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

Chapter 511 Northrop secretly comes to ask for help

Hunt down early warning aircraft!
Modern air combat is inseparable from the support of early warning aircraft. Therefore, to win an air battle, you must take down the enemy's early warning aircraft!
Using ordinary fighter jets to deal with early warning aircraft is not easy. After all, early warning aircraft can detect fighter jets at a distance of at least 400 kilometers. On the battlefield, they usually stay more than 300 kilometers away to monitor the battlefield situation.

Suspicious targets will be intercepted if they get within 200 kilometers!
Within 100 kilometers, the enemy's air force will come over and attack relentlessly, and the early warning aircraft will quickly fly away, not giving them any chance at all.

Therefore, to take down an early warning aircraft, two preparations are necessary.

First, our fighter jets must be stealth aircraft, which will reduce the enemy's detection range to within 100 kilometers.

Stealth aircraft are not completely undetectable; they simply significantly reduce the detection range. Advanced early warning aircraft can still detect targets within 100 kilometers.

Upon hearing Qin Liang's words, Professor Lin became interested: "Your Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern Polytechnical University has developed a new propellant technology?"

"Yes, this brand-new solid propellant can double the range of our missiles!"

How much was it before?
The mainstay PL-10 missile has a maximum range of 100 kilometers and an effective range of 50 kilometers. If this is doubled, the maximum range would be 200 kilometers and the effective range would be 100 kilometers!
Combined with the radar on the nose of the J-20, which has a detection range of 260 kilometers for detecting fighter jet targets, it can be said to be a sure kill!

Even a target as small as 0.01 square meters can be detected at a distance of 80 kilometers and then attacked. It can be said that this missile was made specifically for it! Detect and attack!
"Wow, that's amazing!" Old Lin exclaimed, his eyes widening. "Does it look the same as the PL-10?"

"It's not exactly the same. The main difference is that the wings are smaller, which makes it easier to carry them. Our J-20 can carry six missiles in its internal weapons bay, plus two air-to-air missiles, which is more than enough."

To fly farther, it's not enough to rely on improved propellants; other aspects also need to be improved, such as the missile wings.

Previous missiles used delta wings arranged in a cross shape, which provided better aerodynamic performance but also increased drag.

In the later stages, to increase the range, the wings had to be reduced in size. Clipping the tips was a common practice, turning the triangular wings into trapezoidal wings. The height of the trapezoids became smaller and smaller, eventually turning into a strip-shaped control plate.

Finally, it might even be completely removed, becoming a bare-barreled bullet, which could further increase its range.

Six long-range missiles and two short-range missiles are more than enough for the J-20!
"Okay, okay, not bad. Are there any other changes?"

"Currently, we are only testing a completely new propellant, so we are making improvements on the PL-10 missile body. However, I believe that further improvements can be made in other aspects in the future."

Qin Liang began to explain.

The warhead doesn't need to be changed; the missile body is already complete. Any further improvements will naturally come from upgrading the electronic system!

"For example, we can upgrade its seeker from a planar slotted antenna to an active phased array radar. With our current technology, we can fit about a hundred T/R modules in, which will increase the active guidance range to about fifty kilometers."

The current PL-10 missile's seeker is a planar slotted antenna, which is quite powerful. Many countries' fighter jets still use inverted slotted antennas for their airborne radars.

However, it is already outdated for us. Advanced active phased array radar can significantly increase the guidance range!
Expanding the range from twenty kilometers to fifty kilometers brings about a revolutionary performance improvement!

At 50 kilometers, the field of view is wide, allowing the seeker to lock onto the target more effectively!

That's not even the most amazing thing!
"At the same time, we also need to upgrade the previous inertial guidance system, add a two-way data link to it, and realize A-shot B-guide."

"What do you mean?" Old Lin asked curiously.

