"What is this? A drone with a bomb load of 10 tons and a speed of Mach 1.9? Is it real or fake?"
In an office of the 611 Institute, Yang Wei held the phone receiver and asked in disbelief.
"Who mentioned it? Is your brain burned out? Ah? Chen Nian. Then it's okay."
"When will he want it? Is this project urgent?"
"That's good, that's good. Once the J-20B passes engineering verification and reaches mass production standards, we will start working on it here."
"Difficulty? It shouldn't be too difficult. The projects coming from him won't be too difficult anyway."
"I understand, I understand, I will do it as soon as possible."
"J-20B? The technology demonstrator can fly now. What, who wants to use it?"
"Over there in the military area? Then let them contact me."
"Okay, then I'll make some preparations here, but the performance will definitely not reach the design upper limit, and the variable-cycle engine hasn't even been developed yet."
"How long? Look at 606 Research Institute. They are currently doing joint research and development with 624, so it's not a big problem."
After hanging up the phone, Yang Wei let out a long breath.
He thought he had paid enough attention to Chen Nian, but he didn't expect that his expectations for him were not enough!
After completing the design work of two domestic fourth-generation aircraft, he has now turned to drones!
Moreover, judging from his parameter settings for this drone, it is definitely not a bad product like the Global Hawk.
Ultra-high mobility, large bomb load, and stealth performance that is almost the same as that of the J-20
There is no doubt that it is aimed at the goal of manned/unmanned joint formation!
With this UAV, a comprehensive combat strategy for fourth-generation aircraft becomes possible.
Only one formation is needed to complete a series of tasks such as air sweep, ground penetration, and important target clearance in a single flight.
Whether it is combat efficiency or lethality, it can be qualitatively improved.
What's more, this thing can also be used as a self-exploding bomb truck when necessary, opening the door for subsequent formations.
I remember when the J-22 was first born, there were still discussions in China that such a fourth-generation aircraft was useless except for kicking in the door. Without the support of the echelon formation, even if the door was kicked open, there was no way to carry out air strikes on the targets inside the door.
What we lack is a flanker machine.
Therefore, the J-20 project has actually been questioned. Many people believe that when there is already a fourth-generation aircraft, there is no need to specialize in developing a carrier-based fourth-generation aircraft, and energy should be invested in the flanker model.
What now? Isn't the flanker coming now?
Moreover, this unmanned flanker is much easier to use than other manned aircraft.
After all, it does not need to worry about casualties during the penetration process, and the operating space is much larger.
Thinking of this, Yang Wei smiled happily.
Hey, this project has fallen into my hands again. The distance that was left behind by 601 can be regained all of a sudden.
However, he did not expect that the military region actually wanted to receive the J-20B in advance, saying that it would be tested at sea.
Is the situation on the sea already so urgent?
I heard that a second-hand warship was sent over two days ago, pretending to be a fishery administration ship.
It seems that the Navy has also emptied the bottom of the box, and has no choice but to ask the Air Force to step up.
However, this is exactly the meaning of existence for scientific researchers like myself.
Able to form a single breakthrough in one's own field, use one's own strength to make up for the shortcomings of the entire country, and help those fields that are temporarily lagging behind to overcome difficulties.
This kind of "heroism" truly conforms to one's own fantasy of a hero.
After thinking for a moment, Yang Wei picked up the phone.
"Hey, Lao Yang? Is your PL-17 test almost finished?"
"Yes, I want to test the J-20B. You can send it over another day."
On the other side, NPU.
Chen Nian and Wang Jiancheng stood on the playground. Next to them were several remote-controlled model airplanes borrowed from the Model Aircraft Club.
Today is the time to actually test the AI system of the "Yamai 01" drone.
The name "Yujing" was given by Wang Jiancheng and comes from the "Book of Heavenly Officials" which explains astrology. In the book, the star official restrained the left leg of the white tiger represented by Rigel in the jade well to control this powerful tiger.
It is still very appropriate to use it in the drone AI flight control system.
However, expectations are expectations and reality is reality.
