In 1978, I was admitted to Harbin Institute of Technology

Chapter 318 Even the poverty of Northwestern Polytechnical University couldn't stop Xie Wei from wielding his hoe.
"Principal Wang, that kind of system is really too far ahead... But right now, if we really want to develop in the direction of a systematic approach, we must develop early warning aircraft first!"

Xie Wei was speechless at Wei Changcheng's unrestrained mouth.

Should such a plan be reported to higher authorities?

Surprisingly, the key figures in the military all thought the plan was feasible and were preparing to move in that direction.

The idea is correct.

The problem is that we lack a foundation. Technical foundations can be built up gradually, but what about economic foundations?
"An early warning aircraft? The KJ-1 project was just cancelled last year..."

Wang Zhiheng's face grew even more bitter. "Since the Air Force proposed developing an early warning aircraft in 69 and launched Project 926, we first modified the Tu-4 as the carrier platform, and later used the Y-8 as the carrier platform... During the testing process, we were unable to eliminate sea clutter signals, and we could only transmit air intelligence via voice. Target tracks had to be manually drawn..."

Through Principal Wang's introduction, Xie Wei realized that he had overlooked the fact that China had already begun developing early warning aircraft.

In his recollection, the development of early warning aircraft by the Chinese government began in 1992 when China initiated negotiations with Israel regarding the "Phalcon" early warning aircraft. After all, anyone who pays even a little attention to related information knows that due to Western technological blockades, US President Clinton personally exerted pressure and threatened to terminate military aid, leading Israel to unilaterally break the contract and refuse to provide China with relevant technology and equipment.

China has turned to Russia for the import of four upgraded A-50 early warning aircraft.

However, the plan to import A-50 early warning aircraft from Russia also failed in the summer of 2002.

Fortunately, after Israel unilaterally terminated the export contract for early warning aircraft and radar systems, China launched the development of its own early warning aircraft in 2000. Ultimately, under the research strategy of starting with the simple and gradually moving to the complex, and pursuing multiple parallel research paths, three models, KJ-2000, KJ-200, and KJ-500, were developed simultaneously.

Xie Wei was unaware of the domestic early warning aircraft development project prior to the introduction of the Phalcon radar.

"So, the KJ-1 was discontinued because of its outdated performance and the inability to eliminate sea clutter signals?"

Xie Wei frowned after hearing this.

If that's the case, the idea of ​​directly mounting an active phased array radar onto an early warning aircraft might not be very suitable.

When asked about early warning aircraft, Xie Wei's first reaction was to develop the KJ-200, which is the easiest to develop in China, despite being the least difficult and having the worst performance.

Especially with the Y-8 as the carrier platform, the internal space is large, so even if some equipment is larger due to less advanced technology, it is not a problem.

"I've heard that you not only have a technological advantage in radar projects, but you're also ahead in communications... In this regard, we can have deeper cooperation."

Seeing Xie Wei frown and remain silent, Principal Wang assumed that Xie Wei was weighing the pros and cons.

Logically, even if a project like Project No. 10 isn't located in a specialized fighter jet research institute like the 601 or 611, it should be located in an aerospace-focused university like Northwestern Polytechnical University.

However, the higher authorities chose to locate the project at Harbin Institute of Technology.

"The university is working on active phased array radar. If the development of pulse Doppler radar technology lags behind, we will consider directly equipping the university with active phased array radar... In addition, the university is researching digital communication technology... There are still some shortcomings in computer science, but Professor Huang Lingyi will soon bring her team and key personnel from the Institute of Computing Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences to the university..."

Xie Wei showed no sign of refusing the cooperation proposed by Principal Wang.

Even if we develop the J-10, without an early warning aircraft capable of detecting and tracking at greater distances, and even if we develop a missile like the PL-15 with its ultra-long range and advanced performance now, it will be difficult to demonstrate its true power.

Look at our own era. Back then, we couldn't even get a table at a meal in China. At air shows, we were relegated to the corner. The J-10, with its nose covered by a plastic sheet, was a formidable force. But once it went out, with the help of the ZDK-03 early warning aircraft, the fighter jet was effectively integrated with the ground radar system and air defense system into a whole. It not only defeated the noble French lady, but also crushed the muscular men of the north.

We absolutely must get early warning aircraft!
Okay, let's leave it to Northwestern Polytechnical University to handle, so that everyone can work together to complete the system construction.

In any case, we have already told the other party the technical foundation we can provide.

Since there was already experience in developing early warning aircraft, even if the performance was not good, we can explain the technical features of the KJ-200 and KJ-500. We can integrate them into a whole through data link when the J-10 is developed.

