Spark

Chengdu, 611.

Chen Nian, who gave the information, let go of a big rock in his heart, and the feeling of uneasiness disappeared, which also showed that he had indeed solved a potential risk.

Until then, he had time to inspect the system interface for the first time.

Sure enough, as he expected, this time he launched a two-pole counter-rotating lift fan, which also brought him a source of growth.

And, the number of increases was a staggering 2.3 points.

Now, the number of source points he has has reached 4.98 points.

Judging from the situation in the past two days, the number of daily average source growth is also increasing.

According to his speculation, in the future, in the J-20 project team, the number of his source points will increase significantly.

Of course, the premise is that he continues to study at the current pace and independently output results.

But that's another story.

As for now, after the number of source points has reached above the safety line, he should consider how to spend the source points at hand.

According to the current progress of each project displayed on the "task manager", whether it is the Deep Blue 16 project or the high-speed rail project, they are all in the stage of digesting the previous results at this time, and it is unrealistic to let them continue to accept new technologies.

Because, whether it is infrastructure or personnel preparation, these two projects have almost reached their limit.

Even if Chen Nian comes up with technology now, it will be difficult to actively promote the progress of the project.

Therefore, the strategy of investing Yuandian in these two projects was first abandoned by Chen Nian.

So, if he doesn't need to use these two projects, his best choice is to continue to strengthen the J-20B project.

Didn't it mean that there are no STOVL fighters?

Doesn't it mean that it is so weak that it can only play a tailwind, and can only bully and bully small countries that have been crushed?

Then fix it!

Judging from the situation of the F-35B in the previous life, its main shortcomings are nothing more than a few:

The voyage is short, the bomb load is small, and the structure is complex.

Among them, the core is the problem of short voyage.

The reason for this problem is mainly that during the take-off and landing phase of the aircraft, the engine running at full power will consume a large amount of fuel. As a result, even if the aircraft takes off with full fuel, only one-third of the actual usable fuel will remain in the sky.

To solve this problem, nothing more than two ways.

The first one is to expand the fuel tank capacity.

This is the simplest and crudest method, but there are actually many different solutions for its implementation.

For example, conformal fuel tank, vertical tail added fuel tank, spin-formed ceramic thin-walled fuel tank technology, and so on.

These solutions can be used alone or in combination, but no matter which one is used, it is necessary to make a trade-off on the overall performance of the aircraft, which is a compromise solution.

If you are pursuing extreme combat power, the first way is not the best choice.

Then, the second way is relatively more advanced.

That is, a variable cycle engine.

The so-called variable cycle engine is a multi-design point engine.

It can adjust its thermodynamic cycle parameters, such as boost ratio, turbine inlet temperature, air flow and bypass ratio, etc., by changing the geometry, size or position of some components.

The engine cycle working mode is changed accordingly, so that the engine can work in the best condition under various flight conditions.

To explain in the most intuitive language, a traditional turbofan engine must make a trade-off between high thrust and high efficiency during design. It cannot have both, and it cannot be switched at any time, but a variable cycle engine can.

In this way, this engine can actively adapt to various working conditions as needed to maximize fuel efficiency.

According to the information obtained by Chen Nian in his previous life, the fuel efficiency of certain models of advanced variable cycle engines can even reach more than twice that of ordinary engines.

In other words, with the same tank of fuel, if a turbofan engine can fly 1,000 kilometers, then it is possible to fly 2,000 kilometers or even more with a variable-cycle engine.

Therefore, solving the problem of variable cycle engines is equivalent to solving the problem of insufficient range of more than half of STOVL aircraft.

Thinking of this, Chen Nian nodded in satisfaction.

He silently opened the system interface in his mind, and then entered the analysis, silently chanting a term in his mind.

【XA-100 adaptive variable cycle engine】

After a short period of stagnation, the system immediately gave an analysis request.

【XA-100】

[Analysis source requirements: 2.4]

Seeing this number, Chen Nian was disappointed at first, and then sighed in relief.

He had some expectations at the beginning, thinking that after mastering the technology of the F119 engine, the variable-cycle engine technology would greatly reduce the price.