At this moment, both Chen Nian and Wang Jiancheng were inevitably a little nervous.
After all, the results of computer simulation are one thing, but actually flying is another thing.
After the aircraft rises into the air, every disturbance in the airflow may have a significant impact on the input data, and may even exceed the AI's judgment limit, causing system failure and the risk of a crash.
Therefore, all they can do is debug all the data as much as possible, set up all emergency procedures, and in the most extreme case, let the system directly alarm and disconnect the AI flight control, and return control to the pilot waiting aside.
"How's it going? Is the system debugged?"
Looking at Wang Jiancheng who was still busy, Chen Nian asked.
Prior to this, they had modified the remote controls of the model aircraft. The remote controls used to control the model aircraft were all connected to the computer through circuit boards. The host computer was responsible for signal input. After being processed by the AI program, the signal was output to the wingman remote control. After signal relay, the control of the aerial model aircraft is realized.
This kind of control method will undoubtedly have time delay problems. If it is really a military drone, the time delay will be enough to cause major tactical movement deformations.
But fortunately, the flying height of model aircraft is low and the signal transmission time is short, so there is basically no need to consider this issue.
When military aircraft actually become available, just move the program carrier computer to the drone.
Anyway, the Rainbow-8’s onboard computer will definitely have no problem running such a program.
Noticing Chen Nian approaching, Wang Jiancheng quickly stopped what he was doing and replied:
"Basically, there is no problem anymore. I have just finally debugged some parameters of 'Yamai 01' and increased the fault tolerance range. If there is a failure to follow, the wingman will automatically lower the altitude and fly around the field, and wait for the second command to be issued. Try following again.”
"In this case, the risk of crashing will be greatly reduced."
"Okay. But after the test, you have to delete this fault-tolerant program. After all, if it is actual combat, there is no difference between flying around and committing suicide."
"understand."
Wang Jiancheng nodded repeatedly. He checked the parameters one last time, then exited the control background, returned to the main interface of Yujing 01, and said to Chen Nian:
"No problem, you can get ready to fly."
His voice was slightly trembling. Chen Nian patted his shoulder comfortingly, turned to Fei Shou, who had been waiting for a long time and said:
"Start flying!"
Following his order, all the pilots excitedly ran towards their model aircraft and launched the model aircraft into the air one after another.
Everyone had a look of anticipation on their faces. After all, this was their first time flying a model aircraft in this special way.
Can the aircraft automatically follow a certain aircraft as the "flag bearer" without having to control it yourself?
If they didn't see this kind of story in reality, they would just think it was a plot in science fiction.
To take a step back, even if it can be realized, the risks in the process are uncontrollable.
What if I crash?
You must know that every model aircraft is the result of their countless efforts. Let alone crashing the aircraft, even if it has a slight bump, it will be very distressing.
Therefore, when Wang Jiancheng found them at first, their reaction was unanimous, which was rejection.
In the end, Chen Nian was the one who saved face.
Last time, he adjusted the aerodynamic layout of the model aircraft for many members of the model aircraft club, which was a favor and also paved the way for today's events.
In addition, Chen Nian promised to compensate according to the assembly cost if the machine crashed during the process, and they finally agreed to the test flight.
Of course, I was still a little reluctant.
But this reluctance disappeared after they arrived at the scene.
Good guy, if you are really into aviation, who doesn’t love this thing?
Crashed the phone? Just throw it, you’ll have enough fun first!
So, with this in mind, they watched the model aircraft taking off with intense eyes while excitedly discussing the status of the aircraft with each other.
"Holy shit, my remote control disconnected and the AI started taking over!"
"It's mine too! Look at the planes, they've already started to form!"
"Mine has also taken over, five-plane formation - wait, why are they flying like this? Shouldn't it be an arrow formation if they are flying so scattered?"
"Most of the arrow formations are used during performances. Looking at their designs, it is obvious that they are aimed at actual combat."
"The one at the front should be an electronic jammer, the one behind is the lead aircraft, and the one in front and right of the lead aircraft is an early warning aircraft."
