Chapter 319 Improvement Plan for Yak-38

Chapter 319 Improvement Plan of Yak-38

Inside the small building, Pleshakov looked at a group of people coming in and was very excited. He almost ran towards the crowd in a few steps, and then grabbed the hand of one of them.

"Mr. Qin, the appearance plan you gave is really great! Through simple modification design, our radar cross-section has dropped by an order of magnitude!" Pleshakov was so excited, this is definitely a miracle!

As for radar reflectivity, it is a calculation formula made by a professor of the old Russians, but it is not taken seriously by the old Russians. Instead, it has traveled across the ocean and is regarded as a classic in the Skunk Works.

Therefore, Pleshakov and his team didn't know how to make the aircraft have stealth performance. Qin Tao told them the specific ideas and guided them to improve. In recent times, they have been working hard in this regard. After all, the appearance of the aircraft must be determined first.

With the investment of funds, a professional electromagnetic laboratory has also been established. They made relevant models according to Qin Tao's suggestions and put them in for testing. The results are unbelievable to them!

"By the way, Lao Mao, I heard that in the era of the Red Empire, people did not pursue external stealth, but plasma stealth technology. Have you ever come into contact with this technology?" Qin Tao asked immediately, looking at Pleshakov who was excited in front of him.

Plasma is the fourth state of matter formed by gas ionization. It is an ionized gas that is generally electrically neutral and composed of positive ions, free electrons and neutral atoms. It is said that in the 1960s, Lao Mao and Americans began to do these researches, and some research results have also emerged, for example, electromagnetic waves and plasma will interact with each other.

When the plasma frequency is greater than the frequency of the incident electromagnetic wave, it will hinder the entry of electromagnetic waves, and can only enter 2 mm at most, and 80 to 90 percent of the energy will be reflected.

However, if the opposite is true, the electromagnetic wave will enter the plasma and propagate in it. During the propagation process, part of the energy of the electromagnetic wave is transmitted to the charged particles in the plasma and absorbed by the charged particles, while its own energy gradually decays. That is to say, the electromagnetic wave is absorbed by the plasma!

Using this principle, the aircraft can achieve stealth. When the opposite radar emits electromagnetic waves, the aircraft gathers a layer of plasma on the surface of the aircraft, so that all the electromagnetic waves are absorbed and cannot be reflected back, so they cannot be detected.

If it is described with images, it is probably the same as the energy shield in science fiction novels.

However, it is one thing in theory and another thing in practice. During the Cold War, the Russians did come up with a lot of black technology. At the same time, the MiG 1.44 under development did not consider the impact of stealth performance. In other words, the Russians put all their hopes on this plasma stealth technology.

What is the truth?

Now I can take this opportunity to ask Pleshakov. Although the Yakovlev Design Bureau has been marginalized, they should know something.

"This thing was indeed studied in the Red Empire era." Pleshakov said: "This project is mainly done by the Skoldysh Research Center."

"Plasma stealth?" Everyone present became curious. It sounds very high-end!

"Does this technology really exist?"

"However, it is still very far away from engineering application of this technology." Pleshakov said: "They encountered many difficulties. For example, if they want to absorb electromagnetic waves, they have to control the frequency of plasma. This frequency is related to many factors, especially external conditions. If it is not done well, it will not absorb electromagnetic waves, but fully reflect electromagnetic waves."

Originally wanted to be invisible, what was the result? It became clearer all of a sudden, and this result is unbearable.

"Also, this plasma generator is not easy to make. How to generate plasma is a difficult problem. According to our estimation, it will take at least ten years or even twenty years to enter engineering application."

It is indeed being done, but it is still too early to mature. This thing is just like a laser weapon, ethereal and uncertain.

Qin Tao nodded and understood it.

Although Russia has boasted about its plasma stealth technology many times in the next ten or twenty years, in the end, Russia still honestly worked on the T-50, and worked on the appearance to achieve stealth, and completely gave up this high-end stealth technology. In other words, until the end, this stealth technology has not matured.

"In comparison, now we can achieve such a good stealth effect just by modifying the appearance, which is really rare." Pleshakov continued to bring the topic back: "This kind of stealth design does not reduce the flight performance of the aircraft, and it is relatively stable. It is the best choice, but... there is still a big gap with the US F-117."

The radar reflection area of ​​the F-117 is said to have been reduced to 0.001 square meters, while our aircraft can only be reduced to 0.5, which is a huge gap!

