Chapter 867 Let’s Call It WS-20!

"80 tons...that's still a little bigger than Yun-8, right?"

Ding Gaoheng did not answer immediately, but thought for a moment, and then asked Chang Haonan.

The latter nodded:

"Yes, the latest improved model of Yun-8 is the Yun-8F400. The maximum take-off weight is about 65 tons, and the load capacity in the ultimate state can reach 20 tons. However, this is only a paper performance, and it will not actually take off like this."

Chang Haonan has previously participated in the improvement of the Y8 III platform, so he is naturally quite clear about these indicators.

After a short pause, he continued to add:

"If the new medium-sized transport aircraft uses two large bypass ratio turbofan engines as power, it will definitely be larger than the Y-8 and C130 at 80 tons. This is still considering that military transport aircraft require excessive structural redundancy, and it is also There is a demand for short take-off and landing on poor-quality runways, otherwise if it is calculated according to the standards of civil aircraft, a push of about 100 tons is more than enough. "

After all, the core machine of the Turbofan 10 is the foundation of the 4th generation. Even if it is currently in a low-calibration residual state due to process and material problems, the final thrust indicator cannot be weaker than the PS90A, and the fuel consumption and lifespan are not to mention. mentioned.

Both PS90As can propel the 100-ton Tu 214/C909, and the two new engines are obviously no problem.

"I mean, you just said that the market targeted by the new model is users who want to eliminate the old C130 and An12. Will this be inconsistent with their positioning needs?"

Ding Gaoheng expressed his concerns.

In other words, it is the concerns of others during the project decision-making process.

Because he took out a notebook from the drawer at the same time and wrote down some of the key points that Chang Haonan just said——

Although the People's Liberation Army Aviation itself also has a need to upgrade medium-sized transport aircraft, it is obviously not urgent as it already has nearly twenty IL-76s of various models on hand and there are still more than a dozen IL-76MF orders to be delivered. .

At least the replacement priority cannot be higher than that of the J-11B and J-10A.

Therefore, it is best to achieve quick return on investment through export.

China actually has little experience in exporting large aircraft.

Although several export orders for Y8F400 have been signed in recent years, the total transaction volume is only single digits.

In this kind of arms sales to third world countries, the profit on a single product is not much.

Every business of one or two planes is really a profit.

Of course, the improved version of Yun 8 is a short-term, fast and low-cost project. If you make money, you will make money.

But new models require research and development funds.

Although using the reputation Chang Haonan has accumulated over the years and of course the value created, it is not difficult to directly help a project get off the ground.

But it’s best to be able to convince people with reason.

In this regard, Chang Haonan certainly has no problem.

So he immediately explained:

"A pure tactical transport aircraft like the C130 has a very single position in the equipment sequence and must be used in conjunction with larger strategic transport aircraft. In the United States, it used to be the C141 and later the C17. The Soviets even canceled the An-12 The upgrade plan is to use the Il-76 as a general transport aircraft and pair it with the larger An-22 to perform airlift missions..."

"But this is a method that only big countries, or at least regional powers, can afford. Now that the Cold War is over, most countries have begun to relax their investment in military affairs, and they cannot afford to serve such a complex system, so for small and medium-sized countries , in fact, we need a model that is less professional but has more complete functions.”

"Our new transport aircraft can directly refer to the fuselage cross-section of the IL-76, maintaining or slightly reducing the width, mainly reducing the length and wingspan. In this way, although the volume is only 20 tons larger than the C130, it can actually carry cargo The volume is much larger. For small and medium-sized countries, one model covers all needs, and for us, it can also be used as a light transport aircraft in a combination of light, medium and heavy. "

"You can even consider arranging the hardware system required for aerial refueling on the outside of the wing during design. As long as the oil tank is installed in the cabin, it can assume part of the functions of an aerial tanker..."

Chang Haonan's idea is actually to use one machine for multiple purposes.

People who were here at the turn of the century, especially the Chinese who started to bear external military pressure again after 1996, can actually hardly imagine how exaggerated the level of armaments in countries around the world has become after entering the 21st century.

After all, during the Cold War, the goal of many armies was to "make citizens think they were protected."

Now that there is no threat from the Warsaw Pact, even without an army, the citizens can think that they are protected.