If the guidance range of an active seeker is limited, how does the missile fly before this terminal guidance phase?
Either the target is illuminated by an airborne radar from the rear, allowing the missile to pass through in a semi-active guidance manner, or it has an inertial navigation system and flies according to inertial flight.

The previous PL-10 already had these two methods, and now it is being upgraded to include a more advanced two-way data link!

Lin Lao understood data links, but the idea of ​​A shooting and B guiding was completely beyond his imagination!
"Simply put, our J-20s are only responsible for launching missiles, while the subsequent guidance is handled by the early warning aircraft!"

"what?"

Many military enthusiasts have speculated that equipping early warning aircraft with a large number of long-range missiles would turn them into an airborne weapons delivery platform.

In reality, this idea is difficult to realize. After all, each has its own specialty. The mission of an early warning aircraft is to provide air guidance, while the task of intercepting missiles still needs to be left to fighter jets.

Previously, fighter jets had to participate in the entire process, from the moment they started firing missiles to the moment they shot down all the targets.

Now... the fighter jet is just a missile launch platform. It carries missiles, charges into the enemy lines alone, launches the missiles, and then... makes its escape!
That's right, once the missiles are fired, they have to make a run for it, leaving the guidance of the remaining missiles to the early warning aircraft!
A is the J-20 fighter jet, and B is an early warning aircraft!

The key is the bidirectional data link!
Early warning aircraft can transmit target data to missiles in real time and with precision via data link, while missiles will also send information about the situation ahead to the early warning aircraft for more accurate identification.

After all, once a target discovers it has been locked on, it will definitely try to break free as soon as possible. Releasing chaff, diving into mountainous areas, etc., are all routine actions. No matter how advanced the missile's own system is, it may still be broken free. At this time, it is necessary to rely on the rear to make corrections!
This design is absolutely advanced!
Old Lin's eyes almost popped out!
"Great, great! With this advanced equipment, once our air force launches a missile, the enemy aircraft will have absolutely no chance of escaping!" Old Lin exclaimed excitedly.

Just then, the roar of fighter jets rang out, and the J-20 had completed a lap around the field and was beginning to land!
The wheels touch the ground, effortless!
The maiden flight was perfect!

"Let's go celebrate!"

Qin Liang's head started spinning again. He had to drink, and he had no excuse to refuse, because...

Her mission was accomplished! Yang Duo'er was pregnant! So...

Old Lin patted Qin Liang on the shoulder: "Let's go, what are we waiting for!"

"Mr. Lin, Lei Zi is the biggest contributor to the successful maiden flight, and these engineers also deserve much credit. I..."

Why are you looking for me? I didn't do anything special!
"Everyone, who do you think is the biggest contributor to the J-20's success so far?"

"Qin Liang!"

"Principal Qin!"

Everyone spoke in unison.

Qin Liang felt somewhat helpless.

"Liangzi, don't try to deny it. Back when you first entered university, you presented the Americans with a stealth avatar. You started promoting this stealth technology back then, and now it has finally come to fruition. If you're not the biggest contributor, who is?" Old Lin said with a smile.

This... seems to be true!

Just as Qin Liang was about to speak modestly, Old Song spoke again.

"Not only for the fourth-generation stealth aircraft, but also for the next generation of aircraft, Liangzi deserves the most credit!"

"The next generation?"

"Mr. Lin, you probably don't know this yet, but once the J-20 completes its test flight, we'll be developing the next generation of aircraft! This new generation of aircraft will absolutely be the best in the world! The Americans' YF-23 and the like will definitely not be able to compare!"

Old Lin opened his eyes wide: "Okay, let's go to the cafeteria and talk while we drink!"

Qin Liang...

Across the ocean, in the United States, Northrop Corporation.

"Why is our project being designed so slowly?" Graham Warwick looked at Chief Engineer Bob Sandsky with great dissatisfaction.

"The main reason is that we have focused our efforts on the development of the B-2 bomber. Currently, the team developing the YF-23 is not large enough, and our key computer systems are also occupied by the B-2 team."

