Chapter 615 Going back on one’s word
"Yes, this is indeed your most advanced fighter jet. We are very satisfied with this fighter jet. Next, can we go to the engine manufacturing plant?" Mr. Lin asked.
Under Qin Tao's promotion, they not only want to purchase advanced Su-35, but also need to purchase advanced AL-35F engines. Therefore, taking this opportunity, they might as well take a look at all these engines.
Simonov nodded: "Of course there is no problem. Next stop, we will arrange for you to visit the Salyut Factory."
The next day, Simonov brought visitors from the East to the Salyut Factory.
“Gentlemen, welcome to your arrival. We are honored that our products are installed on the fighter jets produced by Dongfang. We hope to further promote the cooperative relationship between us.” Yeliseyev was very excited.
“We are here to see the AL-35F engine.” Mr. Lin directly explained his purpose.
“Everyone, our factory does not produce AL-35 engines.” Yeliseyev was very direct: “However, another engine we have developed should be more suitable for you.”
Another engine?
Everyone is a little curious.
“It was developed by the Qian factory, not the Rulica-Saturn Design Bureau?” Qin Tao asked.
“Yes.” Yeliseyev said: “The thrust of the engine we have developed has been increased to 13.5 tons, and it is your best choice.”
Moscow is not only the capital of Mao Zedong, but also the residence of many design bureaus and various production plants. The products of the Lyurika Saturn Design Bureau are mainly produced in two factories: the Ufa Factory and the Salyut Factory, of which the Salyut Factory is in Moscow. It is also for this reason that Simonov took Eastern guests to visit the Salyut factory. However, this factory does not produce AL-35F engines!
In the beginning, the factory was just a production plant. However, after the collapse of the Red Empire, the head of the Salyut factory, Yuri Yeliseyev, was ambitious. He decided to strengthen the design power of his factory and even hired some employees from the factory. Rica-Saturn Design Bureau poached many people.
This factory is already engaged in production and research and development. The first result of their research and development is the AL-31FN engine. This engine is specially exported to the East and supplied to the J-10 fighter jets.
From a technical point of view, the AL-31FN is not that difficult. It is just an adaptive improvement of the single engine, and the external receiver and other components are transferred. However, as a factory, it can have this ability. It’s not simple anymore!
However, they are not proud of this. They are still continuing to engage in research and development. The next result of their research and development is the AL-31FM engine!
As you can see from the name, this engine is still based on the third uncle. However, it is not easy to increase the thrust of the engine to 13.5 tons!
“How did you do it?” Mr. Lin asked curiously.
“Yes, is this modified engine mature?” Qin Tao also asked.
“Don’t worry, our engine is very mature, and the main way we changed it is to increase the fan diameter.”
The turbofan engine is not complicated either. It is equivalent to the core engine of a turbojet, with an outer duct added to the outside to drive a fan to blow air directly from the outside, thus providing more thrust.
The larger the diameter of the fan, the greater the thrust, but at the same time, the greater the windward resistance. Therefore, it has become a convention to use a small bypass ratio for fighter jets and a large bypass ratio for transport aircraft.
The third uncle has matured. Now, simply increasing the fan diameter of the outer duct can increase the thrust of the engine. However, the windward area will also increase. If the engine diameter changes too much, the entire engine compartment will have to be modified. The flow rate of the intake duct also needs to be re-matched, which is a lot of work!
“The diameter of the engine has increased from 905 mm to 924 mm. At the same time, we also plan to develop a new full-authority digital control system.” Yeliseyev said.
Only an increase of 19 mm, which is not a big increase and is completely acceptable. What’s more important is this full digital control system!
The current third uncle uses a mechanical-hydraulic control system, which belongs to the control of second-generation aircraft. This system is already outdated. When the flight control system has entered the three-axis four-redundant digital fly-by-wire system, the engine control system has also You have to change accordingly.
There are so many benefits to doing this. For example, if you directly use the radar's terrain mapping capabilities, or the low-altitude navigation pod, and link it with the flight control system, you can better fly at low altitudes and at high speeds. When necessary, you have to climb quickly to avoid the front. of mountains.
If you only control the rudder surface and cannot control the engine, then climbing will definitely not be easy. If it is linked with the engine, then when you need to climb, you can automatically control the engine to increase thrust.
It can be said that the inevitable path to engine modification includes a full digital control system. However, the modification of this system is not easy. Even the current domestic turbofans 10 and 15 are mechanical-hydraulic controlled.
