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

Chapter 458 Northwestern Polytechnical University is Full of Talented People

The C929 passenger plane flies above the sea of ​​clouds.

Inside the cabin, in business class, on the spacious seats, a group of people had complex expressions.

"Liangzi, we discussed a lot of cooperation during this trip to the US," Old Lin began. "For example, that hypersonic reconnaissance aircraft project—even Hollywood blockbusters didn't plan to film it that way, did they?"

"Mr. Lin, many technologies are actually more futuristic than those in science fiction movies. Do you know why the Americans decided to jointly develop them with us?"

"Are they also planning to research these projects?"

“That’s right, and they’re taking the same route as us.” Qin Liang said seriously, “Even if we don’t join in, they will still conduct independent research and development. In that case, we might as well join in the fun.”

Many people have concerns: will the technology from Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) contribute to the advancement of American military technology?
So the first thing to explain is that even if we don't do it, the Americans will still do it, so we don't need to throw the baby out with the bathwater!

"Okay, so if we join in, what... will it make a difference?"

"First, we can use the Americans' R&D funds to conduct research and save on our own R&D costs," Qin Liang said. "Second, we can succeed in developing it, but the Americans may not be able to. Even if we give them the design drawings, they may not be able to produce it."

Take the C929 passenger plane as an example. It was developed in collaboration with Boeing, but as a result, Boeing couldn't produce it independently. The composite material skin on it is something that Boeing couldn't manufacture; it has already exceeded the industrial level of the United States!

"Then why can't the Americans produce hypersonic aircraft?"

“There are many ways to do this. For example, the combined cycle engine we are going to jointly develop next will be a three-rotor engine based on Rolls-Royce’s RB211 engine. Later, we will also incorporate a dual-mode ramjet engine. The development time is destined to be long, at least ten years or more…”

The Russians, like the White Swan, constantly boast about how amazing their NK-32 engine is and how they'll never export it, but in reality, it's just so-so.

Now, with Rolls-Royce's three-rotor engine, we've solved the power requirements for large aircraft! By reducing the fan blade diameter, we can create a low-bypass-ratio military engine, and then install an afterburner and ramjet engine combination at the rear...

Unless the Americans also modify the RB211, it's impossible for them to improve it independently. Even if they do modify the RB211, as long as we hold back some information when giving them the technical data...

If the engine isn't powerful enough, what are they even doing developing a hypersonic reconnaissance aircraft?

"Furthermore, regarding the airframe, at speeds exceeding Mach 5, the friction at the nose will generate even more heat, causing the temperature to rise even higher!" Qin Liang continued, "We'll develop this heat-resistant material ourselves, leaving the Americans far behind. By then, their aircraft won't even have suitable heat-resistant materials, so how will they fly!"

Aluminum alloy fighter jets can only fly up to Mach 2.5. After that, the nose overheats and the aluminum alloy softens. For higher speeds, titanium alloys or stainless steel are the only options.

The SR-71 achieved a maximum speed exceeding Mach 4 thanks to its titanium alloy construction, and even after landing, it would leak oil due to thermal expansion and contraction.

When the MiG-25 flies to Mach 3, the temperature at the nose exceeds 370 degrees Celsius. Even the temperature inside the pilot's cockpit is said to exceed 50 degrees Celsius, which the Russian pilots say is acceptable.

As for flying at Mach 5 and above, it's not just a matter of friction generating heat; there's also the more terrifying issue of shock wave compression. The temperature of the gas at the leading edge of the shock wave may exceed 2,200 degrees Celsius!
How do we find suitable materials at such high temperatures?

The Americans had to come up with all sorts of solutions, but Qin Liang already had a reliable one in mind. All he had to do was share his ideas with the Materials Science Department and let them find suitable materials!

Old Lin smiled and said, "Alright, then we can rest assured."

Actually, Old Lin was always at ease. He was just worried that the projects Qin Liang was pushing might cause dissatisfaction among others, so he brought it up here to explain things to everyone.

