Compared with the X-35, the X-32 is actually one size smaller. After all, this flying toad puts the engine in the center of the fuselage, eliminating the need for a lift fan. The length of the fuselage is smaller than that of the X-35. Although the fuselage is thicker, Due to the large area of composite materials used, especially the wings, the cross-sectional shape is very complex, with a very complex curve from the wing root to the wing tip. Just a pair of wings can carry nine tons of fuel.
Of course, there are costs. For example, this thick composite wing cannot be folded, but the fuel capacity and range can still be guaranteed.
The normal take-off weight of this kind of aircraft is 17 tons. When it is filled with fuel and ammunition, the take-off weight can soar to 22 tons.
Even so, it is still within the endurance range of the engine. After all, the Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-614 it uses has an afterburning thrust of up to 22,680 kilograms, which is 50,000 pounds, which is higher than the 40,000 pounds used by the F22 fighter jet. By a large margin, this is a model specially developed for the X-32, which can provide a thrust-to-weight ratio of the entire machine exceeding 1.
However, if this kind of weight is placed on their catapult, accidents may occur. After all, the catapult still has many complex problems that have not been solved.
However, he can't say anything now, he can only pray that there will be no problem with his catapult.
Hearing Swift's request for refueling, Hudson was a little frightened, but he could only agree. Now that he was asked to hang up the bomb, he had no choice but to continue to agree. Fortunately, he did not ask to launch.
The relevant ejection device has not been developed yet, so it is impossible to launch it, but there is still no problem with just hanging the bomb.
After refueling, hanging bombs, and struggling for more than half an hour, the F-32C was finally ready for takeoff. The test pilot nicknamed Yellow Croaker climbed into the plane, started the engine calmly, slid to the takeoff point, and waited for the flight below. The maintenance crew completed the loading of the catapult.
“Power storage completed!” After hearing this report, Sulic finally breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the brake did not fall!
“Ready to eject!”
The Croaker turned on the afterburner, but no blazing orange-red flames were seen at the tail. The flames all disappeared while passing through the long tail nozzle. However, the temperature of the rear fuselage also increased rapidly because of this. This is also a drawback of this layout.
“Eject!”
As the order came, the ejection commander made a signature body language, and the white F-32C fighter slid forward with the catapult, getting faster and faster.
Snapped!
Suddenly, a strange sound sounded, and then, a burning smell came out from the slit of the catapult, and green smoke rose repeatedly.
“Module No. 46 burned down!”
In order to eject this fully loaded fighter jet, their catapult was operated at full power. As a result, one of the modules could not withstand the huge energy input and burned directly!
Swift’s face was hard to read at the moment: “How could this happen?”
"I don't know. Let's check now." Sulic was sweating profusely.
“It seems like the plane is not accelerating?” Hudson also became nervous.
“Report, the forward module has started the deceleration procedure in accordance with the emergency procedure.”
This is understandable. During the ejection process, if the catapult is damaged, the mounted aircraft will definitely not be able to eject. In order to avoid losses, the previous modules automatically switched the current reverse direction, from acceleration to deceleration.
Ever since, the F-32C fighter jet started its engine at full power and wanted to take off, but the catapult below was not powerful and actually hindered its acceleration. There was nothing the Yellow Croaker could do on it. He couldn't feel the rear. The pushing feeling on his back was actually being pulled tightly by the seat belt, so he could only continue to rush forward. After passing the 150-meter catapult, he came to the ordinary runway in front and began to accelerate.
This is really an unusual take-off!
Yellow Croaker felt extremely emotional in his heart, and then he pulled up the control stick. The speed was enough, and the plane could take off. According to his previous experience, if he pulled up the nose of the plane and flew for a few seconds, the plane would get up.
But, at this moment, a red warning suddenly flashed on the LCD screen.
Warning, warning, fire warning, middle fuselage overheating!
Yellow Croaker was instantly surprised. He subconsciously turned off the engine afterburner, then slowed down and braked.
Since it is a mid-mounted engine, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas of the engine is not sprayed out directly, but has to go through a long pipe behind it. Therefore, the afterburner of this kind of aircraft cannot be used for a long time, especially on the ground.
In the sky, the temperature is below zero, and the heat dissipation situation is better. On the ground, taking off with afterburner is not a big problem, but today's situation is different.
Originally I thought I could take off quickly by using the catapult, but the catapult didn't help. It accelerated and then decelerated. After leaving the catapult, it really started to accelerate, so it took too long to use afterburner on the ground!
The rear fuselage has been burned by the supercharged gas for a long time, and it is inevitably affected. As a result, the fuselage overheats and fire warning occurs!
Although Huanghuayu had already used various means, he was still a step too late. Just when he slowed down, billowing smoke was already coming out of the rear fuselage.
The sound of fire engines rang out at the airport. Croaker's feet were a little weak. He stepped on the rudder and braked. Before he could stop, he opened the canopy above his head. When the plane stopped, he climbed out of the cockpit. , although it looked a bit high, he still had to jump down from it. The fuselage was filled with fuel. He had just turned on the afterburner all the way, and it had only consumed half a ton at most. There was still so much left. If the fuel was ignited, He didn't have time to escape.
