Siheyuan: Heavy Industry Revitalizes the Country

Speaking of the JF-17, many people may not know it.

This fighter, also known as FC-1 or JF-17, is a cooperation project proposed by Pakistan because Pakistan wanted to buy the domestically produced J-8 but failed. However, unlike the past, the J-8 has been in service for several years and is no longer the most advanced fighter.

However, Pakistan now has higher standards and knows the existence of J-10 and J-11, so it naturally looks down on the outdated J-8.

Although their current fighter jets in service are not as good as the J-8.

Therefore, this time Pakistan still proposed more than 7 cooperative projects.

What is different from Fang Xiang’s previous life is that this time Pakistan became the first country to purchase J-8.

As for the second country, many people may not know that it is actually the United States, which is in the midst of its honeymoon period.

That’s right, the United States purchased several J-8s in order to reverse-study the Soviet Union’s current advanced fighter jets through the J-8.

At the same time, in order to help the country's backward aviation technology, a Peace Model Project was proposed.

The main purpose of this project is to help upgrade the avionics, radar and fire control systems of the J-8II fighter.

Even many of the technologies in this project come from the onboard systems of the F-16, the most advanced fighter jet currently in service in the United States.

Therefore, fifty J-8 fighter jets were specially transported to Edwards Air Force Base in the United States for modification.

When these projects are being carried out in full swing, many people have raised the question that since we already have all these, is it necessary to carry out more than 7 projects?

Oh, it is really necessary.

Because as a high-low combination, the J-10 is a high-altitude, high-speed interceptor, and the J-11 is a medium- and low-altitude multi-purpose fighter, they do not actually form a very tacit combination.

Yes, in theory the J-10 and J-11 can be matched in high and low combinations, but in reality, due to the design concepts derived from the United States and the Soviet Union and the characteristics of the aircraft themselves, this high and low combination is really a bit out of place.

Therefore, in addition to the cheaper Super 7 project, the Air Force has now put forward a new requirement, hoping to design a model that can truly form a high-low match with the J-11.

When Fang Xiang saw the request from the Air Force, the first thing he thought of was the F-15.

That’s right, the air superiority fighter that can form a tacit combination with the F-16 is indeed the F-15.

It’s just that... the F-15 has been in service for many years, so it’s not easy for us to copy it.

So, which is the most suitable air superiority fighter to pair with the J-11?

Yes, it is the Su-27, a single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather, air superiority heavy fighter. Later, based on the Su-27, the company developed its own J-11 and J-16 Flanker. With the aerodynamic shape and aerodynamics of the Zenith Star, this model made up for the deficiencies of the engine and avionics equipment, becoming a classic to compete with the US F-15 and F-16 fighters.

Even today, it is still the Soviet Union's most numerous main fighter.

The J-27, J-11 and J-15 developed on the basis of the Su-16 are also excellent. However, the Su-27 has been in service for two years and it is not suitable to copy it.

Then... the only option left is the F-35.

For Fang Xiang, it’s all design anyway. It doesn’t matter whether you drive one sheep or two sheep, so why not design a few more?

If the F-22 project had not already been put up for bidding, Fang Xiang would have wanted to copy it.

Winter has passed and spring has come, and the New Year has just passed.

When Fang Xiang was still quietly drawing pictures at Factory 132, the first good news came.

First, the Peace Model Project was officially launched, and fifty J-8IIs have set off for the United States to begin upgrading.

Then, many people in the United States also have the same idea as Fang Xiang. Since they have helped you develop the J-8II, wouldn’t it be a natural thing to sell you some engines and authorizations?

Soon, General Dynamics took the lead in openly listing several of its current engines.

However, considering that Fang wanted a full set of authorizations, the price was naturally ridiculously high.

General Dynamics put forward two conditions.

1. If you purchase the finished product directly, each engine costs US$10 million and will be directly produced and debugged by General Dynamics and delivered to your door.

Second, if you want a full set of authorizations, you will need to pay an authorization fee of 1 billion US dollars. Puhui will provide on-site training and can also help you customize the production line.

Fang thought, is this even worth considering?

Definitely choose two!

I've been taught step by step, what's there to worry about? This is just like picking up that Su-27 cabbage for free later? !

As for the production line?

Fang thought that he didn't have any extravagant expectations. You have to know that the customization cycle of an aircraft engine production line is calculated in years.

By the middle of next year, the relationship between the two countries will take a sharp turn for the worse. Not to mention the production line, your money may even be deducted.

So Fang wanted to ask Pratt & Whitney directly whether it had an existing production line, even if it was a little older, and it would be best if it could be directly pulled over and used.

General Dynamics was also very frank about this and directly offered a price of US$3 million to deliver a newly built production line for the F16 that had not yet been put into production.

When Fang Xiang heard this, he was so happy that he burst into tears.

Thirteen hundred million US dollars, the production line and authorization of the latest engine, isn't this a bargain for free?

He immediately called Minister Xu and urged him to complete the transaction as quickly as possible.

In order to make the deal happen, Fang Xiang also called Zhong Beihai. If the national budget was tight, he could go through Great Wall Industrial and get subsidies or even pay for it in full.

Although Liu's father has retired, many bigwigs in Zhongbeihai still have a deep friendship with the Liu family and Fang Xiang. In addition, with Mr. Xixian's nod, how could Fang Xiang pay? Even the bargaining process was saved, and the transaction was reached directly at the fastest speed.

It will probably take three months or even half a year to pull the production line over.

When the contract was signed, Fang wanted to know the news and got drunk.

It is precisely because this transaction got off to a good start, and because of the current abundant funds, that an additional order for 24 Black Hawk helicopters was placed, which was traded once a few years ago.

Perhaps it was these two deals that made Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Pratt & Whitney and United Technologies jealous, and their original intention of dragging their feet and holding on to the technology in their pockets and being reluctant to sell it was completely reversed.

All kinds of advanced and mature technologies such as fire control, radar, missiles, sensors, sonar, and even reconnaissance are put on the table and sold for money!

In just less than a month, good news reached Fang Xiang one after another.

"Yes, of course, I want all of them!

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You know, these are the good things we are eager to get.

Buying it will directly elevate our technology to the world's top level.

How much R&D time and money can be saved by buying something with money?!"

On the phone, when facing Minister Xu, Fang Xiang did not hesitate at all.

"You are really greedy, you want this and that.

Why don’t you consider how much it would cost to buy so much?

I think you just need to pick one or two key projects.

The country is now vigorously developing its economy and money is needed everywhere.

We bought so much military technology, but it would hinder economic development."

On the phone, Minister Xu also tried to persuade them earnestly.

Hearing this, Fang Xiang was also in a dilemma.

You can't say that if you miss this opportunity, you will never have it again, right?

For this kind of thing, let alone what the consequences would be if he said it, at least during this period of time when the military cooperation between China and the US is the closest, no one would believe him? !