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

Chapter 323 Now that the F4 fighter jets are here, let's take a thorough look inside and out.

"Gentlemen, when it comes to radar, we can't just look at the size of the antenna diameter. We also need to consider other factors, such as the power supply capacity of the nose and the heat dissipation capacity of the nose. The radar we provide is absolutely the most suitable for your needs."

Are you kidding me? With your small business, do you think we need to do research and development for you?

Currently, the antennas available are either those used on medium-sized aircraft, measuring over 600 millimeters, or those used on large aircraft, such as the twin-engine Q-6, measuring over 900 millimeters. Even if we were to give them to the Russians, they would be readily available, and there would be no need to develop anything entirely new.

Research and development costs money! Moreover, our current focus has shifted to developing phased array radar; these outdated products are not worth wasting our time and energy on!
"Moreover, don't be fooled by the fact that the radar antenna is smaller than before. The performance of this radar is definitely much stronger than before. Rest assured, our Eastern technology is top-notch, and the modification will definitely satisfy you."

“But…” Austal, the British representative, was still somewhat unwilling. In his view, the radar in front of him could not meet the needs of the F-4 fighter jet’s large nose, which was simply a waste.

"If you insist on having a completely new radar, that's fine too."

The other party was delighted.

"But it costs extra!"

That one sentence shut the British up. What a joke! They were only able to raise this money because they issued another tranche of war bonds. Due to the defeat in the Falklands War, the public was eager to buy them. As for the repayment of the bonds when they matured... that's a problem for the next government to worry about.

Now, it's absolutely impossible to add more money; we have to be careful with our spending.

Qin Liang's gaze remained fixed on the aircraft: "Our radar should be lighter than the original, right?"

“That’s right, it’s more than 100 kilograms lighter.” Old Tu, who was directing the installation, turned around and said to Qin Liang.

"Then how do we solve the problem of shifting the center of gravity?"

"We haven't considered it yet. We'll either add weight or reduce the weight at the rear."

For third-generation aircraft with fly-by-wire operation, weight distribution can be input into the fly-by-wire system. However, second-generation aircraft like the F-4 still use traditional hydraulic drive, which cannot be restricted at all.

One hundred kilograms is a significant weight for an aircraft, causing its center of gravity to shift rearward. Once it falls behind the center of lift, the aircraft will become statically unstable!
This is no joke! Once in the air, the plane becomes completely uncontrollable and will crash.

Adding counterweight is the most common method used in the East. Back then, when Tu Lao and his team modified the J-7s with Marconi's avionics, they did it this way. They simply added a cement block to the nose of the aircraft to solve the problem.

However, having to revert the weight reduction when it was clearly achieved was wasteful. So, later, Tu and his team used composite materials instead of aluminum alloy to cover parts such as the tail section, reducing the weight at the front by the same amount as at the rear, thus restoring balance.

"Well, these are the only two options left. Which one will our British friends choose?"

Now it was the British's turn to be in a dilemma.

They certainly didn't want to add ballast, but replacing the aluminum alloy material in the tail section with composite materials would require various experiments. Even if the British did it themselves, it would take one or two years and require a large investment of money, neither of which they could afford.

"Here's what we'll do: first, use our composite materials to replace the vertical stabilizer and complete the preparations for the test flight radar. As for what your decision is, we'll discuss that later."

“Okay.” Austa nodded. He even started to consider that as long as the Easterners didn’t ask for too much, it wouldn’t matter if they ordered the composite materials for their tail section from the East. After all, it was part of the radar modification, and adding some extra funding wouldn’t be a big deal.

So, a group of experienced workers took their professional rivet removers and started working at the tail of the machine.

The usual way to remove rivets is to use an electric drill to drill them out and loosen them. But that won't work on an airplane. Even a small piece of debris falling in could have catastrophic consequences. Specialized equipment is required.

The experienced craftsman from the East worked very quickly, and in no time at all, he disassembled the vertical stabilizer skin. Then... Aosta turned around, having just glanced at the radar installation, and when he turned back again, he saw that the fuselage skin had also been removed.

"Hey, hey, just removing the drooping tail is enough!"

It was too late to speak. Just as he was shouting, the skin under the rear fuselage was also removed, and the rear half of the plane was like being stripped naked, revealing the skeleton inside!
Qin Liang was very satisfied; Old Tu had indeed understood his meaning.

Although the F-4 fighter jet is an ordinary second-generation aircraft and is now completely outdated, since the aircraft has already arrived at our factory, we should take a thorough look at it from the inside out.

Especially... the design of the tail hook!
Although our side has already studied the Tomcat fighter jet, that was a project researched by Factory 320. Old Tu's side has not studied it yet. Next, the Super-7 needs to be improved into a carrier-based aircraft, and the landing gear needs to be strengthened and the landing hook added. All of these need to be carried out in full swing.

Now is the perfect opportunity to study the F-4 carrier-based aircraft!
"Oh, damn it, what are you doing!" Austa shouted angrily.

