"Yes, this is indeed your most advanced fighter jet. We are very satisfied with this fighter jet. Next, can we go to the engine manufacturer?" Mr. Lin asked.
Driven by Qin Tao, they not only need to purchase advanced Su-35, but also purchase advanced al-35f engines. Therefore, taking advantage of this opportunity, they might as well take a look at all these engines.
Simonov nodded: "Of course there is no problem. Next stop, we will arrange for you to visit the Salyut Factory."
The next day, Simonov brought visitors from the East to the Saryut factory.
"Gentlemen, welcome to your arrival. We are honored that our products are installed on fighter jets produced by Dongfang. We hope to further promote the cooperative relationship between our two parties." Yelisheyev was very excited.
"We are here to see the al-35f engine." Mr. Lin directly explained his purpose.
"Everyone, our factory does not produce al-35 engines." Yeliseev was very direct: "However, another engine we have developed should be more suitable for you."
Another engine?
Everyone was a little curious.
"It was developed by your factory, not by the Rulika-Saturn Design Bureau?" Qin Tao asked.
"Yes." Yeliseyev said: "The thrust of the engine we have developed has been increased to 13.5 tons. It is your best choice."
Moscow is not only the capital of Mao Zedong, but also the residence of many design bureaus and various production plants. The products of the Lyurika Saturn Design Bureau are mainly produced in two factories: the Ufa Factory and the Salyut Factory, of which the Salyut Factory is in Moscow. It is also for this reason that Simonov took Eastern guests to visit the Salyut factory. However, this factory does not produce al-35f engines!
In the beginning, the factory was just a production plant. However, after the collapse of the Red Empire, the head of the Salyut factory, Yuri Yeliseyev, was ambitious. He decided to strengthen the design power of his factory and even hired some employees from the factory. Rica-Saturn Design Bureau poached many people.
This factory is already engaged in production and research and development. The first result of their research and development is the al-31fn engine. This engine is specially exported to the East and supplied to the J-10 fighter jets.
From a technical point of view, al-31fn is not that difficult. It is just a single-engine adaptability improvement and the external receiver and other components have been transferred. However, as a factory, it can have this ability. It’s not simple anymore!
However, they are not proud of this. They are still continuing to engage in research and development. The next result of their research and development is the al-31fm engine!
As you can see from the name, this engine is still based on the third uncle. However, it is not easy to increase the thrust of the engine to 13.5 tons!
"How did you do it?" Mr. Lin asked curiously.
"Yes, is this modified engine mature?" Qin Tao also asked.
"Don't worry, our engine is very mature. The main way we changed it is to increase the fan diameter."
The turbofan engine is not complicated. It is equivalent to the core engine of a turbojet. An external duct is added to the outside to drive the fan to blow air directly from the outside, thus providing more thrust.
The larger the diameter of the fan, the greater the thrust, but at the same time, the greater the windward resistance. Therefore, it has become a convention to use a small bypass ratio for fighter jets and a large bypass ratio for transport aircraft.
The third uncle has matured. Now, simply increasing the fan diameter of the outer duct can increase the thrust of the engine. However, the windward area will also increase. If the engine diameter changes too much, the entire engine compartment will have to be modified. The flow rate of the intake duct also needs to be re-matched, which is a lot of work!
"The diameter of the engine has increased from 905 mm to 924 mm. At the same time, we also plan to develop a new full-authority digital control system." Yeliseyev said.
It's only an increase of 19 mm, which is not a big increase and is completely acceptable. What's more important is this full digital control system!
The current third uncle uses a mechanical-hydraulic control system, which belongs to the control of second-generation aircraft. This system is already outdated. When the flight control system has entered the three-axis four-redundant digital fly-by-wire system, the engine control system has also You have to change accordingly.
There are so many benefits to doing this. For example, if you directly use the radar's terrain mapping capabilities, or the low-altitude navigation pod, and link it with the flight control system, you can better fly at low altitudes and at high speeds. When necessary, you have to climb quickly to avoid the front. of mountains.
If you only control the rudder surface and cannot control the engine, then climbing will definitely not be easy. If it is linked with the engine, then when you need to climb, you can automatically control the engine to increase thrust.
It can be said that the inevitable path to engine modification includes a full-power digital control system. However, the modification of this system is not easy. Even the current domestic turbofans 10 and 15 are mechanical-hydraulic controlled.
In this regard, Salyut Factory is at the forefront of the times!