Old Zhang smiled.

"Old Lin, how could we not trust Comrade Qin Liang? Our country's technological development and the advancement of our military's equipment all depend on him! Liangzi, tell me, can the Americans really make this hypersonic reconnaissance aircraft a success?"

"No, while our hypersonic reconnaissance aircraft are flying all over the world, their hypersonic reconnaissance aircraft will still encounter all sorts of technical problems. Their aircraft will never be able to take off!"

Qin Liang was quite certain, after all, the Goddess of Dawn project was never successfully completed in the future. Since it failed in the future, it was even less likely to succeed now, with the help of Northwestern Polytechnical University!

"Haha, we knew this would be the result. So, what about the other projects? What are your thoughts?"

“Let’s talk about it backwards,” Qin Liang said. “Regarding the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft, we will obtain the complete set of flight technology data. Based on this data, we will develop unmanned modifications, which is expected to take five years. Then, the unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with our Beidou system will successfully fly. However, when the Americans switch to their own GPS, it will fail.”

There's no need to explain how we did it; in short, we have the capability!

"Great, this way, if they use BeiDou, we can track the U-2's trajectory; if they don't use BeiDou, they can't fly!" Old Lin said with a smile. "By the way, what about us? Do we have a similar aircraft?"

"Of course! We'll also be launching our own project simultaneously: a high-altitude, long-endurance drone that looks similar to the U-2 but is designed from the outset as an unmanned aircraft!"

The Global Hawk was developed by the Americans in the 1990s. Now, we are starting our research, and in the future, we will have an advanced reconnaissance capability. In the future, it can even be equipped with bombs and become a reconnaissance and strike drone!

"Alright, then our Air Force will be waiting! By the way, what technology can we get from the U-2?"

Why not just develop it directly?
"The principle of this narrow-wing glider structure gives it a high gliding ability in thin air, making it efficient and long-range. We haven't studied this before, and it would be time-consuming and laborious to study it again. We can use the data from the Americans directly, which will speed up the development process."

Qin Liang began to explain.

"Furthermore, fuel evaporates easily at high altitudes. The U-2 uses a regular J57 engine and employs a series of methods to improve its reliability for high-altitude operations, all of which we can learn from..."

Everyone nodded.

After Qin Liang finished explaining his ideas, everyone's faces were filled with smiles. Qin Liang's arrangement was flawless; the only thing to worry about was…

"Comrade Qin Liang, once the Americans realize what's going on, Northwestern Polytechnical University will probably become a thorn in their side."

"Don't worry, when that time comes, Northwestern Polytechnical University will be number one in the world in all aspects of technology. If they behave themselves, great. But if they dare to cause trouble, Northwestern Polytechnical University will punish them!"

"You guys... have a lot of ambition. By the way, with so many projects, can Northwestern Polytechnical University handle them all?"

"It should be... about right. In recent years, Northwestern Polytechnical University has cultivated a lot of talents..."

If it were 78, when Qin Liang had just been admitted to Northwestern Polytechnical University, he might not have had this ability, but now... Northwestern Polytechnical University is definitely full of talented people!

Northwestern Polytechnical University, Department 5, Conference Room.

"Dear teachers, as per the task you assigned me, I have already created a preliminary model on the computer." Qin Ming turned on the projector and began to introduce his design plan.

"The triangular flying wing configuration, with a wingspan of 20.2 meters and a wing area of ​​109.6 square meters, shows good stealth capabilities according to the computer's structural analysis. At the same time, it can also meet the requirements for bomb loadout. However, there are also many problems."

"What's the problem?" Professor Liu asked.

"The biggest problem is the flight control system. It has no vertical stabilizer and is a flying wing design. Fellow professors, I really don't have the confidence to make the flight control system mature. The difficulty of controlling this kind of aircraft... is simply hellish! And if the flight control system has any defects, it is very easy to crash. So far, there is no aircraft in the world with a mature flight control system..."

"It's not there now, but it will be in the future."

