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

Chapter 435 The Americans and the Fourth-Generation Fighters of the East
"The deviation in the flight path was caused by the aircraft yawing. As for the cause of the yaw, the UN's independent investigation team is investigating based on the existing evidence. There are two possible reasons for the deviation." Ronald looked at the people present: "First, when taking off from Alaska, the co-pilot output the wrong coordinates. The other reason is that after takeoff, the captain forgot to switch from magnetic heading navigation mode to inertial navigation mode."

“We all know that magnetic navigation becomes less accurate the closer it gets to the poles, and in such cases, heading errors are entirely possible. I can assure you that our government has absolutely not used civilian airliners for military purposes, and we will not gamble with the lives of ordinary people! Especially since there are our members of Congress on board.”

Ronald looked at everyone present: "So now, instead of asking how dishonorable the government's role was, you should question the Soviets about why they shot down a civilian airliner knowing it was one! Have you been misled by the Soviets?"

Ronald's goal was clear: to correct these people's erroneous views. In the current situation, what everyone needed to do was question the Soviet Union, not their own leaders!
However... those below clearly didn't buy it, especially the opposition party.

"If a commercial airliner veered off course, why didn't the ground station issue a timely warning?"

"If a civilian airliner was shot down after veering off course, why was there such secrecy at the beginning, and why was an F-117 even scrambled? What was the F-117 trying to do? Was it going to blow up the wreckage?"

"What did the captain mean when he said the flight was extremely dangerous before takeoff?"

"Slander! These are all slanders, Soviet rhetoric! The civil aviation ground control station was indeed negligent, and those responsible must pay the price! The captain's words before takeoff were definitely made up on the spot. We sent the F-117 there only to confirm the specific situation of the civil airliner!"

At the crucial moment, everything still managed to be covered up! Ronald's calm demeanor inspired many people present. Could it be... that all of this was really a conspiracy by the Russians?

"So, what kind of evidence did the Russians obtain, and what about the black box?"

“Of course they faked it! They must have faked it!” Ronald looked at everyone present: “They shot down the passenger plane, and fearing public condemnation, they fabricated it as a military operation! Now, we should mobilize the entire Western media to condemn this blatant violation of international norms by the Russians! We…”

After a passionate speech, Ronald actually managed to defuse the crisis, and many people began to believe that it was a Russian conspiracy.

On the other side, at the Pentagon, the headquarters of the U.S. Air Force.

"Gentlemen, after a thorough investigation, there was no stealth defect in the F-117's first combat mission. It was purely an accident." Ben Richter was visibly frustrated, but he still had to explain sincerely.

"The other side just happened to fly right over our fighter jets and even released flares. Of course, this also exposed some operational flaws. In the future, I think our stealth aircraft can also report their positions to the early warning aircraft via data link, so that the early warning aircraft can know whether there are any enemy aircraft near our stealth aircraft and issue a warning in advance."

Air Force Chief Hunter Harris smiled and nodded. He wasn't biased towards Lockheed, but after investigation, they understood that it was indeed an accident.

but……

"No, this is not an accident. This shows that Lockheed's products are immature!" Grumman's chief engineer, Pellehark, stood up. "The F-117's diamond shape was flawed from the start. It only considered stealth and not aerodynamics, so it crashed after half of its wing was smashed. If it were our Tomcat, it could have flown back even with its wing gone!"

“That’s right, there must be something wrong with the F-117’s design. Lockheed is like a student who only excels in one area, and their ATF project is definitely immature!” Northrop’s chief engineer, Bob Sandsky, also chimed in with a joke: “They know nothing but stealth, and as a result, they can’t even do stealth well.”

ATF, Advanced Tactical Fighter, is a development program launched by the U.S. Air Force in 1971 to develop a next-generation air superiority fighter, intended as a successor to aircraft such as the F-15 and F-16.

Because the project requirements were too high for a single manufacturer to complete, although there were seven bidding manufacturers, several teams were actually formed.

Lockheed partnered with General Dynamics and Boeing, while Northrop partnered with McDonnell Douglas; they agreed that whoever won the project bid would participate in the process. Grumman and Rockwell, on the other hand, went it alone.

The bidding for this fighter jet project is of great importance, and everyone naturally hopes that the competitors' projects will be excluded. Now is the perfect excuse to attack Lockheed!

"No, our Lockheed project is absolutely the best!" Ben Ritchie said through gritted teeth. "There's nothing wrong with pursuing stealth. In the skies of the future, without stealth, there is nothing. And it's not just fighter jets; even a missile needs to be stealthy!"

"Yes, missiles also need to be stealthy. Lockheed's technological reserves are insufficient, so you went to cooperate with the East. Your design was shared with the East, right? If you win the bid, then in the future... our US Air Force and the East might be equipped with the same-looking fighter jet at the same time, isn't that right?"

Upon hearing Pellehak's words, everyone laughed, and laughed heartily.

