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

Chapter 223 So Many Alumni of the Eighth Department

Departmental Building, Department Head's Office.

"Liangzi, you're amazing! Even with the termination of the cooperation, the help we hired won't delay the start of the school year. Not only did we not lose money on the contract, we even made a profit of 100 million!" Director Luo said to Qin Liang with a smile.

"It was just a coincidence. Unfortunately, the higher-ups took 80%, leaving us only 20 million US dollars," Qin Liang said.

If David had succeeded, a group of people at Northwestern Polytechnical University would definitely have been in trouble, since the other party stole the design data of the J-9 fighter jet. Now, the other party didn't get the data, suffered a double loss, and even lost 100 million yuan, so the higher-ups can't pursue the matter.

"Twenty million is a lot. It's good enough that they didn't hold us accountable. This incident is also a lesson. In the future, we need to increase the security of our server room. The military said they will send a company to be stationed in our server room permanently."

Northwestern Polytechnical University is, after all, a university, not a key national security agency, so it only has its own security department. However, with the increasing number of projects, relying solely on the university's own resources is no longer sufficient, and the military's support is needed.

This is probably the only university in the whole country where soldiers are employed as bodyguards.

Qin Liang nodded: "Yes, it should be safer with the military coming. This was indeed my oversight."

It was quite a coincidence that Qin Liang returned, and the J-9 project team had already left. The computer room they used for research and development was temporarily empty. David saw this gap and decided to take action. During their communication during this period, they probably guessed that Yang Wei's group was also working on a canard layout project.

dong dong!

There was a knock on the door.

"Qin Liang, we've come to say goodbye. School is about to start, and the project has just ended." Professor Ning and Professor Yu, who led the team from the Capital University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, appeared at the door.

"Yes, although the project encountered an unexpected situation, you will still receive your due compensation in full." Qin Liang nodded: "We are still very grateful for your help, otherwise we would not have been able to design the Lion fighter jet in such a short time."

The reason David was willing to spend 60 million dollars to buy the data was because the machine body had already been designed. They could take it back and assemble a prototype according to the design drawings!

"We have also learned a lot from your experience. Northwestern Polytechnical University has very strong computer design capabilities. You also have your own CAD system, which integrates a lot of software. For example, once we design a structure, we can start the calculation and it can calculate the force on its own, which is very convenient."

"Yes, we third-year students can go back now. As for the fourth-year students, I really hope they can stay here for a longer period of time to help out and learn more."

Listening to their conversation, Qin Liang suddenly thought of something: "Well, it's not impossible. We just got a small job. If you don't mind, you can stay."

"Okay! What kind of work is it?"

"Improve the J-8 fighter jet."

The Fifth Department Building, the computer room, was originally the site of the Lion fighter jet project.

The hard drive enclosures in the server room have been delivered. They were very accommodating, giving all the research and development materials to David without reservation, which somewhat soothed David's wounded heart. With the new hard drive enclosures in place, it's time to start the new project.

When the people from the Northern Institute walked in, they saw many familiar faces.

"Old Yu, you actually came too!"

"Old Ning, with your help, our J-8 fighter jet will definitely be able to be improved even better!"

They were filled with emotion. When they took on David's project, the Northern Institute complained, feeling that it was a bit much not to invite them. Now, they realized that the project was a trap, and they were glad they hadn't gotten involved!
"Yes, we're just here to help. Northwestern Polytechnical University is in charge, so we'll do whatever they tell us to do."

Professor Yu's words left the people at the Northern Institute speechless. They had thought about leading the project many times, but now it seemed... there was no chance!
"Alright, everyone's here. The first thing we need to do is input all the wing design drawings of the J-8 into the computer. This is a complex and huge workload. Zhao Xiaoxia will be in charge of this. She will assign tasks to everyone, and we'll all work together to finish it within three days."

Qin Liang looked at everyone present and said, "Once the data is entered into the computer, we will start the relevant software to perform stress calculations and strengthen the parts that need strengthening. The load-bearing capacity of the inner bracket will be increased to 800 kilograms, and the load-bearing capacity of the outer bracket will be increased to 500 kilograms."

Old Gu took a deep breath. These indicators are even higher than what Old Buffett required!