In this regard, Salyut Factory is at the forefront of the times!
"Your modification is very good. I just don't know when the modified engine will be finalized and equipped with troops?" Mr. Lin asked excitedly.
“Right now, we still lack the necessary funds for modifications. As long as you can place an order to purchase our engines, we have R&D funds and can complete these modifications within one or two years.”
After talking for a long time, this engine has not been successfully developed yet!
The crowd's enthusiasm suddenly cooled down.
"Everyone, our current modification technology is not difficult and will be successfully developed. Moreover, we have follow-up modification plans. After the first step is completed, the second step is to improve the turbine geometry and install new injectors. tube, which can further increase the thrust of the engine to 14.2 tons. The third step is to increase the temperature of the turbine by 150K and change the low-pressure compressor to three stages, which can increase the thrust to more than 15 tons."
Although Yeliseyev is still trying hard to sell their plan, it is obvious that everyone does not believe it. Saryut is an engine factory, not a design bureau. Do they have such technical capabilities?
The next inspection was uneventful. Everyone looked at the engine production line and saw that in certain specific processes, technical workers wore full space suits and entered the nitrogen-filled chamber to perform welding work. All of this , all similar to the Red Empire era.
That evening.
"What do you mean, Lao Maozi? Are you unwilling to sell us the AL-35F engine? They are just selling us the modified Third Uncle, and we have to pay for improvements?" Mr. Lin was very dissatisfied.
"We have not seen more parameters of the AL-35F engine, and we don't know how it achieves the 14.5-ton thrust target. If it is at the expense of life, perhaps the AL-31FM now is also a good choice for us." Qin Tao is very tolerant.
The thrust has been increased to 13.5 tons, which is actually very good. It can greatly improve the performance of existing aircraft. As for the AL-35F engine, Qin Tao is more worried about its lifespan.
After all, this engine was only used in the testing of the Su-35. When it comes to the new Su-35S, it will use the brand-new 117 engine. This engine is said to be developed by combining the technologies of the fourth uncle and the third uncle. , the performance is more advanced.
I don’t know why the original AL-35F was eliminated. It is probably because of the deliberate pursuit of thrust that the lifespan did not meet the standard.
At this time, after hearing Qin Tao's words, Mr. Lin also seriously considered: "Are you optimistic about the improvement project in this factory?"
A smile appeared on Qin Tao's face: "At least their spirit is good. Mr. Lin, there are so many companies left in Da Mao. Have you seen any company that has this kind of consciousness?"
This is really an exception. After the collapse of the Red Empire, most companies are resting on their laurels, even for decades. Even the Sukhoi Design Bureau has lost its ability to innovate. The Su-57 it developed, It was just a failed Su-27. They never built a new fighter jet again.
Salyut is just an engine factory that produces Uncle San, but they are working hard to improve their research and development capabilities! This is such a special case that their research and development results also aroused the jealousy of the Rurica Saturn Scientific Production Complex. General Manager Yuri Rastochkin announced sourly that Saryut’s plans for AL-31 In-depth development violates the intellectual property rights of the development unit - the Rulika Design Bureau, which has joined Saturn.
The design power of a production plant actually rivaled that of the Rurika Design Bureau. Later, it even competed with their Rurika Design Bureau for the Su-57 engine. How could it not make their design bureau jealous?
Hearing what Qin Tao said, Mr. Lin nodded: "Yes, this Salyut Factory is indeed evil enough. So what do we do next?"
Before Qin Tao could answer, Mr. Lin's secretary hurried in and said, "Report, the superior's decision has been made."
Their inspection this time was just an action of the Air Force, and it had not been officially approved by their superiors! Now, during their inspection, the superiors finally made a decision.
Mr. Lin took the telegram and took a look at it, his face suddenly turned ugly.
“What’s going on? The superior didn’t approve it?”
Mr. Lin took a deep breath: "Yes, one is worth 80 million. Even if we bargain down to 70 million, plus various backup parts and missile systems, one will cost 100 million US dollars. Forty planes is four billion, and the superiors vetoed it."
The country is still too poor. It is impossible to come up with so much money at once, even if the navy joins in and shares the funds!
Going out for inspection is just an eye-opener. It is impossible to bring a group of Su-35 there.
