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

Chapter 443 I'll help you fix the typhoon!

Eastward, Northwestern Polytechnical University.

On the tenth day of the first lunar month, Qin Liang returned with his father and wife, along with his uncle's family. After some consideration, they decided to start a new venture in Chang'an, which Qin Liang naturally supported.

However... as soon as he returned to Northwestern Polytechnical University, a whole host of things were waiting for him.

"Qin, the technology at Northwestern Polytechnical University is truly amazing! In just over ten days, you've produced the prototype of that fighter jet for us!" Nikolai Nikitin exclaimed excitedly.

After coordinating the project, Ivan Mikoyan left. After all, he was the head of the design bureau and couldn't stay in the East forever. Nikolai Nikitin, on the other hand, was the deputy chief engineer of the MiG 1.44 project in history, so he stayed in the East and watched as the Easterners finally unveiled the aircraft's shape.

"We have already taken your design drawings to a wind tunnel in China, and the results were excellent!"

Even disregarding stealth design, the aerodynamic shape alone requires careful study and modification. If the Russians relied on their own strength, it might have taken them two or three years just to develop the shape. Now, they've managed to get it out in just half a month!
The research and development capabilities of the East are truly formidable. Those supercomputers are definitely the best tools for scientific research!
"Okay, that's good." Qin Liang nodded. "Next, I can help you with the design of that light fighter jet."

"Ahem, well..." Nikolai Nikitin began somewhat embarrassedly, "Our heavy fighter project might need your help, for example, to get the structural design of the aircraft developed..."

The Russians tasted the sweetness and found it really delicious.

The Su-27 has only just begun mass production. If their MiG 1.44 project can be advanced quickly, then when the MiG 1.44 is launched, the production of the Su-27 will be reduced. They want to suppress the Sukhoi Design Bureau. They are the number one giant in Soviet military aircraft!

The aerodynamic shape is fine; the next step is detailed design. If they were to design it themselves on drawing paper, it would take another year or two. Although they bought the computers, they would need time to break them in. Moreover, the computers they bought were ordinary microcomputers that could only design, not perform calculations.

The specific stress structure still needs to be calculated on a supercomputer!
"Of course, but... we ourselves may not be able to calculate the stress structure perfectly. We'll provide the design drawings, but you'll still have to recalculate it yourselves."

Xu De, who was standing nearby, interpreted these words as something else entirely. Qin Liang's intention... was clearly to trick them, wasn't it?

They continue to leave flaws in the aircraft's structure, ensuring that the new aircraft developed by the Russians at great expense is inherently defective... This is not the first time they've used this tactic.

“Okay, no problem!” Nikolai Nikitin nodded.

"By the way, you also need to provide us with the corresponding engine information so that we can design the tail section based on the engine."

This is Qin Liang's true thought!

Although the AL-31F engine used in the Su-27 has only just been successfully developed, the Russians' fifth-generation engine had already begun development in 1981. The development unit was still the Lyulka Design Bureau, and the secret code name of the product was Product-20. It would later be officially named AL-41F.

This is an advanced product comparable to the F119 engine. According to the Russians' own calculations, the thrust-to-weight ratio is as high as 11. According to the US estimates, the thrust-to-weight ratio has reached 10. This is an important indicator for a fourth-generation engine!
Of course, unlike Western engines, Russian engines don't care about lifespan; you could say that high thrust comes at the cost of lifespan.

Even so, the development of the AL-41F engine was still fraught with difficulties. Until the collapse of the Soviet Union, the engine was never officially put into mass production. When the MiG 1.44 was later tested, it was only using a prototype from the Lyulka Design Bureau and had not completed all the engine test subjects.

Therefore, Russia could only use the research and development achievements already made on the AL-41F to improve the existing AL-31F. Product 117 came about under these circumstances. By the time of the Su-57, the engine used on it still did not meet the design specifications of the fourth aunt's husband in the 1980s.

Qin Liang doesn't currently intend to help the Russians complete his fourth aunt's research, but... if he obtains the Russians' technical data and his side develops it independently...

In any case, during the cooperation with Rolls-Royce, the level of aircraft engine design in the East has undergone tremendous changes. With the technology from our fourth uncle, we can really independently push forward the development of this engine to maturity!

This engine has been shrouded in the mists of history, and there are many versions of its specific data. However, the lowest figures are 12 tons of thrust without afterburner and 18 tons with afterburner.

If we equipped our J-20 with this engine, its performance would be...

Thinking of this, Qin Liang became even more excited, while Nikolai Nikitin on the other side was somewhat troubled.

If you only design the shape of the aircraft, you don't need to consider the engine. But if you design the structural structure of the airframe, you need to know the engine data, and the air intake also needs to be matched. If you don't have that data, then the Easterners can't just design it arbitrarily. There has to be some standard!

"What? Are you having difficulties? If it involves classified information, you can also give us the engine data for your Su-27 fighter jets. We can use this engine to match it. However... if you install a new engine in the future, you will have to match it again. If the size is not suitable, you will have to make major modifications."