"Huh? What kind of plane?"

"This is it." Professor Liu pointed to the aircraft design drawing on the projection screen.

Ours?
Qin Ming took a deep breath and continued his introduction.

"Secondly, while the radar cross-section is very small, the rear is just a straight line, which compromises stealth. A W-shape would be better, but... the flight control of a W-shape would be even more difficult..."

"Let's do it this way. Any other questions?"

"Third, because the fuselage is flat, more openings are needed to increase the payload, which obviously increases the difficulty of aircraft maintenance and reduces stealth. When we make models, the effect may be very good, but in actual development..."

"It's okay, as long as the model looks good. Anything else?"

"Also, the design of this aircraft makes it very inconvenient for pilots to get on and off..."

"From the front, the gangway is set up to the front of the nose. It won't be a problem for the people in the back seats to climb up a few more times."

This……

Finally, all the problems were solved.

"Any more questions?" "For now... it seems there aren't any."

"Okay, that's settled then. After the students finish their exams, you can select some juniors and seniors to join your team. Before our clients arrive, you'll need to prepare a perfect design proposal."

"client?"

"That's right, the U.S. Navy."

Qin Ming's eyes widened.

On a certain island, building a light aircraft still requires the help of the United States, while Northwestern Polytechnical University is already designing carrier-based aircraft for the US Navy?

This……

"Any question?"

"No, I will refine the plan as soon as possible."

Watching Qin Ming leave, Professor Liu smiled and looked at the person in the main seat.

"Principal Luo, isn't this Qin Ming quite good?"

"Hmm, not bad. The overall design of the aircraft has been completed in such a short time. Although there are still some shortcomings in the details, it is not easy for one person to do this step using computer-aided design. The key is that he can also think of these design flaws. This is the intuition that only an aircraft designer has. If he is properly trained in the future, he will be a talent."

"Yes, Northwestern Polytechnical University doesn't tolerate idiots," Professor Liu said. "I have high hopes for this kid!"

beep, beep...

Just then, someone walked in.

"Report, Principal Luo, Director Liu, we just received news that Qin Liang has taken on two more tasks for us."

What?
besides?

"What's there?"

"One is a hypersonic reconnaissance aircraft with a maximum speed of Mach 6, and the other is a U-2 modified into a drone..."

Click!

Professor Liu felt as if struck by lightning. Here we go again. Do we even have that many people on hand?
"The improvement of the U-2 will be handled by the Department of Electronic Engineering. For a hypersonic reconnaissance aircraft with a maximum speed of Mach 6, the first problem to solve is the engine. It would be too wasteful to use our detonation engine. Let's see if the Department of Aero Engines has any technical reserves," Principal Luo said calmly.

Aircraft engine system.

"Classmates, Qin Liang's trip abroad has brought us many more projects, especially the Mach 6 aero-engine project. You all..."

"Teacher, please let our Class 7209 handle this!"

"That's right, all of our previous class, 7202, went to work in Shanghai. Now, when it comes to the research and development of aero engines, our class, 7209, is the strongest!"

Squad leader Liu Xiaoyong stood up: "Director Wang, our squad has studied ramjet engines before, so it's most suitable to entrust this task to us!"

Department Head Professor Wang was taken aback: "When did you conduct this research?"

"Last semester, when we were juniors, we thought it was time to develop a project. However, the turbofan engine was being developed by Class 7202, and the knock engine was being developed by Class 7203. Our class set our sights on the ramjet engine project. Of course, we did all the research on our own and didn't report it to the department."

Professor Wang was stunned: "Really? Then tell me, what research findings have you made?"

Liu Xiaoyong walked to the podium and picked up the chalk.

"Director Wang, let me first draw a schematic diagram of a ramjet engine. Its biggest feature is that it doesn't require a complex mechanical structure; it only has an air intake, combustion chamber, and exhaust nozzle. It has a simple structure and a large thrust and thrust-to-weight ratio, but..."

