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

Chapter 438: The plan to win over India was proposed by Qin Liang! (Seeking monthly votes)

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, just as they were about to get up, Simonov spoke up again.

"Gentlemen, would you be interested in visiting our Sukhoi Design Bureau this afternoon?"

Ivan Mikoyan frowned: "Comrade Simonov, what do you mean by this?"

Our guests are here to visit our Mikoyan Design Bureau, what are you doing here!
“No, it’s just that… the Mikoyan Design Bureau doesn’t seem to have any projects that need our Eastern friends’ help with. We… do have a project proposal that we’d like to ask the Easterners for their advice,” Simonov said.

The visitors from the East... all had complex expressions.

The Soviet Union, our big brother, taught us how to enter the aviation industry step by step. Everyone else here came to learn from the Soviet Union, except for... the people from Northwestern Polytechnical University. They came to the Russians to give them pointers on their work!

Just like the deal we reached this morning to help Mikoyan Design Bureau run the aerodynamic model of the twin-engine aircraft, no other unit in the East has the capability to do this except Northwestern Polytechnical University!

Now, even the Sukhoi Design Bureau has its eye on Northwestern Polytechnical University's technology and wants to collaborate with them!
"Oh? What project is it?"

At this moment, Qin Liang was very curious.

As a reborn individual, he was naturally aware of Sukhoi Design Bureau's later projects.

After the Su-27's groundbreaking debut, the Sukhoi Design Bureau continued to explore and develop the aircraft, for example, by developing a two-seat trainer and then converting the two-seat version into a fighter-bomber, which resulted in the Su-30.
The carrier-based version developed for the navy is the Su-33.
Single-seat aircraft shouldn't be neglected either. Adding a canard improves control, and that's the Su-35. Then, installing a thrust vectoring nozzle transforms it into the Su-37.
Of course, these projects are different from those that were undertaken after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

In order to correct the Su-27's brittle fracture problem, a large number of improvements were made, and it was named Su-35. It is no longer a completely different aircraft with the old three-surface layout.

Later, in order to explore new aerodynamic configurations, the Sukhoi Design Bureau developed a forward-swept wing technology demonstrator called the S-37, which was later renamed the Su-47.
When they developed the stealth version, it was called the Su-57.

It's clear that the Russian project is still quite chaotic.

Now, what project does Simonov want to ask for our help with?
"Our Sukhoi Design Bureau also wants to develop a medium-sized, single-engine, multi-role supersonic fighter with a canard configuration. If you are interested, you can also help us run the aerodynamic design..."

"Comrade Simonov, the Su-37 project is top secret. You can't hand over such a project to the East!" A general couldn't help but shout out. Little did he know that his words were a leak!
"If the Mikoyan Design Bureau can entrust the design of its projects to Asians, why can't our projects?" Simonov looked at the speaker: "General Korzhakov, our project is just a ground attack aircraft to replace the Su-25. There's no need to make it so mysterious, is there?"

"Of course there is. Everyone knows that you actually want to develop this ground attack aircraft into the LFI..."

At this point, he realized he had let something slip and leaked a secret, so he quickly stopped talking.

At this moment, Qin Liang was completely dumbfounded. He had no idea that the Su-37 actually had a serial number.
When it came to developing third-generation fighters, the Russians could still manage to do both, developing the medium-sized MiG-29 and the heavy Su-27 simultaneously. However, when it came to fourth-generation fighters, the Russians could no longer afford it, so they had to entrust the Mikoyan Design Bureau to develop the MFI, or heavy fighter project, first.

The medium-sized LFI project seems to have never been started, but in fact, the Sukhoi Design Bureau had been planning it for a long time!

It just so happens that the Su-25 close air support attack aircraft project is gradually becoming outdated, not to mention the even more backward Su-7, Su-17, Su-20, and Su-22 aircraft in the Warsaw Pact countries, all of which are due for replacement.