"Then there are two aircraft at the back. One should be an air superiority wingman used for air support, and the other is a ground attack aircraft."
"You can tell by looking at their flying speed. They are all designed and explained."
Listening to the explanations of others, everyone couldn't help but marveled again.
"Awesome. Hangyuan is indeed Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."
"So what do you think? Needless to say, Senior Chen, Wang Jiancheng is also a seed player. He was specially recruited. Look, the formation is starting to change."
Everyone looked up and saw that the altitude of the early warning aircraft began to continue to climb, and the electronic jammer also turned to the left, giving way to the attack position of the center length aircraft.
After a brief pause, the lead aircraft began to increase and slow down, followed by the air superiority wingman, while the ground attack aircraft originally located at the rear accelerated to the forward position.
Immediately afterwards, the flight formation began to lower its altitude, and the ground attack aircraft accelerated its dive.
After diving to a critical height, it quickly pulled up and returned to the formation.
The large-angle turn began, and the flight formation drew an astonishing arc and began to fly from the edge of the field to the center area.
The flight position was adjusted again, and the electronic jammers and early warning aircraft fell to the rear. The ground attack aircraft that had "emptied their ammunition" quickly returned to the ground and quickly lowered their altitude and landed.
Finally, all the aircraft models landed!
Of course, the landing process is still controlled manually. After all, this thing is not within the scope of Tamai's work.
But even so, the onlookers on the ground were already in awe.
"Holy shit. Is this really possible? Is this tactical action determined by the AI itself? Or is it a preset program?"
"It's a preset program. AI is only responsible for executing the program."
"However, although it is said to be a preset, the core of the tactics is the lead aircraft. All flights are based on the position of the lead aircraft. Being able to do this is already very impressive."
"Look at those pull-up dives and large-angle turns just now. Even if we control them ourselves, we will never be able to do it so smoothly."
"The entire formation is like a whole. This is no longer an aircraft. This is a true aerial composite battle group."
Listening to everyone's sighs and looking at the model aircraft returning to the ground safely, Chen Nian and Wang Jiancheng looked at each other, and a thought flashed through their minds at the same time:
This time, it really happened!
The results of the first actual measurement far exceeded their expectations. Although it was just a model aircraft, the level of intelligent decision-making demonstrated by Yujing 01 was very close to the level of a truly usable military AI!
On several occasions, when the lead aircraft was performing unforeseen maneuvers, the wingmen had completely separated from the formation, but in just a few seconds, under the control of Tamai 01, they found the most suitable way to return to their positions.
They did not rely on their own speed advantage to catch up, but after comprehensive data from all aspects, they made a decision to either wait passively or actively merge.
And achieving this step is also the critical point for Yujing 01 to go from "running" to "usable".
Wang Jiancheng ran around the venue excitedly. He went to look at the plane that had just landed, and then returned to the computer to look at the data he had just downloaded.
After finally calming down, he finally ran to Chen Nian and said:
"Senior! We really did it!"
There were faint tears in Wang Jiancheng's eyes, and Chen Nian could completely understand his performance at this moment.
After three months of hard work day and night, I have made great progress and stagnated. At the last moment, I even encountered an extremely difficult setback.
Today, his "child" was finally born successfully, how could he not be happy?
So Chen Nian also smiled and said:
"It's done! Awesome!"
In fact, he knows the limits of this model better than Wang Jiancheng.
He also knows that there is still a long way to go before Yujing 01 can truly be used in the military.
Regardless, this is a fantastic start.
At this time, don't say such embarrassing words as "There is still a big gap" and "We still have to work hard."
Since it is a victory, we should raise a toast to celebrate!
As for the follow-up plan?
Perhaps, it is time to officially transform this project from a hobby project for ordinary college students into a research project for a research institute.
He secretly made a decision:
After Wang Jiancheng has completed the finishing work, written the paper on the results report, and made the final improvements to Yujing 01, he will hand over the model to the 611 Institute.
By then, Wang Jiancheng may become the first researcher to enter the 611 Institute as a college student.
