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

Chapter 183 Wind Tunnel? Northwestern Polytechnical University has one!
"The aerial refueling probes for receiver aircraft are divided into two types: folding type and detachable fixed type. For small aircraft, detachable fixed aerial refueling probes are common. However, if the design is not good, it will seriously affect other performance aspects of the aircraft. There are two key points in this regard."

On the tarmac, next to the returning Super-7 fighter jet, Qin Liang began to give a long and detailed introduction.

"One of them is the sweep angle of the pipe. The larger the sweep angle, the smaller the drag, but at the same time, the pipe will be longer and the stiffness will be worse. We need to choose an appropriate angle according to the needs. Our current angle and position are about right. The key is the second problem, the cross-sectional shape of the pipe. We absolutely cannot use a circular pipe to save time! This small refueling pipe also needs to have a suitable shape calculated by computer, and it also needs to be blown through a wind tunnel..."

“This kind of processing is not easy!” Old Tu frowned.

If you want a special shape, how do you process it?

"Machine tool processing and die forging press stamping, how are they difficult? This aerial refueling probe is an important means for our navy and air force to increase their combat radius! Even if a single probe costs 100,000 yuan, the air force wouldn't even blink an eye. What do you say, Mr. Lin?"

Old Lin didn't say anything, but frowned a few times. "You kid, are you trying to rip off the Air Force like a rich man?"

"In that case, I'm afraid it will delay our aerial refueling experiment," Elder Tu said again.

"No rush, let's go eat first, and then we'll talk."

"Eat? Our delivery cycle is very short!" Old Tu thought anxiously.

"Old Tu, don't worry. At worst, we can just do what I did, flatten the round pipes, and deliver a batch to the customer first."

Old Tu felt a chill run down his spine; this was just a charade...

Old Tu ate the meal with great reluctance. No matter what interesting stories Qin Liang told him about his trip abroad, he had no appetite to listen. After finishing the meal, he saw a 212 car drive towards the helipad, and then… someone took out a Z-shaped object. This was…

Aerial refueling probe?
"Old Tu, Old Tu, slow down, don't trip..."

Old Tu started walking with long strides, then turned to running. When he reached the helipad, he saw two students from Northwestern Polytechnical University already installing it!

"This... so fast?"

"Well, after I smashed this, you see the plane taking off, and I gave the students a few instructions."

The Y-10 and all the big guys were delivered. Qin Liang came to see the Super 7, and the others planned to go back. Before the bus that was supposed to pick them up arrived, Qin Liang came over and gave them a few instructions. After they went back, they started designing. This thing was already considered child's play.

It hasn't even been a few hours, and Northwestern Polytechnical University solved it in such a short time? Northwestern Polytechnical University has advanced computers, that's no problem, but... Professor Tu is still very puzzled.

"Didn't you say we were going to blow through the wind tunnel?"

"Yes, we have our own wind tunnel. It's not very big, it can only hold a 1:36 scale model of an airplane at most, but it's more than enough to blow this refueling hose."

Northwestern Polytechnical University has its own wind tunnel!
Tu Lao's expression was one of utter shock. Of all the aviation research institutions in the country, which one had its own wind tunnel? All sorts of designs had to be sent to Sichuan Province to be tested in a wind tunnel, and there was always a waiting list!
In the future, Northwestern Polytechnical University's own designs can be tested in a small wind tunnel first. Once it's proven to be working properly, then they can be tested in a large wind tunnel. This will definitely be twice as effective!

"Master Tu, the installation is complete. Shall we continue the experiment?"

"Experiment, experiment!"

Half an hour later, the Super-7 took to the air again, leveling at Mach 1.8 and diving to Mach 2 without any problems. Apart from being an eyesore, the aerial refueling probe had no other issues! "Great, this problem is solved. Next, we should officially begin aerial refueling training..." Old Tu said, looking towards the Y-10. The aerial refueling pod was still being installed and would probably be ready tomorrow!
Let's move on to other projects!

Just then, the roar of an airplane could be heard in the distance. A twin-engine turboprop plane approached the runway and landed.

"The plane testing the airborne radar has landed. Liangzi, want to go take a look?"

"Great!" Qin Liang nodded. "I wonder how the radar test is going?"

"It should be ready for use by now. Shenyang is in a hurry and has already sent over a radar to test it on a J-2 fighter jet," said Old Lin.

The Northern Institute is indeed in a hurry. With the J-7 gradually maturing, if they don't hurry up and develop the J-82, the Air Force might abandon them!

"So fast?" Qin Liang frowned.

"what happened?"

"Our department-run factory needs to be expanded again!"

The technologies developed by Northwestern Polytechnical University will not be handed over to other factories or research institutes! Even if those factories or research institutes make money from producing the products, they won't give Northwestern Polytechnical University a single penny. Where would the research funding come from? Those ungrateful wretches can't be fattened up!

"Yes, our Air Force supports you!" Old Lin nodded.

The Y-7 landed smoothly and taxied to the apron, right next to the Super 7. The cabin door opened, and Engineer Zhu was the first to get off.

"Qin Liang, Qin Liang! We've completed the testing of all the functions you requested! Next, we can install them on the Super-7, then match them with the No. 8 missile and begin testing..."

"Mr. Zhu, you've worked hard!"

The Y-7 is a copy of the Soviet An-24 transport aircraft. It is powered by a turboprop, which is very noisy, and the reliability of the aircraft is not high. It can be said that the team that took it into the air was risking their lives to fly it!
"It's not hard work, we're full of energy!" Engineer Zhu said. "Now that this project is almost over, we feel a little empty inside..."

Institute 607 was established specifically to develop airborne radar. The achievements of its work over the past few decades cannot compare to those of this one year! Now, the airborne radar has been successfully developed. The transmitter, processor, and so on are all the same, only the size of the flat panel antenna is different. It can be used by both the J-7 and J-8 fighters.

Now that we've got all of this done, what's next?
"This project is over, but there are new ones! Our airborne radar technology is still too outdated! Next, we need to further improve its reliability, accuracy, and detection capabilities, and the development of new radar should also be put on the agenda... Our Northwestern Polytechnical University will allocate half of its radar revenue to continue investing in the research and development of new radar!"

Relying on the Air Force? It's better to rely on ourselves! Anyway, when selling radar to the Air Force, we can just raise the price slightly and the research and development costs will be covered.

"A new radar?" Engineer Zhu's eyes lit up.

Qin Liang glanced at the Y-10 in the distance and said, "Now that the aircraft problem is about to be solved, shouldn't the Air Force consider the airborne early warning aircraft project?"

Active phased array radar technology heavily relies on the development of the semiconductor industry, and we'll have to wait for that. However… early warning aircraft are something to consider. Using planar slotted antennas, achieving the level of the American E-3 is achievable. In the 1980s, this aircraft would be a game-changer!

(End of this chapter)