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

Chapter 400 The Five Elders Rejuvenate, Jingguo Name Goes Offline
Factory 320, workshop.

A brand-new airplane stands in the center of the workshop, with many wood shavings being cleaned up next to it.

"Great! Our wooden prototype of the stealth version of the Q-6 is finally ready!" Engineer Ma Zhanfu said excitedly. "We'll take this prototype with us when we go for the bidding; it's guaranteed to win the Air Force's favor!"

Compared to the other two units, their progress is the fastest because they had been working with Grumman before, and the shape of the aircraft is now almost finalized!

After returning, they refined the design and built this wooden prototype according to the original design.

In fighter jet development, the wooden prototype is an important step, followed by the metal prototype, and then the full-state prototype, which is when testing can begin!
"Yes, this plane has a futuristic, sci-fi feel to it. The higher-ups will definitely be satisfied!" A colleague chimed in. "Other units don't even need to develop their own; our plane is enough!"

"Well, not necessarily. Our aircraft also has its flaws."

"Old Wang, why are you always pouring cold water on our plans? What are the shortcomings? We've already mastered vacuum electron beam welding technology. We can now manufacture this crucial wing box from titanium alloy. Currently, we're still mainly producing stainless steel, but that's just to reduce costs. In the future…"

Ma Zhanfu's words ended abruptly at this point.

The twin-engine Q-6 doesn't care about its own weight, but this fourth-generation fighter jet must reduce its own weight, so it must use titanium alloy wing boxes. These wing boxes alone are very heavy! On the Tomcat, the entire wing box weighs 800 kilograms, and on this aircraft, the weight must be at least 800 kilograms!

This is pure structural dead weight! Not to mention the structural complexity caused by this pivot...

Will the Air Force really choose this aircraft?
"By the way, where is Elder Lu?"

"Old Lu has been busy with the Strong Five lately..."

"This……"

Is Old Lu really that confident? After returning, he announced that the development of the fourth-generation fighter jet project was the most important task for Factory 320. After arranging further actions, he actually went off to busy himself with replacing the engine of the Q-5!
"Everyone, our upgraded Q-5 is preparing for test flights. Would you like to go take a look?"

hula la...

A group of people ran out, leaving only the fourth-generation fighter jet R&D personnel. Ma Zhanfu glanced at the wooden prototype behind him and sighed: "Let's go, let's go take a look too. After the Q-5 with the new engine completes its test flight, Elder Lu will definitely devote himself to our fourth-generation fighter jet project."

At the end of the runway, a Q-5 fighter jet was already preparing for takeoff. With its pointed nose and side air intakes, it looked somewhat modern, but the wing fences on its wings indicated that it was still an outdated model.

The Q-5 was not significantly modified, as it would have wasted a lot of time and energy. After all, Factory 320 was not a research institute, but a production plant, and its R&D capabilities were limited. If it weren't for the great talent of Elder Lu, the Q-5 would not have been able to be modified!

The rear fuselage is where it has changed the most. The tail cowling has been removed, and the engine nozzles are directly exposed, which looks a bit rough. However, this is a better solution after wind tunnel testing, and it is also the most common layout for Western fighter jets.

That diffusion-convergence engine nozzle is so eye-catching.

Mr. Lu stood next to the plane, watching the technicians prepare for takeoff.

Back then, the Q-5 was the first aircraft he personally oversaw the development of. He poured a lot of effort into it, but even after its successful development, there were still many shortcomings that could not be remedied, such as the lack of advanced avionics and advanced engines...

The previous problem has been solved, and now, the next problem has also been solved!

Although this engine is designed for trainer aircraft, it is quite good to use it on attack aircraft now!
The roar of a car engine could be heard in the distance, but no one paid any attention. However, when the car stopped and several bearded men got out, everyone was taken aback.

"General Haidar, you..."