"Comrade Qin Liang, isn't this a bit too high?"

"Since it's going to be an upgrade anyway, why not go all the way and make it so that it can carry not only long-range air-to-air missiles, but also anti-ship missiles and bombs? Didn't you guys think about using the J-8 as a bomber before?"

"But then the J-8's takeoff weight wouldn't meet the requirements. As you know, our J-8 was originally designed for high-altitude, high-speed targets, so the wing's lift coefficient is insufficient, limiting its maximum takeoff weight."

You can't just hang as many as you want; if you hang too many, it won't be able to fly at all!
"Hmm, that's simple. We just need to add maneuvering flaps to the leading edge of the wing to improve takeoff and landing characteristics without affecting high-speed performance, but..."

"But what?"

"You have to pay more!"

A group of people were dumbfounded, while the people from the Northern Institute had expected it.

"Yes, no problem. We'd been thinking of modifying the wings, but you said it wasn't necessary. Now that we want to increase payload capacity, we'll add flaps. Of course, we'll support that. Adding a 288 is no problem!"

They actually agreed?

The students at the Capital Aviation Academy felt as if a new door was opening for them.

"Alright, seeing how sincere you are, we'll give the J-8 an extra minor surgery to further improve its lift-to-drag ratio and high angle-of-attack performance."

"How to do it?"

"Currently, the latest research direction in aerodynamics is the utilization of vortices. Our old J-8 aircraft can also follow the trend and add a pair of slat wings above the air intakes on both sides. This will draw some vortices out of the wings and further increase the lift of the wings."

The slat wing was not Qin Liangkong's idea, but rather an aerodynamic improvement made to the J-8 in the late 1980s when Grumman helped modify it, based on analysis using supersonic wind tunnel and fluid simulation software.

In fact, the French Mirage 2000 simply added a pair of small wings in front of the main wing to create vortices on the main wing.

Grumman has also made similar attempts, and even conducted full-body shape experiments. After blowing into the wind tunnel, they found that not only did it improve the lift-to-drag ratio and high angle-of-attack performance, but it also reduced the rearward shift of the lift focus during supersonic flight due to the forward lift area, which means it reduced the tail trim drag during high-speed flight!

Aerodynamic modifications to an already mature aircraft are a specialty of Northwestern Polytechnical University!

Old Gu nodded: "Thank you!"

"However... there are still problems."

"what is the problem?"

"The tail and wing of the J-8 are almost at the same height. After our improved aircraft improved its high angle of attack performance, the horizontal stabilizer is easily interfered with by the turbulence of the main wing, and may even vibrate. Therefore, the tail also needs to be modified!"

This was also a problem that Grumman discovered back then, and it was easy to improve: simply add serrations to the horizontal stabilizer, just like the horizontal stabilizer of the F-15.

"Okay, please help us modify it. It's just adding another 288, which we can accept!"

"Ahem, this improvement is probably going to be difficult, probably requiring two 288s," Qin Liang said. "However, since we're going to modify the rear anyway, let's just go all the way and modify the engine compartment at the rear as well, and try to fit the new engine in."

When the J-8 was first improved, the rear fuselage was redesigned and the tail section was changed to a tunnel-like design to solve the overheating problem. These technologies were all in the hands of Northwestern Polytechnical University, and now they can easily be used for improvement.

But for the Northern Institute, that's definitely enough to attract them!

"Okay, okay, okay, we'll cover the cost!"

Without realizing it, I spent nearly ten million more!

"However, if we replace it with the F404, this engine is weak at high altitudes. If we want to improve the high-altitude thrust of this engine, we can use PCC technology."

"What do you mean?"

"It's the technology used on the MiG-25, which adds a methanol-water solution injection device inside the air intake. This reduces the air temperature inside the intake, thereby increasing the air density and engine thrust. The effect is particularly noticeable at high altitudes."

The J-8 is positioned as a high-altitude interceptor, so we can refer to the technology used on the MiG-25. When the thrust is insufficient at high altitudes, we can spray methanol!
It was originally made of ethanol, but the Russians often stole it, so they switched to methanol. As it turns out, the Russians, who are addicted to alcohol, didn't even spare methanol; when they were craving it, they'd drink it, even if it blinded them. Old Gu thought for a moment: "Alright, then another 288!"

