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

Chapter 239 Twin-engine Heavy Stealth Aircraft, Let's Do It Together!

"Comrades, stop what you're doing, come on, let's eat!"

Just then, a voice came from outside.

Because the work here is demanding, we don't need to eat in the cafeteria; the chef brings the food to us.

The old Jiefang truck was parked at the entrance, with two insulated containers on it, one containing rice and the other containing vegetables.

Everyone was still busy, and it wasn't until the head chef called twice that they reluctantly put down their work and went to get their meals, carrying their aluminum lunchboxes.

Half of the lunchbox contained rice, and the other half contained a mixed vegetable dish. The rice was a local Chengdu tradition, as it's not easy to find noodles here. The dish was a large pot of stew in the style of Northeast China.

Qin Liang looked over and saw Chinese cabbage, glass noodles, and as for meat... there wasn't a single piece; it was just ordinary stewed Chinese cabbage and glass noodles.

Seeing Qin Liang frown, Old Tu spoke up from the side: "Liangzi, don't blame our Factory 132. Our factory does foreign trade business, and supplying meals to our colleagues in other units is no problem, but... they absolutely refuse to eat and drink for free. They insist on giving us money and food coupons, and they also insist on eating according to the corresponding standards..."

"It's nothing. We're eating very well here. During the three years of natural disasters, we ate everything, gnawing on tree bark and eating grass roots... Now we have rice and vegetables. This life is like paradise," Old Song said with a smile.

Qin Liang had mixed feelings.

These people eat the cheapest food and wear tattered vests, yet they support the backbone of the motherland and the nation!
"I remember we made a lot of money helping David modify his plane!"

"Yes, we made a fortune, and it's all gone!" Old Song looked at the metal prototype being built in the factory, filled with pride. Being able to build the airplane was their greatest joy. As for what they ate or wore, they didn't care!
"What about the funding from higher authorities?"

"The funds allocated by the higher authorities aren't enough. We need to catch up on the schedule, so we'll have to raise the money ourselves," Old Song said. "Comrade Qin Liang, this is all voluntary, please don't..."

"What do you mean 'voluntary'? What we wear isn't important. If everyone doesn't eat well, how can their bodies take it?" Qin Liang said, "Old Song, I know what you're thinking. Now, there's no need to dwell on the grudges between factories. Since we're all in Chengdu, we're one entity! No matter who leads whom or who commands whom, it's all for the development of our country's military aircraft! Starting today, the food allowance will be doubled, paid for by the aircraft factory!"

Old Song was stunned for a moment.

It wouldn't be fair to say there wasn't a little something going on here. These guys came from Institute 611 and didn't want to take advantage of Factory 132 for nothing. They were hesitant to accept favors, and things could get complicated later…

After all, Factory 132 had proposed merging with Institute 611 more than once. Although everyone seemed to be laughing on the surface, they were still somewhat uneasy inside. What if they accepted their hospitality and favors?

Now, Qin Liang's words make sense. Regardless of who leads whom, it's all for the sake of national military development!
"Besides, our Institute 611 is responsible for designing aircraft. We don't have the ability to make a profit. Once the design is completed, it is handed over to Factory 132 for production. After that, all the production profits belong to Factory 132. Now, not to mention eating some nutritious food from them, even if we eat meat and fish every day, they will still have to take care of it! You know how much money Northwestern Polytechnical University charges for designing aircraft for Shenyang each time."

If these J-9 fighters could be sold, then Elder Song and the others wouldn't have to worry about funding issues anymore; Qin Liang could have solved that problem.

To date, the Air Force does not have a domestically produced aircraft. The J-9 is of great significance. For a long time after its development, it will definitely only be used domestically and cannot be exported. Therefore, it can only follow the conventional path of military aircraft development.

The research and development funds were allocated by higher authorities. After the research and development was completed, the results were handed over to designated factories for production. The factories, while retaining a certain profit, manufactured the aircraft and sold it to the military.