Therefore, the Sukhoi Design Bureau decided to initiate a completely new fighter jet project, and the development designation given to it was Su-37.
According to the original plan, this was just a ground attack aircraft. However, Simonov had ideals in mind and decided to use this shell to develop the aircraft into the LFI project, which meets the needs of future air combat!

In terms of aerodynamic layout, they also planned to adopt a canard layout to follow the trend, but because it is a medium-sized aircraft and needs to be differentiated from the MiG-29, they decided to make it a single-engine aircraft!

“Speaking of single-engine fighter jets, our Mikoyan Design Bureau also has a project,” Ivan Mikoyan said. “Qin, this afternoon, let’s work together to study our MiG-33!”

MiG-33? Yet another project that has never succeeded in history!

"This..." Qin Liang was having some trouble making a decision.

"Let's go, let's go upstairs!"

The saying "being near the water tower makes it easy to get the moon first" is absolutely true. For now, we can only go with the people from the Mikoyan Design Bureau.

Qin Liang was familiar with the MiG-33 aircraft. After all, in his later years, when Tu Lao's Super-7 project was abandoned by the United States, they had sought help from the Mikoyan Design Bureau. At that time, the Mikoyan Design Bureau used the MiG-33 project to fool Tu Lao: No need to develop it yourself, just use our aircraft!

This is a single-engine version of the MiG-29, designed to compete in the market for traditional aircraft like the MiG-21. As for this project... we certainly can't help it. If this project succeeds, how will we sell our Super-7 and JF-17?
Therefore, this time we absolutely need to come up with a whole bunch of reasons to belittle it!
Inside the conference room, Qin Liang was stunned when he saw a canard-configured fighter jet appear on the projection screen: "Canard configuration again?"

This is different from what I remember!

"That's right, the duck layout, we believe this layout is the trend..."

Qin Liang's mind was racing.

This project was likely self-funded and developed by the Mikoyan Design Bureau, which explains its slow progress. Furthermore, it was always designed as a single-engine version of the MiG-29. Now, it's progressing rapidly, and has even been changed to a canard configuration. There's only one possibility…

Someone is sponsoring it!

Who will sponsor it?

If you think about it for a moment, you can deduce it: Indians!
India suffered a loss, India was unwilling to accept it, and India wanted to develop its own fighter jet!

There's no other possibility but a rich and foolish Indian!

So also...

"Ahem, I think that a canard layout is not suitable for a lightweight aircraft."

"Why?" The Russians were all stunned.

"Because it needs canards, it has to be able to move, otherwise it will be too outdated and customers won't like it. But if it's to move, it means we have to write complex flight control systems. The original analog fly-by-wire won't work; we have to use a three-axis quadruple redundancy fly-by-wire system. This will significantly increase the cost of the fighter jet. I don't think potential customers for this aircraft will accept such a high price."

The Russians never considered the market issue. After all, as long as they manufactured it, people would come to buy it. Now, after hearing Qin Liang say this, it seems to make sense. If they want to actively promote it, the price can't be too high.

The Russians' weakest point is avionics. Digital fly-by-wire can only be imported from the East, which will inevitably increase costs. How can they possibly develop it?
"If we don't add canards, wouldn't we just revert to a normal aerodynamic layout?" Sergei Korotkov asked.

The Indians didn't want a normal layout back then, because they felt it wasn't advanced enough.

"For a light aircraft, a large delta wing design without a horizontal tail is the most suitable option."

Qin Liang continued, “First, the large wing area provides ample space for fuel, which is crucial for extending the range of a light aircraft. Second, the large wings allow for the mounting of numerous weapons and equipment, as well as extra-large external fuel tanks. Finally, this design reduces the number of control surfaces, making control easier, and the existing hydraulic control system is perfectly fine.”

Since it's intended for India, we need to use some persuasion to get the Russians to design the most useless aircraft for them.

Just follow the aerodynamic layout of the LCA that India developed in later years: a tailless delta wing, a new fighter jet that is unique in the world!
"Then this kind of aircraft must have very poor takeoff and landing capabilities, right?"

