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

Chapter 516 Lyulka's Fourth Generation Fighter: Let's Design It!
Dongfang, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Department of Engine Engineering.

Professor Wang, the department head, looked at the Russian sitting in the conference room and sighed with emotion.

Principal Qin is truly amazing; he actually managed to provoke the Russians into coming over!

While Russia's aircraft engine technology may lag behind in some areas, its strong integration capabilities make it the most powerful in the world!
And now, what the other side has brought is the most advanced fourth-generation fighter jet engine design!
At this moment, Dr. Che Jin is giving his presentation.

"In order to provide advanced engines for the Mikoyan Design Bureau's project, our current project will have world-leading performance, employing..."

Qin Liang listened attentively to the other party's introduction, but after listening, he smiled noncommittally.

"Principal Qin, what do you think of this engine?" Nikolai Nikitin asked somewhat nervously.

Even with Dr. Che Jin's arrival, he still maintained an arrogant attitude, and Qin Liang... seemed to look down on the engine as well. Will... things start arguing later?

Dr. Che Jin was somewhat worried.

"Well, I'm not in a position to comment on that. Let me just introduce the engine parameters that Pratt & Whitney designed for the failed Lockheed. Although the aircraft failed, this engine is still under development as a backup power source for the YF-120."

Qin Liang looked at the Russians present: "This engine, codenamed YF-119, uses a three-stage fan, a six-stage high-pressure compressor, and one stage each of high-pressure and low-pressure turbines. It achieves a total pressure ratio of 35 at the front and adopts a counter-rotating turbine design at the rear."

"impossible!"

The Russians were instantly stunned.

how can that be!

The product they have on hand, the AL-31F engine, uses a four-stage fan and a nine-stage high-pressure compressor design, which achieves a total pressure ratio of 23.8. Overall, it is inferior to the American F100 engine, but it has a high surge margin and can meet their needs.

When it was originally designed, it had a four-stage fan and a twelve-stage high-pressure compressor. They reduced it to nine stages, which is a testament to their hard work.

Now that they're trying to get the fourth aunt's husband, they've essentially just taken the structure from the third aunt's husband.

With a four-stage fan and a nine-stage high-pressure compressor, they managed to increase the pressure ratio to over 26 through their efforts; this was the limit of what they could achieve.

Now, the Americans are only using a three-stage fan and a six-stage high-pressure compressor?
How can a nine-stage structure achieve a total pressure ratio of 35?
This data is definitely problematic; it must be fabricated!
Seeing the Russian's surprised look, Qin Liang smiled and said, "Whether it's fake or not, I don't know. However, your design is just an improvement on the previous engine, which is definitely not enough. Since you reduced the high-pressure compressor from twelve stages to nine stages and the turbine from two stages each for high and low pressure to one stage each during your third uncle's development due to excessive weight, thus achieving the weight reduction goal, why haven't you continued to innovate on this brand-new engine?"

This is clearly a prime example of your lack of ambition!
How can this be called a new generation engine? Let's just call it a modified version of Uncle San's engine!
"Since we're going to develop a fourth-generation engine, it needs to be a revolutionary advancement. Your compressor doesn't have an integral bladed disk; it still uses the ancestral long bolt fixing method, plus a standard narrow drum, making the engine diameter an astonishing 1280 millimeters. The combustion chamber is also outdated... Okay, the combustion chamber has already used our domestically produced double-layer floating wall annular combustion chamber. Let's talk about the turbine later..."

Qin Liang's words rendered the Russians' prized engine utterly worthless!
They are all family-inherited crafts, big and rough, and their performance sounds like it is the same as that of the West. In reality, they are just trying to squeeze out the lifespan of their products!

Nikolai Nikitin looked at the liver-colored faces of the Lyulka technicians and wondered if he should make a run for it. Would a fight break out here?

Qin Liang finally finished speaking and began to summarize.

"If you retain the original design, then we believe there is no need to cooperate with Northwestern Polytechnical University. We are not interested in an engine that only has a lifespan of a little over 300 hours by squeezing out power. If you want to cooperate with us, then you have to improve the design!"

The atmosphere in the meeting room was somewhat cold.

Dr. Che Jin gritted his teeth: "How do we change it?"

"Reduce the number of compressor and fan stages, lower the bypass ratio, and reduce the fan size to give the engine a better supersonic flight capability!"

"Can't supersonic flight capability also be achieved through variable bypass ratio?"

The reason the Lyulka Design Bureau was able to come was, of course, because they had advanced technology here, such as variable bypass ratio. It doesn't matter if the fan diameter is larger; by changing the bypass ratio, the headwind resistance at high speeds is not large. "Of course we have this technology, but the required processing technology is very high, and you can't manufacture it. If you are willing to purchase finished parts from us, then we can consider it."

The Russian was taken aback.

"We designed it together, and you still..."

"That's right, we are designing together, which is why we need to consider your needs. Everyone, we are only designing together, not producing together. Our advanced processing technology will not be allowed to be exported."

The Russians' expressions turned even uglier.