"However, we can't explain to Lao Maozi like this. If we directly say that we don't want to buy it, Lao Maozi will definitely be furious, and he will even continue to pursue the infringement of our J-16. If it is really unpleasant, he will not do anything to us. There are so many benefits." Mr. Lin began to worry about this again.
"Alas, my hard work was in vain this time." After hearing the news, Qin Tao was also a little speechless. Although the current Su-35 is not the later Su-35S, after all, its body structure is still fine, and the fighter Kong's rickets are different from the Su-27. If the Su-35 is brought back, the domestically produced J-11 can reach a higher level.
Now, this plan is about to fail.
These things have nothing to do with Qin Tao, who built warships, but who made Qin Tao so capable? If this kind of thing is to be solved satisfactorily, Qin Tao must make suggestions.
"Of course we can't say that we don't want to buy it. We have to make it impossible for Sukhoi to sell it to us, and we have to owe us a favor." Qin Tao said.
Mr. Lin's eyes lit up: "Quickly tell me, what should we do?"
“Just spread some rumors.”
Now, it is not easy to buy the Su-35, but it is much easier to disrupt the business.
“Report, Simonov sent someone to invite us to the banquet.” At this moment, another adjutant came in to report.
“Okay, tell them we’ll be there soon.”
The dinner was held in the banquet hall of the famous President Hotel in Moscow. This was considered the highest-level reception. After all, if Dongfang purchases forty Su-35 fighter jets this time, it will become another success of the Sukhoi Design Bureau. A major arms sales project, and also a major arms sale by Mao.
"Welcome my Eastern friends, I remember very clearly that before and after the collapse of the Red Empire, Easterners came to Sukhoi. Your order completely saved our Komsomolsk Aircraft Factory and our Sukhoi , Now, your new batch of orders will become another witness of our friendship!" Simonov raised his wine glass excitedly.
"Yes, we are also honored. At first, we only relied on second-generation aircraft to protect the airspace of the motherland. The acquisition of the Su-27 gave us for the first time an advanced third-generation aircraft with beyond-visual-range air combat capabilities. Now, Although we have more and better airplanes, we will always remember the friendship we had at the beginning!" Mr. Lin responded.
“Come here, let’s raise a toast to our friendship!”
"We attach great importance to this batch of Su-35 fighters. It makes up for many shortcomings of the Su-27 and is a more advanced heavy-duty air superiority fighter." Mr. Lin continued: "This is also important for the development of our aviation industry. It’s of great benefit.”
How is your aviation industry developing? Hearing this, Simonov's expression suddenly changed. There are many interpretations of this sentence. For example, are the Orientals planning to continue mapping and imitating their Su-35?
If the Easterners have this purpose, can we still sell it?
"Yes, for example, after the introduction of this fighter aircraft, we introduced the AL-35F engine at the same time. We will also use this engine on our J-10 fighter aircraft, just like the third uncle, our aviation industry We are about to enter a new page." Qin Tao quickly spoke. This sentence sounds very much like he is trying to fix a leak for Mr. Lin. Mr. Lin’s words revealed some inside information that should not have been leaked!
Could it be that the Easterners purchased these Su-35s just to imitate the above technology? At this time, even Simonov began to feel anxious.
Before the collapse of the Red Empire, there were huge differences in Moscow on whether to export the Su-27 to the East. Many people did not want to export this heavy fighter for fear of being copied by the East.
At that time, Simonov was very confident, believing that it would take many years for the Easterners to master the production technology of this aircraft. By that time, not to mention the Su-35, the new generation of Sukhoi fighter jets would have already taken off, so, It will not pose a threat to our own side at all.
But what now?
In addition to producing the J-11, a replica of the Su-27, Dongfang also improved the J-15 and is currently testing the J-16! This shows that the Easterners have completely mastered the technology of the Su-27! How many years has it been?
Now, the Su-35 is allowed to be exported. The big reason is that their Sukhoi Design Bureau has started the research and development of the fourth-generation aircraft. However, this research and development is not smooth sailing, and they themselves will not guarantee that they can master the Su-35 in the East. 35 technology to complete the research and development work before. (The classification of fifth-generation aircraft should be made by Lao Maozi. When the West equipped F-15 and F-16, Lao Maozi was still using MiG-23 and MiG-25, so he was suppressed by the generation gap. Therefore, Lao Maozi was very unwilling, so he positioned the MiG-23 variable-sweep wing fighter and the MiG-25 dual-triple fighter as third-generation aircraft, thus creating an extra generation. In a certain period Over time, the domestic media also adopted this classification method, calling our black ribbon fifth-generation aircraft. If an old man talks about the newly developed fighter aircraft, it should be called a fifth-generation aircraft. However, in order to avoid readers, the Hero of East China The reading is very confusing. Sometimes fourth-generation machines and sometimes fifth-generation machines are all classified according to the American classification method.)