It is best to reduce it to less than 1 source point, so that he will not feel distressed when he buys it.

But obviously, this thing is not as simple as he thought.

Although the core principle of the variable cycle engine is to put it bluntly, it is just to adjust the size and diameter of the three ducts, but to achieve this under the conditions of extreme high temperature, high pressure, and high speed, it is necessary to ensure the stability of the engine structure, which has a great impact on materials and processes. Compared with F119, the requirements are still improved.

Speaking of which, the price given by the system at 2.4 points is actually already discounted

Chen Nian hesitated for a moment, and finally made up his mind.

A thought quickly flashed through his mind:

"Start parsing!"

Afterwards, the source was deducted, and a large amount of information poured into his mind, and began to merge with the original F119-related information at an extremely fast speed.

In just 10 minutes, Chen Nian had already received all the information.

At this moment, he truly mastered the most advanced aviation technology at this point in time.

Even the United States at this time cannot compare with him.

Chen Nian let out a long breath. He knows that mastering the theory and technology does not mean that it is so easy to create things, but at least, he has taken an important step in the "solution".

The rest, just take some time.——

However, now that the engine problem has been solved, and the budget has been exceeded, why not just spend more and solve other minor problems?

This kind of thought is like shopping in a mall. I originally planned to buy a bed sheet, but when I thought it didn't look good, I bought a four-piece set.

Now that I bought a four-piece set, I have to change the pillow to something more comfortable.

The pillows were all changed, and the mattress was simply changed and pulled down.

The mattress has been changed, the bed has to be changed, the bedroom is too small, and the villa has to be changed

But now, Chen Nian is doing the opposite.

I bought all the variable cycle engines, and the conformal fuel tank has to be fixed, right?

Conformal fuel tanks alone are not enough, ceramic thin-wall technology is also required.

Both of these things are available, lightweight materials are also arranged, and structural materials cannot be sloppy.

In addition, isn't it said that the ammunition load is insufficient? Wouldn't it be enough to increase the power of the single-shot missile?

Analyze, analyze!

What is PL-15, rotten fish and rotten shrimp, give me PL-17!

After a short operation, the nearly 5 source points that Chen Nian had saved during this period were clean and not even enough.

In desperation, he had to suspend the analysis of the conformal fuel tank, saving 0.2 source points for PL-17.

Looking at the dazzling "0.05" source number, Chen Nian felt both regretful and relieved.

Damn, impulsive consumption again.

However, this impulsive consumption is at least worth it.

On the other side, the core members of the J-20 project team were at a regular work meeting.

Yang Wei looked at the latest materials submitted with a dignified expression.

He looked around in silence for a week, then said:

"Now the outside world has a lot of doubts about us, especially after the US publicly announced its abandonment of the F-35B project, many people doubt whether it is necessary for us to develop STOVL fighter jets at this stage."

"Among them are some superior leaders who can influence our project."

"They are all experienced experts, and some even serve in the Army and Air Force."

"From their point of view, an aircraft with a combat radius of less than 300 kilometers is really tasteless."

"Especially in the case of our huge territorial waters, such a voyage is really not enough."

"So, today, the superiors launched an inquiry about our project."

"The subject of the inquiry is whether this aircraft can be built, when it can be built, and whether it can play a combat role."

"I think it's difficult for everyone here, not just me, to answer this question."

"Because frankly, we don't know either."

"In a word, no one knows whether an aircraft will work or not without an actual combat test."

"So, I want to hear your opinions."

"No matter what kind of opinion you can put forward, even if you say that you are going to turn around now, stop doing STOVL, and focus on the optimization of J-20A, that's fine."

"Because we still have time."

After he finished speaking, the entire meeting room was silent.

No one spoke, but it was not because they were afraid of being the first bird, but because they were also confused at the moment.

When the J-20B branch project was additionally launched on the J-20 project, in fact, everyone has voted, and almost everyone has voted for it.

The reason is very complicated. In addition to benchmarking the F-35 project, which had already obtained some information at that time, and trying to gain an important advantage in the stalemate stage strategically, there is another reason that everyone knows well, but it is inconvenient to explain it clearly.

