Chapter 571 The navy’s early warning aircraft project should be launched

"Everyone, I have one more important thing to do when I come here this time." Since we are talking about early warning aircraft, Qin Tao of course has to get involved in related projects.

 Everyone’s eyes turned to Qin Tao.

"Regarding the platform issue of the Navy's carrier-based early warning aircraft." Qin Tao said: "Currently, we have obtained the prototype of Lao Maozi's Yak-44 early warning aircraft. If we 603 have all the ideas, the Navy can provide you with the prototype of this early warning aircraft. , I hope you can imitate a similar body platform."

The Falcon incident is just an introduction. Stimulated by this incident, domestic scientific researchers will work hard to launch domestic early warning aircraft into the sky within a few years.

At present, various domestic preparations have been prepared. The relevant T/R components have been produced normally in 14 institutes. The computer system is in charge of Loongson, and various data processing systems have been obtained by the Faircon project. A large number of valuable inputs have been obtained. Experience, coupled with the experience accumulated on the Navy's Aegis battleships, it can be said that the development of this early warning aircraft will not undergo major changes.

(Some people complained earlier, saying that we are not a warship of a great power? Why do we write everything? The Hero of East China is still restrained and does not become a hodgepodge. All kinds of equipment are developed around the construction of the navy. Let’s talk about the Air Force’s early warning aircraft project. That is also for our navy's early warning aircraft! Even if it is engaged in aerospace, it is for our global positioning system, reconnaissance system, etc. In the end, it is all for the navy. I have written before that we won’t touch any other entertainment industry because the heroes of East China don’t understand it.)

"Mr. Qin, we have also made some preparations for the navy's carrier-based early warning aircraft." Hearing Qin Tao talk about this, Mr. Chen also became interested: "In the 1980s, we once demonstrated that the 40,000-ton medium-sized We have already demonstrated the JZY-01 carrier-based early warning aircraft when we built the aircraft carrier. According to our original plan, we were to transform the early warning aircraft verification aircraft based on the Yun-7 platform. However, because the 40,000-ton aircraft carrier was not finalized in the end, this The early warning aircraft verification aircraft will come to an end."

Given the domestic research and development level, it is difficult to develop a new early warning aircraft. Therefore, domestically, we can only use existing platforms to transform them. After searching many times, the Yunqi platform is the most suitable.

This is a model copied from Lao Maozi's An-24 transport aircraft. However, due to the chaos of the year, although the first one was assembled in 1970, it was not until 1982 that this transport aircraft was finally finalized. , became an important domestic transport aircraft, and has always been in production. Even in later generations, it continues to have a long vitality as the MA 600 model.

This aircraft is about the same size as the E-2, so it is only natural to transform this aircraft into a verification aircraft for early warning aircraft.

Hearing Mr. Chen’s words, Qin Tao’s eyes suddenly lit up: “Okay, now that we have technical reserves, it should be easier!”

Hearing what Qin Tao said, Mr. Chen showed a difficult expression on his face again: "Mr. Qin, it's not particularly easy. We can modify our Y7 based on the appearance of the Yak-44. However, if we use a machine Carrying a large plate on your back means that the air resistance is greatly increased! At present, we lack corresponding engines in China."

 This is the most critical issue.

 The aviation industry has always been troubled by engines. Although efforts have been made, progress has been slow.

When we first mapped and imitated the An-24, we also mapped and imitated the above engine AI-20M. It was officially finalized in 1977 and was called Turboprop 6. In China, this engine is an all-rounder, regardless of whether it is a twin-engine transport. Whether it is a seven- or four-engine Y-8, as long as it is a propeller aircraft, almost all aircraft use this kind of engine.

When it was first introduced, the power of this engine was only 3,124 kilowatts. Later, it was improved and increased to about 3,340 kilowatts. By the 21st century Turboprop-6C, it was increased to about 4,000 kilowatts.

 Is this power high? Of course it’s not high!

 The newly upgraded E-2D "Advanced Hawkeye" uses the improved T56-A-427A, with a maximum output power of about 4,400 kilowatts. Lao Maozi's Yak-44 uses D-227, and its power has exceeded 10,000 kilowatts.

 Our existing engines are not powerful at all! If there is no advanced engine, the aircraft cannot guarantee stable flight at all. Even with a catapult, it cannot successfully take off from the aircraft carrier. Then this kind of aircraft is useless.

Qin Tao nodded: "The engine is indeed a big problem, but last time I got ten D227 engines from Lao Maozi, which should be enough for us to assemble four early warning aircraft. We will make do with this engine first. Later, our As technology develops, better engines can be used to match it. Of course, we cannot copy everything from the Yak-44. Our current aircraft have begun to use composite materials to reduce weight, and these can be used on our aircraft."

