In 1978, I was admitted to Harbin Institute of Technology

Chapter 114: Two hits in two shots made the army leaders excited? Xie Wei, who was not hiding anything, poured ice water on him

"Will it be too much trouble to shoot at night?"

Xie Wei asked the person in charge of the base.

The J-7's radar is not advanced, its avionics system is backward, and it does not have strong night combat capabilities.

According to Xie Wei's understanding, the J-7 all-weather model is the J-7III.

"After the J-7 improved its radar system, its night combat capability has been partially improved. Some night tests have also been conducted during this period. The Changkong-4 wing has been equipped with tracer tubes and smoke devices, infrared enhanced wingtip pods, and the tail carries four Haiying-1 infrared tracer bullets..."

The person in charge looked at the red Changkong No. 1 fighters in military uniforms who were conducting pre-takeoff inspections not far away, and introduced to Xie Wei, "The Air Force needs fighters with night combat capabilities. When the avionics system and radar system cannot provide stronger night combat capabilities, we can only think of ways from the weapon system... Such obvious infrared signals..."

At the end, he looked at the two missiles that had been hoisted from the car and were being unpacked, and he didn't know whether they could be considered as PL-4 air-to-air missile prototypes.

It can complete target shooting at night. Even if the J-7's avionics and radar systems are not good enough, the Air Force can still have some night combat capabilities.

It is much more reliable than the current situation where there is basically no combat capability at night.

Fifth Master and Sixth Master flew into the air at night. Even though their radar could detect the enemy, it was useless because they had no matching missiles to use.

Relying on machine guns?

Before the enemy came into range, they used them as targets and shot them down with missiles.

Xie Wei understood.

"Xie Wei, go eat something and rest for a while. The shooting time is tentatively set at 4 a.m."

Lai Guichang came over from the side and said to Xie Wei.

Xie Wei looked at the busy crowd around him and realized that he had nothing to do at the moment.

After the missiles and fighter jets are inspected, they will be loaded onto the J-7 test aircraft nearby. At the expected time, they will take off directly and use ground radar to detect various parameters of target aircraft, fighter jets and missiles in the sky.

"Then I'll go take a rest for a while."

Xie Wei spoke up.

"The cafeteria has prepared dinner for you. We still have a lot of inspections to do, so we won't be with you tonight."

Soon someone came and took Xie Wei and others to a row of low houses not far away.

On the far right side of this row of houses is the cafeteria.

The canteen only prepared one dish: sauerkraut pork stewed with vermicelli.

The meat is a bit fishy, ​​but after adding sauerkraut, the taste is not too bad, and the important thing is that it is full of oil.

Since leaving school, Xie Wei hadn't had anything hot to eat all day. He filled a porcelain bowl from the cafeteria with a bowl of vegetables and ate it with two steamed buns until he was sweating profusely.

I didn't care whether I would gain weight if I ate and slept right after. I just lay down on the single camp bed with my sore back and waist from sitting in the car for almost 24 hours. My legs were already swollen.

The school didn’t allow us to bring blankets when we set off, which meant we wouldn’t be staying at the base for long.

Otherwise, if you have an enamel basin and put some hot water in it to soak your feet, it will be much more comfortable.

The experimental conditions these days cannot be compared with those in a few decades.

The quilt in the test base smelled sour and the exhausted Xie Wei soon fell asleep.

Three o'clock in the morning.

Xie Wei was called up by Yu Guofeng.

When we arrived at the warehouse where the goods had been unloaded, a sample bomb had already been mounted on the weapon attachment point at the left wing root of the J-7 test aircraft.

Ground crew of the J-7 test aircraft are conducting pre-takeoff inspections.

"Everyone didn't sleep all night?"

Xie Wei asked when he saw Lai Guichang and the others had greasy faces and looked exhausted.

"We were afraid that something might go wrong, so we did several more inspections and tested the fighter jet's launch system several times to make sure there were no problems during the testing process."

Lai Guichang explained to Xie Wei, "And this time it's not just the J-7 that needs to undergo night tests, the radar on it also needs some testing..."