Old Ba, General Jamal's adjutant!
Haidar smiled and said, "I heard that there's a modified version of the Qiangwu here, so I came to take a look. The last batch of Qiangwu performed very well for us, and if the performance of this batch can be further improved, we plan to purchase another batch!"

Several years ago, Lao Ba came here to inspect the Q-5. He was very satisfied and put forward a series of improvement requirements. The improved fighter jet was named Q-5C, and exports were successfully opened.

The Q-5 also saw action in last year's Falklands War, and after being tested on the battlefield, users were even more satisfied with the aircraft! For developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, the Q-5 is definitely the best choice. Now, with a new engine, its performance…

"Yes, General Haidar, the main improvement this time is the engine. By replacing it with a turbofan engine with a maximum military thrust of 3 tons and a maximum afterburning thrust of 4.5 tons, the aircraft's maneuverability will be further enhanced..."

General Haidar nodded: "Yes, yes, we came here because we heard about this engine."

"Where did you hear that from?"

"Garret Corporation, USA."

Old Lu felt something was amiss, but he didn't say much.

"Alright, let's wait and see."

After the inspection was completed, everyone dispersed, and the engine roared to life, with hot flames shooting out of the exhaust pipe, clearly indicating that afterburner was engaged.

Run, accelerate, pull up the front landing gear, and lift the main landing gear off the ground!
Everything was done cleanly and efficiently, without any hesitation or delay, but what was most surprising was...

"That skating distance is probably less than 300 meters, right?"

"I estimate it's not even 250 meters!"

The Q-5 is a modified J-6 with a high thrust-to-weight ratio, so it has a strong short takeoff capability. During the Indo-Pakistani War, pilot Hasmi relied on this capability to take off in an emergency and fight multiple opponents, making him famous in one battle.

But that can't be that incredible, right?
and many more!

The angle of attack of this plane...

After takeoff, the Q-5 started pulling up its nose, thirty degrees, sixty degrees, ninety degrees...

The nose of the Q-5 rocket pointed straight to the sky, shooting upwards like a rocket!

This is no joke – he's incredibly strong and can send bricks flying!
The Q-5 is not a type of aircraft that can fly at high angles of attack, otherwise the wings will stall and it will not be able to provide enough lift, and the aircraft will fall. However... the ability to fly bricks with great force is applicable at any time.

The Q-5 has an empty weight of 6.375 tons. The fuel added on its maiden flight was only about one ton. With the pilot, the total weight of the aircraft is about 7.5 tons. Now, with both engines at full afterburner, the thrust is a full 9 tons!
With such powerful thrust, the Q5 can climb vertically effortlessly! And it can even accelerate!
After climbing to 500 meters in one go, the Q5 finally leveled off, at which point the plane's speed was sufficient for it to fly horizontally.

The Pakistanis opened their eyes wide. This powerful performance... it can definitely compete with the F-16 in dogfights, and it's no worse than the JF-17. Indeed, the engine can determine everything!

"What you are seeing is a demonstration with an afterburning engine. In actual use, if we don't consider dogfighting performance, we can also replace it with a non-afterburning version. The flight performance of that version will not be worse than the previous one, and it can also save on procurement costs."

Old Lu introduced the place to the old men with a smile.

"No, we need a power booster!"

Pakistan is poor, but it is precisely because of their poverty that they need multi-purpose fighter jets. Although the Q-5 is mainly used for ground attack, it can also carry missiles for air combat when needed. Such multi-purpose capabilities are clearly more suitable for them!

A multi-functional device will save money, just like using a long-life turbofan. The purchase cost is high, but the subsequent operating cost is low. It's better to spend more money to use this kind.

What's more, Barack Obama now has US military aid!

"However, this type of engine needs to be purchased from the United States, since it would also facilitate military aid."

Everyone present changed their expression.

"Ahem... General Haidar, for reliability reasons, it would be more appropriate for you to purchase our engines..."

