Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

Qin Yang ignored Lao Li, turned his head to look at the leaders on the stage, and said, "Old Zou, can we ask the comrades from Institute 611 to give us a report first? The design方案 in their hands is not inferior to the current F-16A, and is even more advanced in some aspects."

"Is that so? Then we have to listen carefully." Old Zou nodded.

Lao Li's eyes widened as he watched Old Song stand up from his seat.

Institute 611, a competitor, their方案 is actually stronger than the F-16? How is that possible!

Over the years, Institute 611 has been developing the J-9, which was also positioned for high-altitude and high-speed flight, but was later abandoned. Later, Institute 611 also imitated the MiG-21MF, domestically designated as the J-7III. The Air Force originally planned to purchase a large number of these aircraft, but now they also dislike it for being outdated.

Therefore, Institute 611 has not had a serious project since its establishment. What kind of方案 can they come up with that is even stronger than the F-16A?

He didn't believe it.

Old Song's face was full of excitement.

Institute 611 has been able to get to where it is today thanks to President Qin's help. Especially in the past few months, Old Song and his colleagues have helped Israel's IAI company with wind tunnel testing, mastered a large amount of third-generation aircraft data, and learned about various cutting-edge technologies in aviation. They are no longer a design institute that is confined to one place and lacks confidence!

"Leaders, let's first talk about the F-16. This fighter is an advanced fighter developed according to the energy maneuver theory. It has a maneuverability of up to 9G. In order to improve the pilot's anti-overload ability, it also uses a 30-degree reclined seat and side-stick control, coupled with a bubble-shaped cockpit, allowing the pilot to maneuver freely in aerial combat."

Old Song introduced as he walked forward.

"These performances rely on its advanced engine. The F100 engine has a thrust-to-weight ratio of up to 8 and a maximum thrust of 12 tons, which is difficult for us to achieve domestically. In order to provide an equally agile fighter, we decided to adopt the most advanced canard layout."

Insufficient power is compensated by aerodynamics. This is also a helpless choice. American aero engines are simply alien technology, so they use conventional layouts. Take the F-15 as an example, it has no variable sweep wings, no large leading-edge extensions, it is ordinary and unremarkable, but with its heaven-defying engine, its maneuverability is still first-class.

However, aero engines are the crown of the entire industry, and the country currently has no ability to develop engines of this level, so we can only think of ways from aerodynamics.

"Canard layout?"

"That's right, with a large delta wing at the rear and canards at the front, this can provide positive lift and high agility." Old Song said, "Recently, the canard layout is very popular internationally. Several advanced aircraft under pre-research in Europe and Israeli aircraft all use the canard layout."

Since starting research on the J-9, Institute 611 has been working on canards and has thoroughly mastered them over the years.

As he spoke, Old Song walked to the projector and placed a plexiglass model directly on it. As a result, a beautiful canard layout fighter appeared on the screen.

Everyone held their breath.

Judging from the layout of the nose, it is somewhat similar to the F-16, with a bubble-shaped cockpit and a ventral air intake. However, the nose is not flat, and the cross-section is still round, but from the nose to the rear, it is different from the F-16.

Two all-moving delta wing rudder surfaces are inserted into the fuselage below the rear of the cockpit. At the rear is a large delta main wing, below which is a small tricycle landing gear, and behind it is a single engine and a single vertical tail layout.

"The key to improving maneuverability is this canard. The canard layout is also called the 'head-up layout'. The pointing of the nose is very important. In future air combat, this indicator is crucial. The Python-3 missile we are now introducing has an off-axis launch angle of 30 degrees, and later missiles will reach 90 degrees. In close-range combat, what the pilot has to do is to point the nose at the opponent as soon as possible, lock on and launch the missile."

Old Song began to talk about the future air combat situation and gave a positive answer: "This is precisely the advantage of the canard layout fighter. Our fighter can achieve an instantaneous turn rate of 33 degrees per second and a roll rate of 300 degrees per second, far exceeding the F-16. Even if the engine is a bit worse, it is easy to gain the upper hand in air combat."

In terms of instantaneous turning ability, conventional layout fighters simply cannot compare with canard fighters, because they have positive lift!

The F-16's best result is only 25.5 degrees per second, and the famous Su-27's maximum instantaneous turn rate is only 27 degrees per second. They are not worthy of carrying shoes in front of canard layout fighters.

In air combat, whoever points to the target first gets the chance to fire!

Everyone present widened their eyes.

The data introduced by Old Song is really awesome! Could our side really be able to manufacture a fighter with performance better than the F-16?

Leader Wang was anxious and looked down, then saw Lao Li's face with a sneer.

"Lao Li, do you have different opinions?" Leader Wang also went all out, interrupting Old Song's speech and inviting Lao Li to speak.

If Old Song continues to introduce, then there is no need for bidding, it will directly become the stage for Institute 611. He has to change this situation and let the leaders know that this aircraft has great flaws.

"It sounds good, provided it can be achieved." Lao Li said, "Large-area canards, still all-moving, and the control of the canards is not linear, it must be controlled by fly-by-wire. Old Song, am I right?"

Old Song nodded: "That's right, large-area all-moving canards and fly-by-wire are the keys to improving the aircraft's maneuverability."

Lao Li nodded: "Do you think you can develop these technologies? Old Song, you should know how great the risks are, right?"

The designs proposed by Old Song are simply ahead of their time.

There are canard layout fighters in this era, but the canards are fixed, such as the Swedish Saab-37. The canards have a larger area, thus bringing better short take-off and landing capabilities, but making it move? That's not easy!

The relationship between the rudder deflection angle and the moment of a normal layout aircraft is linear. For example, if the aerodynamic moment of a normal aircraft's tail rudder turning 20 degrees is twice that of 10 degrees, then the aerodynamic moment of a canard layout aircraft's canard turning 20 degrees may be five times that of 10 degrees, and at 30 degrees it may be ten times that of 20 degrees. This thing is non-linear!

Although it is very sensitive, who dares to operate it? Pilot brain calculation? Definitely not, it can only be operated by fly-by-wire. The problem is, fly-by-wire is like pulling teeth from a tiger's mouth.

In history, any fly-by-wire aircraft, from the F16 to the Su27, has been a major cause of crashes. Even the aviation industry has come to the conclusion that good aircraft are crashed out of.

By 1986, the French Rafale ACX and the British EAP demonstrator had just made their first flights. Movable canards and fly-by-wire had just begun to be tested. It is only 1983 now, and it is still the East. Can they handle these technologies?

"The risks are indeed great, but we have confidence. If we still can't move forward as before, then we can only follow behind others forever and never be able to catch up and surpass. Although we have to take risks, we are willing to try!"

Old Song looked at the podium: "Being timid and restrained, we can't develop an advanced fighter! We are carrying out reforms to take big steps and liberate our minds. We are doing the same with aircraft!"

This put Leader Wang in a difficult position. Aren't you promoting that you want to carry out reforms? Can your thinking still be conservative?