"Your modification is very good. I just don't know when the modified engine will be ready for the troops?" Mr. Lin asked excitedly.
"Right now, we still lack the necessary funds for modifications. As long as you can place an order to purchase our engines, we have R&D funds and can complete these modifications within one or two years."
After talking for a long time, this engine has not been successfully developed yet!
Everyone's enthusiasm suddenly cooled down.
"Everyone, our current modification technology is not difficult and will be successfully developed. Moreover, we have follow-up modification plans. After the first step is completed, the second step is to improve the turbine geometry and install new injectors. tube, which can further increase the thrust of the engine to 14.2 tons. The third step is to increase the temperature of the turbine by 150K and change the low-pressure compressor to three stages, which can increase the thrust to more than 15 tons."
Although Yeliseyev is still trying hard to sell their plan, it is obvious that everyone does not believe it. Salyut is an engine factory, not a design bureau. Do they have such technical capabilities?
The next inspection was uneventful. Everyone looked at the engine production line and saw that in certain specific processes, technical workers wore full space suits and entered the nitrogen-filled chamber to perform welding work. Everything is similar to the Red Empire era.
That night.
"What do you mean, Lao Maozi? Are you unwilling to sell us the al-35f engine? They are just selling us the modified Third Uncle, and we have to pay for improvements?" Mr. Lin was very dissatisfied.
"We have not seen more parameters of the al-35f engine, and we don't know how it achieves the 14.5-ton thrust target. If it is at the expense of life, maybe this al-31fm is also a good choice for us now." Qin Tao is very tolerant.
The thrust has been increased to 13.5 tons, which is actually very good. It can greatly improve the performance of existing aircraft. As for the al-35f engine, Qin Tao is more worried about its lifespan.
After all, this engine was only used in the testing of the Su-35. When it comes to the new Su-35s, it will use the brand-new 117 engine. This engine is said to be developed by combining the technologies of the fourth uncle and the third uncle. Yes, the performance is more advanced.
The original al-35f was eliminated. I don’t know why. It is probably because of the deliberate pursuit of thrust that the lifespan did not meet the standard.
At this time, after hearing Qin Tao's words, Mr. Lin also seriously considered: "Are you optimistic about the improvement project in this factory?"
A smile appeared on Qin Tao's face: "At least their spirit is good. Mr. Lin, there are so many companies left in Da Mao. Have you seen any company that has this kind of consciousness?"
This is really an exception. After the collapse of the Red Empire, most companies are resting on their laurels, even for decades. Even the Suhuoyin Design Bureau has lost its ability to innovate. The Su-57 it developed, It was just a failed Su-27. They never built a new fighter jet again.
Salut is just an engine factory that produces Uncle San, but they are working hard to improve their research and development capabilities! This is really a special case, so much so that their research and development results also aroused the jealousy of the Rurica Saturn Scientific Production Complex. General Manager Yuri Rastochkin announced in a sour voice that Saryut was not interested in al- The in-depth development of 31 violates the intellectual property rights of the development unit-the Rulika Design Bureau, which has joined Saturn.
The design strength of a production plant actually rivaled that of the Rurika Design Bureau, and even later competed with their Rurika Design Bureau for the Su-57 engine. How could it not make their design bureau jealous?
Hearing what Qin Tao said, Mr. Lin nodded: "Yes, this Sarut Factory is indeed evil enough. So tell me, what should we do next?"
Before Qin Tao could answer, Mr. Lin's secretary hurried in and said, "Report, the superior's decision has been made."
Their inspection this time was just an action of the Air Force, and it had not been officially approved by their superiors! Now, during their inspection, the superiors finally made a decision.
Mr. Lin took the telegram, took a look at it, and his face suddenly turned ugly.
"What's going on? The superior didn't approve it?"
Mr. Lin took a deep breath: "Yes, one is worth 80 million. Even if we bargain down to 70 million, plus various backup parts and missile systems, one will cost 100 million US dollars. Forty planes is four billion, and the superiors vetoed it."
The country is still too poor. It is impossible to come up with so much money at once, even if the navy joins in and shares the funds!
Going out for inspection is just an eye-opener. It is impossible to bring a batch of Su-35 there.
Thinking about it, I am just greedy. Since the 1990s, the Air Force has never had a single third-generation aircraft. Instead, it has hundreds of Su-27s, dozens of J-11s, and the J-10s that are starting to be mass-produced. The number is already sufficient. , the country has also invested a lot of money in this. After a few more years, the procurement may be successful, but now, it still does not have the strength.