"Ahem, everyone, I believe that as long as we all consider each other's perspectives, we can always find a cooperative solution that satisfies both sides," Nikolai Nikitin said.

If this continues, the negotiations will definitely fall apart!

The talks broke down, and the Mikoyan Design Bureau was the most hurt. Without a qualified engine, how could they test the aircraft?

"Everything we just said was for the benefit of the Lyulka Design Bureau," Qin Liang said. "If they are unwilling, then so be it. In short, if you want us to cooperate, it must be with an advanced engine structure. We are not interested in outdated engines."

"Hmph, our Lyulka Design Bureau's project is definitely the most advanced; we won't lower our standards!" Dr. Che Jin said. "If it were at the level you're talking about, could you even develop it?"

"We have advanced computers. As long as you write the program and input it into our computer, we can calculate the correct design scheme, which can increase the pressure ratio without reducing the surge margin!"

What Qin Liang admired about the Russian was his mathematical ability!
Don't think that compulsory education in the East is difficult; Russia's is even more challenging! They start screening students from elementary school, and that's how a group of math geniuses emerged in Russia!

Despite their limited computer capabilities, the Russians built aircraft engines using outdated slide rules and top-notch brains.

Now, by providing these people with advanced computer assistance, they can certainly calculate even more advanced engines!
Of course, with a prototype, we can copy it exactly, but we know how it works but not why it works.

Now, all the data is processed in our computers, so we have all the computational data. If we want to make improvements in the future, we can do so based on this data, instead of being completely clueless!

Dr. Che Jin gritted his teeth: "Fine, we'll stay and see just how advanced your computers really are!"

If a pressure ratio of over 30 can be achieved using a three-stage fan and a six-stage high-pressure compressor, it would be a great benefit to the Russians!
The simple structure means that the weight will be reduced!
A higher boost ratio means a more powerful engine!
With the current technology of the Russians, this level of capability is impossible! Only with Eastern computers can it be achieved.

Anyway, it's an engine with an almost entirely new structure, so it's not a leak, just a completely new development. We can also learn about advanced computer-aided design from it.

only……

This will extend the engine development time!
It was already delayed, and now... I'm afraid it won't be ready for installation for at least five years! The MiG 1.44 is still waiting!
“Nikola, if we tear this down and start from scratch with a completely new design, the entire project will be delayed. Is your Mikoyan Design Bureau willing to wait?”

Now it's Nikolai Nikitin's turn to have a headache.

He originally thought that he could just use Eastern technology to help improve it and make it mature as soon as possible, but he didn't expect that he would have to start from scratch!
This will definitely waste time, and by then... if this engine is really developed, its performance will be absolutely top-notch!

What should we do? Should we keep waiting?

"Since we're cooperating with the East, shouldn't all the data be handed over to the Easterners?"

"Yes."

"Well, in that case, our Eastern friends can match the air intake to our new engine data and complete the overall engine design. If we can't wait for a brand new engine, we can use other engines as a temporary substitute."

The air intake will definitely not be a good match, but since it's just a basic test flight and we're not exploring the air envelope, there shouldn't be any major problems. Once the test flights are almost complete, the engine here will also be almost finished, and then it can be installed!
That's right, just like that!

Nikolai Nikitin was proud of his intelligence.

“Okay, that’s settled then.” Qin Liang nodded. “We need to develop the engine first and determine its basic data. Don’t worry, we will definitely provide you with the data within a year.”

"Wait, a year?" "Yes, a year, Mr. Nikola. You should also know that the basic data of our newly developed engine must be matched. Even if we have Western engine data, it may not be completely suitable for you. If the design is completed but your processing technology is not up to par and you can't manufacture it, wouldn't that be a waste?"

Qin Liang, appearing considerate of the other party, said, "Since we're helping you with the design, of course we want you to be able to manufacture everything yourself. Don't worry, once the basic engine data is finalized, we'll immediately design the air intake for you. If you have any ideas, you can start producing other parts of the fuselage, such as the wings. These shouldn't need to be changed."

"Ok."

We have no choice but to wait for the advanced engine!

Nikolai Nikitin took a deep breath. Since he had already waited so long, he didn't mind waiting a little longer.

“Principal Qin, we also have a request!” Dr. Che Jin spoke up at that moment.

"You said."

"During the design process, we requested that it be divided into two directions: a conventional solution and a variable cycle solution. Even if we cannot produce it immediately, we still hope to obtain the design drawings."

The current processing technology may not be able to meet the requirements, but it will be possible in the future!
If I don't add some conditions, I always feel like I'm at a disadvantage!

After Nikolai Nikitin finished speaking, he looked at Qin Liang with pride.

“If you don’t agree, we will give up the cooperation. We have completed the development of engine after engine over the decades without anyone’s help! Even if the lifespan is shorter and the fuel consumption is higher, we will not be controlled by others.”

"Ok."

Qin Liang answered reluctantly, but in reality, he was overjoyed.

Having gone through the entire process of developing both engines, our Northwestern Polytechnical University's engine department was like having its meridians opened up. From then on, nothing could stop us from developing engines independently.

