Chapter 423 Navy Carrier-Based Aircraft
On the Su-33, the small canard on the front end of the side strip will not act as a vortex, because the side strip wing is used to pull the vortex. This canard is a control surface, and its function is to lift the fighter. head-up moment.
Fighters with an ordinary aerodynamic layout rely on the horizontal tail rudder to climb in level flight. The tail rudder pushes the **** down and the nose of the aircraft is tilted up. However, for a fighter jet with a canard layout, the canards are in front and can directly provide lift. , tilting the nose of the aircraft, so the duck layout is also called the head-up layout.
It doesn't matter during flight, but when the carrier-based aircraft takes off, the difference between the two will be reflected. In order to make the carrier-based aircraft take off easier, the designers of Sukhoi added this pair of canards. , adding more head-up moment. (Of course, the vortex will also be increased. It is said that the lift coefficient has increased by 0.2.)
"The control of this kind of aircraft with a three-wing layout will be very complicated. Therefore, Lao Maozi uses digital telex on this aircraft." Luo Yang said: "On the Su-27 we assembled, we still use digital telex. Analog Telex.”
The MiG-29 uses hydraulic control. The Su-27 was originally intended to use hydraulic control, but the plane crashed during a test flight, so the designer installed fly-by-wire control. However, because Lao Maozi's electronic system was backward, so Still using analog telex.
When it comes to the Su-33, the three airfoils cannot be served by analog fax, so Lao Maozi finally upgraded the control system to a digital fax system.
"We should have technical reserves for digital telexing." Qin Tao said: "If we can't understand its flight control laws currently, then we can export the control program first and pour it into our new system as it is. It should be usable for the time being.”
Luo Yang opened his eyes wide.
They say Mr. Qin is flexible and eclectic in his thinking. He didn't believe it at first, but now, Qin Tao's words are simply amazing!
During the test flight of the J-10, not a single plane crashed. This was because there were enough wind tunnels and the J-10 had a thorough grasp of the flight control laws of the entire aircraft. After that, it could make any changes it wanted.
The J-11 is different. The prototype of this aircraft is the Su-27, and the prototype of the carrier-based aircraft is also Lao Maozi. If they want to fully understand the flight control, it is almost equivalent to going through Lao Maozi's process all over again. development process.
Of course, there is no need to go through twists and turns. You just need to take the current aircraft model into a wind tunnel, blow it for three to five years, and get all the aerodynamic data. In this way, you can write the flight control program and you will be foolproof.
However, they don’t have so much time, nor do they have so much funds!
Qin Tao gave a simple method: copy the program directly! Copy the flight control program of the prototype aircraft in front of you, pour it into your own imitation flight control program, and follow the same pattern.
The old man is very particular about knowing what is going on and why. He doesn’t care about it now, so he might as well predict what is going on.
This is a sneaky way, but it still has great reference significance for them. They can imitate the aircraft first, and then slowly understand the control laws, and then further improve the performance of the aircraft.
"If you solve the problem of presence or absence first and improve it later, this approach should be feasible." Mr. Gu also affirmed from the sidelines.
While the 611 Institute was developing the J-10, the 601 Institute was not idle either. They converted one of their J-8 fighters into a stabilizer to test the digital telex system. Therefore, they could completely transplant the hardware. , what is lacking is mainly software.
“I have to emphasize again that this is only for emergencies. In the future, you must thoroughly understand its technology and master all its principles, otherwise the naval force may suffer heavy losses in the future.” Qin Tao reminded again.
In order to complete the imitation of the carrier-based aircraft as soon as possible, Qin Tao came up with a bad idea, but he didn't want to create hidden dangers for the navy. This was only temporary, but don't lie down and sleep on it.
“Yes, of course we have to thoroughly understand it.” Luo Yang said: “In this way, the first problem is solved, but the second problem is not easy to solve. This aircraft needs an engine with greater thrust.”
Saline and moisture prevention at sea are secondary. These can all be solved, but there are still some that are not easy to solve. As the heart of a fighter jet, the engine is one of them.
Although they are both called Third Uncle, their performance is quite different. The one used on naval carrier-based aircraft is AL-31F3. Although there is only one word added after it, there is a big difference.
The takeoff and landing of carrier-based aircraft requires engines with stronger thrust. It is not possible to directly transplant the third uncle from the Su-27.
"This is indeed a problem. Our aviation industry has always been restricted by engines." Qin Tao said: "However, I think this problem is not big. We can continue to purchase."
Since Lao Maozi can sell the third uncle, of course he can also sell the third uncle No. 3. This is not a big problem. For the Rulica-Saturn alliance, the more engines they sell, the more they make.