Dong, click!
The moment it landed, the croaker heard a crisp sound, and the leg bone of its calf had been broken in two! He fell to the ground, holding his calves and wailing.
Behind him, Hudson's face was extremely ugly. He looked at the flames jumping out of the rear fuselage and murmured: "Impossible, impossible, how could this happen? I must have seen it wrong, I must have dream!"
"Mr. Hudson, does your aircraft have serious technical flaws?" Swift's face was serious. For a long time, everyone has been anxious because the development of carrier-based aircraft did not go smoothly, so whoever made the fastest progress was chosen. , so Boeing's X32 was recognized by the military, but now it seems that this carrier-based aircraft has not brought any benefits to the military. It has been causing various problems. This time it actually caught fire!
“It’s not our aircraft, it’s the F119 engine problem!” Hudson reacted and quickly passed the blame.
“Really? How come this engine has never been heard of catching fire when it is placed on an F22 fighter plane?”
The fire truck has arrived and started to put out the fire. Fortunately, it was handled in time and no serious fire occurred. However, the rear fuselage was still burned and the prototype was scrapped again.
The wailing yellow croaker on the ground was taken away by an ambulance. This time he didn't have the same luck as last time.
“Let’s go.” Swift sighed.
Swift has been completely disappointed with the F-32. Lockheed Corporation.
"The Flying Toad had another accident. This time, the rear fuselage was burned down!" Daniel said with an excited smile on his face: "It turns out that their aircraft design is immature and has various problems. It can’t be solved!”
“Yeah, they boasted that it weighed 680 kilograms less than the Model 370. That’s sheer nonsense! They removed some accessories, how can it not be lighter?”
"Yes, they put the engine in the middle, and they need an exhaust pipe to lead out from the back. This way, the afterburner cannot be used for a long time, otherwise it will cause a fire in the rear fuselage. This design is completely immature. Our plan is mature. !”
The Sea Harrier is also a mid-engine, but its engine jets are split to both sides and ejected from the side fuselage, without affecting the rear fuselage. However, Boeing's Flying Toad is connected to a large round tube all the way to the end. This results in a thick body, but the volume at the back is actually wasted and has no effect.
The most mature solution is to place the engine at the rear and add a lift fan to the front.
“Have you noticed that the most mature solution is that of the Easterners? How did they avoid taking detours and directly find this shortcut?” said a technician.
“Huh, they just copied the Yak-38 design, there’s nothing special about them.”
The thing is so embarrassing. In the era of Yak-38 and Sea Harrier, the mid-engine Sea Harrier technology was mature, but now, the Sea Harrier solution has fallen behind, and the rear-engine Yak-38 has become the most appropriate solution.
“No, they copied the Yak-38, but they used a lift fan. This lift fan is the key to success. Orientals are still advanced in some technical fields.”
“What is advanced? They have only developed industry for decades. Can they compare with us?”
Seeing that his subordinates were about to argue about this issue, Daniel quickly stopped him: "Everyone, let's not argue. There is no point in continuing this argument. Now, Boeing's research and development has encountered problems. This is our opportunity. We have a lot to do!"
“However, the Navy has given up on our X-35.”
The X-35 was at a disadvantage in the bidding, and in the end Boeing's X-32 won. When the X-32 became the F-32, there would be nothing to do with their X-35. Now, Daniel is talking about this again, and let the big guys Very helpless.
"No, no, although the X-35 failed, we have the F-22. After the end of the Cold War, Congress cut many projects. The number of F-22s built was actually reduced to less than two hundred. We completed the order After that, the production line had to be shut down, and now, there happened to be an accident on the Navy side. I think this is a good opportunity for our F-22!"
Everyone opened their eyes wide, yes, this is an opportunity.
"Eastern's fourth-generation stealth aircraft continues to proliferate, forming an absolute advantage for the navy. Even if the Flying Toad is developed, it still cannot give the navy a technical advantage. After all, our F22 is the only one in the world that truly has 4S capabilities. heavy fighter, and other heavy fighters are not enough. Therefore, after the Navy is disappointed with the Flying Toad, it should welcome our F22 on board the ship. Taking this opportunity, we should modify the F22 to meet the shipboard requirements and give it to the Navy. Bid.”
“Of course there is no problem. During the Cold War more than ten years ago, we had navy models.”
As early as 1988, the U.S. Navy began the Naval Advanced Tactical Fighter (NATF) program, which planned to adopt a swept-wing version of the new fighter. Who said Tomcats are no longer popular? The Navy has a soft spot for variable sweep wings.
Under this situation, Lockheed immediately launched the F22N. The airframe was still the original airframe, but the butterfly wings were changed into variable sweep wings, although the wings could not carry fuel. , but relying on the advantage of variable sweep wings, range and the like will not be affected.
