Siheyuan: Heavy Industry Revitalizes the Country

"How's the data?"

After three days of test flight, all data were collected.

"Very ideal, even better than the data during the test flight."

The butcher sat opposite Fang Xiang, a cigarette in his mouth and a look of joy on his face.

"Is this enough?"

A large pile of data was spread out in front of Fang Xiang, with test flight data on one side and test aircraft data on the other.

At least judging from the results, it is indeed very ideal.

But Fang Xiang didn't think so.

"What does Professor Fang mean?"

The butcher was stunned for a moment and didn't even notice that the ash he was about to flick away had fallen onto his pants.

"What do you think is the biggest shortcoming of the J-11 at present?"

Fang Xiang didn't look up, still looking at the data in front of him, comparing them one by one.

"Shortcomings? None for now, right?

At least all indicators exceeded the initial data expectations.

Even if the military came to inspect it, I can't think of anything they would find fault with, right?"

The butcher's brows were tightly knitted together.

But I just can't figure out why Fang Xiang has such an attitude.

"If you are so optimistic, I really don't dare to hand this thing over to you so easily..."

Fang Xiang sighed and finally raised his head.

"Uh... this..."

The butcher stared at Fang Xiang blankly, as if he had racked his brains but still couldn't figure out what the problem was.

“There is no problem with the fuselage, but the equipment cannot be updated, so I won’t mention it for now.

But have you ever thought that the engine will hinder the J-11's future higher ceiling?"

Fang Xiang sighed and shook his head.

Indeed, the J-11 not only fully achieved the indicators on the original drawings, but also surpassed them in several projects.

But Fang Xiang knew that the J-11 still had a long way to go to catch up with the F-16.

If we are only satisfied with this, how can we realize the vision of catching up with Scotland and surpassing the United States?

"Engine? But isn't this engine performing very well?

Moreover, it is the best engine in the country today.

The others are either still in theory or we can’t figure them out, right?”

The butcher still looked confused.

“Then have you ever thought about what will happen after we have fully mastered the equipment from Marconi Company?

Avionics and radar will be taken to a higher level, and I heard that there have been breakthroughs in missiles recently.

So, this J-11 is not only the first third-generation aircraft in the country, but it also has the potential to be upgraded to the third and a half generation?

If we use the standards of the third and a half generations, is the engine the last shortcoming? "

After Fang Xiang pondered for a moment, he expressed his opinion.

"Three and a half generations? Isn't it too early to say that now?"

The butcher then realized that the cigarette butt had burned his fingers, and quickly threw the butt into the ashtray.

He took out another cigarette and lit it for himself.

"Mr. Tu, do you know that the United States has already started to secretly research the fourth-generation aircraft?"

Fang Xiang sighed. Regarding the F22, no one except himself, not even the United States itself might understand it clearly.

It's a pity that he couldn't say it directly, so he could only work on it from the side.

It is now 84 years old, and the United States has long begun to set standards for the next generation of fighter jets.

Also in 84, the bidding officially began, and a few years later, Lockheed Martin and Boeing would come up with the F22.

Since the 90s, the US Air Force has officially taken the lead in the world for 30 years, until the J-20 entered service.

"Fourth-generation aircraft? What's the standard?"

Although the butcher is in his early sixties, he is still very humble and eager to learn.

"Supersonic cruise, super maneuverability, stealth and integrated sensor systems."

Although the East and the West have different terms for the fourth and fifth generation aircraft, there is no term for second, third, or fourth generation aircraft in China today.

As a well-known figure in the domestic aviation industry, Fang wanted to say it was the fourth generation, so it was the fourth generation.

Seeing the butcher asking, Fang Xiang naturally wrote down the standard on paper.

"Supersonic cruise and super maneuverability are understandable.

How do you understand stealth and integrated sensor systems? "

The butcher looked at the four standards Fang Xiang had written on the paper and planned to ask for clarification.

"Is such that......"

Fang wanted to give Tu Gong a brief and clear introduction to the specific standards of the fourth-generation aircraft.

"Stealth plus beyond-visual-range strikes...

Doesn't this mean that others can only wait to be beaten, but they can't see me? "

Mr. Tu finally understood the so-called fourth-generation aircraft standards, and then immediately thought of its most important function.

"That's what I mean!"

Fang Xiang looked at the butcher who suddenly realized what was going on and gave him a smile.

"The engine is easy to deal with, as we have a systematic theory and a clear path for the future.

It’s just that when it comes to stealth and beyond visual range, we really are…”

Although the butcher didn't finish his words, his meaning was that there was nothing he could do.

"Don't be in a hurry, eat your meals one bite at a time and do things one thing at a time.

As for Wu Chang, I have already started to prepare a stealth research group, which will be led by him.

At least when it comes to the topic of invisibility, the whole world is on the same starting line.

We don’t need to worry.”

Fang Xiang also took out a cigarette, lit it for himself, and then mentioned Wu Chang.

“Then the problem lies in beyond visual range.

According to what you said, Professor Fang, large-scale computers and related industries are needed."

Mr. Tu continued to reason and immediately realized the importance of avionics.

“This cannot be rushed, as the domestic foundation is too weak.

But in the future, it will be easy to catch up in this area, and those who are lagging behind now will catch up soon.”

Although Fang Xiang smiled and said it didn't matter, he knew in his heart how much it cost to catch up in the future.

"So, Professor Fang, you are planning to work on the engine?"

The butcher heaved a sigh of relief when he heard Fang Xiang's words.

Now I understand why Fang wanted to bring up the engine.

“Well, this engine was invented by me five years ago.

At the beginning, due to the lack of materials and technology, we could only make a semi-finished product.

I think the J-11 issue has basically come to an end.

Then, it’s time to bring up the issue of engine upgrades.”

Fang Xiang nodded. The engine currently used by the J-11 is just a first-stage form of the Kunlun engine.

Since there were no technological difficulties and the materials were readily available, the verification phase was skipped.

The finished product was taken out directly, but in Fang Xiang's eyes, this engine was still not good enough.

Speaking of which, the Taihang engine has been in preliminary research for several years, and has made major technological breakthroughs in recent years.

So, since the Taihang engine already has the preliminary production conditions, what is the use of Kunlun?

“But we don’t have the conditions. All the research related to engines is in the Northeast.

What does Professor Fang mean? "

Mr. Tu understood Fang Xiang's idea, but subconsciously he remembered that Factory 132 was not good at making engines.

“Both sides are doing it simultaneously!

They have the advantage of theoretical research, but we have the advantage of reality.

No delay for either.”

In the northeast, the system is huge and extremely complex internally.

Even though Fang Xiang had served as the chief engineer of two of the engine projects, he was not able to command them with full control.

Since there are too many constraints, it might as well be done by Factory 132.

Moreover, the J-11 is produced at Factory 132. Compared with the Northeast, which is still hesitating in theory, Factory 132 can already tailor-make it.

After all, Fang Xiang has a complete set of drawings, right?

"But we don't have the relevant scientific research personnel?

We can’t transfer people from the Northeast, right? Our level isn’t high enough…”

Of course, the butcher knows the benefits.

But ever since he arrived at Factory 132, Factory 132 has never been well received.

He knows best the hardships J7 has gone through along the way.

If Fang Xiang's intention is followed, Factory 132 will no longer be the simple Factory 132 of the past.

Instead, it is a large unit integrating scientific research, experiments and production.

"You forgot that there is no Third Machine Ministry anymore."

Fang Xiang did not give a direct answer. Instead, he took a puff of his cigarette and looked at the map on the wall calmly.