"Of course not! The East has only accumulated some technology in aerodynamic design. In other aspects, such as engines, they are far inferior to us. Their current high-thrust engines are only a turbojet engine copied from the MiG-23. They do have a turbofan engine for medium thrust, but it is also an imported product. Even if their aircraft have the same aerodynamic design as ours, their performance will still be inferior to ours!"

Pellehak confidently stated, "Fourth-generation fighters need to have supersonic cruise capability, and the East, using conventional power, certainly cannot achieve these performances!"

"At least it's the same shell, and it's still quite effective at generating buzz. Ladies and gentlemen, I believe our Northrop project is the most suitable. Now, please allow me to report on our project!"

Bob Sandsky's goal was clear: to seize this opportunity to completely defeat Lockheed and win the ATF project contract!
"Alright, let's hear Northrop's proposal!"

"Our aircraft features a diamond-shaped nose, and the sweep angles of the leading and trailing edges of the wings are both 40 degrees. From above, it forms a perfect trapezoid. Our research suggests that this shape provides excellent performance in any direction. Furthermore, to further reduce the probability of detection, we have integrated the vertical and horizontal stabilizers..."

Northrop's design was very bold, featuring a diamond-shaped wing, a V-tail, a single seat, twin engines, a mid-wing configuration, and an ventral air intake.

"This design not only possesses excellent stealth capabilities but also guarantees superior supersonic maneuverability. Combined with the YF-120 variable cycle engine, the performance of this aircraft completely exceeds the Air Force's requirements!"

The ATF program has attracted many military aircraft manufacturers, and they have all tried their best to win the project. However, different manufacturers have different design ideas.

Lockheed's proposal was conservative, using an improved version of the engine and a conventional exterior design. After all, overly advanced technology would lead to uncontrollable costs and the risk of failure. Northrop, on the other hand, had to be more aggressive in order to win the bid.

This is the first time there has been no horizontal stabilizer, and it's also the first time a variable cycle engine has been installed on a fighter jet. The entire aircraft incorporates a large number of new technologies, making it look very powerful. However, in reality, the probability of problems is much higher.

But that doesn't stop them from making PowerPoint presentations.

“This design has many problems.” As an excellent aircraft designer, Ben Ritchie could see it at a glance: “The 40-degree forward sweep angle of the wing trailing edge greatly reduces the aerodynamic efficiency of the wing. A larger flap deflection angle must be used to ensure the lift increase, but this will increase the difficulty of controlling the wing boundary layer. The maneuverability of this aircraft will inevitably be the worst.”

"That's right. If it were a conventional design, the maneuverability would certainly not meet the requirements. However, we have our own design that can definitely meet the Air Force's requirements. The quality of maneuverability needs to be demonstrated to everyone after a prototype is built. We can guarantee that it will be no worse than Lockheed's!"

The diamond-shaped wing design was certainly problematic, but Northrop was confident. After all, their B-2 didn't even have a vertical tail; it relied solely on the flaps on the wings. They had accumulated a wealth of experience in this area, which they certainly couldn't reveal now, lest their competitors learn it.

“Speaking of maneuverability, isn’t the canard configuration better?” Hunter Harris asked.

In fact, during the third-generation fighter jet era, a large number of aircraft already adopted the canard layout. Looking at Europe, the Typhoon, Rafale, and Gripen all use the canard layout. The J-10 in the East also uses the canard layout, and the Phenom fighter jet also uses canard wings, which is enough to illustrate the advantages of this layout.

Even in the era of fourth-generation fighters, the Soviet MiG-1.44 still used a canard layout.

"The best canards are on the enemy's planes," General Dynamics engineer Harry Hilllake said dismissively.

"Why?" Hunter Harris asked, somewhat curious.

"First, there's the issue of trim. The canard cannot balance the enormous nose-down moment generated by the wing lift enhancement device. Second, the canard has difficulty meeting the requirements of the transonic area rule, not to mention that the canard has difficulty achieving stealth effects."

Even though canard layout fighter jets have started to be used internationally, the proud Americans still prefer conventional layouts. None of the seven companies that submitted proposals used a canard layout, which speaks volumes.

When power is insufficient, aerodynamics is needed to compensate. The United States has the world's strongest aircraft engine technology, so they don't need to take shortcuts in aerodynamics at all. The canard configuration is suitable for the whole world, but not for the United States!

East, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Department 5 Building, Computer Room.

Even though it's winter, the air conditioning in the computer room is still on, and the cold air blows in to lower the temperature of the machines running at full power. "Good, after many revisions, our machine's shape has finally come out!" Looking at the graphic on the computer screen, Old Song was full of excitement.

During this period, the J-9 has been undergoing flight testing at the Flight Test Institute. During the day, Professor Song is busy with the J-9's flight testing, and at night he comes to Northwestern Polytechnical University to work with them on the development of the new generation of fighter jets. He has spent countless days and nights working on it, and now, the aerodynamic shape has finally come out!

