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

Chapter 460 World-class experts in the wind tunnel field don't give a damn about the Americans
Hypersonic wind tunnels refer to wind tunnels where experimental Mach numbers are between 5 and 14.

To develop an aircraft, a wind tunnel is essential. It uses artificial means to generate and control airflow to simulate the airflow around the aircraft. Although we now have advanced computer simulation technology, it still cannot replace wind tunnel experiments. After all, you still have to conduct experiments after simulating the process.

"This...is it only us who have it? Don't the Americans have it?"

“They do have it, but how could their technology compare to ours?” Liu Xiaoyong said excitedly.

"Currently, the most advanced wind tunnel in the United States is LENS-X, which can only reach a maximum airflow of Mach 7, has a diameter of only 25 centimeters, and a duration of only 7 milliseconds. In contrast, the JF12 wind tunnel, which we are currently building, can reach a maximum airflow of Mach 9, has a nozzle diameter of 2.5 meters, and a test chamber diameter of 3.5 meters. Moreover, the duration is as high as 100 milliseconds."

If an outsider were to hear this, they would definitely not understand. A duration of 100 milliseconds is 0.1 seconds. What can you do in such a short time?
However, once you understand the difficulty of building a supersonic wind tunnel, you'll realize just how challenging it is.

Subsonic wind tunnels are easy to build; you can just use a big fan. But supersonic wind tunnels are different. No fan can blow supersonic winds, and the wind speed has to exceed Mach 5, which is even more difficult!

Internationally, these problems are a headache for top experts.

In the East, we have top talents in aerodynamics!
Back then, Qian Xuesen and Guo Xiang were top talents in this field. In 1965, Sichuan Province built its first high-speed wind tunnel. After that, the construction of advanced wind tunnels fell to Guo Xiang. After Guo Xiang died in a plane crash, the responsibility fell to his student, Yu Xiang.

Starting in the 1950s, Mr. Guo, who was then a graduate student in mechanics at the Oriental Academy of Sciences, believed that hypersonic wind tunnels should advance along the technological direction of shock tubes.

If you take the right route, everything will go smoothly from now on.

The first detonation-driven shock tunnel in the East, JF10; the first hypersonic wind tunnel in the East, JF12; and the world's largest and most advanced Mach 30 wind tunnel, JF22, are all advancing along the path laid by Professor Yu.

Because of the correct approach, our wind tunnels have eventually reached the world's best level. Meanwhile, the Americans are just talking about all sorts of hypersonic weapons because they are simply no match for us in the field of hypersonic wind tunnels.

As for the Russians... well, let's not even mention them.

Americans also have hypersonic wind tunnels, otherwise how did they develop their Blackbird?
The Blackbird's shape was created in the LENS-X wind tunnel. The current technical specifications are just that poor. It will only be possible to reach a maximum speed of Mach 30 in future generations as the performance of this wind tunnel continues to improve.

However, the small size of the wind tunnel remains a major problem.

Back then, we successfully upgraded the J-6 to the Q-5. However, when we transformed the J-7 into the twin-engine, larger version of the J-8, we encountered many design problems. One of the important reasons was that there was no large supersonic wind tunnel at the time. As a result, when we tested the J-8 in the wind tunnel, we could only use a small model. The airflow of the rear fuselage was not fully simulated, which led to various accidents during flight.

Now, our JF12 wind tunnel, with a test chamber diameter of up to 3.5 meters, is large enough to allow us to make a large-scale model of any aircraft!
Even if the Americans have a hypersonic wind tunnel, it's still no match for ours!
Qin Liang was delighted: "Great! Now that we have an advanced wind tunnel, we also have a hypersonic aircraft. By the way, where is this wind tunnel?"

"At our new campus."

In my memory, the JF12 wind tunnel of later generations was located in Huairou, near the capital. Now... it's actually being built in our new campus?

“In recent years, Northwestern Polytechnical University has funded Professor Yu with a lot of money to conduct research on supersonic wind tunnels. The construction of such an advanced wind tunnel also requires a lot of financial investment, so it can only be entrusted to us. Fortunately, we have ample funds for the construction of our new campus…” Director Wang introduced from the side.