That is the arrogance of being an aircraft designer.

Everyone wants to make something new, and they all want to make a "Killer product" to completely throw off the Loma that has been riding on their heads, and after chasing after it, they have already created the 601 J-22.

Essentially, there is nothing wrong with this idea.

After all, scientific research is a process of exploration and a process of trial and error.

Engaging in STOVL is not only for the aircraft itself, but the technology accumulation born in it will also provide a lot of assistance for future research and development work.

——

This is what they originally thought.

But now... they seem to suddenly realize that maybe their thinking is not so right?

Even the Americans don't do it anymore, and we continue to do it, does it really make sense?

For a while, there were sighs one after another in the conference room.

After a long time, someone said:

"My suggestion is that the project has reached this point and has made breakthrough progress, so we still need to continue."

"After all, if we withdraw at this time, all the resources invested in the early stage will be wasted."

"But is there really any result if you continue to do it?"

Before he finished speaking, someone interrupted him directly.

"The result I'm talking about is not whether this plane can be built, but whether it is useful after it is built?"

"A combat radius of 300 kilometers. In fact, in a real full fuel and full bomb situation, it may not even reach two hundred kilometers."

"To really make a difference, you have to rely on the tanker"

"It can taxi to take off and land vertically."

"Then the significance of this plane will be lost by at least 80%!"

"Then what can we do? Are you really giving up? Are you willing?"

"I'm not reconciled. But I want to be sure, are Americans really serious?"

"Are they really not working on the F-35B?"

Hearing his words, Yang Wei shook his head lightly, and replied:

"This information has not yet been 100% confirmed, but judging from various information, the possibility is still relatively high."

"Of course, we cannot rule out that they deliberately released false information to lure us to follow up."

"But no matter what, I think we shouldn't be influenced by them—we should be realistic and decide what happens in our own family!"

If Yang Wei's words were placed on other occasions, it would be extremely inspiring.

But unfortunately, everyone was in a bad mood at this time, so there were very few responses to him.

After another long silence, speeches sounded again from the corner of the meeting room.

"I don't think it's wrong to be realistic."

"We can't just look at the problem itself, we should take a long-term view and look at it in an extensible way."

"For example, the question of whether STOVL fighter jets are used, in fact, the core is the range. So, can we solve the problem of range?"

"The answer is yes."

"Optimization of engines, fuel tanks, and aerodynamic layout can all improve the range."

"Should we think about how to solve these problems?"

"But isn't the problem just that it can't be solved?"

Another voice interrupted him and asked in a low tone:

"What about the variable-cycle engine? The optimization of the aerodynamic layout has reached its limit, how can it be optimized? Fuel tank. Unless there are new materials, there is no need to discuss it at all."

"In a short period of time, we simply cannot solve these problems."

"My suggestion is to stop in time and reduce the loss."

As soon as these words were said, everyone who was still thinking about it all looked at Yang Wei, as if they were waiting for him to make the final decision.

Looking at their eyes, Yang Wei gritted his teeth and said:

"Today is just a discussion meeting and no decisions will be made."

"However. Now that the discussion has reached this point, let's just talk about it."

"Xiao Zhang, go and call Chen Nian over and ask his opinion."

"Okay, Mr. Yang."

The assistant turned and left the conference room. Yang Wei looked at his back expectantly, and his expression gradually became calm.

If this path is really wrong, let him decide life and death.

That young man. He is a ruthless person who can open up a new path by himself.

If even he says no, then forget it.

But would he say so?

It seems that I have never heard the word "no" from his mouth.

A few minutes later, Chen Nian walked into the conference room.

And what he said made everyone froze in place.

"I already understand the situation."

"Isn't it just a variable cycle engine? Here, the core technical principle is here, do you want to see it?"

"I also have technical documents for conformal fuel tanks, spin-formed ceramic thin-wall fuel tanks, new over-the-horizon air-to-air missiles PL-17, lightweight structural connection materials, and lightweight titanium-aluminum alloy TC4-2 materials."

"Together, these things should be enough for us to continue this project, right?"