Siheyuan: The Era of Struggle.

Chapter 257: J- Prototype Flight Test (Subscription Request)
The J-8 engine has entered the test run phase, and all we can do now is wait.

The test run of an aircraft engine not only needs to test the various performance characteristics of the engine, but also needs to test the overhaul time and the total life of the engine in consideration of the safety of the fighter.

The first thing to be tested is the engine performance.

"Chief Engineer Yang, after testing on the test bench, the performance of our engine has fully met the design standards, and some are even better than the design performance."

"The thrust-to-weight ratio reaches 7.1:1, the maximum external thrust is 117 kN, and the intermediate thrust is 75 kN."

"It has been 100 hours since the start of the test run, and the engine is still running normally."

"The above minimum requirements for engine stability have been met."

Listening to Professor Huang's report, Yang Ning nodded with satisfaction.

The performance exceeded the design requirements a little bit, which was within Yang Ning's expectations. After all, there was still a little gap between the drawings and reality.

In addition, some of the parts used in the first engine were made by Yang Ning himself.

With his technical level, it would be difficult for anyone except the top masters to produce such high-specification parts.

By the time the second engine is assembled and tested, performance may drop a bit.

"Continue the experiment. Although the first overhaul time required above is 100 hours, we must have confidence in this engine. The first overhaul time of the engines of the Russian Bear and the Eagle Sauce is generally more than 500 hours. Our industrial manufacturing level and materials are not worse than theirs, and our production equipment is even better than theirs. I don't believe that the reliability of the engines we produce will be worse than theirs."

It has to be said that although the Gallic rooster is now in decline, the angry and cowardly Eagle Sauce that dares to be rebellious at this time still has something to rely on.

Putting aside other things, just based on hundreds of years of technological accumulation, their technology in the field of materials is not much worse than that of the United States.

After we started comprehensive cooperation with Gallic Chicken, they really dared to sell anything as long as they could afford the price.

Relying on the foreign exchange and technology exchanges accumulated over the past few years, we have gradually caught up with other mainstream countries in the field of materials.

This means that when Yang Ning and his team designed and manufactured the J-8 engine, the materials used were not much worse than those used by the United States and Russia. In fact, thanks to the efforts of our scientific and technological workers, the materials used for some components are even better than those used by the United States and Russia.

With these foundations, plus the existence of Yang Ning himself who is at a bug level, this is the reason why we have the confidence to establish the new J-8 project.

Historically, we just had a supercomputer with a computing speed of more than 10 billion times per second, and the prototype of the domestic "Kunlun" aircraft engine WS-10 came out in just two or three years.

What's more, Yang Ning's current capabilities are not only not inferior to the supercomputer used when researching WS-10, but also far exceed the performance of that supercomputer.

Not to mention that Yang Ning's entire energy is now focused on the J-10 project. With Yang Ning around, even though there are limitations in material technology and technological levels compared to when the WS-70 was developed, it is still very certain that we can develop an AL-31 engine that is no worse than the one developed by the Soviet Union in the s.

Soon after, a second prototype engine was produced.

Just as Yang Ning expected, without the parts produced by Yang Ning, the performance of this engine was somewhat lower than that of the first engine, but it also met the design requirements.

100 hours...The engine on the test bench still makes a powerful roar.

200 hours...300 hours...

As time slowly approached Yang Ning's 500-hour minimum renovation time, everyone's heart was lifted.

“It’s been 500 hours…!”

When the test run time reached 500 hours, the news caused a sensation not only in the Aerospace Research Institute, but also at the top.

"Comrade Yang Ning, you guys did a great job! Beautifully done!"

When the Air Force leader learned that the J-500 engine had completed hours of test without any faults, he rushed to the Aerospace Research Institute and excitedly held Yang Ning's hand and said.

Speaking of which, the engine developed by the Aerospace Research Institute for the J-8 is not our first independently developed aerospace engine, after all, there is the J-7 before it.
However, because we had not yet started cooperation with the Gallic Chickens when the J-300 was developed, and we were still somewhat weak in the field of materials, the engine used on it had its first overhaul time of only hours.