288, you won't regret it!

Qin Liang looked at the person next to him: "Zhao Xiaoxia, you've written it all down, right?"

"Yes, I've written them all down."

"Then, proceed with the research and development according to these requirements. If you encounter any technical difficulties, come directly to me!"

"it is good."

With the matter settled, Qin Liang gracefully departed, leaving Zhao Xiaoxia to assign tasks to these people. She quickly settled into her role, and despite her youth, she possessed a remarkably composed demeanor.

Just after she finished assigning the tasks, Wu Yu quietly approached.

"Xiaoxia, Qin Liang really values ​​you."

"I was just helping him with the work, so what?"

"Are you and him very close?"

"It's okay, what's wrong?"

"How did Qin Liang get married? What's his wife like? Can you tell me about her?"

"No time!" Zhao Xiaoxia said irritably. She herself had no hope, and these girls from the Capital Aviation Academy still harbored illusions? Wasn't this just trying to ruin Qin Liang's family?
Seeing Zhao Xiaoxia's face instantly turn from sunny to cloudy, Wu Yu didn't dare to ask any more questions. It seemed that it was destined to be a one-sided love.

After the J-8 project was assigned, Qin Liang went to Factory 202. This was a missile production factory provided by the military. Several missiles developed by Northwestern Polytechnical University were all produced here. Qin Liang needed to go in and take a look before he would feel at ease. After that, he would naturally continue to be a hands-off manager.

Upon entering, Qin Liang saw a familiar face.

"Engineer Dong?"

"Yes, Qin Liang, you've come at the perfect time!" Engineer Dong exclaimed excitedly, "Thanks to our efforts, the first batch of PL-8 missile guidance heads has been produced, and the quality fully meets Rafael's standards. The missile body is still under production, and this vector propulsion technology..."

"It's simple, it's just the four baffles at the rear."

"A barrier? It's that simple?"

"Yes, it's not difficult to begin with," Qin Liang said. "It can be integrated into the missile control system. You've already replicated this part of the circuit, right?"

"Yes, they are using analog integrator circuit control. The faculty and students of the Department of Electronic Engineering at Northwestern Polytechnical University believe that this type of control circuit is outdated and are currently planning to upgrade it to a digital control circuit, which will improve its anti-interference capability."

Qin Liang's eyes lit up: "Who suggested that?"

“I…” A student stepped forward: “Qin Liang, I am Liang Xiaogeng, a student majoring in Missile Flight Vehicle Control in Department 8 of Northwestern Polytechnical University.”

Professor Liang! How could I forget? This great scholar is still at Northwestern Polytechnical University!
The Department of Aerospace Engineering at Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) was established in 1959. Initially, it only had two majors: rocket structure and design and rocket engine structure and design. In 1962, the Department of Aerospace Engineering expanded to include majors such as flight mechanics and flight control, winged rocket control systems and devices, gyroscopes and navigation instruments, and aviation instrument sensors. The latter three were merged from the Department of Aerospace Engineering.

As the number of missile projects increased, the Department of Electronic Engineering became overwhelmed. After the air-to-air missile project was secured, all the missile projects fell to the Department of Eight. Factory 202 thus became the department-run factory of the Department of Eight. All of this was arranged by the school, and Qin Liang was unaware of it, nor could he care about it.

At this moment, he looked at the classmate, or rather, his senior, with admiration.

Mr. Liang was born in 1960 in Henan Province. He graduated from Northwestern Polytechnical University in 1982 with a major in missile and vehicle control. After that, he joined the Air-to-Air Missile Research Institute, where he began his illustrious career. He made contributions to the PL-9 missile, and when it came to the PL-10, he took the lead as the chief designer!

Now, this guy has become involved in the development of air-to-air missiles and has already started proposing improvement plans.

Upgrade the processing circuit system!

"Qin Liang?"

"Yes, senior, tell me your thought process."

“Current analog circuits can only control missile flight based on detected target signals, which is far from sufficient. The target’s maneuverability will definitely take precedence over the missile’s maneuverability. Once it flies out of the missile’s seeker range, the missile will miss the target. We need to use a digital computer system to process the detected signals. We need to not only calculate the target’s position in real time, but also calculate the target’s next flight direction through software…”

This senior student is going to directly transfer air-to-air missile technology to the next generation!