We also have top-notch fourth-generation engine design blueprints. As long as the manufacturing process is up to standard, we can mass-produce them. At the same time, we have a complete set of technical data, so we don't have to worry about upgrades and modifications!

As for the Russians...

Even if they could complete the engine design, they wouldn't have time to mass-produce it!

Even if they obtain the blueprints through archaeological investigations after the Soviet Union is gone, they still won't be able to produce it without the processing technology.

In other words, the people at the Lyulka Design Bureau are now working for us without asking for any pay. They are the best workers in the world!

Of course I have to agree.

So what if it's a loop? The Russians have top-notch math skills; they've mastered all the data for looping. In the future, Northwestern Polytechnical University can produce it ourselves!

Director Wang also had a complicated expression.

We already have third-generation engines, and now we are moving towards fourth-generation engines!
Not to mention the knock engine we developed from scratch. Once these technologies are mature, our technology will definitely be number one in the world!

"Director Wang, please allocate some personal computers to our friends so they can complete programming and calculate specific data. When the supercomputer is needed, give them priority!"

"Alright, everyone, come with me. The computer room is ready for you."

The engine department building is very tall, and it was designed for public use during its construction, so...

There are external staircases on both sides of the building, which can be used to directly access the corresponding machine rooms. As long as the stairwell doors are locked, there will be no flow between the stairwells and the rooms inside the engine system.

The Russians were somewhat reluctant to go up the external staircase, but once they entered the computer room, their eyes widened in surprise.

"This is... a Loongson 4 computer?"

Loongson 2 has achieved a processing capability of 100 MHz and has been a hot commodity in the international market in recent years. Loongson 3 has taken the performance to the next level, with the main frequency starting from 266 MHz!
The computer in front of me is actually using the Loongson 4 chip, which has never even been released to the market!

This performance...

"These are samples from Loongson Technology. They are not yet on the market, and the main frequency is 500 MHz," Director Wang introduced. "You can use these computers to perform some basic calculations."

It was only the mid-1980s, and people were already talking about GHz processors, which was incredibly advanced. 500 MHz was already quite advanced!
The Russians thought back to the few megahertz processors in their design bureau, which were treated like treasures, but now... those computers are absolutely garbage.

If I had known, I would have done the research and development here! With the equipment here, the research and development efficiency would have increased at least fifty times!
The Russian went in and never came out!
That evening's dinner was eaten inside!
In the middle of the night, the Russians would take a nap in front of their computer desks... Director Wang couldn't bear to see this, so he brought them folding beds.

And then... those Russians never came out again!
Northwestern Polytechnical University, new campus.

"Principal Qin, those Russians haven't come out for half a month, could it be..."

"Definitely."

Director Wang's expression changed: "Principal Qin, this is probably not a good idea. What if he suddenly dies..."

"What are you thinking! I mean it'll stink. Don't go in. Those Russians already have a strong odor, and after not coming out for half a month, they'll stink to death!"

Director Wang was taken aback. It seemed that... he had indeed smelled a odor when he passed by... Should he turn on the air conditioner in advance? No, turning on the air conditioner would require closing the windows, and it would smell even worse then.

"Alright, let's talk about something else. How's the progress of our knock engine?"

"This is progressing smoothly..."

Before Director Wang could finish speaking, Qin Liang's phone rang.

"Hello, what? Okay, I got it, I'll be right there."

Director Wang looked at Qin Liang with some curiosity: "What... happened?"

"Our J-20 fighter jets have been leaked."

"So fast?"

Everyone had thought that the J-20 couldn't be hidden and would be exposed one day, but no one expected it to be exposed so quickly. It hadn't even arrived at the flight test institute for type certification flight testing yet, and it was already exposed!

Back then, the Americans kept the F-117 under wraps for many years, while we...

"Yes, nobody expected that during the night test flight, a foreign television program happened to be filming in Dujiangyan. As a result, they happened to capture our J-20 conducting ultra-low-altitude test flights while filming the night view..."

This is... just like the B-2 bomber leak back then. The Americans originally wanted to keep it secret like the F-117, but unexpectedly, the media captured it, so they had no choice but to announce it openly, thus shocking the world.

The J-20 fighter jet is roughly the same now!
The J-20 was flying at extremely low altitude when it was caught on camera just as ground-based flashlights started flashing, and the photographer happened to turn on his camera at that moment.

Well... it's just a coincidence. That production team filmed a lot of programs, so it doesn't seem like they were deliberately trying to gather intelligence.

Moreover, since the J-20 has been exposed, then so be it. This way, we can showcase the advanced technology of the East!
After all, the next generation of fighter jets has already begun preliminary research, and this fourth-generation fighter jet is already considered an old model.

Having designed so many stealth aircraft for foreign countries, if we don't have a single product of our own that we can be proud of, wouldn't we be subject to external scrutiny, especially from the French, who have repeatedly slandered us in public!
This time, we're openly and honestly announcing that the world's first fourth-generation fighter jet was manufactured by Northwestern Polytechnical University!
(End of this chapter)