As for the mature replacement of the turbofan X in the future, Qin Tao is not so confident. In his memory, it seems that the J-15 has not been replaced with the turbofan X for safety reasons.
“Of course, on the other hand, our imitation of this fighter jet can also use a large area of composite materials to reduce the weight. Although it is an imitation, our technology should also be added to it.”
Just like the electric cars of later generations, all kinds of aluminum alloy casings are used. Why? It’s not because it weighs too much compared to a fuel vehicle.
The same is true for carrier-based aircraft. Although this aircraft is improved from a land-based fighter, during the improvement process, the wings must be folded and the landing gear must be strengthened, so it will be heavier than a land-based fighter.
There is an increase in weight, but there is also a reduction in weight. Using composite materials on a large area is a significant way to reduce weight.
Composite materials have been researched in China. The last time Qin Tao went to Rainbow Country, he also recruited a group of composite materials experts. Therefore, the number of composite materials used in domestic fighter jets will definitely gradually increase.
Luo Yang nodded.
Anyway, after you imitate it, the weight will definitely change, and the center of gravity will also change. If it can be adjusted through the use of composite materials, that would be great.
“When we study the airframe structure, we need to be more detailed. In addition to the stress on the main landing gear, the stress on the nose landing gear must also be studied in place. In the future, we may also need an ejection take-off version of the carrier-based aircraft. "At this time, Qin Tao had already walked to the front of the T-10K-3 that was still intact, looking at its structure and talking at the same time.
The catapult take-off version?
Even Wu Shengli opened his eyes wide. What are you talking about? Isn’t it too bragging to say this? We don’t even have an aircraft carrier that can take off by ski jump. We want to reach the sky in one step. Do we have an aircraft carrier that can take off by catapult?
If you only consider the impact of landing, then you only need to strengthen the main landing gear at the rear. The ejection takeoff drags the landing gear at the front, so the front landing gear needs to be strengthened.
Even if the J-10 is made into a twin-engine version, it cannot be put on a ship because it has a ventral air intake, and the front landing gear cannot be connected to the main stress-bearing structure of the aircraft. If it ejects and takes off, the front landing gear will be pulled directly. Lost.
The overall design of the Su-27 is quite good. Although the air intake is also in the belly, the air inlets are at the rear on both sides. The main landing gear in the front is connected to the main stress-bearing structure of the aircraft.
This way you can not only land using the arresting cable, but also use ejection to take off.
However, even Lao Maozi doesn’t have a carrier-based aircraft to eject and take off. We haven’t learned to walk yet. Are we going to start running now?
Wu Shengli looked at Qin Tao with doubtful eyes.
"Ski-jump takeoff is just a transition. After all, a ski-jump takeoff aircraft carrier has too high requirements for carrier-based aircraft, and it cannot carry fixed-wing early warning aircraft and anti-submarine aircraft. Its combat effectiveness is greatly reduced. For our navy, in the future, in terms of catapult technology A breakthrough will inevitably lead to a transition to catapult take-off. We'd better start preparations now. Of course, if you don't have the energy for the time being, you can also put it aside for a while. In the future, our J-31A may be able to directly On board."
All the strength of the 601 Institute is used to master the technology of the Su-27. The people who help to develop this carrier-based aircraft are all young people, and the number is not large. Therefore, Qin Tao cannot force it, even if he does not have this energy. .
Luo Yang shook his head firmly: "We will do whatever the navy needs. Anyway, we will definitely have to calculate the structural strength of this aircraft, which will be included in the calculation of the landing gear. However, this kind of modification project requires high strength. Steel and precision machining.”
Whether it is the main landing gear or the nose landing gear, if you want to strengthen it, you need advanced high-strength metal.
Qin Tao nodded: "Our domestic related companies will definitely be able to provide qualified metals, and our Mingzhou Group will also provide strong support."
After saying that, Qin Tao climbed up the gangway and looked at the cockpit inside.
“When we are imitating, the electronic system will be replaced, so the entire cockpit will also be updated.” Qin Tao continued to give Jiangshan guidance.
The cockpit is too backward, and there are mechanical instruments everywhere. One level and three times have become popular in the West. Since we want to change it, we might as well change it all.
This is a typical example of standing and talking without pain in the back. Luo Yang smiled bitterly, and Mr. Gu explained on the side.
"Mr. Qin, our country is lacking in many aspects. For example, take the cockpit glass used on the Su-27. They use AO-120 plexiglass. The specific material is acrylic. We cannot develop this kind of material domestically, so even the canopy is imported."
This is another basic industrial and material issue. Domestic fighter cockpits have been equipped with three-piece windshields for a long time. Why? It’s not because the materials and technology are not up to par. It wasn't until I seized the F-5A fighter jet from the Monkey Country and discovered that they use acrylic single-layer glass, which has low polarization and high light transmittance, that I broadened my horizons and started researching it. However, after so many years, there has been no research. come out.