The way the canards, strakes, and main wings are combined makes this aircraft look a little long, but... that's not a big deal. After all, if the engine isn't powerful enough, you have to find a way to improve the aerodynamics!
"Yes, next is to build a model, go to the wind tunnel, and conduct electromagnetic radiation experiments at the same time." Professor Liu was equally excited.

"No, next, we need to notify Qin Liang first and ask him to come and take a look. After all, without his efforts, this aircraft wouldn't exist!" Yang Wei interjected from the side, "By the way, hasn't Qin Liang gone back to his hometown for the New Year yet?"

"It shouldn't be there yet, let me call and ask..."

Professor Liu's hand had just touched the phone when it rang.

"Hello, it's me. What? You've already completed all the theoretical research on the DSI intake? Great!" Professor Liu exclaimed excitedly. "Yes, send me your program, and I'll try it out on the aircraft!"

Professor Liu hung up the phone, his face beaming with excitement.

"what's the situation?"

"Our aircraft needs further modifications to its shape. We no longer need a boundary layer separator or an air intake regulating device, which will save some weight."

"Then... what about the air intake?"

"The DSI air intake was a research project undertaken by Qin Liang's older brother, Qin Ming, during his graduate studies. I didn't really manage it; Qin Ming developed it all on his own."

Speaking of this, Professor Liu said with great emotion: "The Qin family has produced two geniuses. If Qin Ming's project goes well, I think we can let him participate in more confidential research and development projects next."

"Oh, I see. Then what are we waiting for? Let's get the program running!"

A day later, the project design drawings were revised for the sixteenth time. This time, everything else remained the same, but the air intake was reshaped and looked even better.

"If this DSI air intake can really replace the traditional solution, then can it also be installed on the J-9 fighter jet we are currently testing?" Old Song's eyes shone brightly.

Boundary layer partitions, air intake adjustment devices... These weigh at least two to three hundred kilograms. Removing these can further reduce the weight of the aircraft and improve its performance!

“I think it’s a good idea! How about… we start the experiment with the JF-17?” Professor Liu suggested.

"it is good!"

Northwestern Polytechnical University staff quarters.

“Brother Da Ming, your research and development project is finished, and it just so happens to be the holiday season. So, let’s go back to our hometown together and spend the New Year there. What do you think?”

Qin Ming scratched his head: "I... I was thinking, maybe I should go back and visit... It's been so long since I've been home, my family..."

"Call them all back and let's celebrate the New Year together in our hometown."

Qin Liang dared not let his elder brother go back. After all, Qin Ming had already come into contact with a lot of advanced technology. If he went back, he might be detained by the authorities.

It would be better to encourage them to come to the mainland, or even not go back and stay to develop their careers there.

Jingle Bell……

Just then, the phone rang.

"Hello, okay, I got it, I'll go check it out." Qin Liang hung up the phone: "Big brother, just listen to me, Duoduo will arrange for Uncle and his family to go back to their hometown for the New Year. I have some things to do, I'll be going now."

Qin Liang rode his sidecar motorcycle to the Fifth Department Building. Before he even entered, he saw Yang Wei running towards him from the entrance.

"Qin Liang, you're finally here! Our project..."

"Well, let's go in and talk."

"it is good."

Inside the server room, Qin Liang looked at the exterior design, which was exactly the same as he remembered.

"Excellent, truly excellent. The wind tunnel and electromagnetic laboratory tests should go smoothly. Let's spend another year on the detailed design, and perhaps by the year after next, we can start building the prototype!"

The Americans' progress on fourth-generation fighter jets is not as fast as ours!
"Well, there's nothing wrong with the machine itself, the main problem is the engine," Old Song said.

"In another year, our own third-generation high-thrust turbofan should be ready. The power may not be as good as the American ones, but it will be more than enough to meet our needs," Qin Liang said.

The engine plant in Shanghai is progressing smoothly and will definitely be able to start firing within a year. With the core engine in hand, how to modify it is up to us, and the British can't stop us!

It still lags far behind the F119, but it's possible to rival the F100. The power deficiency can definitely be overcome.

"Really? That's great! It's one thing for third-generation fighters to use turbojet engines, but if fourth-generation fighters still use turbojet engines, people will laugh at us!" Old Song said excitedly.

"Yes, the key to this aircraft is the flight control system. Yang Wei, you guys have to do this job well."

"Don't worry, we have experience. The computer has generated a lot of data, and combined with the wind tunnel data, it can't be wrong. Our J-9 has not experienced a single flight control malfunction since its test flights began..."

Qin Liang nodded, feeling reassured with Yang Wei around.

"Yes, with the J-9's test flights going so smoothly, it will definitely be able to fly up for demonstration by October this year..."

The most important event of 1984 was October 1st!

The JF-17 is for export, the J-7 is a heavily modified MiG-21, and if the J-9 can be deployed, it will definitely shock the whole world!

beep, beep...

Someone ran over from outside: "Comrade Qin Liang, a message has been sent from the capital, asking you and Elder Song to go there!"

(End of this chapter)