In this process, the factory can make money, but the R&D department can only wait for funding from higher authorities. If the funding is insufficient, they will have to pay for R&D out of their own pockets.

Qin Liang didn't have any good solutions, but he could still push things forward by letting the engineers at 611 have a legitimate reason to exploit Factory 132.

Needless to say, I won't even pay for a few of your rotten watermelons when I go to a restaurant in the city!

Old Tu nodded: "That's right, our factory has wanted to improve the food standards for a long time. Old Song, you have to listen to us from now on! By the way, Old Wang, go to the canteen and bring over a pot of braised pork!"

Cook Lao Wang nodded.

The workers at Institute 611 ate only bland, watery food, but the food and benefits at Factory 132 were absolutely top-notch in the country. Having sold so many airplanes, they were rolling in money, so of course the workers' meals couldn't be bad! Braised pork was available in abundance.

Soon, a large bowl of braised pork was placed in front of everyone, and each person's lunchbox was filled with a large spoonful. The cook's hands were not trembling; the portions were overflowing.

"Here, give me one too. I'll eat with Old Song and the others. After we finish eating, our diet will follow this!" Qin Liang said, reaching out his hand.

Old Tu also spoke up: "I'll eat too!"

There were few tables and chairs, so everyone just found a spot, squatted down, and ate. Qin Liang squatted down in front of Old Song, his face full of smiles: "Old Song, this J-9 is just the beginning. You will be leading the team to continue developing new fighter jets in the future. You can't ruin your health."

"Yes, we've already received a copy of the tender requirements for this new aircraft from our 611 Institute. The standards are quite high," Professor Song remarked. "I reckon only Northwestern Polytechnical University has the R&D capability for this. We..."

"Professor Song, at most, Northwestern Polytechnical University can only design the shape of the aircraft. The overall design of the aircraft still needs to be handled by you. So, if you are interested, we can conduct joint research and development. As long as we develop this aircraft, our aviation industry will be able to go from catching up with the world to leading the world!"

The J-9 is only catching up with the world's top level. After all, there are already a lot of third-generation fighters of the same era. But as for the fourth-generation stealth fighter, well, we will definitely be developing it in parallel with the United States. In fact, with the wisdom and ingenuity of the East, we will complete the design and equip the troops earlier than the United States!

We will be in the lead on this track!
"Qin Liang, you want to join us?" Old Song's eyes widened.

After this target was proposed, all the military aircraft research and development institutions in China fell silent. They knew that they couldn't develop it on their own, and it would most likely fall to Northwestern Polytechnical University. The other research institutes were just following along with Northwestern Polytechnical University.

Surprisingly, Northwestern Polytechnical University didn't compare any options and directly chose 611!

"Why?" Old Song asked, his expression complicated as he saw Qin Liang nod.

"Because our country's engines have always been at a disadvantage, we can't rush to catch up in this race; we have to take it slowly," Qin Liang said. "And if the power is insufficient, we can only make up for it with aerodynamics. The canard layout is our best choice, and the 611 has rich experience in canard layout design."

The real reason, of course, is that no other design institute has the capability. Given Shenyang Aircraft Corporation's track record, in the era of stealth aircraft, later generations all hoped to buy back the Su-57 and continue to eat other people's leftovers, and they even enjoyed it.

On the Chengdu Lockheed Martin side, they have been racing ahead on the road of independent research and development. The J-10 is catching up, the J-20 has reached world-class level, and with the sixth-generation stealth fighter, they have completely surpassed it.

Even Americans have to look up to him!
We can't talk about these things now; as long as we address the practical issues, the reasons will be more than sufficient.

"Yes, engines have always been our weakness. We can't rush this; we have to catch up slowly. Our aircraft can only use the WP-15 turbojet engine for now, but as long as it can fly, that's enough."

Without the WP-15 turbojet engine, the J-9 project might really be doomed. Without an engine, how can it fly?
"Well, Professor Song, I look forward to the day when our J-9 takes to the skies. At that time, Northwestern Polytechnical University will have already started designing a stealth fighter. Once this one makes its maiden flight, our stealth fighter project can officially begin! At that time, I would like to ask you to bring 611 to join this project."