Haidar was taken aback: "It's not that you're helping Garrett... cough cough, okay, I understand, then we'll do the work."

"Thank you for your understanding, General Haidar."

The other Pakistani generals also understood, their expressions complex. In the sky, the Q-5's performance continued: rolls, loops, low-altitude flybys… This wasn't a test flight with a different engine; it was clearly an air show.

After the fighter jets landed, the Pakistanis arrived at the tarmac. General Haidar climbed the gangway and looked down into the cockpit. Sure enough, it was now a glass cockpit. In terms of electronic technology, Dongfang never disappoints its customers!
“Last year, we quoted Langtuo 12 million, and this year we quote you the same price. After all, you are our good friend. If you are willing to produce in your own factory, we can also provide the drawings and processes.”

Pakistan has a J-6 overhaul plant in the country. This plant has been upgraded to a JF-7 production plant and will also be able to produce JF-17 Thunder fighters, and naturally, it can also produce JF-5 Q-5 variants of the J-6.

Anyway, Lao Ba is just building the airframe. The engines and avionics are still supplied by the East, while Factory 320... has too many orders and really can't keep up with the production.

"Okay, then we'll purchase another fifty of these Q-5 modified aircraft, thirty of which will be produced in our factory. We also hope that the Q-5 engines we ordered earlier will be replaced with these new engines when they reach the end of their service life!"

Pakistan ordered another fifty aircraft, expanding its Q-5 fleet to over a hundred!

The Q-5 fighter jet has just been redesigned, and another batch has already been sold! Moreover, none of the people from CATIC (China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation) have come!
Across the ditch is the aviation development center.

"Gentlemen, this is our improved engine!" Roger Connelly, an engineer from Garrett Corporation, said with a broad smile. "Through our collaboration with Northwestern Polytechnical University, we have completely upgraded this engine. The fan has been changed to shaft drive, and the compressor and combustion chamber have all been significantly modified. It's still called TFE731, but that's just to avoid any appearance of impropriety. In reality, this is a completely new engine!"

The technology at Northwestern Polytechnical University is truly advanced; one has to admire it!
"Yes, we are very satisfied with this engine!" Zhang Xuebin said excitedly. "This is the most crucial subsystem of our Yunhan Project. We not only want to import the engine, but also the production technology, and manufacture it here!"

“Well… since this engine is a collaboration between us and Northwestern Polytechnical University, we share the patent rights. In the contract, if one party wants to sell the technology to a third party, it must be with the consent of the other party.” Roger Connolly said somewhat awkwardly.

Are you kidding me? Who wants to sell technology? Selling finished engines is the most profitable business, unless...

When selling technology, they demand exorbitant fees, asking for far more in licensing fees.

"If we breach the contract, we will have to pay a hefty penalty, amounting to a full five hundred million US dollars!"

These small engines are very cheap, with a market price of around one million US dollars. This five hundred million US dollars is the price of five hundred engines!
This is enough to cover the engines of the entire IDF fighter fleet for its entire lifespan. As long as they can pay this amount, they can relent. As for compensation... who will pay?

“Mr. Connolly, our aircraft is not for export, it can only be used by us. So even if you license the technology to us, it will not cause any leaks. Do you expect people from the mainland to come here, disassemble our aircraft, and check if the engine inside infringes on our rights?”

Huang Xiaozong spoke up, smiling as he said, "In the military industry, being able to manufacture these products is our own capability, so there's no question of infringement. Therefore... please rest assured! Of course, we won't treat you unfairly either. How about this: one hundred million US dollars for technology licensing and production line equipment procurement?"

"No, at least 300 million!"

"One hundred and ten million."

"Two hundred and ninety million!"

Everyone present found it amusing, because the highest price they could afford was 300 million, and now the other party had actually lowered the price again!