If they are unlucky and their research and development project fails, wouldn't the Easterners' fighter technology be on the same starting line as theirs?
Thinking of this, Simonov's face became even darker.
Only by exporting the Su-35 can they obtain enough research and development funds to complete the research and development of the fourth-generation aircraft. However, if they export the Su-35 and the fourth-generation aircraft is not successfully developed, it will cause more complicated troubles.
At this time, even Simonov had some doubts and wondered whether the decision to export the Su-35 would be a mistake.
"The flight performance of the Su-35 we watched today was very good. Most of the performances were conducted in the transonic range. The visual overload was 9G. Mr. Pugachev, your technology is definitely the best in the world. ." Qin Tao raised his glass and said to test pilot Pugachev.
This sentence reveals a lot of information!
The second-generation aircraft produced by Dongfang, especially the J-8, only have an overload of 4 or 5G. If the overload increases, the aircraft will definitely disintegrate in the air. The hallmark of the third-generation aircraft is that it can achieve an overload of 9G. However, the Su-27 Due to the structural defects of the airframe, the overload is limited to 7.5G in the transonic range.
Now, Easterners are most concerned about mobility in this area. What does this mean?
The Orientals want to solve this problem by introducing the Su-27!
Pugachev had a smile on his face: "Thank you for the compliment."
The atmosphere of this dinner party became a little special.
Easterners have always been very happy, and they are happily looking forward to purchasing Su-35 fighter jets, which will bring the strength of the air force to a new level. However, people in the Sukhoi Design Bureau are not happy when they think about possible technical leaks.
This night, many people are bound to have sleepless nights.
At the end of the banquet, in a certain manor, Grishen came to see the boss with a lot of worries.
Grishin was responsible for previous international arms sales projects. However, staying in one position for a long time will always arouse some suspicion. Therefore, this arms sales project with the East is not qualified. Richen's participation.
Although Grishin did not participate, he still has the right to speak.
“How many years do you think it would take the Easterners to copy these fighter jets if they bought them back?”
Hearing the boss’s question, Grishen thought for a moment and then said: “About five years.”
This is already a very conservative estimate. Look at what the Orientals have done in the past few years: they quickly understood the technology of the Su-27, improved the J-15, and are improving the J-16. There is nothing the Orientals cannot do. , so if this aircraft is sold to Easterners, it will be thoroughly understood very quickly. Five years is the most conservative estimate.
“Then can we complete the research and development of the fourth-generation aircraft within five years?”
Grishen thought for a moment, then shook his head: "There shouldn't be enough time. After all, we took a detour."
The Mikoyan Design Bureau is still working hard to advance the MiG 1.44 plan. The maneuverability of this aircraft is okay, but the stealth is absolutely scummy. That kind of plasma stealth technology was abandoned after the collapse of the Red Empire. The MiG 1.44 did not Not favored.
The Sukhoi Design Bureau is working on a fourth-generation aircraft project, which is interesting. However, the design of this aircraft has just begun. Unlike the Mikoyan Design Bureau, which has been developed for many years, there are still many technical problems to be solved. Therefore, this aircraft The development time will certainly not be short.
"In other words, if we export the Su-35 to Dongfang, we will not be able to gain air superiority over Dongfang for a period of time?" The boss stood up: "So, in this deal, we We can’t do it anymore, we can’t let the Easterners have world-class advanced fighter jets! Notify the Sukhoi Design Bureau that this deal is cancelled.”
"But if it is canceled like this, the Easterners will definitely be unhappy." Grishin was a little worried.
Isn’t this just making fun of the Orientals? First, they asked Easterners to buy fighter planes, and then they stopped selling them!
“What do you think?” the boss asked.
“If we don’t plan to sell the fighter plane to them, can we sell them the AL-35F engine for the fighter plane?”
“Of course not, this engine is also the most advanced in our country, we cannot sell it to them!”
“Then there are only engines from Salyut Factory, and this engine has not yet been successfully developed.”
“This can be sold, let them provide research and development funds!”
PS: 605 has come out, it’s too exciting to miss, please check back.
(End of this chapter)