"..."

Xie Wei didn't know how to respond.

The test itself was urgent, and the design of the 204 fire control radar had not been finalized; even the target-shooting missiles did not have many ground tests.

Although he was very confident in the missile's control system and guidance system, Xie Wei felt unsure about the launch platform, target drone, and the night environment.

Time passed by.

At 3:20, the ground crew pushed the J-7 test aircraft carrying missiles out of the hangar and parked it on the runway.

At 3:30, a pilot in his 40s boarded the cockpit of the fighter jet and conducted routine checks before takeoff.

Xie Wei and others were taken to a row of houses nearby. On the table were two neat rows of radio monitoring equipment and several 11-inch black and white monitors.

At this moment, the black and white monitor has lit up, and little snowflakes are flashing on the screen.

"Air defense radar?"

Xie Wei asked Lai Guichang beside him in a low voice.

No matter how you look at it, this seems to be very different from the command center decades later. Even the monitoring equipment seems so backward.

It is also not known whether these monitoring devices can provide adequate monitoring results.

"Yes. This is a secret test base of the Air Force. It is not only equipped with 314C medium-range early warning radar, but also 406B meter-wave radar. These radars can not only conduct detailed monitoring of targets in the surrounding airspace, but also provide alert for the surrounding 300-kilometer airspace..."

Xie Wei didn't know where the radar was installed.

I am not familiar with radar technology either.

After listening to Lai Guichang's introduction, I realized that this testing base is already advanced in the country.

But looking at the huge radar screen full of snowflakes, it is difficult to express an opinion.

After all, Xie Wei is more familiar with the technology of active phased array.

He didn't even know which generation of radar technology the radar introduced by Lai Guichang belonged to.

The first generation, non-coherent two-coordinate radar, was used internationally from the beginning of air defense radar until the late 50s;

The second generation, fully coherent three-coordinate radar, was the main air defense radar from the early 80s to the late s. The carrier phase relationship between each pulse of the fully coherent radar is certain, and this certainty is the basis for extracting Doppler information.

The third generation, all-solid-state three-coordinate radar, was the main air defense radar of developed countries from the mid-1980s to the mid-to-late 1990s. China probably does not have the technology yet.

The fourth generation is already phased array radar. Until Xie Wei left that world, phased array radar was still in the process of rapid development.

Even though he had some understanding of it, and in order to fool the professional leaders from 611, 612 and 14 institutes at school, Xie Wei had made up a lot of theoretical knowledge about radar, but he still did not understand the detailed technology.

Xie Wei only knew the basic principles of three-coordinate radar because he had come into contact with it in the past.

This type of radar is also called a one-dimensional electronic scanning radar: it performs mechanical scanning in the horizontal direction (azimuth) and electronic scanning in the vertical direction (elevation angle) to obtain the target's distance, direction and altitude information.

The various information detected by the radar is directly fed back to the display screen using the computer data processing capabilities, allowing the radar operator to clearly know the various parameters of the target. It can even be directly networked with the ground-based air defense firepower system and use the computer system to automatically lock the target.

There is no such data on the display screen of the surveillance radar in front of me.

Xie Wei was afraid that he would talk nonsense again, so he decisively chose to shut up.

Can't go further.

The Air Force simply ignored the testing procedures for a missile with enhanced infrared detection capabilities and just started firing samples as soon as they were produced. What would happen if Xie Wei said that a three-coordinate radar could be produced even faster?

"Prepare to release the target drone!"

On the runway with indicator lights on both sides, the red Changkong-1 on the booster launch vehicle has been prepared for takeoff and is quietly parked on the takeoff line.

"Runway cleared!"

"Pre-takeoff checks completed!"

"..."

"take off!"

As the command was given, the remote control operator not far from Changkong-1 successfully ignited the Changkong-1 engine by simply pressing the ignition button.

Orange-red flames spurted out of the tail of the engine, and the huge thrust drove the car to slide forward quickly along the runway.

The speed is getting faster and faster.