Ultimately, the price was negotiated down to 250 million, but Roger Connery refused to budge any further: "Excuse my bluntness, but this is the only engine you currently have available. So, the minimum is 250 million. If you can't give me that, then continue purchasing. In fact, just purchasing directly would be a good option..."

"Okay, we accept this price!"

agreed?
Although it's only half the price they asked for, and they also have to provide the equipment, it's actually just assembly equipment; production still takes place in the United States. This way, their net profit will be at least two hundred million US dollars. It's like a windfall!

“Okay, then we will send professional engineers to help you prepare for building the factory. Before that, your prototype will need to use our original engine.”

"no problem!"

The matter is settled!

Xing Youguang hadn't spoken until he saw that the deal was done, then he said, "Move these two prototypes onto our plane!"

"You... you've already started final assembly? That's incredibly fast!" Roger Connery exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes, we possess world-class aviation technology!" Huang Xiaozong said proudly.

The rapid progress was mainly due to the design by Northwestern Polytechnical University. Their design drawings were flawless. As long as the parts were produced according to the drawings, the main body was completed!

The remaining parts were almost all purchased from outside suppliers, and the corresponding positions had been reserved beforehand, so installation was quick.

Of course, the most important reason is Xing Youguang, the model worker. Ever since Huizi was sentenced to life imprisonment, he has been working day and night without rest. His body is getting thinner and thinner, and it is clear that he is risking his life to survive. It seems that he must be suffering even more torment in his heart.

However, no one cared. The most important thing was that the plane was coming out. If Xing Youguang didn't want to live anymore, then let him unleash his inner power!

Now, Xing Youguang has begun organizing people to install the engines!

A week later.

The sleek fighter jet appeared in the factory of the aero-engine center.

The nose is tilted slightly downwards, which, combined with the bubble-shaped cockpit, gives the pilot a good view. It's just that the two seats look a little out of place, but that doesn't have much of an impact.

On both sides of the cockpit, the strakes extend outwards, stretching all the way to the rearwards onto the small-sweep mid-wing. Below the strakes, near the wing root, are two elliptical air intakes. The tricycle landing gear, the slightly downward-sloping all-moving tail, and the tall vertical tail constitute the overall appearance of this aircraft.

It has a very modern feel to it, it's beautiful!

Even more beautiful is the paint scheme. Li Shizhang, director of the operations office at the Aero Engine Center, personally designed the blue sky, white sun, and red earth livery for it! The entire aircraft, with its red and white colors, looks exceptionally beautiful.

Many big shots came that day.

"Sir, this is a fighter jet named after you!" Huang Xiaozong said with a fawning smile as he accompanied an elderly man.

"Hmm, not bad, not bad! This fighter jet embodies our spirit of self-reliance in national defense research and development! Moreover, the performance of this aircraft is no worse than that of those on the mainland!" The old man nodded, then reached out to touch the fuselage of the aircraft.

But... I touched it once, but couldn't reach it; I touched it again, but still couldn't reach it.

This vision problem is getting worse!

The leader continued to reach forward, and this time he finally touched it, a smile spreading across his face as if he were stroking his own child.

"The successful development of this aircraft is inseparable from the efforts of the Aero Engine Center. As a bonus, all staff members of the Aero Engine Center will receive three months' salary. We hope you will continue your efforts and get this aircraft flying as soon as possible!"

"Yes!" Huang Xiaozong nodded. "We will get the plane airborne as soon as possible!"

"Is a month okay?"

"can!"

Xing Youguang swayed. What a joke! Before the official flight, there are all sorts of tests to do. A month? A year wouldn't be enough!
but……

He actually wanted the plane to take off as soon as possible. After all, it was the only memento his daughter had left him here. The plane taking off was like his daughter taking off...

"Report! The firecrackers are ready!"

"Alright, let's tow the plane out then!"

Amidst the crackling of firecrackers, the Ching-kuo fighter jet, adorned with a large red flower, slowly departed from the production workshop, about to begin its tragic life.

(End of this chapter)