Chengdu, 611.
After giving the information, Chen Nian felt relieved, and the uneasy feeling disappeared. This also showed that he had indeed solved a potential risk.
Until then, he had time to check the system interface for the first time.
Sure enough, as he expected, this time he launched a bipolar counter-rotating lift fan, which also brought him an increase in source points.
Moreover, the number of increases reached an astonishing 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 average daily number of source points is also increasing.
According to his speculation, in the future, the number of his source points in the J-20 project team will increase significantly.
Of course, the premise is that he continues to study at the current pace and output results independently.
But that’s another story.
As for now that the number of source points has reached above the safety line, he should consider how to spend the source points on 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 early results. It is unrealistic for them to continue to accept new technologies.
Because, both in terms of infrastructure and personnel preparation, these two projects have almost reached their limits.
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.
Then, if he does not have to focus on these two projects, his best choice is to continue to strengthen the J-20B project.
Didn’t you say there are no STOVL fighters?
Isn't it said that it is so useless that it can only play with the wind and bully the small countries that are being crushed?
Then solve it!
Judging from the situation of the previous F-35B, its main shortcomings are nothing more than a few:
It has a short range, small bomb load, and complex structure.
Among them, the most core issue is the short flight range.
The main reason for this problem is that during the take-off and landing stages of the aircraft, the engine operating at full power consumes a large amount of fuel. As a result, even if the aircraft takes off with a full tank of fuel, only one-third of the actual fuel is available after it takes off.
There are only two ways to solve this problem.
The first is to expand the fuel tank capacity.
This is the simplest and crudest method, but there are actually many different solutions for implementation.
For example, conformal fuel tanks, vertical tail-mounted fuel tanks, spinning ceramic thin-walled fuel tank technology, and so on.
These solutions can be used alone or in combination, but no matter which one they are, they all require a trade-off on the overall performance of the aircraft, which is a compromise solution.
If you are pursuing extreme combat effectiveness, the first path is not the best choice.
So, 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.
By changing the geometry, size or position of some components, it can adjust its thermodynamic cycle parameters, such as boost ratio, turbine inlet temperature, air flow and bypass ratio, etc.
The engine cycle working mode changes accordingly, so that the engine can work at its best 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 when designing. It cannot have both, nor can it be switched at any time, but a variable cycle engine can.
In this way, the engine can actively adapt to various working conditions as needed to maximize fuel efficiency.
According to the information Chen Nian had in his previous life, the fuel efficiency of some models of advanced variable-cycle engines can even be more than twice that of ordinary engines.
In other words, if the same tank of fuel can fly 1,000 kilometers using a turbofan engine, then it is possible to fly 2,000 kilometers or more using a variable-cycle engine.
Therefore, solving the problem of variable cycle engines is equivalent to solving the problem of insufficient range of most STOVL aircraft.
Thinking of this, Chen Nian nodded with satisfaction.
He silently opened the system interface in his mind, then entered the analysis, silently reciting a noun in his mind.
[XA-100 adaptive variable cycle engine]
After a brief stagnation, the system immediately gave the request for analysis.
【XA-100】
[Analyzing source point requirements: 2.4]
Seeing this number, Chen Nian was disappointed at first, and then sighed with relief.
He had some expectations at first, thinking that after mastering the technology of the F119 engine, the price of variable cycle engine technology would be significantly reduced.
It is best to reduce it to less than 1 source point, so that he will not feel distressed when buying it.
But obviously, this thing is not as simple as he thought.
Although the core principle of the variable cycle engine is simply to adjust the size and diameter of the three ducts, to do this under extreme high temperature, high pressure, and high speed conditions, the engine structure must be stable, which has a great impact on materials and processes. The requirements are still improved compared with F119.
Put it this way, the price given by the system is 2.4 points, which is actually considered a discount.
Chen Nian hesitated for a moment, and finally made up his mind.
A thought quickly flashed through his mind:
"Start analyzing!"
Subsequently, the source points were deducted, and a large amount of information poured into his mind, and began to be integrated with the original F119-related information at an extremely fast speed.
In just 10 minutes, Chen Nian had 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 knew that mastering the theory and technology did not mean that it would be easy to create things, but at least he had taken an important step in the "solution".
The rest is just going to 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 as well?
This idea is like shopping in a mall. I originally planned to buy a bed sheet, but when I thought it didn't look good, I just bought a four-piece set.
Since I bought a four-piece set, I also need to change the pillows to comfortable ones.
The pillows have been changed, and the mattress has also been changed.
The mattress has been changed, the bed has to be changed, the bedroom has become smaller, and the villa has to be changed.
But now, Chen Nian is doing the opposite.
I bought a variable cycle engine, so I also need to install a conformal fuel tank, right?
Conformal fuel tanks alone are not enough, ceramic thin-wall technology is also needed.
Both of these things are available, lightweight materials are also arranged, and structural materials cannot be careless.
Also, isn’t it said that the bomb load is insufficient? Wouldn't it be enough to increase the power of the single-shot missile?
Analyze, analyze!
PL-15 is a piece of shit, give me PL-17!
After one operation, Chen Nian spent nearly 5 source points saved during this period, and it was not even enough.