As Liu Xiaoyong drew diagrams, he explained the technology, clearly demonstrating that he had a very thorough understanding of this type of engine.

"After the airflow enters the engine, in order to achieve stable combustion, the airflow needs to be slowed down to below the speed of sound. Currently, the most common type of engine internationally is the subsonic ramjet engine. The biggest drawback of this type of engine is that as the intake speed of the ramjet engine increases, the drag also increases rapidly. Theoretically... Mach 5 is the critical point, where the decompression drag and thrust are equal. Beyond this speed, if the fuel injection is increased further, the engine will not increase thrust."

Liu Xiaoyong has already drawn the structural diagram of the sub-gas ramjet engine and explained its advantages and disadvantages.

"In practice, due to limitations such as materials and fuel consumption, Mach 4 is already the critical point, and it is not cost-effective to go beyond Mach 3.5. To continue to increase the speed, a scramjet engine is needed!"

Liu Xiaoyong continued drawing the second diagram.

"The biggest problem with subsonic ramjet engines is that they need to slow down supersonic airflow to subsonic speeds. In this process, deceleration drag will occur. To solve this, the fuel must be burned in the supersonic airflow!"

Director Wang nodded: "That's right, the solution is to burn at supersonic speeds, but... controlling combustion in raging air currents is very difficult, and the flame is easily blown out, just like... lighting a match in a tornado."

"That's right, that's its biggest problem. Even with hypersonic wind tunnels and advanced computer simulations, controlling combustion is not easy. So... we've come up with a solution."

"Speak," Director Wang said, his breathing becoming rapid.

Is this world-class problem going to be solved by this group of students who have just finished their third year of university?

"After our class researched this, we concluded that only by combining these two methods could we solve the problem. Simply put, it's a ramjet engine with a dual combustion chamber of subsonic/supersonic combustion."

Swish, swish, swish!

Liu Xiaoyong continued drawing.

Director Wang looked at the completed design drawings with excitement in his voice.

"In this type of engine, the air intake splits the airflow into two parts, which enter the two combustion chambers at the rear for subsonic combustion and supersonic combustion respectively... The most amazing thing here is that... the subsonic combustion chamber never goes out. When the flame in the supersonic combustion chamber is blown out, the flame in the subsonic combustion chamber can reignite it!"

"That's right, Director Wang, that's exactly it. We got the inspiration from the staged combustion engine of rockets. Since pure scramjet engines are prone to stalling, let's put an igniter at the back! It's not a big deal if it goes out, we can just relight it! Of course, due to the drag problem of subsonic combustion engines, this engine can only support the aircraft to a maximum speed of Mach 6 at most, but compared to the previous subsonic combustion engines, it is still a speed increase of half."

“That’s right!” Director Wang nodded. “A pure scramjet engine is too difficult to develop. We’ll start with dual-mode development, which will greatly reduce the difficulty of development… This is definitely the most suitable development plan for us!”

"Yes." Liu Xiaoyong nodded: "We have already conducted principle analysis and used the supercomputer we applied for to perform some simulations. However, if we want to continue with engineering research and development, we still need a large investment and a dedicated project approval..."

"Okay, as long as we have enough funding, the Americans will throw money at us. Getting the project approved won't be difficult either. Your class can develop this project this summer!"

"Yes!"

"teacher……"

"Feel free to make any requests!"

"Teacher, the biggest drawback of this ramjet engine is that it cannot start from a standstill. Can we know what kind of aircraft it is intended for? If it is a missile, then a solid rocket booster can be added at the back. If it is an airplane, then it has to be combined with a regular aero engine."

"I don't know either. Let's wait for Qin Liang to come back and then we'll talk about it. You guys prepare a detailed report."

"Teacher, can we report this to Qin Liang in person?"

"Yup!"

"Long live!"

This... you're this excited just because you can report to Qin Liang? Look at how pathetic you are!

"Since we're going to report to Comrade Qin Liang, we need to develop a solution for this integration as well!"

(End of this chapter)