"Of course we need to determine which parts of the skin are easiest to replace," said Old Tu. "Don't worry, we are the professionals. It's just removing the skin; we won't damage the aircraft... You should take a closer look at the airborne radar. After all, we only install one unit; you'll have to install the rest yourselves. If you don't learn how to use it and need our help, you'll still have to pay us a consulting fee."

“Okay,” Austa nodded.

Indeed, installing radar is the most important thing; they don't want to spend more money.

tom tom tom...

What's that sound? Is it a wind cannon?

Austa turned his head again, and then... his expression completely changed.

"Hey, what are you doing? Why are you taking off our carrier hooks?"

The landing hook between the two engines on the fuselage has been removed by the air cannon!

"We discovered that this thing also has a structurally dead weight, so we took it apart... to study it and see if we can replace it with a better material that is lightweight and high-strength..."

On an aircraft carrier, takeoff requires a catapult to forcefully launch the aircraft. The nose landing gear has to withstand enormous thrust and needs to be strengthened. During landing, with a high sink rate, the rear main landing gear withstands a considerable impact, so the main landing gear also needs to be strengthened.

In addition to these, carrier-based aircraft need to be stopped by arresting cables when they land at a distance of tens of meters. The landing hook extends from the bottom of the aircraft's tail and is attached to the arresting cable.

The enormous pulling force is transmitted to the fuselage through the carrier hook, and the importance of this device is self-evident.

Let's take it apart and take a look at this ship-landing hook!
"What advanced materials could you possibly have? We use AMS 6516 steel, which you in the East simply don't have!"

"Really? Then we need to examine this steel carefully. Perhaps we have similar or alternative steels. Someone, move it to the metal materials testing lab!"

Before Aosta could react, the hook was lifted away!
"You, you..."

“Mr. Austa, please rest assured, although these are additional items, they are free of charge; they are all complimentary. We attach great importance to this modification project you have undertaken…”

The carrier hook has been removed! Now, unless he turns hostile, there's really nothing he can say!
"Report, the mounting base for this airborne radar is different! We need to drill new holes!"

"Then let's start over! Remember the installation dimensions, and make sure it's securely installed so our British friends can install it themselves when they go back."

As the electric drill made holes in the load-bearing beam of the radar compartment in the nose, Austa was worried that it might reduce the strength of the fuselage.
"With our advanced radar, you can search for targets at long distances and then fire... We can even provide long-range air-to-air missiles with a range of 100 kilometers. Do you want them?"

Austa's attention was drawn again: "Really? Does that mean I can be like a tomcat?"

"That's right, if our J-8 can take it down, your F-4 can certainly take it down too!"

Now that the British have taken the bait, of course we have to continue doing business! Don't the British want a missile with a range of 100 kilometers?
"Is this missile like the Phoenix?"

"Of course it's different! This is our Lightning-20! I won't go into the other specifications, but at least in terms of price, ours is only 80% of the Phoenix's price."

Previously, the British Navy only had Sea Harriers, which could only engage in close-range combat. Now, they not only have medium-range air combat capabilities but can also intercept at long range. This performance is absolutely outstanding!
Austa forgot his initial unpleasantness and started talking about the new project.

"Once the airborne radar is installed, we'll send you two Lightning-20 missiles to mount on your aircraft, so you can experience the thrill of sniping enemy planes from 100 kilometers away."

"it is good!"

It was five o'clock in the afternoon. The British engineers glanced at their watches and exchanged glances.

"Shouldn't we... go home now?"

"If you want to leave, then leave. We'll work overtime one more time."

"Yes, let's try to finish installing the hardware today, do some debugging tomorrow, and we can fly and test it the day after tomorrow."

The British looked at each other, though they also wanted to stay and work overtime, but years of experience told them that working overtime was shameful, and that work and life must be kept separate.

"Then I'll head back now." Aosta glanced at the fighter jet, its rear fuselage skin already removed, and felt there was nothing left to guard. After all, this fighter jet didn't hold any secrets to begin with...

Let's go!

"Thank you for your hard work."

Aosta expressed his gratitude and then left.

"Everyone, give it your all! Today's overtime counts as double!"

Everyone immediately beamed with excitement: "Thank you, Director Tu!"

Old Tu smiled and looked at Qin Liang: "Liangzi, do you have any other ideas?"

"Disassemble their data chain, and figure it out in one night!"

This is a rare opportunity to get in touch with NATO equipment. Even though the F-4 fighter jet is an old piece of equipment that uses NATO's earliest Link-4 data link, it is still worth studying. After all, although Western data links are constantly being upgraded, they still need to be backward compatible, right?

"it is good!"

As long as Qin Liang has a need, our Factory 132 will go to great lengths to meet it, even at the risk of being exposed by the customer!

Besides, the cockpit display system also needs to be upgraded, so it's normal to disassemble some equipment or change its position. Even if you find that the screws have been loosened, it's understandable.

With Tu Lao's command, everyone started dismantling again with a series of cracks and snaps. Watching this spectacular scene, Qin Liang felt an indescribable sense of exhilaration.

