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

Chapter 513 No money? Find a sucker, an Indian!

When you first hear about the characteristics of a ramjet engine, you might think that this engine has many advantages, with combustion throughout the entire process, which is simply a miracle.

The drawback of solid fuel is its time-limited range. In order to increase the range, many missiles use a high-altitude trajectory, launching the missile to a high altitude during the power phase and then diving down when the power is exhausted, converting potential energy into kinetic energy, thereby increasing the loiter time.

Even with a double pulse, it's just igniting again midway through the process, and once the combustion is complete, it becomes a flying bullet once more.

Ramjet engines, on the other hand, burn throughout the entire process and have adjustable power, so they don't need to follow a high-altitude trajectory. Energy can be replenished at any time in the mid-course phase, and they also have a wide envelope of no-escape zone in the terminal phase.

It appears to be superior to any solid-fuel missile.

Therefore, in later generations, European countries all supported the Meteor missile as their main long-range air-to-air missile.

So, is there no difference between meteor missiles?
Of course!
Ramjet missiles also have many drawbacks!
First, ramjet engines require air intakes.

Solid-fuel missiles contain both fuel and oxidizer within the solid fuel, eliminating the need for external power during flight.

The word "ramjet" in ramjet engine refers to the fact that outside air enters the engine without compression; it is compressed by ramming! In other words, it needs to draw in outside air!

This requires an air intake. Modern ramjet engines typically use rectangular air intakes, and often two are needed to meet the air intake requirements.

These two additional air intakes significantly increased the missile's diameter!
Even if the Typhoon fighter jet uses external pylons, it can only carry a single missile, not a composite pylon. As for stealth aircraft that need to carry missiles internally, the internal space occupied is even more serious! Similar to the F-22, it can carry four AIM-120 missiles in its internal weapons bay. Later, with clipped wings, it could carry up to six missiles. But if it wants to carry Meteor missiles... even four would be difficult!

Second, ramjet engines have low thrust, which means they accelerate slowly!

Ramjet engines can maintain a steady speed throughout the missile's flight. However, ramjet engines have low thrust, so they take a long time to reach that speed after launch from the carrier aircraft.

Solid-propelled missiles have extremely high thrust, allowing them to reach maximum speed within seven or eight seconds of launch.

If it's a long-range engagement, this flaw isn't a big deal. But if it's a close-range engagement, for example, two fighter jets exchanging fire at each other at a distance of 30 kilometers, then rocket-propelled missiles can fly over very quickly, while Meteor missiles have to accelerate slowly!
When the enemy missile has already entered the active guidance phase, the Meteor is still accelerating. At this time, the Meteor's carrier aircraft will obviously be in greater danger!

Of course, if the distance is far enough, fifty or even one hundred kilometers, this stamping defect may no longer seem to be a defect, but... we can completely solve the problem of reducing the final non-escape zone with a dual-pulse method.

Therefore, the world's top three military powers—the PL-15 from the East, the AIM-260 from the United States, and the R77M from Russia—all use dual-pulse missiles; none of them use ramjet-powered projectiles.

Third, ramjet engines cannot operate at high speeds.

That's right, it can't be highly maneuverable. If it maneuvers too aggressively and blocks the air intake, the ramjet engine will shut down! This air-to-air missile has to consider the location of the air intake when maneuvering, which is obviously going to cause problems on the ever-changing battlefield!

Fourth, ramjet engines cannot fly at very high altitudes.

The thin air at high altitudes may not provide enough oxygen. Normally, intercepting aircraft at 20,000 meters is not a problem, but once something like a MiG-25 flies at 30,000 meters, it becomes impossible.

It is precisely because of its various flaws that we do not use it, but Europe has to!
We'll have to help with the design!
At this moment, Qin Liang spoke eloquently about the advantages of ramjet engines, and the Europeans widened their eyes.

That sounds really good!

"Principal Qin, does your side... already have the technological reserves for ramjet engines?" Cheney asked excitedly.

