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

Chapter 402 All three models will be developed, everyone will be happy!
Qin Liang had his own selfish motives, so he was determined to give full support to the 611 Institute's project at this meeting. After all, this was the famous Black Ribbon Project, and although they lacked many technological reserves, especially in the field of engines, they still had a long way to go.

However, he still wanted to support the J-20. The engine could be changed, just like in later years. When the J-20 started its test flights, it only used the third WS-10 engine. Later, when the WS-10 engine matured, it was replaced with the WS-10 engine. As for the WS-15 engine... this engine, which was originally planned to be equipped on the J-20, had to be reworked and its performance improved because the WS-10's performance was too outstanding.

For now, let's use the WP-15 turbojet engine while waiting for the domestically produced WS-10 turbofan engine to mature. If the WS-10 takes too long to develop, then in a few years we can get our hands on the third-generation turbofan engine and continue in the original way, using the third-generation turbofan engine's core and an F100 bypass duct...

With the aviation propulsion technology we have now, mapping and replicating the core engine of my third uncle is a piece of cake!

The 611 Institute's project is the J-20 fighter jet. What about the other projects?
Of course, we shouldn't waste it either.

In later generations, although there were many calls for the J-20 to be deployed on aircraft carriers, the J-20 was never actually deployed on an aircraft carrier. Instead, the J-35 frequently appeared in public.

For a major naval power, carrier-based heavy fighter jets are indispensable!

Therefore, since the project of Factory 320 is designed as a carrier-based aircraft, we might as well continue the research and development and at the same time keep it as a technology reserve. When the conditions are right in the future and the navy has an aircraft carrier, we can directly give it to the navy for use! This is definitely a one-step solution.

Even now, the navy has a large number of twin-engine Q-6 fighters, and they are already proficient in operating these aircraft!

This would further crowd out projects from the Northern Institute, since historically, the Northern Institute's medium-sized fighter jets qualified for carrier operations, but now...

The planes produced by the Northern Institute are really not very useful now, so they can be sold off!
In this day and age, most countries' air force equipment is still at the level of second-generation aircraft. It would be good if they had third-generation aircraft. Even if this kind of stealth aircraft costs one hundred million US dollars per unit, there would still be people who would buy it!
This is definitely the most profitable project!
"What method?" At this moment, everyone's eyes widened.

"If the Air Force doesn't support the Northern Institute's project, we'll push it onto the international market. We'll find wealthy people, like Mr. Sha, and get them to invest several billion dollars. It'll be easy. Once it's developed, we can sell it to Mr. Sha at a lower price, and sell it to other customers. One hundred million dollars per aircraft wouldn't be too high."

The people at the Northern Institute immediately became excited.

Sell ​​it and make money!
The J-8 fighter jets have already been sold, and they've tasted the benefits of foreign trade. Now, they're about to have new business! With billions of dollars in R&D funding and a price of one hundred million dollars per aircraft, the Northern Research Institute is absolutely going to make a killing!

Old Lin sighed.

“Liangzi, your idea is good, but so far, even the United States has not completed the development of the fourth-generation fighter jet, while we have only just begun. Therefore, this kind of aircraft cannot be exported, otherwise... it will break the balance and lead to a new round of arms race, which may not be a good thing for us.”

"Yes, of course not now." Qin Liang nodded: "The Northern Institute can raise its own funds first to continue research, and then launch it into the international market when the time is right."

The end of the Cold War was a heavy blow to the U.S. military. Many projects went bankrupt due to lack of funding. The NATF project was canceled, the A-12 attack aircraft was canceled, and in the end, they even had to use the same aircraft as the Air Force!
Qin Liang's support for the cooperation between Factory 320 and Grumman was naturally in accordance with the original historical pattern. In any case, the US Navy would not use the NAFT project. Grumman had spent a lot of time and effort, but we could get our hands on the technology at the same time and use it for our navy.