He's not a talkative person; he just keeps his head down and does his work. Today's presentation, which was entirely handed over to the students, is a prime example, and he seemed quite excited about it.

Those who do research all hope to have advanced research and development equipment!
Although we are all involved in aero-engine development, we will still need advanced wind tunnels at that time. We will only know how to achieve stable combustion in the combustion chamber of a scramjet engine after it has been tested in such a wind tunnel!

"This kind of wind tunnel... must consume a lot of energy to operate once?" Qin Liang remembered something else.

Qin Liang didn't know the power consumption of the JF12 wind tunnel, but the JF22 wind tunnel was said to have a power output equivalent to 75% of the Three Gorges Dam after it was started!

"That's right, it will consume a lot of energy, so Northwestern Polytechnical University needs to build its own power plant. It's still under discussion. The nuclear physics professors hope to build a nuclear reactor..."

The nuclear physics program at Northwestern Polytechnical University is affiliated with the physics department and is not very strong. Now, seeing other departments developing rapidly, they are also anxious and hope to build a nuclear reactor that can generate electricity at full capacity when needed and use the power for research when not needed...

Qin Liang was shocked. Why couldn't they all keep quiet?

"However, the school feels that building a nuclear reactor on the new campus is still risky. If there's a leak or something, it would be a major disaster. So they're hesitant. Actually, the simplest way is to transfer a gas turbine from the Shanghai engine factory. A power of over 30 megawatts would be sufficient..."

Qin Liang nodded. Producing for their own use is quite cheap, but building a nuclear reactor inside a school... is indeed quite risky.

Just then, Ben Richie and the others arrived with their trays.

"Qin, the food at your Northwestern Polytechnical University looks so appetizing."

"Yes, every time I come to Dongfang, I have to try the local cuisine."

"Qin, what would you like to eat? Sit down and eat with us."

Once Qin Liang sat down, the Americans got down to business again.

"Qin, we studied the engine issue this morning. This afternoon, shouldn't we discuss the collaborative development of the complete engine project?"

"Yes, no problem, Northwestern Polytechnical University will fully support you..."

Beside him, Director Wang looked at Qin Liang with suspicion.

You said you'd give your full support, but right now, Northwestern Polytechnical University can't spare any manpower unless we transfer people from Beihang University or Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. But, are you willing to hand over such a big project to a sister university?

Wait a minute, something's not right about Qin Liang's words. Why is he speaking so loudly?
Just then, several blond-haired, blue-eyed foreigners who had just entered heard this and, in the next instant, swarmed around them.

"Qin, you're back!"

"Ben Rich, what are you doing at Northwestern Polytechnical University?"

Ben Richie's expression was rather unpleasant.

Jürgen, Cheney... these are all Europeans, all developers of the Typhoon fighter jet. Their presence at Northwestern Polytechnical University is naturally... because Northwestern Polytechnical University is helping them upgrade the Typhoon fighter jet!

Without Northwestern Polytechnical University, they could have easily tricked them into participating in Lockheed's Joint Fighter Jet project, and Lockheed would have made a fortune!

But can we hate Northwestern Polytechnical University? Right now, Northwestern Polytechnical University is helping Lockheed Martin develop aircraft!

"Mr. Ben Richie is here for help, asking Northwestern Polytechnical University to help design an airplane." Qin Liang said it casually, as if it were a trivial matter, but the American's face turned very ugly.

Help!

Why would a prestigious company like Lockheed need to seek help from the East? Skunk Works, which has produced so many advanced aircraft, when has it ever heard of needing outside assistance?

but……

This statement seems to make sense; they did come seeking help, as they need the support of Eastern technical expertise for everything from the engine to the entire machine!

"Really? What kind of aircraft did Lockheed ask you to design?" Cheney asked. He could swear that this wasn't meant to provoke the Americans; it was simply his true feeling.

"Well, that's a secret. Perhaps you'll find out in ten or twenty years."

This is absolutely a highly secretive project!