"That's right. Our engine department has been developing this kind of engine for a long time. If you have a need, you can ask us to help develop it. With just one billion US dollars in R&D funding, this new type of air-to-air missile can be developed."

In later years, the research and development budget for the Meteor missile was $21 billion, which was raised by several European countries through great effort.

It's only the 1980s, so a billion dollars in research and development funding would be enough, but...

For Britain, let alone a billion dollars, they couldn't even come up with a hundred million dollars!

The development of these fighter jets and warships was all financed by tightening our belts!

Now... they've realized the obsolescence of their missiles, but... they have to come up with such a huge sum of money...

Cheney's face immediately turned ugly.

"If you don't have this funding, you can find someone else to share it."

Share?

Cheney's expression was rather unpleasant. Even if we ask our other European brothers to share the cost, does that mean we won't have to spend a single penny? Right now, we don't want to spend any money at all!
"For example, Indians would definitely be willing to pay."

Indian!

Cheney's eyes lit up instantly.

In recent years, India has been very frustrated. The weapons they have purchased are no match for Eastern weapons, and India is eagerly looking forward to having modern equipment!

Regarding fighter jets, India is already jointly developing one with Russia, but it is just a light aircraft without stealth capabilities. With the world trend towards stealth aircraft, can India stand by and watch?

They definitely want a stealth aircraft, that kind of deadly weapon!

Unfortunately, the United States refused to sell, and the Soviet Union's technology was outdated, so India's only option was European goods!

The Typhoon fighter jet has undergone a stealth facelift!
This kind of fighter jet is the most suitable for India!
Now that we have the fighter jets, the accompanying missiles must also be advanced enough!

So, why don't we just have India invest and jointly develop missiles?

As for the funding... India doesn't need to contribute much; eight hundred million US dollars will suffice!
The remaining two hundred million won't be too much of a burden if the European countries share it. As the host, Britain can symbolically contribute ten or twenty million US dollars... They can manage to come up with it if they grit their teeth!

That's right, just like that!

"Principal Qin, you don't object to the Indians purchasing our typhoons?" Cheney asked one last question.

"Of course not. If the Indians don't buy Typhoon, they'll have to buy Gust. In any case, they'll definitely buy one. It's better to let the British do this business than the French."

"Thank you so much, Principal Qin!" Cheney said, his face beaming with excitement.

Qin Liang smiled and said, "We're good friends, so of course I have to help!"
That's right, that's exactly what Qin Liang was thinking.

We can't let the French do the business. After all, the French didn't ask us to help modify their fighter jets, and Dassault is still very proud.

We're going to put pressure on France in every way possible, so that French military equipment can't be sold!
As a result, they cannot share the costs, their research and development expenses are very high, they can only equip themselves, the price will be outrageous, the quantity will be reduced, further reducing the cost-effectiveness of Dassault fighters, until finally, Dassault does not have enough profit to develop new fighters!
France is, after all, an independent nation, and its fighter jets, jointly developed by Europe, have a wide coverage area! The Typhoon fighter jet, incorporating Eastern technology, needs to be sold to countries that cannot be reached from the East!

After leaving Northwestern Polytechnical University, the British did not return to Europe, but instead embarked on a journey to India.

The capital of India.

"Ladies and gentlemen, times have changed. Aircraft that do not have stealth capabilities will be phased out sooner or later!"

Cheney launched into a hype: "Our Typhoon fighter jet is the world's most advanced stealth fighter! We've already completed the stealth design improvements and are about to manufacture the first prototype. If you Indians are willing to join us, you'll be among the first air forces to acquire stealth aircraft!" Apuiya Singh frowned: "If our information is correct, then your stealth variant was designed at Northwestern Polytechnical University, right?"

Indians also have principles!

They can accept technology from many countries, but they cannot accept technology from the East!
Cheney was taken aback. Were these Indians' brains filled with Ganges water? Why were they still bothered by this?
Needless to say, even the United States' stealth aircraft uses technology from Northwestern Polytechnical University!
“We saw people from Northrop Grumman at Northwestern Polytechnical University. The YF-23 fighter jet they developed for the U.S. Air Force had its design modified at Northwestern Polytechnical University. So… unless you don’t want to use stealth aircraft, you can’t do without Northwestern Polytechnical University’s technology.”