However, the project had just begun and the Red Empire was gone. Admiral Richard Dunleavy was responsible for outlining the Navy's requirements for the new fighter. He felt that the F22 was too expensive and the Navy could not afford it, so he gave up.
After that, the F22 was insulated from the navy.
But now, the situation has changed!
There are stealth aircraft everywhere, and the navy’s development of carrier-based stealth aircraft is not going smoothly. The navy definitely needs powerful fighters like the F22!
“The maintenance cost of variable swept wings is too high, and the construction is also very expensive. The key is that we have little experience. I think it is better to just strengthen it on the basis of our air force type.” Daniel continued.
The F-22N's use of variable sweep wings is not their requirement, but the Navy's. In fact, only Grumman has this technical reserve in China. In 1997, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed -Martin Company is seeking a merger, but the U.S. Congress does not agree. Are you kidding me? If you merge, will there be competition? It will definitely establish a monopoly. By then, the prices of the equipment purchased by the military will skyrocket!
Can the F22 with butterfly wing be directly put on the ship?
No problem at all! Just look at the F35 of later generations. The latter is a scaled-down version of the F22. It was put on the ship as usual without any problems. It required the F22 to have variable sweep wings. That was the Navy’s idea because the Navy was very fond of the Tomcat. I have a special preference. I hope that the carrier-based F22 can repeat the glory of the Tomcat. At the same time, after the variable sweep wing is installed, there is no need to fold the wings. This saves a process and prevents the folding of the wings from affecting the stealth.
But now, the Navy has no choice. Can the Navy continue to rely on Boeing's super bug? Of course not, they need a fourth generation heavy stealth fighter!
Transforming a land-based aircraft into a carrier-based aircraft means strengthening the body structure, strengthening the landing gear, adding landing hooks, adding salt and moisture-proof treatment, etc. These are nothing to the US aviation industry.
A few days later, in the pentagonal building.
"The Navy can no longer wait for the unreliable F-32. Even if this fighter is finally successfully developed, it will not be able to meet future needs of the Navy. The Navy should choose our F22 fighter!" Today's meeting was Daniel's presentation stage.
"Now, the fourth-generation stealth aircraft produced by Dongfang has spread to many countries, and the threats faced by the navy will become more and more serious. If we want to fight against the fourth-generation stealth aircraft, we need more advanced fourth-generation stealth aircraft. Our F22 is The best choice! This stealth machine has powerful performance and can fully cope with all threats in the future!"
"Only stealth performance cannot be called an advanced fourth-generation aircraft. The fourth-generation aircraft produced by Dongfang are useless except for stealth. Since they use a single engine, they do not have supersonic cruise capabilities. The F32 fighter currently developed by our navy There is no such performance. For the navy, it needs maritime interception capabilities and fighter jets to rush to the battlefield as soon as possible. At this time, supersonic cruise can come in handy. Our F22 fighter jets can enable the navy to face any threat. I can handle it with ease!”
Supersonic cruise is the best skill of the F22 fighter. It is difficult for other aircraft to imitate. The F32 has only one engine, and in order to pursue high thrust, the diameter of the fan of this engine is very large, which leads to increased windward resistance and poor supersonic performance. Strong, take the later-generation F-35 as an example. The maximum speed of this fighter is Mach 1.6. However, in actual tests, after flying past Mach 1.3, stealth paint began to appear on the wing surfaces and wing roots of the horizontal and vertical tails. The bubble problem, coupled with the vibration problem of the tail, limits the maximum flight speed of this aircraft to Mach 1.2 or even lower.
Why does F22 not have similar problems?
There are many reasons. In order to reduce weight, single-engine aircraft use composite materials on a large area. Spraying a stealth coating on it is definitely different from spraying on aluminum alloy. Moreover, the naval type also requires anti-corrosion, so the formula of the stealth material must be Will be modified, etc.
Looking at it this way, the F32 reached Mach 1.6 during its first test flight, which is actually quite powerful.
At that time, the U.S. Navy was dominated by Tomcat fighters, which had powerful long-range interception capabilities. When the wings of the Tomcat fighters were swept back, no one could compare with them. But now, the super bugs loaded with bombs can only rely on Asia. It flies slowly at the speed of sound, and the new generation of JSF fighter jets do not have this ability.
The navy needs long-range interception capabilities, and the navy needs advanced twin-engine heavy-duty fighter jets!
Swift nodded: "Yes, our situation at sea is getting more and more serious, and we do need twin-engine heavy-duty fighter jets!"
“However, F22 is still too expensive!” Others still frowned.
If we only look at the purchase price, the latest production model of the F22 remains at US$150 million, which does not sound very expensive. You must know that the French Rafale fighter jets can be sold at a higher price than this. However, if If you include the research and development costs, it is very high.
For all 187 F22s, the total R&D and production costs are US$74 billion, which translates to US$380 million per aircraft! As a result, the price of F22 is ridiculously high.
At that time, the Navy felt that it was too expensive and there was no demand. After all, the Red Empire was gone, so it did not plan to purchase it.