The appearance of the J-500 engine is not only our first independently developed turbofan engine, but also the first overhaul time of this engine reaches hours, which also means that we have caught up with the world's advanced level in terms of aviation engine reliability.

It also means that we no longer have any shortcomings in the aviation field.

After all, we have mastered the technology of military small-duct afterburning engines, and the technology of simpler large-duct non-afterburning turbofan engines is even more within our grasp.

The large aircraft that Qin Fei had completed prototype assembly of was a copy of the Soviet Union's I-14 and used a turboprop engine.

If we can develop a more advanced and reliable large-bypass turbofan engine based on this J-8 engine, wouldn’t that ensure the next generation of our transport aircraft?
"If this engine can be successfully finalized and mass-produced, our large jet aircraft will probably be ready soon, right?"

The Air Force leader looked at the engine that was still roaring on the test bench and said with anticipation.

"Leader, do you have money?" Yang Ning asked with a frown on his face after hearing the words of the Air Force leader.

Big jet plane, you really dare to imagine it!
Although with our current level of technology, it is not impossible to develop a large jet aircraft if we try hard enough.

In history, didn’t the prototype of the Y-10 large jet aircraft was built under such difficult conditions?

But what happens after it’s developed?
Yang Ning estimates that the cost of the J-300 engine alone will be no less than million RMB after mass production.

Don’t think that this cost is high. Historically, the AL-70 engine produced by the Russian Federation in the 31s also cost 300 million each, but its unit is US dollars.

Although the gold standard system of the US dollar had collapsed at that time and its value was not as high as it is now, 70 million RMB was no longer cheap compared to 300 million US dollars in the 300s.

One J-600 requires two engines. The cost of the engine alone is as high as million for one aircraft. Adding other factors, the manufacturing cost of each aircraft is estimated to be million.

It is no wonder that the price of fighter jets in later generations is often tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of dollars. If you don’t have some money, you really can’t afford it.

After listening to Yang Ning's description of the manufacturing cost of the J-8, the Air Force leader's eyes widened and he asked in disbelief, "So expensive?"

"That's how expensive it is!" Yang Ning nodded, thinking, "This is just the beginning. Four years later, the Valkyrie developed by the Eagle Sauce will cost more than a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, 4 million US dollars each. Even the White Swan of the Russian Bear costs hundreds of millions of dollars each." "Ten years later, the Eagle Sauce's F7.5, which can compete with the new J-15, costs 5000 million US dollars each. The Russian Bear's Su-27, which is the new J-3000 produced by Russia, costs million US dollars each."

"These two are so rich!" Thinking of this, Yang Ning couldn't help swallowing. One Valkyrie is enough for us to build 75 new J-s.

With so much money, there's nothing they can't do. The Americans spent so much just to watch a big fireworks display.

It is no wonder that Mr. Qian advocated that we develop missiles first in history. According to our national strength at that time, if we had developed on two legs like the Russians and the Americans, we would have been dragged to death.

Even though our situation is much better now than in history, we can't afford to be played like this.

Upon learning that each new J-8 aircraft cost so much, the Air Force leader exchanged a few words with Yang Ning and then left in a hurry.

If we don’t ask for more funding now and in advance, the Air Force will only be able to sigh at the “eight” in the future.

"Are you sure that a J-8 costs so much?"

My goodness! When the higher-ups heard that the Air Force was applying for so much funding at once, they were a little confused at first.

After all, the J-7 has already started mass production, and the cost of one aircraft is only a few million. Why do we need so much funding?
However, when the Air Force leaders told them that the cost of building a new J-2000 was about million yuan each, although the superiors were mentally prepared, they were still shocked.

Although everyone can understand that good things are more expensive, you didn’t say it was so expensive!

In fact, it is no wonder that the leaders are so surprised. The F4 Phantom heavy fighter that the Eagle has just successfully developed costs only more than 200 million US dollars per aircraft. How much is that in RMB?
"My goodness, this time it really hits the sky!"

After all, the aircraft has not yet been fully finalized, and the cost given by Yang Ning is just an estimate.