(I always feel that it is a waste to use the 14,000-horsepower D-227 on the Yak-44. It is twice as powerful as the Hawkeye. It is said that the body is about the same size. Is it for ski jumps? There is also a saying that the Yak-44 is -44E is equipped with a D-27 engine with a single engine power of up to 5145kW, not a D-227.)

As for self-developed more advanced engines, Qin Tao also has a theoretical basis. When developing the new MA700 passenger aircraft, he selected the PW150C turboprop engine produced by Pratt & Whitney Canada. This was the best-selling third-generation turboprop at the time, and its performance was fully satisfactory; and by sharing the cake with foreign manufacturers, it could open up the European and American markets and make it easier to obtain airworthiness certificates.

However, this plan was ultimately miscalculated. Due to various reasons, Pratt & Whitney Canada tore up the contract. However, China was also prepared and developed the world's advanced AEP500. This engine is more fuel-efficient than foreign imports and has a power of five More than 1,000 kilowatts.

 So, although we lack an engine now, we will definitely not have to worry about it in the future.

Hearing Qin Tao say this, Mr. Chen's eyes lit up: "If we have qualified engines, it will not be difficult to develop a carrier-based early warning aircraft for the navy, as long as the navy provides us with sufficient funds!"

The use of stock engines is too common for them. The current Flying Leopard fighter-bombers use stock Spey engines! There is a batch of engines, let’s start with them first.

Qin Tao nodded: "What you are doing now is pre-research. You can drag the Yak-44 over and conduct comprehensive mapping. Once the Air Force's early warning aircraft is successfully developed, the Navy's early warning aircraft project will be launched."

 The early warning aircraft project mainly includes two aspects: airframe and radar. As for the airframe, the Air Force uses the Il-76, while the Navy needs to develop it by itself. After all, the Navy needs to be put on the ship! In terms of radar, after the Air Force's early warning aircraft is successfully developed, the size will be reduced, the T/R units will be reduced, and a small mushroom disk will be made, which will be the Navy's early warning aircraft.

 In this way, the navy can greatly save research and development funds. Now, the Navy's early warning aircraft body can be started. This way, after the Air Force successfully develops the research and development, it will be able to catch up with the Navy's No. 2 ship. If the progress of the Marine Corps goes well, the No. 2 ship may be able to eject. This requires a specialized carrier-based fixed-wing early warning aircraft.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Qin, as long as the Yak-44 comes over, we will immediately mobilize manpower to survey and copy it. However, if we only produce carrier-based early warning aircraft, the quantity will be too small and the cost will definitely be high.”

Qin Tao nodded: "Yes, it would definitely be too wasteful if we only have early warning aircraft. However, the navy also needs other aircraft, such as carrier-based anti-submarine aircraft, carrier-based transport aircraft, etc. Let's develop early warning aircraft first. As long as this platform is developed, we will definitely There will be many opportunities.”

Helicopter anti-submarine warfare is always inferior to fixed-wing anti-submarine aircraft. The American aircraft carrier has a dedicated S-3 anti-submarine aircraft. At the same time, the E-2 body platform also has a modified version of the C-2 transport aircraft, letters from the aircraft carrier crew, etc. , are all transported by this kind of aircraft.

We do not have the luxury to develop another one, but it is logical to use the existing one to modify it.

Everyone nodded. Compared with land-based aircraft, carrier-based aircraft need to undergo various changes, such as strengthening the landing gear, strengthening the body, etc. Therefore, it is also very suitable to modify it into other carrier-based aircraft. In this way, the value of the platform will also increase. can maximize benefits.

“Of course, I have to make a request. The weight of this carrier-based early warning aircraft cannot be too large. Even if it cannot control the 26 tons of the E-2, it can only be 28 tons at most, and it must not exceed 30 tons.”

The maximum take-off weight of the Yak-44 is 40 tons, which has a lot of adverse effects on its use prospects. After all, take-off is difficult enough whether it is ejection or ski jump. Once one of the engines fails, it will It will crash.

However, Lao Maozi's problem is mainly that the electronic equipment is not powerful, and it should be easier on our own side.

Mr. Chen nodded: "That's for sure, we have the ability."

 Time finally entered 1997. On New Year’s Day of this year, Qin Tao and his party landed on the runway of the Chkalov Aircraft Factory on a business jet specially purchased by the Mingzhou Group.

It is also covered with snow, a scene of auspicious snow heralding a good harvest, with large swaths of snowflakes flying in the air.

After getting off the plane, Qin Tao saw a familiar figure and immediately smiled: "Mr. Sergey, we meet again."