Different engines have different shapes. If the engine compartment is large enough, it can accommodate larger engines in the future. If the space is not large enough, then the exterior will have to be modified as well, which is a huge project.

The matching of the air intake is also very important. If the cross-sectional area is insufficient, the airflow will not meet the engine's requirements, and modifications will also be necessary.

This is not something that can be solved with just a few words; the workload is so large that it might be almost the same as a complete redesign.

“Okay, I will coordinate with the domestic authorities as soon as possible to get the engine data.” Nikolai Nikitin nodded. “By the way, the restoration work on that F-117 stealth aircraft is also progressing rapidly. It will be able to fly in a few days!”

"Yes, once it's fixed, you should fly it back as soon as possible. Leaving it here is always a burden, and if the United States discovers it, we'll be in big trouble..."

"Uh-huh."

The Russians were worried that the Easterners would repair it and then keep it for themselves, but now, the other side's attitude is exactly what they wanted.

Factory 172, a certain independent workshop.

"Professor Gu, we've thoroughly understood the aircraft structure. Once this project is completed, we'll be able to build it ourselves! We just don't have the composite material skin technology yet, but... as long as Northwestern Polytechnical University provides it, that'll be fine." Engineer Li said excitedly.

Surprisingly, no one competed with them for the aircraft's repair work. As a result, they thoroughly inspected the aircraft inside and out during this period, even copying the flight control program! It can be said that the subsequent imitation work was a piece of cake.

"Yes, the engine was originally our biggest problem. But unexpectedly, this plane is equipped with an F404 engine. All we need to do is remove the afterburner. The medium-thrust engine we have on hand can be a perfect replacement. We also repaired the engine for the Russian plane during this restoration project and replaced some parts with our own..."

As they were talking, several people walked in from outside.

This workshop is under martial law, with not only Eastern sentries but also several Russians under double protection. Very few people are qualified to enter. Now... are outsiders allowed to enter?

Everyone looked up and was filled with excitement.

"Comrade Qin Liang! You're finally back! This Spring Festival, we've been working tirelessly here every day, it's been the most meaningful one yet!" Old Gu greeted him with a smile: "Look, how's the repair of this aircraft going?"

Only the outer edge of the wing is still undergoing final repairs. Everything else has been repaired, the cockpit canopy has been put back on, and the ejection seats have been replaced with new ones. After all, some of the export-type fighter jets from the East are equipped with Martin-Baker ejection seats, which can be perfectly restored.

"Yes, that's good. You've all worked hard!"

Nikolai Nikitin, standing nearby, was also delighted: "The wing repair work is progressing smoothly. It seems that the plane will be able to fly again in three days at most! Comrade Qin Liang, our Mikoyan Design Bureau will send its best test pilots to fly this plane back!"

"Well, of course."

Everyone else present was taken aback.

"Comrade Qin Liang, how about we fly this plane around here a few times to make sure there are no problems before it flies away?"

"No need. Northwestern Polytechnical University has top-notch maintenance technology, and you are all the best aircraft engineers. How could there be any problems?"

"But……"

"No buts, everyone has been working hard for a long time. After this mission is over, go back and get some rest."

As they were talking, a delicious aroma wafted in from outside.

It's mealtime again! To keep it a secret, meals here are even delivered by the cafeteria staff.

"Come on, Comrade Qin Liang, try the food from our Factory 172!" So, everyone took their aluminum alloy lunch boxes and went to find a place to eat in groups of three or five.

Old Gu was holding a lunchbox, sitting with Qin Liang.

"Comrade Qin Liang, after this period of repair work, we have mastered all the parameters of this aircraft, and we can even easily draw the design blueprints. So... Comrade Qin Liang, do you think Shenyang can build this aircraft?"

"That's not up to me; it depends on the Air Force's needs."

Qin Liang knew they were up to this. He had volunteered to help with the repairs because he had the idea of ​​replicating it, but... how should I put it...

To date, the F-117 is indeed a relatively mature stealth aircraft, and we still have a complete set of technical reserves, so there is no problem in copying it. The key question is whether the Air Force needs it.

"Comrade Qin Liang, you'll have to help with the ideological work with the Air Force, after all, they listen to you the most..."

Qin Liang shook his head: "Sorry, I won't get involved."

"Comrade Qin Liang, as long as the project is approved, we in the North are confident that we can get this aircraft into the air within a year! Although we also have stealth aircraft projects in China, the development cycle of those projects is not short..."

Qin Liang continued to shake his head. He really wouldn't get involved in this matter because... he couldn't see the point of such a stealth aircraft. It had a short range and no self-defense capabilities... There was a reason why this aircraft was replaced by the F-35 in later generations.

"Comrade Qin Liang, Comrade Qin Liang!" Just then, someone rushed over: "Northwestern Polytechnical University called and asked you to go back immediately!"

There's so much to do!

Qin Liang took his lunchbox, got into the car, and ate as he drove. By the time he arrived at Northwestern Polytechnical University, he had finished his meal. He just didn't know if he had developed a prolapsed stomach.

"Comrade Qin Liang, go to the main building conference room. People from Europe have arrived. They... want to ask us for help in developing a stealth aircraft!"