"However, we can't explain to Lao Maozi like this. If we directly say that we don't want to buy it, Lao Maozi will definitely be furious, and he will even continue to pursue the infringement of our J-16. If it is really unpleasant, he will not do anything to us. There are so many benefits." Mr. Lin began to worry about this again.
"Alas, my work was in vain this time." After hearing the news, Qin Tao was also a little speechless. Although the current Su-35 is not the Su-35s that will be later, after all, its body structure is still fine, and the fighter Kong's rickets are different from the Su-27. If the Su-35 is brought back, the domestically produced J-11 can reach a higher level.
Now, this plan is coming to an end.
These matters have nothing to do with Qin Tao, who built the warship, but who makes Qin Tao so talented? If this kind of matter is to be solved satisfactorily, Qin Tao must make suggestions.
"Of course we can't say that we don't want to buy it. We have to make it impossible for Su Huoyin to sell it to us, and we have to owe us a favor." Qin Tao said.
Mr. Lin's eyes lit up: "Quickly tell me, what should I do?"
"Just go spread some rumors."
Now, it is not easy to buy the Su-35, but it is much easier to disrupt the business.
"Report, Simonov sent someone to invite us to the banquet." At this moment, another adjutant came in to report.
"Okay, tell them we'll be there soon."
The dinner was held in the banquet hall of the famous President Hotel in Moscow. This was considered a reception of the highest standard. After all, if Dongfang purchases forty Su-35 fighter jets this time, it will become the flagship of the Suhoyin Design Bureau. Another major arms sales project, and also a major arms sale for Mao.
"Welcome my Eastern friends, I remember very clearly that before and after the collapse of the Red Empire, Easterners came to Suhoyin. Your orders completely saved our Komsomolsk Aircraft Factory and our Suhoyin." , Now, your new batch of orders will become another witness of our friendship!" Simonov raised his wine glass excitedly.
"Yes, we are also honored. At first, we only relied on second-generation aircraft to protect the airspace of the motherland. The acquisition of the Su-27 gave us for the first time an advanced third-generation aircraft with beyond-visual-range air combat capabilities. Now, Although we have more and better airplanes, we will always remember the friendship we had at the beginning!" Mr. Lin responded.
"Come on, let's raise a glass together to our friendship!"
"We attach great importance to this batch of Su-35 fighters. It makes up for many shortcomings of the Su-27 and is a more advanced heavy-duty air superiority fighter." Mr. Lin continued: "This is also important for the development of our aviation industry. It’s of great benefit.”
Is your aviation industry developing? Hearing this, Simonov's expression suddenly changed. There are many interpretations of this sentence. For example, are the Orientals planning to continue mapping and imitating their Su-35?
If the Easterners have this purpose, can we still sell it?
"Yes, for example, after the introduction of this fighter aircraft, we introduced the al-35f engine simultaneously. We will also use this engine on our J-10 fighter aircraft, just like the third uncle, our aviation industry We are about to enter a new page." Qin Tao quickly spoke. This sentence sounds very much like he is trying to fix a leak for Mr. Lin. Mr. Lin’s words revealed some inside information that should not have been leaked!
Could it be that the Easterners purchased these Su-35s just to imitate the above technology? At this time, even Simonov began to feel anxious.
Before the collapse of the Red Empire, there were huge differences in Moscow on whether to export the Su-27 to the East. Many people did not want to export this heavy fighter for fear of being copied by the East.
At that time, Simonov was very confident, believing that it would take many years for the Easterners to master the production technology of this kind of aircraft. By that time, not to mention the Su-35, the new generation of Sukhoi fighter jets would have already taken off, so, It will not pose a threat to our own side at all.
But what now?
In addition to producing the J-11, which is a replica of the Su-27, Dongfang also improved the J-15 and is currently testing the J-16! This shows that the Easterners have completely mastered the technology of the Su-27! How many years has it been?
Now, the Su-35 is allowed to be exported. The big reason is that their Su Huoyin Design Bureau has started the research and development of the fourth-generation aircraft. However, this research and development is not smooth sailing, and they themselves will not guarantee that they can master the Su-35 in the East. 35 technology to complete the research and development work before. (The classification of fifth-generation aircraft should be made by Lao Maozi. When the West was equipped with F-15 and F-16, Lao Maozi was still using MiG-23 and MiG-25, so he was suppressed by the generation gap. Therefore, Lao Maozi was very unwilling, so he positioned the MiG-23 variable-sweep wing fighter and the MiG-25 dual-triple fighter as third-generation aircraft, thus creating an extra generation. In a certain period Over time, the domestic media also adopted this classification method, calling our black ribbon fifth-generation aircraft. If an old man talks about the newly developed fighter aircraft, it should be called a fifth-generation aircraft. However, in order to avoid readers, the Hero of East China The reading is very confusing. Sometimes fourth-generation machines and sometimes fifth-generation machines are all classified according to the American classification method.)