Fighter jet? Absolutely not. Attack aircraft? No, that's not either. Considering Lockheed's expertise, Jürgen couldn't help but speak up.

"Could it be a replacement for Blackbird?"

Congratulations, you got it right! Qin Liang really wanted to give Jürgen a thumbs up.

"Ahem, sorry, I really can't say. Everyone, are you here for dinner?"

"Ah."

"Then let's go get the food, and then sit down and eat together?"

The Americans, who had been deeply hurt, finally regained their composure when the European guests sat down with their plates.

"Cheney, how did you transform your typhoon?"

"Well... it might not be as advanced as the US's fourth-generation fighters, but it's definitely enough for us," Cheney said.

Is that really enough? Without an internal weapons bay, it can only be considered a 3.5-generation weapon at best!
“Yes, it’s a huge improvement over the Rafale fighter jet that the French developed on their own. Back then, the French messed up the Typhoon fighter jet project, and then they went off to do their own research. Now, they can only regret it!” Jürgen added.

"It seems you are quite satisfied with Eastern technology."

"Of course, Lockheed, are you not satisfied with the technology from the East?" If you're not satisfied, why are you coming to the East for help?

Upon hearing these words, Ben Richie instantly lost interest in the Eastern cuisine in front of him.

After this, will Europeans still seek cooperation with Americans? Since Americans are all seeking cooperation with Asians, why don't they just go directly to Asians and bypass the middlemen to make a profit?

A grueling lunch is finally over.

"Qin, has Northwestern Polytechnical University organized a research and development team for us yet? Where is our office located? Let's go and take a look now?"

"Well... of course, no problem. Come on, get in the car!"

Northwestern Polytechnical University's old campus is located on Youyi Road, which was built in 1952 and later became the main thoroughfare of the South Second Ring Road. Now, with the development of Northwestern Polytechnical University, Youyi Road has become bustling and prosperous.

The new campus is located in Chang'an County. That's right, it hasn't been upgraded to a district yet; it's still a suburban county. The two campuses are a full 30 kilometers apart.

However, precisely because it is located in a suburban county, there is no need to worry about the availability of land. They can provide as many acres as needed, and Chang'an County is also providing strong support. It should be noted that this new campus of Northwestern Polytechnical University can drive the development of the entire Chang'an County!

As the car drove out of the Friendship Road campus, Qin Liang introduced the scenery on both sides to Ben Richie.

"The Small Wild Goose Pagoda is just ahead, with a long history..."

At this moment, Ben Richie was in a complicated mood and couldn't listen to anything else.

"How far is it?"

"almost."

"How come there are farmlands outside?"

"Our people are very hardworking..."

If Ben Richie hadn't already dealt with Qin Liang multiple times, he would have thought the guy was about to sell him out.

Just when I was about to lose all patience, a busy construction site appeared ahead.

Various vehicles come and go, tower cranes stand tall, and people come and go.

"Qin, where is this?"

"Our hypersonic reconnaissance aircraft project, which we are collaborating on, is being developed at our Northwestern Polytechnical University's Chang'an campus."

"Qin, this isn't a campus, it's clearly a construction site." Ben Rich's face darkened. We know you're worried about us staying on the old campus and leaking secrets, but is it really necessary to bully us like this?
"Ahead is the large shock tunnel we are building, where wind speeds can reach Mach 9."

One sentence made Ben Richie's heart, which had just been filled with anger, start pounding wildly.

"What, a wind tunnel with Mach 9?"

"That's right, how can we develop a hypersonic reconnaissance aircraft without a wind tunnel?"

"Our wind tunnels in the US can only reach a maximum speed of Mach 7, but yours..."

"Our Eastern technology is just that advanced," Qin Liang said with a smile. "Otherwise, how could we help you with your construction?"

As the car moved forward, the enormous factory once again shocked Ben Richie.

"This factory building must be over 250 meters tall, right?"

"The workshop is 300 meters long, with an internal wind tunnel that is 265 meters long. At the end of the wind tunnel, a computer room will be built so that the data measured in the wind tunnel can be directly calculated. Therefore, the entire workshop is 300 meters in size."