It could be said that we received funding from Grumman to help us with our research and development.

If we vigorously develop stealth aircraft and arouse the Americans' suspicion, and they succeed in making the stealth cat, wouldn't that just cause trouble for ourselves?
Now, of course we can't provoke them!

After saying that, Qin Liang looked at Engineer Li and said, "Engineer Li, even if you fail in this bid, don't give up. Keep developing it. Believe me, in the future, I will make your aircraft a global sensation, and your Northern Institute will make endless money!"

"Yes!" Engineer Li nodded. "We trust you!"

Old Lu quickly picked up the conversation: "What about our Factory 320?"

"Your factory is so profitable that you could develop this aircraft even without government investment, relying solely on your own profits," Qin Liang said. "You don't need to modify the design; just follow the carrier-based aircraft plan. Once it's successfully finalized, I believe the Navy will definitely purchase it!"

Since it's a carrier-based aircraft, then target the navy!
Old Lu frowned: "Liangzi, are you saying that the navy will have aircraft carriers in the future?"

"That's for sure. We are not only a land power, but also a maritime power. How can we function without a strong navy? How can we function without a powerful aircraft carrier fleet? As long as the country's economic strength allows, the navy will definitely build aircraft carriers! At that time, your products will be the most suitable carrier-based aircraft! In fact, before the navy has an aircraft carrier, it will purchase a batch to use as land-based fighter jets!"

"Okay, we'll listen to you!"

Beside him, Director Duan spoke up quietly: "So, does that mean we can skip this afternoon's meeting?"

Of the three bidding projects, two have backup plans, and the remaining one is the most technologically advanced, has the best performance, and is the one that the Air Force values ​​most.

Is there any need to continue bidding?

"Ahem, of course, everyone has to vote together."

Qin Liang can't make a one-man show; everyone has to play their part!

in the afternoon.

"From the perspective of the Air Force's needs and technological advancement, the project of Institute 611 is undoubtedly the most suitable. On behalf of the Air Force, I would like to express our support for the project of Institute 611!"

"This project is technically very challenging, but... we have faith in the capabilities of Institute 611, and moreover, with the cooperation of Northwestern Polytechnical University, our Third Ministry of Machinery Industry also supports Institute 611's project!"

"Our General Logistics Department..."

One by one, the leaders of each department expressed their support, and almost all of them unanimously supported the project of Institute 611!
After all, everyone heard what Qin Liang said at lunch: all three projects had a future. The Navy... Although the Navy didn't express its opinion, it listens to Qin Liang and certainly wouldn't refuse.

The Tomcat is naturally suited to be a carrier-based aircraft. When the Navy finds out, they might be secretly delighted!
"Alright, since everyone has unanimously agreed, I hereby announce that the 611 Institute's twin-engine canard layout heavy stealth fighter project is officially approved, codenamed J-10..."

"Cough cough..."

"Liangzi, what's wrong? You didn't even drink the water properly, you choked!"

"Um, it's nothing, I just, I just..."

"Do you have any objections to this project proposal?"

Up until now, the project numbers have been completely messed up!

The J-9 of today is already the J-10 of the future. If the J-10 of today were the J-20 of the future, the model would be too confusing.

"Old Lin, Leader Duan, and other leaders, our stealth fighter will probably require more than ten years of research and development. It's aimed at the skies of the future, that is, the end of the 20th century. Should we call it... J-20?"

Old Lin nodded: "Great! Missing a few numbers will make our aircraft seem more mysterious. Let's call it the J-20, and the whole project Project 20!"

The section leader nodded: "Okay."

The numbering system was actually scrambled from the start.

The first fighter jet was the J-5, followed by the J-9. There were some gaps in the designations, and the J-12 emerged in the 1960s, followed by the J-13...

In later generations, the J-14 was left vacant, so the J-15 and J-16 were introduced. Then, the transition to the J-20 was achieved in one step, and later, the transition to the J-31 was achieved directly...