If they are unlucky and their research and development project fails, wouldn't the Easterners' fighter technology be on the same starting line as theirs?
Thinking of this, Simonov's face became even darker.
Only by exporting the Su-35 can they obtain enough research and development funds to complete the research and development of the fourth-generation aircraft. However, if the fourth-generation aircraft is not successfully developed for export, it will cause more complicated troubles.
At this time, even Simonov had some doubts and wondered whether the decision to export the Su-35 would be a mistake.
"The flight performance of the Su-35 we watched today was very good. Most of the performances were conducted in the transonic range. The flight overload was visually tested to 9g. Mr. Pugachev, your technology is definitely the best in the world. ." Qin Tao raised his glass and said to test pilot Pugachev.
This sentence reveals a lot of information!
The second-generation aircraft produced by Dongfang, especially the J-8, only have an overload of 4 or 5 g. If the overload increases, the aircraft will definitely disintegrate in the air. The hallmark of the third-generation aircraft is that it can achieve an overload of 9g. However, due to the Su-27 Due to the structural defects of the airframe, the overload is limited to 7.5g in the transonic range.
Now, what Eastern people are most concerned about is the mobility in this range. What does this mean?
The Orientals want to solve this problem by introducing the Su-27!
Pugachev had a smile on his face: "Thank you for the compliment."
The atmosphere of this dinner party became a little special.
The people in the East have always been very happy, happily looking forward to purchasing the Su-35 fighter jets, which will bring the strength of the Air Force to a new level. However, people in the Suhuoyin Design Bureau are not happy anymore when they think about possible technical leaks.
This night, many people are bound to have sleepless nights.
After the banquet, in a certain manor, Grishen came to see the elder with a lot of worries.
Grishin was responsible for previous international arms sales projects. However, staying in one position for a long time will always arouse some suspicion. Therefore, this arms sales project with the East is not qualified. Richen's participation.
Although Grishen did not participate, he still had a say.
"How many years do you think it would take them if the Easterners bought these fighter jets to imitate them?"
After hearing the elder's question, Grishen thought for a moment and then said: "About five years."
This is already a very conservative estimate. Look at what the Orientals have done in the past few years: they quickly understood the technology of the Su-27, improved the J-15, and are improving the J-16. There is nothing the Orientals cannot do. , so if this aircraft is sold to Easterners, it will be thoroughly understood very quickly. Five years is the most conservative estimate.
"Then can we complete the research and development of the fourth-generation aircraft within five years?"
Grishen thought for a moment, then shook his head: "There shouldn't be enough time. After all, we took a detour."
The Mikoyan Design Bureau is still working hard to advance the MiG 1.44 plan. The maneuverability of this aircraft is okay, but the stealth is absolutely scummy. That plasma stealth technology was abandoned after the collapse of the Red Empire. The MiG 1.44 is not Not favored.
The Suhoyin Design Bureau is working on a fourth-generation aircraft project, which is interesting. However, the design of this aircraft has just begun. Unlike the Mikoyan Design Bureau, which has been developed for many years, there are still many technical problems to be solved. Therefore, this aircraft The development time will certainly not be short.
"In other words, if we export the Su-35 to Dongfang, we will not be able to gain air superiority over Dongfang for a period of time?" The elder stood up: "So, with this deal, we We can’t do it anymore, we can’t let the Easterners have world-class advanced fighter jets! Inform the Sukhoyin Design Bureau that this deal is cancelled.”
"But if it is canceled like this, the Easterners will definitely be unhappy." Grishin was a little worried.
Isn’t this making fun of the Orientals? First, they asked Easterners to buy fighter planes, and then they stopped selling them!
"What do you think?" asked the elder.
"If we don't plan to sell the fighter plane to them, can we sell them the al-35f engine that the fighter plane is equipped with?"
"Of course not. This engine is also the most advanced in our country. We cannot sell it to them!"
"Then there are only engines from the Salyut plant, and this engine has not yet been successfully developed."
"This can be sold, let them provide research and development funds!"