But now all the parts of the aircraft have been manufactured, and the leaders think the cost is about right.

"How many J-8 fighters does your Air Force plan to equip in the future?"

"Of course the more the better!" said the Air Force leader with an uncomfortably smiling face.

This is the last fighter jet of the Air Force in the next few decades. The Air Force leaders did not hesitate to ask for a huge price.

"The more the better, otherwise all the military spending for the next few years will be given to you!" the leader said unhappily.

Then he thought for a moment and said, "In the next few years, we plan to lean towards the navy. After all, without the big black fish, we will not feel at ease."

"After the J-8 is fully finalized and put into production, we will approve more funding for you."

The leaders are in a difficult situation now! Although the breakdown of relations with the Russian bear has not had much impact on our development, there are still many places where we need to spend money!
Not to mention other things, with the bad economic conditions in recent years, the spending on food in the past two years alone requires hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign exchange every year, and this cannot be saved.

In addition, the Black Fish project currently underway in cooperation with Gallicus has also entered its final stage. Equipping the navy with Black Fish will be another huge expense.

Now the Air Force wants the new J-8, no matter how much we earn it will never be enough to spend!
But this money cannot be saved. Historical experience tells us that if we don’t spend this money now, we will definitely suffer losses in the future.

Yang Ning is not worried at all about the high cost of the J-8. He knows that after next year, we won't have to spend so much on food, and even if only a portion of the saved money is distributed to the Air Force, there will be enough money to equip the J-8.

Just when the superiors were worried about the high cost of the J-8, the Aviation Research Institute, after completing the engine test, began assembling the first J-8 prototype.

In the huge assembly workshop, watching the workers assembling the previously produced parts one by one with the help of large equipment, Director Zheng said excitedly: "After more than a year of hard work, it's finally time to produce results!"

"Produce results? It's a bit early to talk about this now!" Hearing his words, Yang Ning couldn't help but pour cold water on him.

“Even if the prototype is produced, it will take at least a year just to conduct various tests before it can be finalized.”

Yang Ningtai knew that as the aircraft technology became more and more complex, the time for aircraft testing would also become longer and longer.

Previously, the J-7 flight test could complete all tests in less than half a year, but the J-8 is different because it adopts many new design concepts and technologies. In addition to various high and low altitude tests, its control system, maneuverability, radar performance, weapon mounts, etc. all need to be retested.

These tests are really time-consuming.

And this is assuming no major problems arise. If serious design errors occur during the testing process, it may take until the year after next for the J-8 to be fully finalized.

"This is our $2000 million plane?"

When the first J-8 prototype was assembled, it was immediately and secretly transported to an airport near Sijiucheng.

Because with the development of aerospace technology in various countries in recent years, the United States and Russia have begun to deploy various spy satellites in outer space. In order to ensure the confidentiality of this test flight, the test flight time was specially set at night.

After all, as our main fighter for the next few decades, the J-8 cannot be without all-weather combat capabilities.

"Yes, although the cost of the J-8 is indeed very high, its performance is worthy of its price!" Yang Ning said quickly.

"No matter how nice your words sound, it's useless. I want to see the actual situation!" said the leader in a deep voice.

One plane costs 2000 million. Even if we replace it with the Eagle Sauce's F4 Phantom, we can build about 4 of them.

Because it is inconvenient to keep the flight test in Sijiu City confidential, this is both the first flight test and a transfer flight.

During this test flight, the test pilot will fly the J-8 prototype for thousands of kilometers in the night sky. After landing at Liangzhou Airport, he will complete the remaining flight tests there.

Of course, the test flight will not be just this one aircraft. The Aviation Research Institute will also make certain adjustments based on the test flight results of this prototype and continue to produce new prototypes until satisfactory results are achieved, and finally finalize the production.

Because it was the first test flight and it would require a long-distance flight transfer at night, Yang Ning personally conducted the final inspection of the prototype before the test flight.

After all, no one knows what the actual situation of this prototype will be like. In order to ensure the smooth progress of this test flight to the greatest extent, Yang Ning can only make sure that the prototype is in the best condition.

(End of this chapter)