Therefore, not to mention small countries in the literal sense, even some countries that could be called "great powers" in the past, the military can still take care of themselves.

What strategic transportation needs?

It may not be possible to catch up with something once every few years.

When the time comes, go rent some strategic transport aircraft.

There are quite a few countries with this mentality...

After hearing Chang Haonan's complete plan, Ding Gaoheng did not hesitate for too long and answered:

"No one can say anything about equipment research and development, so whether the project is approved or not depends on the judgment of the aviation industry and the approval of superiors."

"Of course, from my personal point of view, your idea should be feasible..."

In fact, being able to express his attitude to this point actually means that he has agreed.

As a technician and a leader, it is naturally impossible for him to say too much.

"Then I'll trouble Director Ding..."

Chang Haonan also breathed a sigh of relief.

After the design of the WS-10 was finalized, the three new models were, after all, the first batch of projects independently established after the establishment of the Aviation Power Group.

Although from his perspective as a reborn person, there will definitely be a big market in the future.

But it is still safer to find a buyer in advance.

Otherwise, if his R&D progress is too fast, the engine has been finalized but no suitable installation project has been found, it will be embarrassing.

"By the way, Xiao Chang."

Ding Gaoheng closed the notebook that had been filled with half a page:

"What are you going to call this new model engine?"

The official equipment model name is actually given by the military. Sometimes the manufacturer has another naming system.

For example, the J-5 is the Dongfeng 101, and the J-6 is the Dongfeng 102...

But later, domestic R&D work was in a state of chaos for a long time, and gradually abandoned this set of rules.

For those that were originally developed according to the requirements of the military, they are basically called by the model name directly.

In turn, the military sometimes refers to the manufacturer's name.

"We should call it WS-20..."

Chang Haonan gave it this name without even thinking about it.

"WS-11 is the power copied from J-8, WS-12 is a model that was discontinued in the 1980s, WS-13 is a core engine model proposed by Liyang in 1997, and the number 14 has been used by WP-14, and it is also a new model. I will skip it. I plan to leave WS-15 for the real fourth-generation engine..."

"Instead of continuing to list them one by one, this high bypass ratio turbofan is a brand new beginning for our country, so it is better to jump to WS-20 in one step..."

Although the situation is similar to WS-10, WS-15 or WS-20 has almost no technical relationship with the same model in the previous life.

But it is still difficult to change habits.

In this regard, Ding Gaoheng, who has no burden, naturally follows suit.

Afterwards, the two continued to chat about other things related to the WS-20.

About half an hour later, Chang Haonan was ready to get up and leave.

However, just as he was about to find an opportunity to say goodbye, he suddenly remembered something.

"Speaking of which, Director Ding, when is the first commercial route operation of C808 scheduled?"

Chang Haonan asked:

"I don't think I have received an invitation from Hufei yet."

He had agreed with Li Yabo before that the latter would fight for the opportunity to participate in the first flight of C808.

But the latter was sent away by him halfway to study carbon fiber laser processing and prepare to publish in Nature.

This research cycle is relatively long.

So, as a mentor, he still has to make up for this missing part.

Hearing Chang Haonan's question, Ding Gaoheng was stunned for a moment, and then realized that Chang Haonan, as the leader of the Aviation Power Group, really could not receive the situation report from Hufei.

"That's right, it was originally planned for November, but now it may be postponed to March or April next year."

Ding Gaoheng replied.

"Huh?"

Chang Haonan was stunned.

To be honest, he hasn't encountered a project delay for a long time...

Especially since the C808 has even completed the certification, the subsequent process should be smooth.

But soon, Ding Gaoheng's further explanation made Chang Haonan go from surprise to joy:

"Ermao's Ivchenko and Motor Sich had some trouble with the delivery of some parts, resulting in the engines on the mass-produced aircraft not being able to roll off the production line. Now the Ufa Engine Industrial Association and the Moscow Salute Factory are trying to fill this gap..."

"That's great..."

This was originally part of Chang Haonan's layout, so his expression at this time was probably similar to Jim Hacker's when he heard that the former prime minister had died of a heart attack.

After recalling almost all the pain he had experienced in his two lives, he barely suppressed his smile:

"That's a pity."

"According to the contract, they may have to pay us a large amount of liquidated damages..."