Up to now, even if we can produce it ourselves, we have to import raw materials from abroad and then process them. If they don’t sell them abroad, we won’t even be able to produce a canopy.
After finishing speaking, Qin Tao looked at the ejection seat again: "There is a lot of equipment in it, which is related to the safety of our pilots, and we need to pay more attention to it. For example, the ejection seat will be produced for our navy in the future. I suggest you don't be afraid. Spend the money and introduce Lao Maozi’s ejection seat.”
Fighters are too fast. In the event of an accident, it is impossible for the pilot to parachute by himself. He can only use the seat to take the pilot out of the cockpit.
In this regard, the most advanced one is Lao Maozi’s ejection seat. Not to mention actual combat, it has saved pilots’ lives countless times at air shows.
In normal flight posture, there is no difference between the ejection seat, but in special circumstances, such as when the aircraft is upright or even upside down, whether the ejection seat is advanced or not can play a big role.
In later generations, an excellent naval carrier-based aircraft pilot had an accident during training. Qin Tao still remembered it. If the aircraft had been equipped with Lao Maozi's ejection seat at that time, he would not have been in that state. Life-threatening.
After all, Lao Maozi's ejection seat can turn. Even if it is turned upside down, it can still turn and continue flying into the sky, providing the pilot with a high enough height to open the parachute. This seat is like a small spacecraft. generally.
Even if you spend a little more money, you still have to protect the pilots. After all, the takeoff and landing of naval carrier-based aircraft pilots is full of dangers.
"Yes, when we were negotiating, Lao Maozi refused to export the technology related to the ejection seat to us." Mr. Gu also sighed: "They just want to sell us the ejection seat and make more money. The performance of our domestic ejection seats is incomparable to Lao Maozi’s.”
“If only we had Lao Maozi’s ejection seat technology!”
Hearing this sigh, Qin Tao suddenly thought of something, and he was actually fixed in his mind!
Even if we don’t have this kind of technology now and Lao Maozi won’t provide it to us, don’t be afraid. You can go to Lao Maozi to recruit talents!
Although the West is also interested in Lao Maozi's ejection seats, they will not purchase them on a large scale. The Western equipment is almost all ejection seats produced by the British Martin-Baker Company. They will only purchase one or two ejection seats at most. Just research.
If we want to purchase large quantities in China, we will naturally contact ejection seat designers there. How many can we recruit?
The famous Lao Xie cannot be poached. His people are probably fine. Qin Tao has already started thinking about it.
Many of Lao Maozi's weapons and equipment will have outstanding designers standing in front of them. When talking about Su-27, you have to think of Simonov, when talking about T-72, you have to think of Kartsev, and when talking about Lao Maozi's The ejection seat also has a talented designer: Guy Schevelin, chief engineer of the "Star" scientific research and production complex.
In 1961, Xie Weilin proposed the design concept of K-36, when he was still a young engineer in the unit. Later, Sukhoi came to the door and asked them to develop an ejection seat for the Su-24.
The era of Chevelin began. Three years after he designed the K-36D ejection seat, he became the chief designer at the age of 39. He served as chief designer for 44 years until his death.
At air shows, every time a performance fails, it is when the Laomao ejection seat is at its most glorious. This kind of seat almost never fails!
I haven’t been to Lao Maozi for a long time, and now it seems I have to go again.
Qin Tao thought so in his heart.
If there is an advanced ejection seat in China, it can not only be used on the domestic Su-27 model, but also on the J-31A.
At this moment, a technician came in a hurry and said a few words into Mr. Gu's ear.
Mr. Gu's face immediately lit up with joy: "Leader Wu, Mr. Qin, you are here at the right time. The 607th Institute came to us to report. Some leaders of the Air Force also came. I heard that you were here. Mr. Lin specially called You guys go over and join in together."
Qin Tao was a little embarrassed: "This is a meeting of your aviation industry. It's not convenient for me to participate, right?"
“Mr. Qin, you played an important role in the introduction of this project. Mr. Lin specially instructed me to hear your opinions. Come on, let’s go there together.”
It was just a coincidence that Qin Tao and the others came here. He had no idea that after attending this meeting, Project 11 would enter a new era, and all of this was the result of Qin Tao's promotion.
When Qin Tao entered the conference room, he saw Mr. Lin sitting on the rostrum. Mr. Lin waved there with a smile: "Lao Wu, Mr. Qin, come here!"
Needless to say, Wu Shengli is the leader of the navy after all, but what about himself? Qin Tao walked over and saw Mr. Lin pointing to the seat next to him to sit down. He felt a little embarrassed and said, "Mr. Lin, is this inappropriate?"