When the speed reached 275 km/h, the aircraft had obtained enough lift. The air-conditioning actuator on the launch vehicle pushed open the thrust pins that fixed the drone to the launch vehicle. The nose of Changkong No. pointed obliquely to the night sky and took off quickly.

The launch vehicle was still sliding forward rapidly.

The remote control personnel on one side remotely controlled the launch vehicle to throw out the brake parachute through radio command signals and started remote control braking work.

After the target drone took off, the launch vehicle stopped quickly.

Special personnel on the ground went to recover it and clear the runway.

“Detected!”

Soon, a red signal representing the target aircraft appeared on the radar screen, which originally had only snowflakes.

After the target aircraft takes off and climbs to a certain altitude, it flies according to internal procedures, circling around the designated airspace.

"The test plane is ready to take off!"

"Boom~"

After flames spurted out of the tail nozzle of the J-7 engine, the experienced pilot quickly controlled the test aircraft equipped with 204 radar and leaped into the air in the darkness.

"Report, target found, altitude 15500, speed 870, distance 22..."

"Target crew, switch from automatic control to remote control!"

The target aircraft flying according to the preset program had an erratic flight trajectory in the air, with its altitude fluctuating and its turning movements increasing.

Various parameters are faithfully reflected on different radar display screens.

"Report, locked!"

When the test aircraft was still 17 kilometers away from the drone, it locked onto the drone.

The maximum range of the PL-4 passive infrared guidance type is only 8 kilometers, which is not significantly lower than the 18 kilometers of the semi-active radar guidance type.

After the improvement, the range has increased significantly, but for safety reasons, the missile will not be launched at too long a distance during this night test.

"Target crew, maneuver harder!"

"In the air, close the distance!"

The drone, whose trajectory was already erratic, began to move up, down, left and right faster under the control of the ground remote control personnel, performing various conventional maneuvers that a drone can make to evade fighter planes.

The test machine is approaching quickly.

Soon the distance was shortened to 8 kilometers.

"Come closer before firing!"

When the pilot requested to open fire, the ground gave the instructions.

"Fire within 5 kilometers!"

What the J-7 test aircraft displayed in the air was very different from what was seen on the ground. The test aircraft always maintained a lock on the target aircraft no matter how the drone maneuvered.

Fighter radar lock is of little significance without semi-active or active guided missiles.

Although the original PL-4 is huge in size, with a diameter of 190 mm and a length of 3250 mm, its range is not very high due to the insufficient combustion efficiency of the solid missile fuel propellant, the bulky and low-performance electronic components, and the large proportion of the guidance cabin and internal computer group.

Therefore, the theoretical range of the passive infrared type is 8 kilometers.

The theoretical range of the semi-active radar-guided type is 18 kilometers.

Lai Guichang had never told Xie Wei about this, but it certainly couldn't reach a range of 18 kilometers. "You don't need such a close shooting distance, right?"

Xie Wei glanced at Lai Guichang next to him and asked in a low voice.

5 km, the passive infrared performance cannot be demonstrated.

Lai Guichang glanced around. Everyone was staring at the display screen. No one was paying attention. He whispered, "Hit the target first before considering other things. There are only two sample bombs. There won't be many such opportunities. A target drone costs 700,000 or 800,000 yuan. If the first shot has a problem, it won't be easy for the army to provide a target drone."

"..."

What else can Xie Wei say?
"The missile has been launched!"

After the test aircraft launched a missile, a radar soldier saw another signal source appear on the screen and exclaimed.

"Target crew, increase maneuvers and evade missiles!"

The signal representing the target drone rapidly changes altitude and trajectory.

The signal representing the missile has been changing rapidly following the changes of the target aircraft since it was launched.

The missile was launched at a distance of 5 kilometers, and the signal disappeared from the radar screen after only 12 seconds.

At the same time, the signal representing the target aircraft also disappeared.

In the distant night sky, a ball of fire flashed and then quickly returned to darkness.

"Hit!"

Everyone in the radar monitoring room jumped up excitedly.

In dark conditions, the missile can accurately hit the target, which means that even if the air force fighter radar performance is poor, it still has a certain night combat capability.