Mikhail, the former old man, is gone, but Sergey is still working as the factory director. It is always better to see old acquaintances than new faces.

"Yes, Mr. Qin, we meet again. Our factory is ready to restart work. Are you here to order forty IL-476 transport aircraft?" After the meeting, Sergey said He asked excitedly.

 The two of them exhaled white mist from their mouths. It was a cold winter.

Qin Tao's mind was agitated. How could he have forgotten this?

The last time he came here to cheat, Qin Tao promised to buy forty IL-476 transport aircraft. It was under this promise that the other party sold the A-50 body to Dongfang for US$5 million. Then use the money to prepare for re-production.

 As a result, there is no further explanation.

Qin Tao had never planned to continue purchasing transport aircraft from here, so he had forgotten about it a long time ago. Now, the other party suddenly mentioned it, catching Qin Tao off guard.

However, he reacted immediately, nodded and said: "Yes, we are here to inspect and see if you have the ability to resume production. If so, we will place an order for forty passenger planes."

"Of course." Sergey said: "As long as you place an order, we can produce it at any time. Do we need to notify the Ilyushin Design Bureau?"

They are only responsible for the production of this aircraft, and the design work is done by the Ilyushin Design Bureau. What Dongfang wants to order is the latest IL-476, so they have to use Ilyushin as the general contractor, and they are only a final assembly plant. , there are still a large number of parts that need to be coordinated, which determines that they cannot directly negotiate a contract with Dongfang, but need to follow the path of Ilyushin.

“There’s no rush for this, we’ll inspect the factory first.”

 Sergey nodded: "Mr. Qin, please come with me."

Tang Changhong followed Qin Tao and came to the most important transport aircraft production factory in the red empire era for the first time, with excitement in his eyes.

The annual output of transport aircraft here is dozens of aircraft, which is much higher than the output of Factory 172. How is production coordinated here? He was very excited.

After entering, the first thing you saw was a huge and wide factory building with a row of six yellow-skinned passenger aircraft fuselages.

“These are IL-114 passenger aircraft. We are currently assembling this world-advanced passenger aircraft to replace the previous outdated An-24 aircraft.”

Qin Tao nodded: "This kind of aircraft is good. If the price is cheap, our Mingzhou Group is willing to buy one."

After the military Il-76 transport aircraft was forced to cease production, they were still barely maintaining the production of passenger aircraft. This Il-114 passenger aircraft was their last hope. However, this aircraft did not change their fate. .

After all, in the field of passenger aircraft, Lao Maozi's technology is backward and cannot be compared with Western passenger aircraft. Only a dozen of this kind of passenger aircraft were produced before they were completely discontinued.

At this time, Sergey was extremely excited when he heard Qin Tao say this: "Okay, we welcome you very much, and the price must be the cheapest in the world!"

“You don’t seem to have seen any workers?” Qin Tao asked.

In fact, if you look closely, you can see that the dust on the bodies of these passenger planes has been wiped away, and some rust has been exposed in some places, indicating that the assembly work of these passenger planes has stopped long ago.

The IL-114 was developed by the Ilyushin Design Bureau in 1982. The first production aircraft made its first flight on August 7, 1992. It is said that as long as the price is cheap, there will still be a market, but on July 5, 1993 The second prototype crashed in Japan due to an accident, causing the entire project to come to a standstill.

If Qin Tao guessed correctly, these cosmetic passenger planes were also produced at that time, and then fell into dust. Now, they have been refurbished.

At this time, upon hearing Qin Tao’s question, Sergey said with a smile: “It’s the New Year’s Day holiday and the workers are not at work yet.”

 Qin Tao and the others arrived at a really coincidental time, just in time for the holiday. This New Year's Day holiday is global in nature, and all countries have a holiday.

"Oh." Qin Tao nodded: "Today is the third, so the workers should go to work tomorrow, right?"

Hearing his question, Sergey's eyes flashed with panic, and then he tried to calm himself down: "Yes, Mr. Qin, you are right. If you come here tomorrow, everyone here will be workers. However, according to our plan, we have to fly to the Ilyushin Design Bureau tomorrow."

"Yes, that's right. After today's visit, we will go to the Ilyushin Design Bureau tomorrow to discuss specific matters." Qin Tao nodded and continued to move forward, looking at the empty assembly plant in front of him.

The average annual output is fifty Il-76s, with a peak production of seventy aircraft per year. This factory is of course very huge.

After the collapse of the Red Empire, production continued here for a period of time, but in 1995, after the last transport aircraft was cobbled together, it could no longer support production.

Now, most of the space is empty, save for a few airplanes that had been dismantled after their organs had been donated.