Bob Sandsky was also helpless. After several failures with the F-117, the U.S. Air Force placed greater emphasis on the B-2 project, making various demands: the development schedule had to be accelerated, and the performance had to be advanced...

The team over there is working day and night, monopolizing their company's most advanced supercomputer, which makes it difficult for their YF-23 to use. They can only use ordinary computers, which will definitely lengthen the development cycle.

and so……

How can this problem be solved?

"Damn it, without computers, are we not supposed to get anything done?"

"Yes, without advanced computers, we can't move an inch."

Graham Warwick took a deep breath: "So, is there a solution?" "There is..."

"Speak up, what are you waiting for!"

"Ask Northwestern Polytechnical University for help."

Graham Warwick felt a sinking feeling in his heart. What did you say?
Should I ask Northwestern Polytechnical University for help?

The reason we were able to secure the contract and oust Lockheed was because we had absolutely no connection with the East!

Now you're actually suggesting we ask the East for help? What will the Air Force think of us? Will we still be able to get the Air Force's approval for this project?

Keep in mind, they were bidding on two projects, and they had another competitor!

"One day of calculation by the computer at Northwestern Polytechnical University is equivalent to one month of calculation by our computer. If we go there and calculate for a month, we can complete all the precise calculations. After a month, we can start the trial production of the prototype."

Hearing Bob Sandasky say that made Graham Warwick's feelings even more complicated.

He didn't want to ask the Easterners to do the research, but now it's clear that the East can help them with the research!

If the project continues to be delayed, there will be many unforeseen problems!

"As far as I know, GE already has a cooperative relationship with Northwestern Polytechnical University on the YF-120 project. We will hide our project under GE's project so that it will not be exposed."

"Okay, that's it!"

Although the YF-120 engine is the second variable cycle engine developed by General Electric, its technical approach is much more radical than the first one, and the difficulty is naturally greater!

Northwestern Polytechnical University, Department of Aero-engine Engineering.

Professor Wang took a group of students to Shanghai, and many of them were still elites, such as Zhu Junqiang, who was in the same class as Liu Yongquan.

They all enrolled in 80, so they are only first-year graduate students this year. However, their abilities are already comparable to those of doctoral students.

To become a PhD student is to do scientific research!
Therefore, Zhu Junqiang was responsible for liaising with General Electric.

"We believe that the biggest problem with variable cycle engines is their excessive weight. Because many additional devices are needed to achieve variable cycle, the engine is heavier than a conventional turbofan. To reduce weight, polymer-based composite materials and ceramic-based composite materials are crucial..."

Now, much of the data that requires computer processing has been calculated, and the results... are not optimistic.

To change the bypass ratio, various components need to be added, which in turn makes the engine too heavy. If this continues, Pratt & Whitney's F119 might still have a chance!
Despite the fact that the F-120 and F-23 are paired together, a single aircraft can actually use multiple engines!
The variable-cycle F-120 can be used, and the conventional F-119 can also be used!

It depends on which one has more advanced performance. Just like in third-generation fighters, both the F-100 and F-110 can be used.

Upon hearing Zhu Junqiang's words, Ted Inglen frowned.

"Your materials are indeed excellent, but... could you authorize us to manufacture these materials?"

"What authorization? Even if we authorized you, wouldn't your production costs still be too high? Just supply us directly. This isn't our first time working together; we've collaborated extensively on civil aviation engines!"

The Americans exchanged glances, and Holmes spoke again: "Mr. Zhu, you should know that our previous cooperation was on civil aircraft engines, but now it's on military engines. This is different! Our military engines cannot have foreign parts."

"Just say you can produce them, that's all. Who cares about military or civilian use? They're all aircraft engines. In the future, we can also package these parts as civilian engine parts and deliver them to you. Don't you trust Northwestern Polytechnical University?"