Old Song nodded: "That's fine, but... after the maiden flight, there's still a lot of test flight work to be done."

Previous test flights went smoothly, but that was because they were old aircraft or replicas. Test flights of brand-new aircraft are a long process, with the flight envelope constantly expanding, various extreme maneuvers needing to be performed, and all sorts of problems needing to be solved...

This was, after all, the first time Institute 611 had designed a completely new aircraft; it could only succeed, it couldn't fail.

"The test flight work can be handed over to others. For our J-9, the biggest problem is the fly-by-wire flight control system. Let the people who are familiar with the flight control system stay and preside over the test flight."

Familiar with flight control?
Old Song's eyes widened: "You mean... Yang Wei?"

Qin Liang nodded.

Although Yang Wei isn't a junior yet, he has already completed his undergraduate coursework. In fact, through intensive cramming, most students in Class 5381 have finished their undergraduate major courses. Now, Yang Wei and his colleagues are already immersed in their work and enjoying it immensely. The other senior staff at Institute 611 lack experience in flight testing; they've only had theoretical knowledge for years. Therefore, letting newcomers handle the task, along with the cooperation of the Flight Test Institute, shouldn't pose any major problems.

The next heavy stealth fighter jet is the most important project!
"Okay!" Old Song nodded. He now had absolute trust in Qin Liang, who was absolutely right in terms of technical approach.

Soon, the meal was finished, and Mr. Song and the others returned to their posts and got busy again.

"Old Master Tu, Old Master Tu, Stefan and the others request an audience!"

Old Tu was taken aback: "So fast?"

"Yes, do you... want to see them?"

"certainly……"

"No rush, let's leave them to their own devices for now, and talk about it when we get off work tonight!"

Stefan and the others waited in the conference room. Three o'clock, four o'clock, five o'clock...

It's time to leave work!

Just then, a few people walked in through the door.

"Everyone, I'm so sorry, the factory is too busy, this engine compartment has to be remade... cough cough, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

"Old Tu, judging from their appearance, they're probably about to leave work, right? We can't keep them waiting. Let them go home, and then we can go back and do what we need to do."

“No, no, we’re not in a hurry,” Stefan said. “Mr. Tu, we were very worried after seeing your situation, so we coordinated with the European side again. They decided to continue supplying supplies here, even if it delays the delivery of the Tornado fighter jets to Europe, to ensure the supply of the Super-7.”

"How can that be? Mr. Tu, we can't let our European brothers suffer losses. Let's just forget about the engine."

"No, no, you treat us as friends, how can we not prioritize the interests of our friends?"

"No, it's still not quite right, Elder Tu. These European engines are too expensive, and their thrust isn't high enough. We already have... cough cough cough, I think we should just forget about it!"

Stefan and his companions were filled with regret. The RD33 engine was definitely cheaper than European engines, and it had more thrust. It seemed that this Easterner had really set his sights on it. This Mr. Qin was just here to deliberately cause trouble!
"Mr. Tu, please continue to cooperate with us. As for the price... it's negotiable. We can lower your quote by five percent, after all, we're friends..."

"Old Tu, let's forget about it. Even a five percent reduction isn't worth it..."

"Ten percent, ten percent! This is the greatest sincerity we can offer."

Qin Liang blushed: "Old Tu, you guys decide for yourselves. If you choose the British engine, then we won't be good friends anymore!"

After saying that, Qin Liang strode out.

Old Tu was overjoyed; Liangzi was truly amazing! Not only had he restored supplies to the Europeans, but he had also lowered the price by ten percent!
“Mr. Stefan, at this price, we can order another fifty engines, but... you must also guarantee that you will deliver on time, otherwise... no matter the reason, you must compensate us three times the amount of our losses, and any contract disputes will have to be litigated in our Chengdu court.”

"it is good!"

