The rise of a great power: starting with military industry

Chapter 863: Y-10 Early Warning Aircraft

this day.

Liu Tao drove a laser engraving helicopter to Guifei Group.

When he arrived at the flight test academy, he saw a large aircraft that was somewhat similar to the Y-10, but also somewhat different.

This is a tanker modified from the Y-10 based on the needs of the Air Force.

On the other side, there is another one that is very similar to the Y-10, but it is an early warning aircraft modified based on the Y-10.

As a passenger aircraft, the Y-10 still has to complete many test flights before it can obtain an airworthiness certificate. After all, for civil aviation passenger aircraft, safety is the first priority, and high requirements must be met in all aspects.

But it is different for refueling aircraft, early warning aircraft, and transport aircraft. As military aircraft, safety, comfort, etc. are not that important.

Originally it would have been best to wait until the Y-10 was completely completed before converting it into a tanker, transport aircraft, or early warning aircraft.

But the Air Force can't wait.

We strongly request Guizhou Aircraft Group to develop prototypes of tanker aircraft, early warning aircraft, and transport aircraft.

Yes, now the Air Force really can't wait.

The Air Force now has advanced fighter jets and advanced trainer aircraft, and even has "Ray Sculptor" helicopters for auxiliary purposes, but it is very lacking in transport aircraft, refueling aircraft, and early warning aircraft, which are weak links.

In terms of early warning aircraft, China previously only had one KJ-4, which was modified based on the Tu-1 bomber. Due to strong practical needs at the time, China invested almost all of its resources in the development of the KJ- early warning aircraft.

However, the radar P-type display used by KJ-1 only had a long afterglow at that time, so operators and controllers had to keep a close eye on the display, otherwise they might miss the air situation. In addition, KJ- was also backward in radar data processing and information transmission, lacking a practical human-machine interface, which forced a high-tech airborne early warning aircraft to rely on manual mapping and voice communication to transmit information.

Ultimately, because the radar performance could not meet actual combat needs, the development of KJ-1979 was stopped in . After the project was discontinued, the original KJ- was reconverted into a bomber and continued to serve in the Chinese Air Force.

In the past ten years, China has developed early warning aircraft, but the development of early warning aircraft is too difficult. In addition, there is the problem of carrier. Later, two Y-8 aircraft were converted into two early warning aircraft. However, compared with the imported E2 early warning aircraft, the performance was far from satisfactory and did not satisfy the Air Force.

Currently, the most advanced Chinese early warning aircraft is the E2, but there is only one. At that time, China was so short of foreign exchange that it gritted its teeth and imported one. When it was time to import another one later, the Americans were unwilling to export the E2 early warning aircraft to China.

However, we cannot give up on early warning aircraft, so the work on its development has never stopped.

After all, the AWACS is an airborne command and early warning aircraft with a complete set of long-range warning radar systems. It can be used to search and monitor air or sea targets, command and guide its own aircraft to perform combat missions. In war, the AWACS plays the role of "soul" and "nerve center".

Since it is so important, China naturally cannot give up its efforts in the field of early warning aircraft.

After the Y-10 was restarted, the prototype performed well and the Air Force became more active in the field of early warning aircraft.

As for transport aircraft, the same goes for China's need for transport aircraft.

Speaking of Chinese transport aircraft, the origin can be traced back to the United States' assistance to China in various types of transport aircraft during World War II, such as the C46 and C47 transport aircraft. After the establishment of the Republic, transport aircraft were introduced from the Soviet Union and developed on this basis, including the Li-2, Il-12, An-2, etc. On this basis, domestic transport aircraft were developed, such as the Y-5, Y-6, Y-8, etc.

The Y-8 is the most advanced domestic transport aircraft produced in China. However, compared with the transport aircraft of the United States and the Soviet Union, the Y-8 is too backward and is far from meeting the needs of the military.

The tanker is also in an embarrassing situation. China's tanker is modified from the Y-8 transport aircraft, that is, the "Yunyou-8" tanker.

However, no matter how the 'Yunyou-8' tanker is modified, its fuel capacity is only 20 tons.

As for China's first tanker, the H-6, it is not satisfactory. It can only provide 1 tons of fuel when the refueling radius is 1000 kilometers, which means that the H-10 can only refuel one J-6 fighter. This shows the importance of the Y-1 aircraft. As long as it is available, it can be transformed into a tanker, early warning aircraft, and transport aircraft.

However, Liu Tao was somewhat dissatisfied with its appearance.

In the future, we will still need to develop large military aircraft. The Y-10 aircraft is just the beginning, not the end.

Ma Fengshan saw Liu Tao and hurried forward.

"Master Engineer Ma, thank you for your hard work!" Liu Tao took the initiative to shake hands.

After Ma Fengshan joined Panshan Group, he devoted himself to the Y-10 aircraft. With the support of Panshan Group, he finally brought the original Y-10 team together again.

Over the years, Ma Fengshan has never slacked off and can be called a model worker.

If it weren't for the strict supervision of medical staff, Ma Fengshan would probably have died of the illness.

However, even with the most advanced medical team in Panshan Hospital, Ma Fengshan's health is not optimistic. His physical condition was too seriously depleted before, and it is not easy to make up for it now.

Furthermore, Ma Fengshan is 64 years old. As he gets older, his previous hidden injuries are beginning to erupt.

No matter how optimistic the expert team is, they believe that Ma Fengshan will hardly survive more than five years.

Liu Tao had a special talk with Ma Fengshan about his physical health, but Ma Fengshan refused to retire and chose to fight on the front line. He wanted to contribute as much as possible to make the Y-10 aircraft a success as soon as possible.

The Y-10 aircraft can be said to be the most important effort of his life. For Ma Fengshan, the Y-10 aircraft is his child, even closer and more important than his own children.

Liu Tao chose to respect Ma Fengshan.

Because he could understand Ma Fengshan's heart.

"The early warning aircraft and refueling aircraft flew four times and performed very well. We have confidence in the Y-10 aircraft. It will definitely support the sky of China." Ma Fengshan's voice was a little hoarse, but firm and powerful.

Liu Tao also said: "I have full confidence in the Y-10 aircraft and believe it will be a success!"

Up to now, more than a dozen Y-10s have been built, all of which have been handed over to Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation.

The Yun-10 used by Panshan Group for transportation is the largest transport aircraft of Panshan Group. It can transport cargo and is also undergoing tests.

So far, the performance of the Y-10 is much better than the original Y-10 prototype.

There are more advanced engines, more advanced aviation layouts, better airframe materials and processing conditions.

Although it is still called Y-10, it is a completely different aircraft from the original Y-10 prototype.

But everyone still calls it Yun-10.

In recent years, the Y-10 development team has grown much stronger than before. A large number of college students have joined the team, replenishing their vitality and providing them with training. Perhaps in a few years, they will become the backbone of China's passenger aircraft field.

(End of this chapter)