Wang Ming looked strange when he heard Lin Yongming's request on the phone.
He couldn't understand why Lin Yongming, who had fully supported the introduction of Russian-made engines a month ago, suddenly changed his gender.
Moreover, the other party on the phone said that he would develop his own engine, but it didn’t seem to be referring to the WS-10.
Do you have a new plan?
Can you make it?
Or is there an alternative in the United States?
It seems that I heard that they have plans to share the full set of CFM56-3 engine technology with China, and even plan to provide some upgrade technologies.
But even so, there may not be enough time.
Wang Ming wanted to ask for clarification, but Lin Yongming pushed him back with the "confidentiality regulations." The other party asked him to call back in half an hour using a confidential line, and then inform him of the details.
So, he had no choice but to hang up the phone in confusion.
At this time, most of the people in the conference room also heard the content of the phone call. Everyone looked at each other, not knowing what to do for a while.
"In short, let's postpone the plan to the second round of negotiations next week."
"I have made an appointment with Mr. Lin and will discuss the details with him later. If I can report it then, I will report it to everyone immediately."
After that, Wang Ming hurriedly left the conference room.
At this time, he was full of doubts, and he almost didn't wait for a moment. He wanted to call the internal phone number immediately to find out what happened in the group.
Behind him, the purchasing representatives who stayed in the conference room were talking a lot.
"Self-developed engine? What is going on? It's a bit exaggerated... The J-10 is about to enter mass production. How can it be too late to change the engine now?"
"This is not a question of whether it's too late, but a question of whether it's possible. The progress of WS-10 has been so poor, and now a new project is being launched. Isn't this whimsical?"
"Maybe you don't want to work on a new project? Maybe you were forced?"
"Forced? Are you saying that the AL-31FN has major flaws?"
"It's very possible. Otherwise, how can you explain these three accidents? Don't we ourselves also think there is a problem? It's just that we have no choice but to choose the lesser of two evils."
"It makes sense...but it's not right either. Didn't the 606 Institute look at it? There's not enough data to see the problem."
"What if they weren't the ones who saw the problem?"
"Are you kidding me? They can't even see it. Can anyone else in the country see the problem? Damn it, this isn't another slap on the forehead decision, is it?"
"It looks similar... This is a bit troublesome. If the AL-31FN is really stopped, our plane will still fly!"
"It's better not to fly than to fall. I think it's the right thing to do. I'd rather be late and not go in the wrong direction."
"Then you just stand and talk without pain in your back. We are so short of third-generation machines now..."
...
Half an hour later, in a completely closed office.
Wang Ming sat at the table, talking on the phone with a frown on his face.
"...Leader, this decision is really too sudden."
"We have been promoting this introduction project for two full years. Not only has everyone put in their efforts, but the progress of the J-10 project is also in line with the introduction work."
"If the introduction plan is temporarily canceled now, the entire J-10 project will be affected."
"I really can't understand why the plan should be suddenly changed. If it is because of recent accidents, I think this reason is not sufficient."
"Firstly, these accidents are not enough to prove that the AL-31FN engine itself has major defects; secondly, we really have no other choice. Even if this engine has some minor problems, we can only grit our teeth and fix them first. ..."
"What if the AL-31FN has a major flaw?"
On the other end of the phone, Lin Yongming interrupted Wang Ming mercilessly.
Wang Ming here was stunned when he heard this and said subconsciously:
"This is impossible! AL-31FN is a time-tested engine, and its performance on the SU-27 has always been very good. Although there are constant minor problems, there is no problem with the overall performance and design concept... ..”
"Leader, if you say there is a problem with AL-31FN, you must at least provide convincing evidence. Otherwise... it will be difficult for me to convince the employees below me."
"After all, this engine has been verified by 606. Judging from our current conditions, it is a qualified product."
Wang Ming's tone was firm. His confidence came not only from the so-called "Russian experience", but also from the professional judgment of the experts from the 606 Institute.
If they don't see the problem, then there is nothing wrong with the engine.
Even if you are a leader, you must respect objective laws. You can't overturn all the judgments of professionals with just one sentence from your superiors, right?