There are advantages to chaos, namely, it increases confidentiality. Outsiders won't know what products these missing serial numbers represent...

The matter was settled just like that, and the people from the Northern Institute looked at each other, and finally, someone couldn't help but stand up.

"Report: Although our project is a self-developed project, we hope to obtain a project number from our superiors."

This is purely for psychological comfort, but... we should still support them, after all, they don't want government funding.

"Liangzi, what do you think?"

"How about calling it J-31?"

"Yes, we used to have the J-13, but now we've flipped it over and call it the J-31!" "And... what about our Factory 320's?"

"You...you guys, should we call you...Qiang Qi?"

"Alright." Old Lu nodded. Factory 320 specializes in building attack aircraft, and their aircraft has a large payload capacity, so it can really be used as an attack aircraft. Calling it the Strong-Seven is also a fitting name.

"Ladies and gentlemen, today's meeting represents a major reform in the history of our country's military aircraft development! Successful models will be funded by the state, while unsuccessful models will be funded by the enterprises themselves. This market-oriented approach will allow our projects to continue to be developed without taking up valuable R&D funds."

In his concluding remarks, the section leader was deeply moved: "Whether you succeeded or failed in the bidding, you all ultimately gained something, and the Third Ministry of Machinery Industry is very satisfied! Moving forward, we hope you will continue your efforts and create even greater achievements!"

Amidst enthusiastic applause, the meeting slowly came to a close.

Qin Liang also breathed a sigh of relief. This was a major event concerning the development of Eastern military aircraft! This was a crucial national defense project for the complete rise of the nation!

"Liangzi, come on, let's go have a few drinks!"

It was Mr. Lin who invited me again!
Qin Liang said helplessly, "Mr. Lin, I can't drink much. Lately, my family has been pressuring me to have children, and drinking might negatively influence the next generation..."

"Okay, just one cup."

"A draft beer mug?"

"Of course not, let's go!"

In the cafeteria.

"Liangzi, the biggest drawback in our development of fourth-generation fighter jets is the engine!"

Sure enough, Old Lin came to Qin Liang because of the engine's shortcomings.

"Yes, Elder Lin, we can't rush this. Now that we've determined the development process for the WS-10 engine, we need to proceed step by step, slowly mastering the entire core mechanism. We can't rush it. Once we've mastered it, our engine technology will take off completely, just like... opening up the Ren and Du meridians."

Military-grade high-powered thrusters are undoubtedly the most difficult to develop! In the entire world, only the two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union, were capable of developing them; no other country could!

Qin Liang had even prepared to wait a few more years until the Soviet Union collapsed, then poach engine experts from the Soviet Union to strengthen his own research and development team.

"Do you think we could... collaborate with Rolls-Royce?"

Cooperating with the Russians is out of the question, as relations haven't improved yet. Cooperating with the Americans? Those American engine giants are always on their guard! Now, Rolls-Royce seems like a good entry point.

After all, in order to improve profitability, Rolls-Royce even agreed to set up a factory in the East to produce three-rotor civil aircraft engines. They are willing to do anything to make money!
When it comes to aero-engine technology... Rolls-Royce is still very strong. The early Spey and the later Trent, even in military engines, the RB199 and EJ200 are masterpieces. As for not having a large thrust engine for military use... it seems that it's more because they don't need it, since they don't have heavy fighters!

Qin Liang thought for a moment: "If we directly ask them to research fighter jet engines, even if they agree for the money, we will definitely face resistance from the United States. We might as well ask them to jointly develop a dual-rotor civil aircraft engine!"

Civil aircraft engines and fighter jet engines are different, but the core components can be the same.

For example, the famous CFM-56 uses the core engine of General Electric's F101 engine, which is also the core engine of the F110 engine. This engine once accounted for half of the F100 engine!
Once a similar core engine is developed, and paired with a suitable bypass duct, it will definitely be a powerful military thruster!