"At present, this is already a great progress." Qin Tao said: "For a combat aircraft, it is unreliable to maintain complete stealth, unless you do not use radar. As long as you are not discovered by the enemy before you attack the enemy, it is enough. Specifically, it is enough to prevent the enemy from discovering it from dozens of kilometers away. When our radar-absorbing coating technology matures in the future, it will absorb some radar waves, and the RCS can be further reduced by an order of magnitude."

The stealth aircraft is indeed high-end, but unless it is guided by an early warning aircraft and fights silently throughout the whole process, otherwise, when launching missiles to attack the enemy, its radar must always be turned on.

Turning on will expose the target, so stealth is unnecessary.

Therefore, reducing the radar reflection area by an order of magnitude is enough for Qin Tao.

After all, the stealth of the appearance is one aspect, and on the other hand, it still depends on the radar-absorbing coating. As for this thing, it requires the efforts of relevant departments, and Qin Tao cannot participate.

In the electromagnetic laboratory, there is a 1:10 model, which is nearly two meters long and looks very realistic. When Mr. Lin saw this model, he couldn't help but sigh.

"This shape is too sci-fi, it can only appear in movies. When I saw the prototype of Project No. 10, I was amazed, but now, compared with today's surprise, it is simply not worth mentioning."

Mr. Lin's words have some meaning of belittling the J-10, but Mr. Song didn't think there was anything wrong. Mr. Lin is a frank person. He says what he should say and never hides anything.

In public, Mr. Lin has supported the J-10 more than once, because he knows that the J-10 is of great significance to the Air Force. Now, Mr. Lin is extremely shocked when he sees this model, which is more than the shock of the J-10, which is normal.

The J-10 is beautiful, but it is still conventional after all, but the model in front of him is definitely unconventional.

The diamond-shaped nose, parallelogram air intake, wide fuselage, butterfly-shaped wings, inclined double vertical tails, all of these look completely different from the current fighters, they are simply from two different eras.

If you make a comparison, it is like the gap between the Su-27 and the MiG-21.

"The stealth technology tested on this aircraft will have a great inspiration for the development of new fighters in the future." Song Lao said on the side: "Many design elements will be inherited and carried forward by us. It is still Mr. Qin who is amazing. The design he proposed is quite good."

Qin Tao quickly waved his hand: "I just said it casually. You have to go through a lot of complex calculations. You are the real experts."

It's just an appearance and a few words, but if you want it to really work, it must be calculated by engineering. The proportional model in front of you was made after complex calculations.

Qin Tao can't take credit.

"Lao Wu, your navy is really amazing. You have developed such an advanced aircraft. When our air force has extra money in the future, we can also support you!"

Old Lin was very happy, as if he saw the great prospects of the motherland's air force.

The heavy Su-27 and the medium-sized J-10 have become the backbone of the air force, and this stealth aircraft in front of him is completely designed to meet the needs of the next 20 or even 30 years! The technology used on it is one generation ahead of the current aircraft!

"It's just talk, don't practice, you should invest. If the JH-7 didn't have the funds of our navy, it would have been a failure long ago."

Just as the old friends were in love and hate, Qin Tao had already circled around the aircraft model. He was also very satisfied in his heart. This is the real F-35!

Let's make this and see if Lockheed can still win the bid? It would be fun if the Americans chose the big-mouthed X-32.

Wait, something seems wrong?

Qin Tao stood next to the air intake, thought carefully, and then thought of something.

"This board on the air intake will affect the stealth effect, so you can remove it."

Looking over along Qin Tao's finger, Mr. Song's face was a little embarrassed.

"Mr. Qin, you probably don't know that this board is called a boundary layer baffle. All supersonic aircraft have this baffle to remove the airflow on the surface of the fuselage."

Mr. Qin is very powerful, but when it comes to professional content, he is not so proficient.

When the aircraft moves at high speed, the air flowing over the surface of the fuselage will produce a boundary layer effect, that is, the thin layer of air close to the surface of the fuselage is blocked and the flow rate is slowed down. By analogy, similar to a river, the flow rate of water on the riverside will be lower than the flow rate in the middle of the river. (I remember that when I was in college, this seemed to be called the Bernoulli effect. I don't know if it's correct.)

In this way, if the air intake is directly attached to the fuselage, the air intake will be reduced under the same area, and it will be uneven, which will easily cause the engine to surge.