However, what he didn't expect was that Lin Yongming did not try to use his status to persuade him, but patiently explained:
"The AL-31FN engine is good, but I want to ask you, do you know what the design concept of this engine is? What methods did they use to improve this engine when the material strength is not enough? Motivation?"
"Design of dual intermediate bearing, four-bearing low-pressure rotor."
Wang Ming replied without hesitation.
Although he is not an expert in this field, he still understands some basic principles.
"Then do you know what the flaw is in this design?"
"Defects? From the current point of view, there are no obvious flaws in this design. If I have to say... maybe it is that the connection method of the bearings is more complicated?"
"That's right! This is the key to the problem! All the main shafts of this engine need to be fixed and supported by roller bearings. The rotation of the roller rods requires a large amount of lubricating oil to reduce friction and prevent them from being sintered, peeled, Extrusion deformation, even cracking and wear.”
"So the lubrication system is particularly important for this engine."
"Generally speaking, the nozzle for injecting lubricating oil will be installed very close to the bearing in the engine, directly injecting high-pressure, large-flow lubricating oil into the balls and roller rods of the bearing at high speed."
“However, due to the special design of the AL-31FN, the bearings between the rotors, regardless of the inner and outer rings, are connected to high-speed rotating parts. There is no way to install a fixed lubricating oil nozzle, so we have to settle for the next best thing and first transfer the lubricating oil. It is injected into the interior of the low-pressure turbine shaft, and then the high-speed rotation of the turbine shaft throws the oil from the left and right sides toward the bearings."
"Such a design, whether it is flow, speed, or pressure, cannot form reliable lubrication and cooling effects. This is the fatal flaw of this engine!"
"Lubrication reliability!"
"Do you know why this engine performs better on the SU-27 than on the J-10? Why is its failure rate on the Su-27 so much lower?"
After hearing Lin Yongming's words, Wang Ming on the other end of the phone fell into deep thought.
Lubrication reliability... This was a direction that he, and even the researchers at the 606 Institute, had not considered.
It's not because of their lack of capabilities, but because the flight data is too poor to reflect the true working conditions of the lubrication system in the engine. Every time there is a problem with the engine, the Russian side will immediately take it back for inspection, without even having the opportunity to inspect it. Those worn components!
Cold sweat broke out on his body.
If this is the case, then the J-10 will definitely not be able to use this engine.
The reason is simple, load!
The Su-27 is a twin-engine fighter, while the J-10 is a single-engine fighter!
No wonder the problem always occurs when the engine is under high load!
The hair on his body stood up, and his mouth opened subconsciously, but he could only stutter out a few words.
"It's because...Su-27 has twin engines..."
"That's right!"
Lin Yongming on the other end of the phone sighed heavily.
"So now you know why I stopped the introduction."
"We almost missed this major flaw. If it is really introduced, we will also face a series of problems in subsequent use..."
Wang Ming nodded numbly. From Lin Yongming's explanation, he had already realized the seriousness of the matter.
However, at the same time, another question arose in his mind:
Who discovered this problem?
It absolutely cannot be Lin Yongming, he does not have such a professional level.
It's not the 606 institute, because just earlier today, I discussed the issue with them about this engine.
Could it be that some old monster has come out again?
He subconsciously wanted to ask clearly, but soon realized that this might not be the question he should ask.
So, he could only calm down, change the topic and said:
"Leader, I understand what you mean."
"But even so, it would be unwise to stop the introduction of AL-31FN rashly. We should at least purchase a small amount and spend the window period first..."
"no need."
Lin Yongming on the other side replied decisively.
"We don't have to buy this engine. We may not even have to wait for the WS-10."
"We'll build a completely new engine."
"A more powerful and technologically advanced engine."
Hearing this, Wang Ming was shocked beyond words.
I really need to build an engine.
And judging from Lin Yongming's tone, his confidence in this matter is unprecedented...
Who gave him such confidence?
Thinking of this, he could no longer control his curiosity and couldn't wait to ask:
"Who will make it?"
Lin Yongming on the other end smiled and gave him an expected answer:
"Of course he was the one who discovered the flaw in the AL-31FN lubrication system!"