As for integrating with the BeiDou system, that will probably have to wait.

The military doesn't have that much money, and the country's investment in the aerospace field will only be realized by the approval department leaders who previously asked "What's the point of going to the moon, and how much return can it bring?" after the European Space Agency rejected China's participation in the International Space Station. They will then realize that advanced technologies can only be developed by ourselves.

That was the period of rapid development in aerospace.

"What do you think about collaborating on an early warning aircraft project?"

Ye Mingde finally understood why the Air Force and the General Logistics Department had sent them to Harbin Institute of Technology; it turned out that the university had acquired so much technology.

These are precisely the things that Northwestern Polytechnical University lacks.

Learning is definitely necessary.

Besides, Harbin Institute of Technology is rich.

Just as Liu Debao was about to agree, Xie Wei hurriedly spoke up before him: "Leaders, there's absolutely no problem with our existing technical project cooperation. We would be very happy if your school could send technical personnel to our school for exchange. Project No. 10 is too complex, and our school lacks manpower and technical expertise..."

Upon hearing Xie Wei's words, Liu Debao also realized what was going on and hurriedly chimed in, "Yes, the school is short-staffed right now... and although Project No. 10 is important, there's an even more important core machine project that's supporting Project No. 10. We really can't spare any manpower to work on the early warning aircraft."

Just kidding.

The approval process for school projects is now being tightened.

Especially some large projects.

The implementation of Project No. 10 had already caused considerable dissatisfaction among many leaders and cadres of the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry, who even warned the school against misappropriating research and development funds for related projects of the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry, and even more so against misappropriating the school's construction funds.

Should we add another aircraft project?
At that point, the leaders of the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry might be so angry that they would storm the school and take back the school's autonomy over the project.

"How about this, your school and our school can exchange some teachers?"

Principal Wang did not give up.

Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) doesn't have autonomy over projects, and more importantly, it lacks equipment that can be sold on the international market to secure funding.

Northwestern Polytechnical University does not have its own complete projects. It usually conducts research in cooperation with related units, and is responsible for the technology in a specific sub-field, relying on financial allocations from higher-level units.

"Principal Wang, as you've all learned, our school is short-staffed these past few days. However, we would welcome your school to send excellent teachers to provide support..."

Secretary Liu has become shrewd at this moment.

Do they want people from Harbin Institute of Technology?

Impossible.

Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) warmly welcomes Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) to send more aviation-related technical personnel to HIT.

"Your Excellencies, we can engage in in-depth cooperation in areas such as detection technology, automatic control, and computers. Furthermore, if your university has product designs in areas such as photosensitive components and chips, our affiliated Factory 14 and Huafeng Electronics can assist in production and bring them to market..."

Xie Wei was aware of the difficulties faced by Northwestern Polytechnical University.

With the country continuously cutting military spending and the military lacking equipment in all aspects, there is not much research and development funding that can be invested in Northwestern Polytechnical University.

"no problem!"

"For specific cooperation projects, you can discuss them with Secretary Liu and Principal Zhang..."

Xie Wei did not want to participate in discussions about specific collaborative projects.

"By the way, we have some existing technological achievements that we can transfer to you... Of course, not for free." Xie Wei said as he reached the door.

Knowing that Northwestern Polytechnical University was short of funds, Xie Wei still proposed not to transfer the technology for free, which made President Wang and Secretary Ye look embarrassed. Liu Debao immediately understood the meaning behind Xie Wei's words.

Xie Wei's hoe was even wielded by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and in the end, he was not going to let Northwestern Polytechnical University off the hook.

"Are you done talking?"

"That's about it. You'll have to discuss the rest yourselves."

Xie Wei explained the general situation and his thoughts to Zhang Mingqiu. Having been involved in swindling people together for a long time, Zhang Mingqiu understood Xie Wei's meaning without him having to say much.

"Wu Haowen is explaining the details to General Manager Wu. General Manager Wu is very satisfied and pleased with the work done by the Power team."

When they parted, Zhang Mingqiu told Xie Wei about General Manager Wu's attitude towards the school's power team.

"He must be happy. The school team has been using the three-dimensional flow theory to improve the WS-6 turbofan engine."

Xie Wei answered casually, and then went to the power research lab.

When Xie Wei first started working on the turbofan engine, he knew that the core engine was more difficult to develop. Coupled with insufficient funding, he asked Wu Wenhao, who was in charge of power, to lead the team to modify the impeller design of the WS-6 engine based on the technical data of the WS-6 engine. Instead of rushing to improve the performance of the WS-6 engine, they used the "Three-Dimensional Flow Calculation Program Package for Turbomechanics under Arbitrary Non-Orthogonal Curved Coordinates" that Wu Zhonghua had given to the school free of charge after he presided over a training course.