"Now our Air Force really has the ability to fight at night!"

"Even if we take off, we don't have to rely on radar or force our eyes to fire..."

"I don't have to sit and watch at night anymore..."

The radar operators jumped and roared with excitement...

"Collate the data, and when the pilot returns, hold a meeting to analyze and discuss it."

The smile on the person in charge's face was beyond words. After everyone was excited for a while, he gave the order.

Due to limited funds, we only fired one sample bullet, which is unable to confirm that the infrared guidance performance has been significantly improved. We have to fire another test bullet in the afternoon.

But for now, it's a good start.

Although the range of 5 kilometers is a bit short.

It has a much longer range than a machine gun.

"This missile uses a new infrared detector. According to theoretical calculations, the detection range can reach about 14 kilometers. We can try to launch it within this range this afternoon."

Lai Guichang's words made the person in charge even more delighted.

However, his smile froze as soon as it appeared.

"Professor Lai, even if the detection distance is improved, the internal navigation system accounts for too much weight. The propellant may not be able to support such a long distance, and the missile needs to continue to maneuver..."

"More advanced chips are used inside. The computer group not only has stronger performance, but also has a much lower weight. The propellant has increased by about 7 kilograms..."

Lai Guichang explained in a low voice.

Xie Wei listened silently.

Judging from the various data fed back by the radar, the performance of this sample bullet used in night shooting was not fully utilized.

A missile more than three meters long hitting a target within the range of a close-range air-to-air missile means nothing.

"Today is New Year's Eve. Everyone, have a good rest and continue in the afternoon. Relevant personnel, please go to the conference room..."

Xie Wei is not a relevant person.

Lai Guichang didn't let him go with him either.

Pulling Xie Wei aside, Professor Lai whispered, "I will give Yu Guofeng a copy of the various parameters for this shooting. Take a look and think about any ideas you have. There will be a work report this afternoon..."

Work report?

What does it have to do with me!
Before the surprised Xie Wei could express his opinion, Lai Guichang had already turned and left.

"Xie Wei, this is not only about whether the school's technology can have a huge impact on national defense, but also about the subsequent research and development funds, a huge amount of funds! If you have any ideas, don't hide them."

Soon, Yu Guofeng handed the various handwritten parameters to Xie Wei.

Including data displayed by the J-7 radar.

"Don't hide it?"

Xie Wei looked at Yu Guofeng with a strange expression. He was afraid that if he spoke openly, he would scare them.

At 11 o'clock in the morning, a convoy consisting entirely of jeeps entered the base, making Xie Wei realize that the test results in the early morning were very important.

In the convoy, several cadres have gray hair!

The average age of the entire team is at least 40 years old.

Just before the afternoon shooting session began, two Z-5s painted in military green landed directly at the rear of the takeoff runway.

The people who got off the Z-5 helicopter were also wearing military uniforms with four pockets, and the leader had gray hair.

“This is incredible!”

Seeing the big guys greeting each other, Xie Wei was astonished.

"The deputy commander of the Shencheng Military Region Air Force is here in person! If it weren't so far from the capital, his rank would be higher. Xie Wei, after the shooting, be ready to report your work."

Lai Guichang appeared out of nowhere and reminded Xie Wei in a low voice.

"what?"

Before he could ask, another Changkong No. 1 aircraft that was already ready on the runway spewed flames from its tail engine nozzle and quickly took off with the help of a booster.

The target plane quickly turned into a small dot, with only a not-too-loud roar coming from it.

The J-7, which had been overhauled and refueled, once again took off into the sky carrying a sample missile.

After the J-7 took off, it did not fly far away, but kept hovering within everyone's sight.

The leaders of the army all held up binoculars and stared at the targets in the air.

When the target aircraft appeared in sight, Xie Wei understood the intention of the test base.

"Just shoot from the sky! Oh, I need a telescope..."

Before he could finish, someone next to him handed him a Type 63 military telescope.

Xie Wei held up the telescope, but instead of searching for the location of the J-7, he stared at the drone.