As long as they can squeeze out the RD33 engine, it will all be worth it. Their reneging on their promise this time will definitely anger the Russians, and it won't be easy for them to cooperate with the Russians again in the future!

Both parties revised the contract details and agreed to deliver all goods by the end of the year, thus putting an end to this turmoil.

The night in Chengdu was somewhat hazy. Qin Liang and Yang Duo'er walked hand in hand on the streets of Chengdu, feeling very comfortable.

"Duoduo, you've been busy with work since you came to Chengdu, but we're free tonight, so we can try some local snacks here..."

"Yes." Yang Duo'er nodded: "Next, I have to go back to the United States..."

Qin Liang paused, surprised that his wife was leaving again so soon, all this running around...

"I'm going back this time for the cooperation project with Boeing. Our Northwestern Polytechnical University has too few research results, and I'll still have to make an explanation when I get back... But don't worry, Brother Liangzi, I'm experienced in this kind of situation."

"Well, thank you for your hard work."

Feeling the girl's gentle touch on his hand, Qin Liang suddenly hummed a tune.

"What made me shed tears wasn't just the wine from last night; what made me reluctant to part wasn't just your tenderness; how much longer must we walk this road, with you holding my hand..."

General Dynamics, USA.

"United Turbine Company, considering the need to avoid being taken advantage of by the Klimov Design Bureau, could only continue exporting the RB199 engine to Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group. At the same time, they also hoped that our spies could take action and find out as soon as possible how Dongfang got involved with the Klimov Design Bureau, and whether this meant that the relationship between Dongfang and the Soviets would be further eased."

Hearing the president's words, Chiral gritted his teeth. In this way, his plan to contain the Easterners had completely failed!

"Those damned Europeans, they've definitely been tricked. The East and the Russians would never have formed a relationship so quickly. They must have been fooled by the Easterners!"

"Yes, they also hope they've been fooled, but... they don't dare to gamble, and neither do we. Under these circumstances, they can only continue to provide engines. If the Soviets really break the diplomatic ice with engines, that would be far more powerful than our ping-pong diplomacy."

Chiralk's face was grim: "Now, arms sales in the East are expanding rapidly, threatening our traditional arms market. If we can't curb their rapid growth, a powerful competitor will emerge!"

The Super-7 and the F-16 are evenly matched, and the former is just a modified version of a second-generation aircraft! This really spurred Chiralk on. If this continues, how will the F-16 sell?
The East is once again collaborating with Pakistan to develop a true third-generation fighter jet. Once this aircraft is released, I wonder how many countries will choose the JF-17 Thunder from the East!

Thump thump thump... Just then, a technician ran over: "Report, our people went to the Weeping Country and made contact with their Super-7. We disassembled the Super-7's radar system circuit board, and from it, we found a chip..."

There's a reason why China dared to attack the Falklands! Britain is America's best friend in Europe, and China is America's best friend in South America! In fact, Galtieri even hinted at it to the Americans before the attack, and then, believing he had received a positive response, he went ahead and did it.

Unexpectedly, after we did it, the Americans immediately turned their backs on us!

They considered themselves to have a good relationship with the Americans, so when the Americans wanted to see their Super-7 fighter jets, they readily let the Americans see them. Yes, they were that frank!
Now, the Americans have seen the fighter jets and even taken pictures!
Chiralk took the photo: "What is this?"

"If we're not mistaken, the central processing unit here is an Intel 8086."

A glint slowly appeared in Chiralk's eyes. Since they couldn't stop the Easterners from the engines, they might as well work on the avionics!
In later generations, general-purpose processors were rarely installed on aircraft, since they had a large number of instruction sets that were not used. Dedicated DSPs were the most suitable for airborne radar and avionics. However, in this era, it was common to install general-purpose processors on aircraft. The AWG-9 radar used an eight-bit general-purpose processor!
“I think we should have a talk with Andy Grove.”

　PS: The two pictures of the twin-engine J-9 fighter jets above are already quite similar to our J-20.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)