"The RB211 engine is now in production. However, it is an engine with a thrust of over 20 tons. High-bypass turbofan engines can even generate 40 tons of thrust. Our Y-10 needs an engine with a thrust of 10 tons. The engine we are currently using is a modified version of the Spey core, which is outdated. So, we will use the excuse of replacing the engine for the Y-10 to get them to jointly develop an advanced core engine with a thrust of 10 tons. They should not suspect anything."

Old Lin nodded: "Alright, shall we go to Shanghai next?"

The original Changzheng Machinery Factory in Shanghai, well, it's now an aero-engine factory under the Datang Group.

There wasn't a single idle person in the factory; many offices were empty, while the workshops were bustling with activity.

As the CNC machine tool rotates at high speed, fine metal wires are continuously cut off, and the cutting tools and workpieces fly around, creating a dazzling sight.

Master Li looked at the machine with a complicated expression on his face.

Aircraft engines have very few components with normal shapes; almost all of them are extremely complex. Previously, even the most skilled master craftsmen in the workshop couldn't guarantee a high yield rate. But now, these CNC machine tools... require almost no human operation; they can process the components themselves, achieving a yield rate of over 95%. The few defective products are generally due to issues with the raw materials...

The machine stopped, and he reached out to remove the finished parts. He carefully placed them on a specially made blade holder. He no longer dared to carelessly throw them away after deducting the wages of several people.

Just as it was put down, someone came up.

"Mr. Stanley?"

Stanley took the calipers and began taking measurements.

“Excellent! The machining precision is flawless. The CNC machine tools produced by Northwestern Polytechnical University are even more precise than those in the West. Our cooperation with the East was truly the wisest choice. Next, we plan to purchase parts from the East and bring them back to the UK for assembly, which will further reduce the production cost of the products!”

Capital is always profit-driven, and for developed countries with high costs, the hollowing out of industry is almost an inevitable result!

Later Britain focused primarily on finance, with very few industries remaining, one of which was aircraft engine manufacturing. Now, seeing that costs were lower in the East, they also planned to abandon their own industry.

"Sure, no problem at all!"

Another voice came from behind.

"Professor Liu?"

Professor Liu is actually already considered a factory director, but Westerners tend to prefer titles like professor or doctor, as these seem more prestigious.

"Yes, Mr. Stanley, Comrade Qin Liang is here. He wants to further deepen the cooperation with Rolls-Royce."

"Okay."

Stanley gently put down the workpiece, glanced once more at the bustling factory, and then... followed Professor Liu to the conference room.

"Everyone has worked hard. In less than a year, we have been able to produce the RB211 engine ourselves. The localization rate has now exceeded 60%, and it will reach 100% in the future. This is a remarkable achievement!" Qin Liang praised them, and everyone present was all smiles.

"Now, we no longer have to worry about engine problems with our new passenger planes, but the engines in our older models are becoming somewhat outdated. The Spey engine is still too weak, and there's still a large market for engines with a thrust of ten tons worldwide, so..."

"President Qin, Rolls-Royce is also developing this type of engine, codenamed V2500, and plans to equip it on the Airbus A320. Your Y-10 can also use it..."

What does this V mean?

Stanley was a little embarrassed.

V is actually the Roman numeral 5, representing five companies, including Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, Nippon Aircraft Engines, MTU, and Fiat.

Rolls-Royce holds only 30 percent of the shares and is responsible for developing the high-pressure compressor.

Rolls-Royce does not own all the intellectual property rights to this engine, nor would it send it to the East for production!
"Mr. Qin, what do you mean?"

"Even if you and the other four companies jointly develop the engine, you will only have a 30% stake. It's fine if you don't take it. The project has only just started, and you haven't invested much. Why don't you join us in joint development? We already have some research results, but the progress is a bit slow. If you join us, we can develop the engine together and put it on the test bench within two years. Five years later, we can replace the engine for the Y-10!"

(End of this chapter)