Therefore, except for fighters with nose air intake, other fighters are designed with this special isolation plate on the air intake to keep a certain gap between the air intake and the fuselage to prevent the boundary layer airflow from entering the engine.

The J-10 fighter jet tested outside has this isolation plate hanging on the stick above the air intake.

Qin Tao smiled: "I know, I was just wondering if we could design a non-adjustable convex curved surface near the air inlet, so as to create a difference in pressure distribution at the air inlet and make the boundary layer The airflow is blown away before entering the inlet duct and does not enter the inlet duct, thereby maintaining a uniform airflow into the compressor.”

What Qin Tao is talking about is the famous clam inlet in later generations, or bulge inlet. This design has many advantages. It can reduce weight, block the air inlet, and reduce the radar reflection area. Therefore, we get a wide range of applications.

However, to a layman, it looks like just a bag. In fact, the shape of this bag is very important. If it is slightly inappropriate, it will have a great impact on the flow field characteristics of the inlet and the performance of the engine. It is difficult to design and difficult to manufacture. Simple, but not that easy to make.

The technicians present all started thinking. After thinking for a while, Pleshakov nodded: "Theoretically, it can be done."

"Well, we can continue to study this. Use this partition first. When the technology matures, it will not be too late to replace it." Qin Tao said: "After all, this is a vertical take-off and landing fighter. We must first complete the basic requirements. ”

The entire J-31 project is to serve the navy. It is to create an advanced vertical take-off and landing fighter for the navy. This is the basic requirement. Everything else can be put on the back burner.

"If the vertical take-off and landing fighter can be successfully developed, our Air Force will also have demand." Mr. Lin said: "However, it must be mature, and it cannot be like the Yak-38."

In fact, by the time this aircraft was developed, Mr. Lin had retired a long time ago. What he said now was of no use at all. It could only encourage the technical staff present, especially these old fools, who started from Yakovlev's design. Those who came through the Bureau have always been in a marginalized position. Now, to be recognized by the Air Force boss, it is even more encouraging for them.

"Actually, we also know that the Yak-38 has many problems, so we also have various improvement plans." Pleshakov said: "Taking power as an example, we once planned to use the AL-21F engine to modify the Yak-38. -38, which can solve the problem of insufficient engine power in high temperature areas.”

AL-21F engine? Second uncle?

This engine is also a masterpiece of the Rulika Design Bureau. It was installed on many aircraft in the 1960s, such as Su-17, Su-24 and other fighter jets.

Moreover, it is very interesting that when Lao Maozi exported the Su-17 fighter jet, it was equipped with the AL-7F engine, called the Su-20, and later equipped with the Tumansky R-29BS engine, called the Su-22. However, the refusal to export the second uncle is enough to show how much Lao Maozi values ​​this engine.

Although it was developed in the 1960s, its performance is very powerful, with an afterburner thrust of more than 110 kilonewtons and an intermediate thrust of 87 kilonewtons. Before the third uncle was developed, the Su-27 also used the second uncle for test flights. .

The main engine behind the Yak-38 fighter jet uses the Tumansky R-27V-300 turbojet engine, which can only produce 70 kilonewtons of thrust. If it is replaced by an AL-21 engine, it will not need an afterburner. , that power is definitely powerful enough!

After the Yak-38 was manufactured, it was not only used on warships. They also made many other efforts. For example, the Yak-38, which can take off and land on the complex terrain of Afghanistan and does not require a runway, is said to have many advantages. Big advantage. In order to adapt to more environments, they have also made various modification plans.

However, due to various problems, the various improvement plans of the Yak-38 did not reach the stage of mass production in the end. The Yakovlev Design Bureau put all its energy on the Yak-141. They believed that this newly designed Only fighter aircraft can perfectly solve the various shortcomings of the Yak-38.

Now, when Pleshakov talked about this modification, Qin Tao felt a burst of excitement: "Old Mao, does this modification bring major changes to the aircraft? Can it be modified at a field airport on the front line? ?"

"The sizes of the two engines are roughly the same, so it is not difficult to modify them. It should be possible to complete the replacement at a field airfield on the front line." Pleshakov replied after some thought: "It only takes a few specialized parts. ”

Qin Tao was even more delighted: "After such modification, will it be able to adapt to take-off in tropical areas?"