This is to address the stability issues of the WS-6 turbofan engine and increase its service life.

Progress was slow due to the lack of microcomputer assistance.

"You've done an excellent job in this area! Although the progress has been slow, the direction is correct, and the improvements made over the past year have greatly enhanced the stability of the WS-6 turbofan engine... Our core engine can be based on your current work..."

As soon as Xie Wei arrived, Old Wu excitedly told him.

"Mr. Wu, please provide training on the relevant theoretical knowledge for the design team during this period. We will urge the National University of Defense Technology to send over the Galaxy-1 as soon as possible. In addition, once Mr. Huang arrives, the university's electronic engineering and computer science departments will accelerate the development of high-performance microcomputers."

"Okay! Okay, you can go ahead and do what you need to do. I'll stay here and familiarize myself with the situation."

So, after arriving at Harbin Institute of Technology, Wu rested for less than 6 hours before starting his research on turbofan engines at the university.

"Now I don't have to worry about people leaving."

Xie Wei was very satisfied.

He immediately called Wu Haowen outside, saying, "Professor Wu, thank you for your hard work in the management aspects..."

"Xie Wei, you're too kind. We're all working for the country!"

Wu Haowen wasn't angry that Xie Wei had shifted his focus from technical to management. "I wasn't familiar with turbofan engines before, and I only took on the role because the university couldn't find anyone else. Now that an industry leader like Professor Wu is in charge, the pressure on me has eased considerably."

What he said was the truth.

The school had previously assigned him, who was originally a rocket engine engineer, to oversee the work on turbofan engines, which already put him under a lot of pressure. When he heard that Project 10 had been launched, with the initial plan to use the WS-10 engine as the engine, and even the J-7 as the basis for the export of the Super-7, which was based on the WS-6 engine, his already heavy pressure suddenly increased.

Many of the country's fighter jet projects have been hampered by the lack of supporting engines, resulting in slow research progress.

Such pressure is truly unbearable for someone like him who works on rocket engines.

"..."

Xie Wei hadn't expected Wu Haowen to have this kind of mentality; he was worried that Professor Wu might be feeling disappointed.

Suddenly, Xie Wei realized something: it seems there are quite a few people with the surname Wu in China who work on aerospace engines?

"what happened?"

Seeing the expression on Xie Wei's face, Wu Haowen asked.

"No. I'm thinking the computer needs to be put into use as soon as possible... I'll go see Director Yu first."

Xie Wei's strange idea was naturally not something he could bring up for discussion with Wu Haowen.

Watching Xie Wei's hurried departure, Wu Haowen felt that the kid was up to something, but he couldn't figure it out and had no evidence. He could only shake his head helplessly and then go back to work.

"I thought you'd forgotten about us! How long has it been since you last came over?"

Upon seeing Xie Wei, Yu Guofeng launched into a tirade.

"I'm just busy!"

Xie Wei was speechless. He hadn't even caused trouble for Yu Guofeng yet, and they had been working on a microcomputer for so long without success.

It's important to know that the microcomputer project was a key project for which the school allocated significant resources from the very beginning.

Whether it's funding, manpower, or various supporting facilities, it's all top-tier.

"When I looked for you a couple of days ago, you weren't there. I asked around and found out you went to the capital. I don't know when you'll be back. Didn't Xiao Mo tell you?"

Yu Guofeng pulled Xie Wei and headed towards the training room.

He complained as he walked.

"Huh? I haven't seen Mo Lingyu since I came back..."

"Are you having a conflict?"

Yu Guofeng asked Xie Wei.

"No? She was supposed to go abroad before the Spring Festival, so she's probably busy preparing for it."

Xie Wei shook his head.

Seeing that he didn't seem to be lying, Yu Guofeng, who felt there was a problem in their relationship, also felt it was inappropriate to interfere in Xie Wei's personal affairs.

"The microcomputer is finished. As per your requirements, although it's still a bit laggy when running CAD software, it's already usable for design..."

Did you manage to figure it out?

Xie Wei felt this was the best news he had heard in a while.

Microcomputers!

With this, especially the CAD software that he has been demanding from the beginning, which can assist in the design process, the design progress of both the J-10 and the WS-10 will be much faster!
Xie Wei was already quite impatient.

Before I even entered the lab, Yu Guofeng stopped me. “Change your clothes and put on shoe covers. This place has been converted into a temperature-controlled, dust-free lab.”

what?
It doesn't seem like it's been that long since I've been to the computer lab!

(End of this chapter)