“As long as you place an order, we can continue construction here immediately. We can assemble forty transport aircraft at the same time. After assembly, these aircraft can be delivered at one time.” Sergey continued to draw the pie.

"Well, not bad." Qin Tao nodded: "We are very satisfied with the situation here. Tomorrow, we will go to the Ilyushin Design Bureau for negotiations."

 Sergey was overjoyed.

“Mr. Qin, we are holding a banquet tonight to entertain all the guests!”

Tang Changhong was very curious.

 We are here to buy the technical information of the IL-76! But so far, Mr. Qin has not mentioned this matter at all.

Outside, heavy snow is still falling.

The canteen was bustling with people holding wine glasses and mingling with each other.

“Mr. Qin, why did you suddenly decide to purchase our brand new transport aircraft?” Sergey asked.

"Well, you must have heard about what happened recently." Qin Tao looked helpless: "The early warning aircraft research and development contract we signed with the Kingdom of David has been forced to terminate."

This matter cannot be hidden. Although it has not been made public yet, many people in the circle already know about it.

For the Chkalov Aircraft Factory, it is even clearer. After all, they have known about this deal for a long time. It was when the deal was concluded that Dongfang purchased an A-50 airframe from them. Moreover, this project It is to transform three early warning aircraft, so they are still happily looking forward to selling two more specialized A-50 airframes to Dongfang.

Who would have thought that this deal actually fell through!

“Yes, we heard about it.” Sergey nodded.

"This incident has greatly stimulated us. Even if there are no Davids, we will complete the research and development of this early warning aircraft independently. Therefore, we need more airframes. This time we will purchase forty IL-476s. We will use the transport aircraft, two of them, as platforms for early warning aircraft."

"Mr. Qin, with all due respect, there is a big difference between the early warning aircraft platform and the transport aircraft platform." Sergey said: "For example, the early warning aircraft consumes a lot of power, so a special generator must be installed. On the early warning aircraft There are a lot of electronic equipment, and heat dissipation is a big problem, so special heat dissipation vents are needed, and professional air conditioning equipment is also needed. There are also special pressurized cockpits to meet the needs of personnel. Instead of modifying them yourself, you might as well put them in Here, as long as you add money, we are willing to convert two of them into specialized early warning aircraft platforms."

Their factory has not been open for a long time, and they are counting on orders from the East to make money. At this time, when he heard Sergey's words, Qin Tao was unambiguous and nodded immediately: "You are right, it is too late for us to modify it ourselves. As long as your price is right, we can modify it directly here!”

 Sergey was overjoyed and raised his glass: “Come, let’s drink!”

"Tomorrow, we will go to the Ilyushin Design Bureau and understand the design plan in detail, and then we will place an order." Qin Tao said.

Tang Changhong was there, but Monk Zhang Er was confused as to what kind of medicine Mr. Qin was selling in this gourd.

After finishing the drink and on the way back to the guest house, Tang Changhong couldn't help but asked: "Mr. Qin, we are not here to buy a transport plane this time!"

Qin Tao smiled and pointed to the snowflakes flying overhead: "Tang Gong, the snow is really heavy tonight!"

“Well, the snow here is quite heavy and the weather is very cold, but...”

“But what? Don’t worry, Mr. Tang, let’s go take a nap. When we wake up the next day, there may be some surprises.”

 Did you have a surprise when you woke up the next day?

Tang Changhong was very curious. That night, he lay on the bed in the guest house and couldn't fall asleep. The jet lag was not big. The key was that he had something on his mind!

The heavy snow outside was still falling. In the second half of the night, there was a sudden noise outside, which made Tang Changhong unable to sleep. He opened the curtains and found many people under the dim street lights. Rushing to the assembly shop.

What are these people doing?

Tang Changhong was even more curious.

 The next day, early in the morning, there was a knock on the door next door.

 Dong dong, dong dong dong!

"Who is it?" Qin Tao's voice sounded. He was obviously not awake yet, and he was still mumbling: "Is the plane to Ilyushin Design Bureau ahead of schedule?"

 Creak!

 When the door was opened, Sergey's urgent voice came: "Mr. Qin, something has happened, we need your help!"

Tang Changhong was very curious. The movement in the middle of the night yesterday indicated that something had indeed happened, but what happened?

“What’s the matter?” Qin Tao also muttered curiously.

“The heavy snowfall last night caused the building of our assembly workshop to collapse!”

 Did the snow collapse the factory building?

Isn’t this thing too ridiculous? Tang Changhong couldn't believe his ears.

Over there, Qin Tao was also surprised: "What? The factory collapsed? What a blessing! If we placed an order to produce transport aircraft in your factory, wouldn't all those transport aircraft be crushed? Who will be responsible then?"

 (End of this chapter)