After the J-10 successfully made its first flight, many long-term test flights began, almost continuously testing various flight data of the J-10 fighter.
Especially the data under each extreme state, such as limit altitude, limit flight speed, maximum range, maximum take-off weight, etc.
After testing, the J-10 fighter has a maximum altitude of 18,000 meters, a maximum speed of Mach 2.5, a maximum take-off weight of 20,868 kilograms, a bomb load of 8,500 kilograms, and a maximum range of 3,000 kilometers.
Because it uses a turbofan-10 engine that is more suitable for the J-10 fighter.
Compared with the previous generation, the performance of this J-10 fighter has been improved by a small amount.
In addition to Zhang Xingyang's efforts, there are also the efforts of countless scientific research institutes, universities, and factories under the J-10 project.
"Dean Zhang, thank you for making another trip."
As the chief engineer of the J-10 project, Song Tianxing warmly shook Zhang Xingyang's hand from afar.
More than a month has passed since the J-10 made its first flight.
Song Tianxing has been in a good mood during this period because of the successful first flight of the J-10, and his whole body has become much mellower to the naked eye.
"General Master Song, the food is good during this period."
Both parties were in a good mood, and Zhang Xingyang even made a small joke.
"Hahaha, isn't this the first flight of the J-10? If you feel better, your appetite will also improve!"
"Commander Song, how is the current flight condition of the J-10? Is there any problem with the engine?"
Compared with Song Tianxing's weight and health issues, Zhang Xingyang is more concerned about the condition of the turbofan engine.
After all, there is a lot of my own hard work here, just like my own child, I can't care less about it.
"The engine's condition is much better than we expected, and it even performs much better than the AL-31F engine we wanted to use before!"
Speaking of the turbofan-10 engine, Song Tianxing was like a child mentioning a favorite toy, excitedly introducing the performance of the turbofan-10 on the J-10 fighter.
"We even tested it with an AL-31F that was removed from the Air Force's Su-27 and a turbofan 10 engine."
"It was found that the thrust of the turbofan ten is greater than that of the AL-31F, and under the same standard thrust, the fuel consumption is also lower."
"This way our planes can fly farther and higher!"
Song Tianxing's praise for the turbofan engine made Zhang Xingyang extremely happy.
Just like parents are sincerely happy when they see others praising their own children!
"Although our research institute has made some efforts in the research and development process, the main research and development work is still done by Chief Zhang Zhengjiang and his research team."
Zhang Xingyang is very self-aware and does not think that the other party's praises are all for him. In fact, there are many people who should accept these praises.
"Commander Song, how long do you think it will take for our J-10 to be mass-produced for the troops?"
When asked this crucial question, the smile on Song Tianxing's face gradually solidified and calmed down.
"Although the test flight work is going well now, it will take a certain amount of time to confirm the mass production model, at least half a year."
"Even after the fighter is finalized and mass-produced, there are still many problems."
"There are many problems in terms of materials, production equipment, and personnel."
Zhang Xingyang also knows that many problems will be encountered during mass production.
However, these problems have allowed the J-10 fighter to develop in a good direction.
The process of solving these problems may be painful, but watching the J-10 fighter jet develop bit by bit, everyone is happy.
"Problems exist, but they can also be solved through our efforts."
"I'm here this time to solve your problem!"
This time Zhang Xingyang came here specially to solve the material problem of the J-10 in the future mass production process.
"If there's anything we can do, please just bring it up."
"The carbon-carbon composite material we developed last year has really good performance. We plan to use similar materials on the J-10's brake discs."
"Can your subsequent production capacity keep up?"
Song Tianxing mentioned the carbon-carbon composite material successfully developed by the Rocket Research Institute last year and wanted to use it on the J-10's brake discs.
Before the Rocket Research Institute successfully developed carbon-carbon composite materials, domestic achievements in this area were almost blank.
Brake discs for fighter jets require high-performance materials that can withstand high temperatures and wear.
Previously, due to insufficient material performance, the J-10 fighter had to use a parachute to slow down the aircraft when it returned to land.
At the same time, fighter jets from other countries, especially Western fighter jets, only needed to open the speed brakes and rely on the brake discs to slow down when landing.
It can be said that the Rocket Research Institute has single-handedly filled the gap in this aspect in the country.
"At the factory, we are always looking for ways to increase production capacity."
"Within this year, after the new production equipment and workers are in place, the annual production capacity is expected to be increased to two hundred tons, which is enough for you."
"But if you can produce hundreds of aircraft a year, then the production capacity may not be enough."
Of course Song Tianxing knew that Zhang Xingyang's last sentence was a joke.
The initial annual production of J-10 fighter jets would be good at 100 aircraft.
"I also want to produce hundreds of J-10 fighter jets every year and let the Air Force replace all of them with our own fighter jets."
"It's a pity that conditions in all aspects do not allow it."
Song Tianxing said helplessly and lazily.
"But besides the brake discs, we still have some things we need to trouble you about."
"I don't know what the maximum size of the composite materials you can achieve. We intend to use composite materials on engine inlets and aircraft wings in subsequent improvements."
"I just don't know how big your size can be. After all, the wings of the plane are several meters long."
The use of composite materials in aircraft can greatly improve the strength of the aircraft and reduce its weight.
However, although the performance of composite materials is good, it is still much more expensive than the aviation aluminum alloy originally used in aircraft.
The price of composite materials is almost calculated by the gram.
Zhang Xingyang didn't know whether the other party could bear such a cost.
"The price of large-size composite materials is very expensive. Can the Air Force afford such manufacturing costs?"
"These costs are nothing. The Air Force can accept them as long as the price of a single aircraft is within 180 million."
It is hard to say that this price is expensive. You must know that the price of a single Su-27 fighter jet imported from Damao in China was US$30 million.
Converted into domestic currency, the price of a single Su-27 fighter is approximately 250 million.
"Since they are not afraid of spending money, I can say it clearly."
“The production and manufacturing of large-size composite materials is not difficult!”
(End of chapter)