What is the diameter of this wind tunnel?

"Three and a half meters."

"What? Oh my!"

Ben Richie jumped to his feet, then bumped his head on the roof of the car and quickly covered it.

A diameter of 3.5 meters!

This is such an incredible existence!
"Our largest supersonic wind tunnel in the United States is only 25 centimeters in diameter, while yours is only 3.5 meters... This... This..."

He wanted to say how could this be, but he didn't say it. If an Easterner says something, they can definitely do it.

The car stopped, and everyone arrived at the construction site. Countless people were busy, and some engineers were directing operations. One of them, wearing a safety helmet and a Zhongshan suit, stood out.

"Professor Yu, Professor Yu!"

"Pharaoh?"

"Yes, Professor Yu, Qin Liang is back. Haven't you been saying you wanted to see him?"

"Qin Liang?"

Qin Liang stepped forward and said, "Professor Yu, thank you for building this wind tunnel for our Northwestern Polytechnical University. It's perfect timing; our hypersonic reconnaissance aircraft project for the Americans can come in handy."

Professor Yu looked up at the blond, blue-eyed foreigner, his expression...complicated.

He was actually reluctant to help foreigners, but... since Qin Liang had made his choice, he must have his reasons, and he had no reason to refuse.

"Professor Yu, I know you. I've read your papers. More than twenty years ago, you published a paper that argued that future wind tunnel technology should move towards shock tubes." Ben Richie was beaming with excitement. "I just wonder, what kind of energy does this wind tunnel use?"

"I'm sorry, this is our secret."

Professor Yu's words instantly poured cold water on Ben Richie's enthusiasm.

He was trying to build a good relationship and get some technical information, but to his surprise... this world-class expert in the field of wind tunnels completely ignored him!

"Comrade Qin Liang, although I cannot interfere with your Northwestern Polytechnical University's cooperative projects, I must state in advance that foreigners are not welcome in the wind tunnel I am building!"

"Ahem..." Qin Liang smoothed things over: "Professor Yu, don't worry, the wind tunnel test will definitely be operated by our faculty and students from Northwestern Polytechnical University. Just like with supercomputers, foreigners can only wait for the results and will absolutely not touch our equipment."

"Yes, you should understand what it means if foreigners get their hands on our advanced technology. If they obtain hypersonic wind tunnel technology, it means they might develop hypersonic bombers. At that time, we will be defenseless!"

"Rest assured, we and the foreigners will only develop reconnaissance aircraft, and will not be involved in bombing."

"Yes, Northwestern Polytechnical University knows what's good for you, I believe that. Since you're here, let's continue our discussion. Next, we need a larger and faster wind tunnel, for example, to increase the internal wind speed to Mach 16, and later even to Mach 30..."

Mr. Yu has spent his whole life working with wind tunnels, and the only thing he lacked was money. Now that he doesn't have to worry about money, he can naturally improve the project's performance targets.

Mach 9 is just the beginning!

To develop a real spaceplane, the speed would need to be above Mach 25!

It can be said that wind tunnels reach their limit at Mach 30; there is no need to go any higher, as that would be beyond the atmosphere.

Ben Richie's eyes widened.

Mach 16, Mach 30—these are numbers they wouldn't even dare to dream of! Yet these Easterners are going to build wind tunnels of this caliber!
It seems that their collaboration with Boeing on a spaceplane is not just empty talk, but a real commitment to making it happen!
With Eastern technology developing so rapidly, will the United States be able to catch up in the future?
No wonder the other party is so arrogant; they have the right to be so proud!
"Alright, everyone, that's enough for now. The wind tunnel will be completed in two months when the new semester starts. Qin Liang, you can leave with the Americans now."

This is to prevent Americans from seeing the construction site and learning the technology!
"Okay, then let's... go back."

The teaching building, office building, and dormitory building are not even finished yet. This time, all I did was give Ben Richie a cold shoulder.

Qin Liang looked at Ben Richie, who showed no sign of dissatisfaction, only... disappointment?
(End of this chapter)