What? Qin Liang also found it amusing. Did this mean that we were the ones who drove the development of stealth aircraft worldwide?

Europeans want it? Of course we won't genuinely help them, after all, none of these Europeans are good people. But... if business comes knocking, of course we'll take it. Why not do business that makes money?
In the conference room.

During this period, Rolls-Royce's cooperation with the East has been increasing, so this time, the European delegation was led by Mark Robertson from Rolls-Royce.

"Our cooperation with Northwestern Polytechnical University has always gone smoothly. This time, we believe we will definitely find a mature and reliable solution here as well. After all, even Lockheed Martin values ​​your design proposal highly..."

"Of course. Northwestern Polytechnical University is number one in the world in stealth technology. We welcome you to come to us for solutions. Now, let's get down to business. First, do you need heavy or medium-sized aircraft?"

Only countries with vast territories need heavy aircraft, which have long range and large payload. Europe currently only has the Mirage 4000 heavy aircraft, and France does not even equip it; it is only exported to India.

Therefore, Europeans were destined not to want heavy aircraft.

"Medium-sized machine".

"Single or twin-shot?"

"Double shot."

If it's a single engine, then a large thruster is needed, which Europe doesn't have; their usual setup is two medium thrusters.

"Canard configuration or conventional aerodynamic configuration?"

"Duck layout, this is the trend!"

Qin Liang looked at everyone and said, "After all this talk, what you all need is to give the European fighter jet that's currently under development a facelift!"

We certainly can't let the Europeans develop a truly modern fourth-generation fighter jet. Otherwise, the British will fly their own modified stealth aircraft into our territorial waters and show off their power. Wouldn't that be shooting ourselves in the foot?

However, the Europeans' demands had to be met, so... let's just give them a facelifted Typhoon fighter jet!

In this way, it would at most be classified as a third-generation fighter, with relatively weak technology, but the most economical modification. Moreover, how can the Americans promote the Joint Fighter program under such circumstances?
Lockheed could no longer cooperate with the East; the only way was to sell the aircraft to Europe and get its European allies to build the JSF fighter jet together.

If a typhoon undergoes a resurfacing process and gains good stealth capabilities, would Europeans still purchase JSF?
Let's proceed according to this plan!

Everyone was stunned. A facelift? What does that mean?
Cheney took a deep breath: "Mr. Qin, you mean, modify the appearance of our European fighter jets to give them stealth capabilities?"

"Yes, that's what it means!"

"But... our existing European fighter jets weren't designed as stealth aircraft. Can this modification truly meet the requirements of a stealth aircraft?"

"That's right, especially the existing fighter jets, which don't have internal weapons bays. That's a serious flaw."

"Everyone, don't rush. Since you've brought up the issue of internal weapons bays, let's look at it from this angle. If a fighter jet can't carry external weapons and relies solely on its internal weapons bay, how many can it carry? Take Lockheed's failed project, for example. It could only carry four medium-range air-to-air missiles and two short-range air-to-air missiles. Do you think that's enough?"

Everyone's eyes widened: "Only this much?"

In this era, a light aircraft can carry four medium-range and two short-range aircraft plus two auxiliary fuel tanks, while a heavy aircraft has more than a dozen external hardpoints!
Is it necessary to sacrifice mounting capabilities for stealth?
"That cheat would compromise stealth!"

"This is a misconception. How can external mounting not guarantee stealth? As long as we design specialized stealth pylons and add professional stealth missiles, isn't that enough? We can still carry more than a dozen missiles externally without affecting stealth!"

The crowd looked at each other, thinking... that this explanation seemed to make sense.

"Our European fighter jets use an under-fuselage air intake system. How... can we modify that?"

"This is indeed a problem, but it's not difficult. If we have enough funds, we can make a major overhaul to have air intakes on both sides. If we don't have enough funds, we can make simple modifications."

Anyway, since there's a project in cooperation with Lockheed, we can just transplant that nose section directly. I just wonder if Ben Ritchie will be furious when he finds out.

Forget about all that, let's just fool the Europeans first.

"The single vertical tail definitely needs to be modified into a V-shaped twin vertical tail, which can greatly reduce the radar cross-section. However, I don't recommend changing the wings or anything like that, as that would cause the entire project to be scrapped and the cost would be astronomical..."

"Hmm, now that you mention it, it does seem feasible. If you were to help with the design, how long would it take?"

“If you only design the shape, then give us all the aerodynamic data of European fighter jets, and we will complete the improvement within three months. The project is expected to cost two hundred million US dollars, and the first batch will require fifty million US dollars from us.”

Once the other party pays the first sum of money, they will be at our mercy from then on!
These guys clearly still have some reservations!

"Ahem, if you can stay in the East for three days, we can run a rough model first and let you take a look."

"Okay!" The Europeans agreed.

Once the other party sees the facelifted model that we produced, they will definitely agree with it. Once the contract is signed and the deposit is paid, Lockheed will be completely dumbfounded!

As for the Europeans... they will be very satisfied at first, but when they start mounting the devices, they will find that no matter how they make the stealth mounts, the stealth performance will be severely compromised!
(End of this chapter)