"Why is it not appropriate? I said it is appropriate if it is appropriate. I want you here mainly for the convenience of chatting with you." Mr. Lin said with a smile: "I haven't seen you much recently. I heard that you have a son. I also I’ve prepared some gifts and will take them with me when I leave.”
Since it was a business matter and a personal relationship, Qin Tao had no choice but to sit down.
“Mr. Lin, what is this 607 Institute doing? What project are you reporting on this time? Why is there so much noise?” Qin Tao asked curiously.
“In your eyes, there are only 14 institutes, right? You must not know that our 607 institute is also well-known in the research and development of aviation radar.” Mr. Lin said with a smile.
Qin Tao really only knows of 14 institutes, which are very researched in radar, including 1471 radar and 1491 radar. The latter has a larger radar antenna diameter and is said to be used for J-11 fighters.
But in his previous life, he was only engaged in warships and didn't know much about these things.
In fact, in terms of airborne radar, Institute 607 is also very powerful.
In the 1960s and 1970s, after its establishment, they began to develop airborne radars. The 204 radar they started to develop was used on the J-8 fighter. It was the first independently developed airborne radar in China. In the 1970s, they We started pre-research on airborne pulse Doppler radar. After entering the 1980s, we encountered the risk of disbandment due to location problems. Later, with the persistence of Mr. Lin, we got out of the predicament and ushered in a new era. of take off.
Now, their results are also very significant.
Just a few months ago, the Shenying radar they developed completed the test flight project. After a summary, they came here to report with the results.
Mr. Zhu, the person in charge of Institute 607, already had white hair. He walked to the side of the projection screen and began to introduce everyone.
"Everyone, we have completed all tests of the Shenying multi-functional airborne radar. This airborne radar using a flat-panel slot antenna and a DSP processor is already the highest level of our domestic airborne radar. It is used in multi-target search. , up and down attack, ground and sea ranging, terrain surveying and mapping, weather reconnaissance, auxiliary navigation and Doppler sharpening, etc. The technical level exceeds that of the N001 radar carried on the Su-27 fighter. In particular, its weight is only the former Now, we are bringing this radar here, hoping that you can consider using our radar to replace the Su-27 radar, reduce imports, save foreign exchange, and improve performance."
An outline diagram of this radar appeared on the projection screen. Looking at the beautiful flat panel, Qin Tao couldn't help but sigh: "Our electronic level has far surpassed Lao Maozi!"
"Yes." Mr. Lin sighed: "This radar has been developed, and now we just need to find a home for it."
Mr. Zhu was still introducing, and various radar data came out of his mouth. After all, they have been developing this radar for decades. In his eyes, this radar is like his child.
The introduction lasted for more than half an hour. Although Qin Tao may not fully understand the meaning of those specific data, he can conclude that this radar is very good and very powerful.
"Now, our defense electronics industry has been able to produce advanced equipment such as multi-function heads-up displays, liquid crystal displays, digital combined electronic countermeasures devices, and data communication systems. The performance of these equipment has far exceeded that of Lao Maozi's products, so in our As we continue to assemble the Su-27, we should also improve its electronic system to give it stronger combat capabilities."
Lao Zhu’s introduction was completed, and the engineers present were silent for a while. Then, one person spoke.
“This radar is really good, but we also have to see that we are not yet capable of completing the replacement of the radar.” This man is also a gray-haired technician, and his concerns are justified.
“In this period of time, we have just completed the compilation of data and started producing Su-27SK fighters. It can be said that we have just begun to learn to walk, and we have not yet reached the point of starting to run.”
This project is very complex. Although MiG fighter technology has been introduced before, the complexity is not of the same order of magnitude.
After the massive amount of technical data was received, I don’t know how many people had a headache.
The quality of these technical data is poor. The drawing numbers, annotations, abbreviations, and technical terms are very different from those of previous MiG aircraft. There are a large number of errors, incomplete reference documents, poor accuracy and coordination, and the summary table of outsourced finished products is inconsistent with the general contract. The accessories are inconsistent, the parts and materials provided by Lao Maozi do not match the drawings, the parts and part molds do not match, parts are out of tolerance, etc.
It may even make people suspect that Lao Maozi did it on purpose.
Of course, it turned out to be a misunderstanding in the end, because the Sukhoi Design Bureau had never carried out technology transfer work, and their management was extensive, so these mistakes were made. It was not until New Year's Day that they completed the checking and filling of the missing information. and rectification of various defects.
It’s a bit difficult to replace the radar and other electronic equipment now!
"Before we have a thorough understanding of the Su-27's technology, even if we install a lighter radar, I'm afraid we will have to use cement as a counterweight." Another person spoke.
(End of this chapter)