In desperation, he had to postpone 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 regretful and relieved at the same time.
Damn it, he was spending impulsively again.
However, this impulse purchase is at least worth it.
On the other side, the core members of the J-20 project team were at a regular working meeting.
Yang Wei looked at the latest submitted materials with a solemn expression.
He looked around in silence, and then said:
"Now there are a lot of doubts about us from the outside world, especially after the United States publicly announced that it would abandon the F-35B project. Many people doubt whether it is necessary for us to develop STOVL fighter jets at this stage."
“This includes some senior leaders who can influence our projects.”
"They are all experienced experts, and some even serve in the Army and Air Force."
"From their perspective, an aircraft with a combat radius of less than 300 kilometers is really useless."
"Especially when our territorial waters are so large, such a voyage is really not enough."
"So, today, 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 exert its combat effectiveness."
"I think it's hard 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 without being tested in actual combat."
"So, I want to hear your opinions."
"No matter what kind of opinions you have, you can raise them. Even if you say you want to turn around now, stop engaging in STOVL, and focus on the optimization of the J-20A, that's fine."
"Because we still have time."
After he finished speaking, the entire conference room fell silent.
No one spoke, but it was not because they were afraid of standing out, but because they were also confused at this moment.
When the J-20B branch project was launched as an additional part of the J-20 project, everyone actually voted, and almost everyone voted in favor.
The reasons are very complicated. In addition to benchmarking against the F-35 project for which partial information had been obtained at the time, and strategically trying to gain important advantages in the stalemate stage, there is another reason that everyone knows well but is not convenient to explain clearly.
That's the pride of being an aircraft designer.
Everyone wants to do something new, and they all want to make a "Killer product" to completely throw off the Lockheed Martin who has been riding on their heads, and then chase after the 601 Institute that has already built the J-22.
In essence, there is nothing wrong with this idea.
After all, scientific research is a process of exploration and trial and error.
Engaging in STOVL is not only for the aircraft itself, but also for the technology accumulation produced in it, which will also provide a lot of assistance for future research and development work.
——
This is their original idea.
But now, they seem to suddenly realize that their thoughts may not be right?
Does it really make sense for us to continue to do this even when the Americans have stopped doing it?
For a while, sighs sounded one after another in the conference room.
After a long time, someone finally spoke:
“My suggestion is that the project has reached this point and has made breakthrough progress, so we should continue to do what needs to be done.”
"After all, if you withdraw at this time, all the resources invested in the early stage will be wasted."
“But will there really be any results if we keep doing it?”
Before he finished speaking, someone interrupted him directly.
"The result I'm talking about is not whether this aircraft can be built, but whether it will be useful after it is built."
"A combat radius of 300 kilometers. In fact, in the case of real full fuel and bombs, it may not even reach 200 kilometers."
“To really make a difference, you have to rely on tankers.”
"It can take off and land vertically."
"Then the meaning of this plane will be lost at least 80%!"
"Then what can we do? Do we really give up? Are you willing?"
"I'm not willing to give in. But I want to be sure. Are Americans really serious?"
"Are they really not working on the F-35B anymore?"
After hearing his words, Yang Wei shook his head slightly 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 in any case, I think we should not be influenced by them - we should be realistic and have the final say on our own family matters!"
If Yang Wei's words were placed on other occasions, they 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 period of silence, the voice sounded again from the corner of the conference room.
"I think there's nothing wrong with being realistic."
"We can't just look at the problem itself. We should take a long-term view and look at it in an extended way."
"For example, the question of whether STOVL fighter jets are useful, in fact, the core is the range. So, is there any way we can solve the range problem?"
"The answer is yes."
"Optimizing the engine, fuel tank, and aerodynamic layout can all lead to an increase in range."
"Should we think about how to solve it from these aspects?"
"But isn't the problem just that it can't be solved?"
Another voice interrupted him and asked in a depressed tone:
"How to do a variable cycle engine? The aerodynamic layout optimization has reached its limit, how can we still optimize it? The fuel tank. Unless there are new materials, there is no need to discuss it at all."
"There is simply no way we can solve these problems in a short period of time."
"My suggestion is to stop in time and reduce losses."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone who had their own thoughts all looked at Yang Wei, as if waiting for him to make the final decision.
Looking at their eyes, Yang Wei gritted his teeth and said:
"Today is just a discussion and no decisions will be made."
"However, since the discussion has reached this point, let's just talk about it."
"Xiao Zhang, go and call Chen Nian over and ask him for his opinion."
"Okay, Mr. Yang."
The assistant turned and left the conference room. Yang Wei looked at his back expectantly, his expression gradually becoming calm.
If this path really goes wrong, then let him decide life and death.
That young man... he is a ruthless man who can blaze new trails on his own.
If even he says no, forget it.
But would he say that?
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 left everyone stunned.
"I already understand the situation."
"Isn't it just a variable cycle engine? Here, the core technical principles are here, do you want to see it?"
"I also have technical documents here for conformal fuel tanks, spin-formed ceramic thin-walled fuel tanks, new over-the-horizon air-to-air missile 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?"
(End of chapter)
