beyond the horizon…

"It's easier said than done. Our current solid rocket engine technology can only achieve a range of forty kilometers..." the old engineer wearing a hearing aid said. His ears were damaged during engine testing.

"Yes, solid rocket engine technology is definitely not enough, so we need to switch to jet engines!"

"You mean... a turbojet?"

Early anti-ship missiles used liquid rocket engines, which had strong thrust and great power, but consumed too much fuel and had a short range. The key issue was their large size. Therefore, in the 1970s and 1980s, anti-ship missiles from various countries began to adopt solid rocket engines.

Small and flexible, requiring minimal pre-launch preparation, but unfortunately, solid rocket motors have low thrust and short burn time, preventing effective range extension.

Since the 1990s, missiles with a range of more than 100 kilometers have all used jet engines, which are the same engines used on airplanes!
"It could be a turbojet engine or a turbofan engine. As long as we develop a small missile engine, we can make our anti-ship missiles reach a longer range! If we develop a fuel-efficient turbofan engine... the No. 8 missile's length remains the same, and its range can reach three or four hundred kilometers. In this way, it can be used by aircraft carrier battle groups! It can also be transformed into a land attack missile!"

Three or four hundred kilometers!
The visitors from the Third Hospital have been shocked more than once, each time more intensely than the last! Their beloved "Little Erhei" (a type of snack) suddenly lost its appeal.

Back when the YJ-8 missile was first developed, the Navy was dissatisfied with its range. So, the Third Academy lengthened the missile body, extending the range to 70 kilometers. However, this was already the limit of solid-propellant engines! So, they replaced it with a small turbojet engine, and the range suddenly increased to 120 kilometers. The improved version even increased it to 180 kilometers!
However, turbojet engines still consume too much fuel. If the small turbofan engine used on the Tomahawk missile could be developed, a range of three or four hundred kilometers would be nothing, while the Tomahawk missile could fly more than two thousand kilometers!

"Qin Liang, does Northwestern Polytechnical University have this technology?" Professor Liang asked again.

"Of course! As long as the navy needs it, we can develop the matching engine. The development cost... let's say fifty million!"

Another 50 million!

"The higher-ups won't approve such a large budget. It seems that if we want to acquire this advanced engine, we'll have to sell our No. 8 missile!" Old Liang sighed.

"That's right. With this kind of engine, our navy's anti-ship capabilities can be greatly improved, far surpassing the performance of the No. 8 missile. The outdated No. 8 missile can be sold abroad, generating foreign exchange and enhancing the reputation of our Eastern equipment..."

Wait! Old Liang's expression... it was as if he had seen through something. Qin Liang's voice grew softer and softer. "Alright, our Third Academy will take charge. Report to the Navy. You... continue with the meeting."

"Ahem, it's almost time. Let's go to the cafeteria and get something to eat. Mr. Liang, you've come all this way, you can't just leave without even having a meal!"

Inside the cafeteria, people were chatting and laughing, enjoying themselves immensely.

"I'm in the capital, and I've heard people talking badly about you. They say you'll stop at nothing to achieve your goals, and you're setting traps for others everywhere..."

"Who said that? That's slander! I, Qin Liang, am an upright man! Elder Liang, you'd better open your eyes and not let anyone deceive you."

"Yes, I only found out it was a rumor after I got here. Your abilities are so outstanding that they aroused jealousy. Besides, the evidence is conclusive; that old Shen has already been dismissed!"

Qin Liang finally breathed a sigh of relief: "Old Shen? I heard that last time in Paris, I drank too much and talked back to him. This is clearly a smear campaign and retaliation!"

"Yes, I understand what happened back then, and what you said is correct! The projects you handled had a large cash flow; a lot of the money was earned by you and then invested in the projects. This time, with the sale of our No. 8 missile, we will have a large profit, which will also be invested in the research and development of new projects, promoting the overall progress of our country's industrial technology..."

Old Liang is giving himself a warning!
"Mr. Liang, I admit that this research and development funding is too much, but... don't worry, this funding will definitely be invested in technological progress. Take anti-ship missiles for example. Even if our YJ-8 is improved with a turbofan engine, it only solves the range problem, not the power problem. We have some new ideas."

"Say it!"

"Sub-supersonic combination! This missile is divided into two sections. The outer shell houses a small turbofan engine and fuel to extend its range, for example, to 500 kilometers. Once the outer shell burns out, a section inside will separate out. This section is equipped with a ramjet engine to accelerate the missile to Mach 2 or 3 for the final attack phase..."

Everyone was stunned. A combination of Asian and superpowers, with both range and power—only a genius could come up with that!
Moreover, it is entirely feasible!
"Any more?"

"Of course there are. For example, using ballistic missiles to attack aircraft carriers. There's no way to defend against those; they're guaranteed to hit the target every time..."

Ballistic missiles are for attacking fixed land targets, right? When will they be able to attack mobile sea targets?

"This technology is quite challenging, but it's not insurmountable for us. The key is to locate the target and launch an attack after re-entering the atmosphere..."

　PS: The illustration shows the 3M54 missile, which combines subsonic and supersonic capabilities. Inside is a supersonic missile, and outside is a subsonic shell.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)