The thrust has increased by more than ten thousand Newtons. According to calculations, it can add about one ton of external plug-in weight. If the original plug-in plan is followed, it can be fully adapted to take-off and landing in tropical areas!

"Yes, it can be fully adapted to takeoff in tropical areas. Moreover, after switching to this engine, the aircraft can also be equipped with the ability to take off in a short ski jump. Of course, the front wheel must be modified, but it is not difficult. "

After hearing these words, Qin Tao almost wanted to hug the old man in front of him and kiss him. Is there such a wonderful thing? This is simply an improvement plan tailor-made for the Siamese aircraft carrier!

Now, the only two mature vertical take-off and landing fighter jets in the world are the Sea Harrier and the Yak-38. However, there are big differences between the two in actual operation.

In order to increase the mounting capacity, the Sea Harrier usually uses a ski jump to take off, while the Yak-38 always takes off and lands vertically.

On the one hand, it is because of the problem of the warships that carry them. The British Invincible-class aircraft carrier has a springboard for ski jump. Compared with vertical take-off and landing, it not only saves fuel, but also increases the take-off weight. Why not ?

However, Lao Maozi's Kiev-class heavy-duty aircraft-carrying cruiser does not have this setting. Even if the Yak-38 wants to ski jump and take off, it does not have this condition.

On the other hand, the power layout of the two is different.

The Sea Harrier uses a Pegasus engine, which bleeds air from the compressor and uses the gas injected from the tail. This power can be used whether it is vertical take-off and landing or short take-off and landing.

However, the front of the Yak-38 uses a lift engine. What about the lift engine for short takeoff and landing? Is it open? Or is it closed?

When driving, the power can only go downwards. What if the plane overturns? If you don't drive it, just rely on the engine at the back, and the power seems to be insufficient.

Now, after changing the tail engine, the thrust has increased by 20%, so even a ski jump can fully meet the needs.

With such a change, the Yak-38 can also achieve ski jump takeoff and vertical takeoff and landing. In this way, the combat performance will be raised to a higher level!

Seeing Qin Tao's excitement, Pleshakov was a little curious: "Did you get a large number of Yak-38 fighter jets?"

"That's right." Qin Tao nodded and said: "We collected the junk and picked out a dozen that can be used. It should be fine. As for the AL-21F engine, there is no problem. Lao Mao, in the next period of time , you need help to complete the engine replacement and testing!”

In the past, this kind of engine was regarded as a treasure by Lao Maozi, but in the past few decades, this kind of turbojet engine has long been outdated. There must be a lot of inventory in Lao Maozi's army. Qin As long as Tao says hello, Nikolai can help get a batch back, which can fully meet the needs of modification.

In this way, Qin Tao will not break his promise, and he can also help Siam solve big problems, and he can become a good friend of Siam.

"Of course there is no problem." Pleshakov nodded: "I also participated in this modification project, and I know very well how to modify it. In fact, we also planned to use a turbofan engine for modification, which will greatly reduce fuel consumption."

Qin Tao shook his head: "Let's forget about it. Fuel consumption is not important. What's important is saving money."

His statement made everyone present laugh.

After inspecting the progress of the J-31, it was time for dinner. According to Qin Tao, everyone gave up eating in the 611 canteen and came to the most famous restaurant in the Land of Abundance, where four tables were seated.

"Today's dinner will be hosted by Mr. Qin, and all of us will take advantage of it." Mr. Lin said with a smile: "We are no longer picky. We don't need to drink Maotai, just drink Wuliangye!"

Wu Shengli smiled and said nothing. His son-in-law was capable and could buy an airplane for 100 million US dollars. A few bottles of wine was not a big deal.

Moreover, Qin Tao held a banquet mainly to entertain Mao Duanzhang and others. These people traveled thousands of miles to the East. Although they had a great time working in the 611 Institute, their lives were still a little simple. Today, they are invited Qin Tao wanted to eat and drink to make up for it.

The old men were very happy, looking at the table full of delicacies and smelling the aroma of wine, they all moved their index fingers.

After three rounds of drinking, the atmosphere at the banquet became more lively. Mr. Tu raised his wine glass and said to Qin Tao: "Mr. Qin, we also hope that you can help sell our Super Seven project. If you have it, Customers, this project will progress faster.”

Throughout this day, Mr. Tu had been following Qin Tao and his group without speaking. Until now, he finally said what he had been holding in his heart.

For their 132 factory, the Super 7 project is all hope!