"It's alright, at worst we can design a pair of small flat plates above the front of the wing to create a vortex for the rear wing, and then we'll have short takeoff and landing capability." Qin Liang was referring to the modification plan for the Mirage 2000-5, of course. If there's no place to put the canards, we'll just install small flat plates!
"As for the air intakes, I don't think it's necessary to put them on the belly. It's fine to put them under the two large delta wings. This layout can reduce weight..."

The Russians looked at each other, feeling the same as in the morning. Qin Liang always seemed to open a new window for them.

"The most crucial advantage of this design is its low cost! If we use your RD-33 engines and match them with your domestically produced avionics, we can reduce the cost to less than six million US dollars. Internationally, a price of ten million US dollars would definitely make it a bestseller! If we entrust the design to Northwestern Polytechnical University, the aerodynamic shape can be completed in just a few months!"

"Okay, then let's commission Northwestern Polytechnical University to design the aerodynamic layout for us."

"However... we only have one supercomputer. Between this morning's project and this project... which one should we prioritize?"

"Of course, it's in the morning! We still need to discuss this project with the client." That's right, it's the Indian guy!
"When you go to sell to customers, you must cater to their preferences. For example, this aircraft can not only be land-based but also ship-based, and it has great potential for future upgrades and improvements..."

The Russians nodded happily and quickly took out their notebooks to write down the plan to conquer India, which was proposed by Qin Liang!

Qin Liang spoke at length, and soon it got dark outside.

"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we, the Sukhoi Design Bureau, will host a banquet at the Seventh Heaven Restaurant! We're all in the aircraft business, so we should eat in the highest-class restaurant!"

During the Soviet era, people's lives were quite good. The average worker's monthly salary was 150 rubles, and a meal at a top restaurant would only cost a dozen rubles.

The Seventh Paradise restaurant is located at the top of the Ostankino TV Tower, a full 330 meters high. From here, you can overlook the entire city of Moscow. What's more, it's a revolving restaurant, completing a rotation every forty minutes. So, people who come to Moscow on business consider it an honor to have a meal here. After all, the minimum charge is only 7 rubles, so it's okay to splurge once in a while.

However... any slightly more upscale restaurant will require queuing; in Moscow, queuing is the most common sight.

I arrived in the morning, so I didn't see anyone queuing. But after 5 p.m., long lines formed at various shops and restaurants, creating a unique scene.

On the train, looking at the figures queuing in the cold wind, Qin Liang couldn't help but say, "We in the East have a large amount of agricultural products. Your side can completely normalize relations with us, and then you can import a large amount of our agricultural products!"

It was difficult to export goods to the Soviet Union at that time, and the Pacific Company also transited through Europe, since relations between the two sides had not yet been normalized.

“Yes, it’s time to consider it. If it weren’t for the higher-ups…” Olgakov stopped midway through his sentence.

To develop a country, a stable environment and a young and energetic leader are needed. But now... the leaders of the Soviet Union are all old and frail, and their health is not optimistic. How can they focus their attention on these things?

Their current interactions are all private.

"We've arrived! Everyone, let's take the elevator up to have our meal!" Simonov exclaimed excitedly.

The television station is cone-shaped at the bottom and a pillar at the top, reaching towards the heavens. Near the top, it thickens again, and the revolving restaurant is designed inside.

Just then, a car sped up from behind.

"Comrade Qin Liang! Comrade Qin Liang!"

Qin Liang turned his head and looked at the person running over. It was a familiar face. Was this a diplomatic envoy from the East here?

"what happened?"

"An urgent message has arrived from home; please return immediately!"

Disappointment was evident on the faces of the Russians. They hadn't drunk any alcohol at noon, and had originally planned to get these Asians drunk that evening to make up for the humiliation they had suffered today!
Who would have thought that they would encounter an emergency and need to rush back!
Qin Liang looked at the people present and said, "I'm asking you, could it be that you guys leaked the news and the Americans know we're here to inspect the F-117?"