This is a harsh truth, but it has to be made clear: you Indians are better off keeping your little schemes to yourselves!
"What? Northrop received strong support from the U.S. Air Force precisely because it didn't use Northwestern Polytechnical University's technology?"

"That's right. They didn't use it before, but they found that they couldn't design the plane without Northwestern Polytechnical University's technology! So, they had no choice but to go. Everyone, a plane without Northwestern Polytechnical University's technology is not a modern plane!"

Cheney continued his charade: "The stealth design by Northwestern Polytechnical University is the most perfect. You should be glad you got a top-notch fighter jet!"

"Isn't stealth technology something more than just the East?"

"What else?"

"Have you heard of plasma stealth? It achieves the best stealth capabilities without compromising the aircraft's aerodynamic shape."

Clearly, the Indians had more contact with the Russians and had learned some technical routes from them. Even if it was just a concept, it was enough to excite them.

What does that mean? Are there other options? The Indians are clearly aware of the Russians' strategy.

Cheney smiled and said, "I really didn't know that the Russians had this technical route, but at Northwestern Polytechnical University, I have met Russian designers more than once. They are all elites from the Mikoyan Design Bureau. Gentlemen, if I'm not mistaken, the light aircraft that you commissioned Mikoyan to design was most likely designed by Northwestern Polytechnical University!"

Click!

A bolt from the blue struck everyone's head.

What?
Was our LCA fighter jet designed by Northwestern Polytechnical University?
No, no, that's absolutely impossible!

"Ladies and gentlemen, it doesn't matter whose technology it is, what matters is its advanced performance. Our Typhoon has top-notch technology! It can stealth, cruise at supersonic speeds, and has advanced avionics. We are currently planning to develop long-range air-to-air missiles. You have made the right choice by choosing our Typhoon fighter jet!"

Apuija Singh took a deep breath.

"Could you please elaborate, for example, the supersonic cruise capability?"

That sounds much more high-end!
"This is mainly due to our advanced EJ200 engine," Cheney began to boast. "This engine has a maximum military thrust of 60 kN and a maximum afterburner thrust of 90 kN, and weighs only 900 kg. Therefore, it is the world's first engine with a thrust-to-weight ratio of 10!"

Speaking of the EJ200, it is indeed an advanced engine that embodies the top-notch aero engine technology of Europe, especially Rolls-Royce!
This engine has a diameter of only 863 mm and a length of only 3556 mm, making it smaller than many medium-thrust engines!

Its small size and light weight, less than a ton, yet it boasts a maximum thrust of 90 kN, which speaks volumes about the engine's excellence.

Driven by it, typhoons also possess considerable supersonic cruise capability!
With only six air-to-air missiles, it can even fly at Mach 1.5. Even with external fuel tanks, it can fly at supersonic speeds of Mach 1.2.

As for now... the stealth modification adds extra drag during startup, so its maximum supersonic cruise speed when carrying air-to-air missiles is only about Mach 1.3, which is enough to make it brag!

After all, there aren't many aircraft in the world that can cruise at supersonic speeds!
"Really? This engine sounds really advanced. Could... we use it for our LCA project?"

Since it was designed with the help of the Russians, the LCA naturally uses the Russian RD33 engine. This engine has a maximum military thrust of 50 kN and a maximum afterburner thrust of 81.4 kN, which is an order of magnitude lower than that of the EJ200.

However, it is considerably taller.

With a length of 4229 mm and a diameter of 1040 mm, the weight also increases to 1055 kg.

As a result, the thrust-to-weight ratio of this engine is very low, less than 8 based on dry weight, and even lower to around 6 based on wet weight!