Soon, missiles were launched again.

This time, the launch distance was 12 kilometers.

At first, the telescope was unable to capture both the missiles and the drones.

In order to avoid accidents, the Changkong-1, which was used as a target, did not quickly rise or dive away. It waited until the missile was only a few hundred meters away from it and the target aircraft and the missile's tail flame could be clearly seen through the telescope, and then it began to rise rapidly.

The moment Changkong No. 1 climbed, the missile responded and quickly moved upwards.

When Changkong No. 1 dived downward at the maximum angle of attack, the missile that was originally slanting upward also responded quickly.

In the air, the missile's maneuvers can be clearly seen from the trail left by the area where the missile's tail flame passes.

"Boom~"

A group of brilliant fireworks exploded in the sky above the test field, in front of the military representative office and the air force chiefs.

"it is good!"

Several leaders clapped their thighs and shouted excitedly, and were unwilling to put down their hands holding the telescopes.

"Now the Air Force has a knife in its hand!"

"We must increase investment in the research of this passive infrared technology to make the PL-2 more powerful, while also speeding up the progress of other projects..."

"A batch of this type of missile can be produced first for further testing."

The leaders of the troops expressed their views excitedly.

The performance of the Air Force’s fighter jets has always been poor, and the supporting weapons are even worse.

The range of PL-2 is only 7 kilometers. It also uses passive infrared guidance, but due to the performance of its electronic system and detector, it has a serious off-target phenomenon.

The PL-5, which was a copy of the K-1, had already fallen behind.

"Commanders, this is just a sample bullet used to verify technology and test the infrared guidance system!"

When Xiong Yueshan heard what the leaders said, he knew he had to step forward and pour cold water on them.

The Air Force urgently needs to be equipped with advanced air-to-air missiles, but the prototype missiles currently available only solve the problem of missing the target.

Hitting the target at a distance of 5 kilometers at night caused more than a dozen Air Force leaders to run directly to the test base, which showed their urgency.

"Let's go to the meeting room first."

A leading leader spoke after whispering with Lai Guichang.

It is called a meeting room, but in fact it is the warehouse where Xie Wei and others unload the goods when they arrive.

The test J-7 was parked quietly on one side of the warehouse. There was no trace of the Changkong No. drone and the sample missiles. In the middle area, several rows of stools were neatly placed.

There is a blackboard on the wooden shelf in front.

The head of the base gave a detailed report on the entire experimental process, and even the pilot reported on the target shooting process.

At the end, when introducing the missiles, Lai Guichang directly asked Xie Wei to go.

"…Although this test was perfect and initially achieved the expected goal, these two target shootings did not allow the true performance of this new infrared guidance technology to be demonstrated…"

Xie Wei did not do this to attract attention.

To tell the truth, many military leaders glared at him.

He knew that the troops were in urgent need of advanced air-to-air missiles, but he could not irresponsibly equip the troops with technology that had not been fully tested.

The troops were poor.

Money should not be wasted.

"Tell me why."

The leading leader spoke to Xie Wei in a deep voice.

"The Changkong-2.2 drone is not flexible enough. Although it is a high-subsonic aircraft, its maneuvers are very passive in front of air-to-air missiles with a maximum speed of Mach ..."

"Previous lead sulfide was not sensitive enough to infrared radiation. According to theoretical calculations, the maximum detection distance of indium antimonide infrared detectors is within 15 kilometers. After computer optimization, the detected infrared signal will be amplified... But this is not foolproof. Once the target aircraft is equipped with an infrared decoy, it will release the infrared decoy when the missile is locked. At present, this technology is very easy to be interfered with, causing the missile to detonate prematurely when it hits the infrared decoy area..."

"what?"

Hearing this, the leaders of the army were shocked.

Some people even stood up and asked, "So this technology still can't be used?"

Xie Wei nodded helplessly, then looked at Yu Guofeng. It was he who asked him not to hide anything for the sake of funding.

Xie Wei was somewhat caught off guard by the reactions of the military leaders in front of him.

(End of this chapter)