The Russians were taken aback. There were quite a few Western spies in Moscow these days. Could it be that the information had really been leaked?
“No, absolutely not!” Olgakov declared confidently. “Everything is under our tight protection.”

"Hopefully. Anyway, we originally came in secret, but now that there's an emergency, let's hurry back to avoid any accidents. As for the wine... welcome everyone to the East! We'll treat you to drinks there!"

It can only be the.

The Russians had mixed feelings watching the Asians get on the bus and head straight for the airport.

We really should go see the East! Especially that supercomputer…

Once on the private jet, Old Song finally spoke slowly: "Liangzi, you pulled this whole thing just to avoid being forced to drink by the Russians?"

Qin Liang smiled and said, "They've had a frustrating day. Tonight, we all have to drink ourselves into a stupor. Next time we drink with the Russians, we'll need to find a few really good drinkers! Anyway, the business is done, so we can go back and prepare to restore that F-117."

"Comrade Qin Liang, can the restoration work be carried out in Shenyang?" Old Gu asked.

They've run out of projects, so they've spent the whole day thinking about this F-117. If only they could get it mapped out…

"Mr. Gu, does Shenyang have the capacity to produce composite materials?"

Old Gu shook his head.

"Do you have a dedicated air-conditioned painting workshop?"

Old Gu continued to shake his head.

Do you have precision molding capabilities?

Old Gu sighed, "It seems this good stuff isn't for us."

"It's most suitable to place it in Chang'an. We will find a dedicated factory in Factory 172, but... Factory 172 doesn't have the capacity to help. If you want to get involved, you can go to Factory 172."

Qin Liang was not stingy.

Stealth aircraft technology is not unique to Northwestern Polytechnical University; various factories and universities can possess it. Northern universities also need to research stealth aircraft, so there's no harm in letting them have some contact now.

However, for an aircraft made entirely of composite materials, the manufacturing process is unique, and the shape must be precise. Even the slightest error can severely compromise its stealth capabilities.

Currently, only Northwestern Polytechnical University possesses this kind of repair capability.

Old Gu's eyes lit up: "Good, I'll select the best soldiers and generals when we get back."

Actually, Qin Liang rushed back not because he was afraid of drinking, but because he was willing to drink. He figured he could just get drunk after one drink, crawl under the table, and not drink himself. Could anyone force him to drink?
The main reason is that it's almost Chinese New Year, and it's not good to stay here with the Russians all the time. The Mikoyan Design Bureau has already been fooled, so it's time for me to go home and celebrate the New Year with my family. My uncle's family will also be coming.

A long flight is a good time to sleep. When he woke up, he was at the Capital Airport. Qin Liang's energy was restored, and it was another day full of vitality... Cough cough, look at the sun, it's already afternoon, isn't it?
Why does my eyelid keep twitching?
As Qin Liang walked out of customs and came outside, he saw people standing outside.

Yang Tian, ​​Yang Du'er's father-in-law, and Annie, Yang Du'er were between the two of them, and beside them was... Ben Richie?

Qin Liang's eyelids twitched even more violently. That F-117 was shot down; this guy must be the one most hurt, right? And the mastermind behind all this…

"Brother Liang!" Yang Duo'er was the first to rush up and hug Qin Liang. The other two watched with smiles, while Ben Richie... looked a little awkward.

Indeed, Ben Richie only came up hesitantly after everyone had finished greeting him.

"Qin, I came here today hoping... to deepen our cooperation with Northwestern Polytechnical University. Our... our Lockheed Corporation is currently facing a very unfavorable situation."

Qin Liang frowned: "What's going on?"

"This... was originally classified, but we'll be more frank with you. Our Lockheed Skunk Works has been conducting preliminary research on the fourth-generation stealth aircraft project for several years, and now, it looks like we're about to... lose the bid!"

Qin Liang rolled his eyes at him: "Mr. Ben Richie, if I remember correctly, you should be a media person, right?"

Cough cough... Ben Rich almost coughed up blood.

(End of this chapter)