I'm just worried. Your technology is so advanced, what if you cut off our supply at any time?
But... I can't say that yet.

So everyone could only look at each other, and just then, someone walked in from outside.

"Mr. Inglin, we've received news from back home..."

Upon receiving this news, Inglin was somewhat surprised. After thinking for a moment, he looked across at the other side.

"Mr. Zhu, we have some projects that we'd like to test using the computers in your engine department. You..."

"No problem!" Zhu Junqiang nodded.

Anyway, once we've finished the run, all we'll have left is a record, and we can still make more profit!
the next day.

Bob Sandsky rushed to Northwestern Polytechnical University. Because Northwestern Polytechnical University has such frequent cooperation with the United States, many cities in the United States now have direct flights to Chang'an, which is very convenient without transfers.

Upon entering the engine department building, they were stopped in front of the machine room.

"I'm sorry, you can't go in. You need to hand over the program to us so we can run it."

"How can this be done!"

Bob Sandsky was stunned: "This contains our secrets!"

"If you are worried about leaks, please rest assured that there will be no leaks. Our data center is isolated from the outside world by a dedicated firewall at the hardware level."

We're not worried about cyber intrusions, we're worried about you!
"If you're worried about us stealing secrets, you can rest assured. We at Northwestern Polytechnical University don't even look down on your technology. This computer is capable of hundreds of billions of calculations per second, so you can't go in. That's standard practice."

That's a really hurtful thing to say!
A hundred billion times! The most advanced computer at Northrop Grumman only has a peak speed of 300 million times per second, and the most advanced Gare-2 in the United States only has 12 billion times per second!

Now, many departments at Northwestern Polytechnical University have computers capable of performing hundreds of billions of calculations per second, with an estimated total of more than ten!
Bob Sandsky took a deep breath: "Can we watch from the outside?"

"There's a monitoring room next door. You can see the terminal interface that's specifically for running your programs in the monitoring room."

"Ok."

So the program was sent into the server room, and they waited anxiously outside.

That evening, the first batch of calculation results came out!

Bob Sandsky looked at the modified nose with great excitement.

Excellent! Excellent! This data alone would have taken us ten to fifteen days to calculate, but now, the East has calculated it in a single day, and it's perfect!
Just as the sun was setting, a special plane landed at the Chang'an Flight Test Institute.

"I can't wait to go to the missile factory and see the brand-new power section!"

"Well, Mr. Lin, don't rush. It's time for dinner now. Let's eat and drink our fill before we go over?"

"Why drink? Watch it first, then drink!"

Just then, someone walked over.

"Principal Qin, we've received news from the engine department that Northrop Corporation of the United States has put their YF-23's external design drawings onto our aero-engine department's computer and started running them. The nose section has already been generated, and they're asking if we should do something to it?"

Northrop Grumman is here too!
YF-23!
Qin Liang thought for a moment and then said, "No need to tamper with it."

Old Lin looked at him curiously: "Liangzi, this isn't like you! Aren't you the one who loves tampering with other people's planes?"

“Northrop is no ordinary company. If we tamper with it, they will definitely be able to tell. Besides, even if we don’t tamper with it, their aircraft design has serious flaws.”

Later generations have said that the YF-23 was shelved by the US Air Force because its performance was too advanced, and the Americans chose a conservative version. In fact, this is indeed one reason, but the design flaws of the YF-23 were also a factor.

This aircraft was designed without a dogfighting weapons bay, and even later on, it was unclear where to add one. It has a longer fuselage and a greater moment of inertia. The design prioritized performance metrics like supersonic cruise, while its dogfighting capabilities were very poor.

Between the two engines on the rear fuselage, there is a deep trench, which was prepared for the thrust reverser. Later, when the US Air Force no longer required thrust reversers, they did not give up...

In short, the aircraft design had many problems, and the US Air Force ultimately received a flawed aircraft. But that's okay!
(End of this chapter)