So cool! So cool!

Back then, when we sent the J-8 to the United States, the Americans took it apart and inspected it thoroughly, inside and out. Now, the British are sending us the F-4, and we're taking it apart and inspecting it thoroughly, inside and out, as well!

Qin Liang only needed to give orders; the rest would naturally be handled by designated people. Even Elder Tu didn't need to keep a close eye on things.

"Liangzi, are you hungry? Come on, let's go eat!"

"it is good."

"After dinner, let's talk about the modification of carrier-based aircraft. With this F-4, we have even more confidence in the modification..."

The next day, when Austa and his team arrived at the workshop at exactly nine o'clock in the morning, they saw that the aircraft's hardware had been installed. Inside the cockpit, a square display screen had been added, replacing the previous radar screen. The instruments remained largely unchanged.

This monitor looks pretty good.

"Thanks for your hard work."

"It's alright. We'll start system debugging now. By the way, the tail skin is also being made and should be installed tonight. We can test fly it tomorrow. Get ready."

"Good. We made the right choice in choosing the East. Your progress is truly amazing!"

If this were sent to the United States, it would take three to five months to get it fixed!

"By the way, we've inspected your carrier hooks and found a few cracks inside. We'll put them back in before the test flight, but... you'd better not use them."

Austa was taken aback at first, then his face was filled with gratitude.

"Thank you, thank you so much!"

If the Easterners hadn't removed the arresting hook for inspection, they wouldn't have checked it at all. If they had boarded the ship directly and landed, the moment it hooked onto the arresting cable, it might have snapped, causing a flight accident!

"You're welcome. If you wait a few more days, we can help produce the ship's hook and install a brand new one for you. We've found that the steel you mentioned isn't particularly high-end; we have similar steel."

"This……"

"The price isn't expensive either, only $100,000."

"Okay, then we'll take them!"

On this day, the relationship between the two sides became even more harmonious. Even though they discovered that the data link box had been disassembled, they didn't say anything. It was normal for their Eastern friends to modify the cockpit avionics and make changes there. They didn't believe that it was possible to disassemble and thoroughly study it overnight.

On the third day, on the runway of Factory 132.

The two Spey engines were started in sequence, and the British pilot maneuvered the fighter jet, taxied to the runway, and took off in front of everyone.

The British on the ground were very satisfied with the Lightning-20 missiles mounted on the inner wing pylons of the F-4 fighter jet. After such an upgrade, the F-4 fighter jet looked really good!
The roar gradually faded away, leaving only the sound coming from the radio.

"Bumblebee reports, has reached the designated airspace!"

"001 reporting, radar is activated."

The pilot was British, while the radar operator was Asian. This was to ensure safety, since there would still be potential risks if a British radar officer were to operate a British aircraft carrying live ammunition.

"Two targets detected, 150 kilometers away, bearing... altitude... Please indicate whether they are target drones."

"It is indeed a target drone; we can launch an attack!"

"001 received, target locked!"

"One hundred units away, requesting launch!"

"You are ready to fire!"

Everything was as simple as playing a video game. Two Lightning-20 missiles left their pylons one after another, ignited a few meters below the wings, and flew away trailing white smoke.

The British Air Force launched its first attack at a distance of 100 kilometers, a truly memorable moment!
"001 report: The target has disappeared from the radar screen."

Successfully shot down! Locked onto and attacked two targets at once, and both hit!
"Fantastic! This is absolutely the best airborne radar and missile system ever! We want to buy it, we want to buy it in bulk!" Austa's voice trembled with excitement.

"Of course, no problem! We'll produce it as soon as possible, but... as you know, you have to pay the full amount upfront." Qin Liang smiled. He had to make as much money as possible from the British, but considering their financial strength, he had to be careful that they didn't default on the final payment.

"This……"

"This is already our greatest show of sincerity. You know, our missile orders are already booked until next year. Normally, you wouldn't receive the goods until next year..."

"Understood, we agree!"

The full payment requested by the East is merely a deposit for the American supply; what are they hesitating about?

At the same time, on the southeastern coast, at a shipyard.

The Panamanian-flagged cargo ship, the Lookout, discovered some problems after unloading its cargo at the port, so it sailed to the shipyard here for repairs.

Behind the bridge, an extra shed had been erected, looking somewhat comical. However, a peek inside revealed a surprising sight: four sets of cylindrical tubes mounted on top, some tilted to the left, others to the right. There were four sets in total, meaning this cargo ship carried sixteen…

Special heat insulation material was also installed at the back of the cylinder.

As for the staff who installed these things, judging from their well-trained appearance, you can tell they are not ordinary workers.

Sparks from the electric arc illuminated everyone's faces, and their eyes shone brightly.

After repeated research, the ultimate plan for the war against the Crying Kingdom is a product of combining Qin Liang's various plans. Although it sounds a bit far-fetched, all's fair in war, and there is still a possibility of success!

(End of this chapter)