The Python-3 missile has the capability to be launched head-on, a significant improvement over previous missiles that could only be launched from the rear. However, its post-processing system still uses analog circuitry, which is indeed a drawback.

Using a digital signal processor, various data are calculated in real time. This not only obtains the target's location information, but also has a powerful enough algorithm to track it. The algorithm can even eliminate infrared decoy flares launched by the target.

In the future, if we want to upgrade the missiles, we can just upgrade the software!
"Now that you have an idea, let's get started!" Qin Liang said. "I'll talk to the school, and the research and development funding will come from the compensation paid by David this time!"

It’s good to have money!

Engineer Dong quickly spoke up: "Qin Liang, the Davids have repeatedly emphasized that the Python-3 missiles we imported can only be used domestically and cannot be exported. Now, improving only the control circuit is not enough; we also need to improve the shape. The Python-3's parallelogram wings are actually not advanced. We can change its aerodynamic shape, for example, by referring to the shape of our PL-5 missile..."

The Davidians didn't want the East to export Python-3 missiles before, and this time, after the theft incident and the huge financial loss, they're even more reluctant! If we want to export them, we have to change things up!
Historically, to circumvent export issues, relevant departments developed the PL-9 missile. Its appearance is similar to the PL-5, with small double-triangular canard control surfaces at the front and large trapezoidal fixed wings at the rear. The trailing edges of the four wings are equipped with gyro-like rudders for roll stabilization. Its drag is lower than the parallelogram-shaped wings of the previous PL-8, and its maximum range has also been improved.

Now, of course, this improvement project must be started!
"Okay, let's change it together!"

"Qin Liang, regarding the infrared focal plane array you mentioned, we believe it still presents significant challenges at present. However, integrating four sensors into a single seeker head can be achieved quickly. Furthermore, combined with a digital processor, the missile's anti-jamming capabilities can be greatly enhanced..."

"Okay, get on it as soon as possible!"

Engineer Dong's face was full of excitement. It's great to be with Northwestern Polytechnical University. If he were in his old unit, getting a design approved would take forever! Often a year and a half!
"Qin Liang, you've arrived!" Professor Chen, the head of Department 8, walked over with a smile: "On behalf of Department 8, I thank you for your contributions!"

Qin Liang's gaze fell on the person next to Old Chen: "And who is this?"

"This is also an alumnus of our Northwestern Polytechnical University, Jin Xianzhong. I invited him to come and take charge of the work of our factory."

Northwestern Polytechnical University has alumni all over the world! Qin Liang thought to himself with emotion.

Mr. Jin was born in 1939. He was admitted to the missile control major at Northwestern Polytechnical University in 1957. He started working at the Air-to-Air Missile Research Institute in 1962 and is now the director of the research department. He was recruited by Mr. Chen to be in charge of the work of Factory 202.

In later generations, Jin Lao was also an important engineer in the localization of the PL-8 missile!
At this time, the forty-year-old metalworker is in the prime of his career.

"Comrade Qin Liang, on behalf of the researchers of our Eastern air-to-air missiles, I thank you for your contributions. You single-handedly advanced our air-to-air missile technology by twenty years!"

Qin Liang smiled and said, "This is all thanks to everyone. My individual strength is insignificant, but the collective strength is enormous."

"No, no, history is never determined by the general public, but by a select few." Old Lu said, "The Department of Electronic Engineering is full of praise for your contributions. With the Phoenix seeker technology, we will soon be able to push medium-range missiles into the era of active radar, which will be enough to crush all other aircraft in the world!"

Active radar-guided medium-range missiles are absolutely lethal! Qin Liang was filled with excitement. It seemed that semi-active PL-5 missiles would soon be obsolete!

"Let's go and take a look!"

"Report! Factory 132 has sent a message requesting Comrade Qin Liang to go there as soon as possible!"

Qin Liang was taken aback: "What happened?"

"The United States is trying its best to sell the F-16 to Pakistan, hoping to completely replace our Super-7 with this aircraft."

　PS: The first two are improved versions of the J-8, and the latter two are the PL-8 and PL-9 respectively. The wing shapes are different.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)