This engine can't compare to the EJ200!
but……

The RD33 is an engine that the Russians finalized and equipped their troops with in 82. In those days, there were no integral bladed disks, no CNC machining capabilities, and not even digital design methods. It was designed entirely with a drawing pen on a drawing board!
The EJ200... is still just a design drawing! It can use all the advanced technologies currently available in the aviation industry, and mass production won't begin until the 1990s!
Therefore, it is inappropriate to use the EJ200 to suppress the RD33. Now, upon hearing the Indian's request, Cheney was startled, but on the surface he remained calm.

"This engine is a Rolls-Royce project. If you want it, you'll have to talk to Rolls-Royce. Of course, it would also be beneficial if it could be used on your LCA fighter jet, as it would allow it to share the engine with our Typhoon fighter jet, which would facilitate logistical support."

The Indians nodded: "That's right!"

They really did take a liking to it!
That's good. Now that they've got their eye on the engine, the plane is sorted out!

"Come on, let's continue talking about this aircraft. It doesn't conflict with your LCA. After all, the LCA is a single-engine light aircraft, while our Typhoon is a twin-engine medium fighter..."

Single-engine or dual-engine configurations are not indicators of aircraft type; the key factor is takeoff weight.

The F-16 is a single-engine medium-sized aircraft, while the MiG-29 is a twin-engine medium-sized aircraft. Both have a takeoff weight of only about 20 tons.

The Typhoon fighter jet is similar, with an empty weight of about 11 tons and a maximum takeoff weight of about 23 tons. Such a takeoff weight can only be classified as a medium-sized aircraft.

The Indians began to seriously consider it.

It can stealth, cruise at supersonic speeds, and has advanced avionics technology; its missiles…

"By the way, does your side have any advanced missiles?"

"Currently, we plan to develop a brand-new long-range air-to-air missile with a range of over 100 kilometers, using the most advanced ramjet engine..."

After all that talk, we've finally gotten to the point!
India may not buy airplanes, but it must support the development of air-to-air missiles!
Moreover, they are confident that the missile's technical specifications are indeed very impressive!
With a range of over 100 kilometers, its effective range can exceed 50 kilometers! That's double the performance of India's existing air-to-air missiles!
Moreover, for ramjet-powered missiles, the difference between the maximum range and the effective range is actually not that big, because they are powered throughout the entire range!
The Indians' eyes widened, especially when they heard that the maximum range was the effective range, their faces filled with excitement.

"Great, great, that's wonderful! Can we join the development of this missile?"

“Of course, no problem! We estimate that the research and development will cost two billion US dollars. If you can invest one billion US dollars in research and development, we can also allow you to build a production line and produce the relevant missiles here.”

"Okay, we'll go get approval from our superiors right away!"

The Indian guy was really tempted!
As expected, Principal Qin's plan was correct!
I wonder what the Indians would think if they knew that this missile was designed by Easterners?
Regardless of whether they regret it later, the research and development funds invested cannot be refunded!
At the same time, in France, at the Dassault factory.

On the production line, a uniquely designed fighter jet is in the final stage of production!
"Great! Our Rafale fighter jet, the first prototype will be ready soon!" Marcel Dassault exclaimed excitedly as he looked at the aircraft being assembled. "This will be the most advanced aircraft we've ever developed!"

“That’s right, the Europeans are still bickering with each other, especially since Britain has declined and simply doesn’t have the money to invest in research and development! Their Typhoon fighter jet is destined to fail, and then our Rafale will be the real European fighter jet.” Sergey Dassault nodded.

Born in 1892, Dassault is now over ninety years old! But he is still working on the front lines, demonstrating with his life what it means to work until old age!
The Rafale fighter jet is the most advanced of all the aircraft he has designed!
It features a swept delta wing, a canard, and a very close distance between the canard and the main wing, resulting in excellent vortex generation...

Especially the nose cone, it's simply the culmination of the wisdom of all Dassault engineers! It satisfies the air intake requirements while having the smallest possible frontal area.

Unfortunately, the matching M88 engine has not yet been developed; instead, the American F404 is used…

(End of this chapter)