Chapter 892 Seizing the AWACS Market

In addition to traditional radars, the optical phased array antenna seems to have a wider application scenario in electronic reconnaissance equipment.

Of course, it can also be said to be a passive radar-

Antenna is not only used to transmit signals.

It can also be used to receive signals.

In order to adapt to different signal frequency bands, traditional electronic reconnaissance equipment usually has to be surrounded by antennas of various styles and sizes.

Therefore, the appearance of electronic warfare units is often relatively...

Abstract.

This is especially true for electronic warfare aircraft with limited space.

If only the side, back and belly protrude, it is already considered to be relatively elegant.

Of course, for military models, ugliness is not a problem.

The problem is that after paying a huge price in appearance, you still have to make a trade-off in performance.

Unless the carrier platform is really very large, it is difficult to cover all commonly used signal frequency bands under limited volume and weight.

But if two or even several antennas can be integrated together, it is obviously a huge benefit for electronic warfare aircraft.

...

However, ecstasy is short-lived after all.

A new technology, especially a disruptive new technology, often encounters difficulties from theory to implementation.

After all, Chang Haonan and Wang Xiaomo are both engineers, so they quickly began to consider more specific practical issues.

After thinking for a while, the latter spoke first:

"To implement this multi-band radar, antennas with large bandwidth working characteristics are key technologies, but other aspects, such as transmitter/receiver design, and target recognition algorithms under the joint action of multiple bands, all require time to develop."

"So I think the first thing to do now is to build a prototype and get the whole process through."

"The prototype must be made, but the problem is not just technical..."

Chang Haonan also added:

"The optical switch I mentioned at the beginning, whether it is a fiber Bragg reflection grating, a fiber dispersion prism, or a spatial light modulator and a controllable reflector, are all highly precise optical components. Either they cannot be domestically produced, or the domestic yield is very low, and they cannot meet the requirements of industrialization at all..."

"In fact, let alone these, even the most basic optical fiber can only be regarded as a paper solution to the problem of localization, and the actual application is still mainly imported models."

His team has just started to produce engineering prototypes of ultrashort pulse lasers, and they are naturally familiar with the situation of these optical or optoelectronic components.

Pulse laser processing equipment can barely be considered as scientific research equipment, and in fact it has only achieved semi-photoelectricity. Most of the consumables are still mainly electrical components. It is not a big problem to use some imported optical fibers.

However, no matter how whitewashed the early warning aircraft and search radar are, they are pure military equipment.

Even if the Europeans use the spirit of capitalists selling ropes and export them with their eyes closed, the People's Liberation Army may not dare to rely on Western models for such a core component.

Moreover, although the two have been using the 346 radar as an example, in April 2001, the basic model of 346 has basically completed the national appraisal test, including its carrier 052C is close to design finalization, and the power system is temporarily the same as the 052B that has already started construction, using the imported UGT25000.

With such two highly perfect models, the current military struggle situation is not optimistic, and it is impossible to stop and wait just because of the emergence of a little new technology.

In other words, at the shipborne radar level, the concept of this optically controlled phased array, optimistically speaking, will have to wait until the next improved version of 346, or even until the second improved version later.

Therefore, an additional round of technical verification must be found.

"What if we make an export model?"

Chang Haonan's ideas became more and more wild:

"Let's do it step by step. Let's put the multi-band thing aside for now. The entire small T-antenna phased array radar will be sold with a 150° wide field of view and lightweight and low cost. And since we won't use it ourselves anyway, it doesn't matter whether the core components are made in China or not. Maybe foreign users have their own import channels."

"Compared to simply focusing on technical verification and research and development, this is at least profitable, and the motivation for subsequent domestic manufacturers or research institutes to make domestic substitutions will be stronger."

As long as technology reaches the stage of making money, it is actually easy to circulate it later.

I'm afraid that I can only see the input but not the output. Even if the state funds support, I have to weigh it first.

Moreover, if an industry relies solely on state funding for development, it is actually difficult to say what prospects it has.

Therefore, Chang Haonan's usual path since his rebirth can be summarized as "first opening up the overall industrial cycle through key technologies or models, and then gradually improving the overall domestic level".

This time is no exception.

"Small early warning aircraft..."

Wang Xiaomo touched his chin, which was already white with stubble:

"What about the aircraft carrier platform?"

Logically, this should be Chang Haonan's most professional field.

However, he waved his hand nonchalantly:

"It doesn't matter."

"Since the goal is to export and generate income, let's talk business."

Facing Wang Xiaomo's questioning eyes, Chang Haonan continued to explain:

"What we export is not an early warning aircraft, but a separate airborne early warning and control system."

"Of course, if users are willing to use it, we can also provide MA60 or a complete solution for the C808 platform."

"But if users want to be more common between aircraft and civil aviation to reduce logistical pressure, then we are not opposed to cooperating with other manufacturers and moving our early warning system to other people's models, such as Airbus A320 or regional airliners. , or even a slightly larger business jet.”

The optically controlled phased array also has another modest advantage, which is that it is not very sensitive to the physical size of the radar.

This means that a model echelon of difficult size can be built at a relatively low cost.

Of course, as mentioned before, for an aircraft that is too large, the advantages of wide field of view and lightweight are not obvious, and Chang Haonan is not ready to take advantage of multi-band for the time being.

Therefore, the upper limit should be about 200 for the Air Police.

As for personal use models…

It is better to run quickly with small steps first.

I am afraid that the Air Police 2000 carried by the C909 aircraft, like the 346, will not be able to tolerate this latest technology.

"Airborne early warning and control system..."

Wang Xiaomo's eyes suddenly changed:

"Like Sweden's Érieye, and... David's Philcon?"

Philcon of David

Although the Ring Project eventually got its advance payment back, the IL-76 was also incorporated into the transport aircraft force after the equipment was dismantled.

However, David’s country blatantly breached the contract at a critical moment, and also brought personnel from other countries to have close contact with Chinese equipment without permission.

This matter is not so easy to uncover.

I remember every stroke in my notebook.

The reason why there has been no action is because there was really no way to directly cause any trouble to the opponent before.

But now...

Falcon is actually a model focused on the international market.

There are also model echelons of different sizes.

We also focus on selling equipment, not complete machines...

This is a serious competitor.

Therefore, if we can defeat Falcon in the arms sales market...

Although it is difficult to say that it will have any traumatic impact on the Kingdom of David.

But at least it's an opportunity to vent some anger.

As for the love eyes...

All I can say is sorry.

"In this case, we may also need a loud name."

Wang Xiaomo said:

“It’s best if it’s a pun in both Chinese and English.”

"I've already thought about this."

Chang Haonan looked at a paper on the computer screen:

"It's called 'Gao Ming'."

"Um?"

Wang Xiaomo couldn't understand the reason for choosing this name for a while:

"Why?"

"Gao Ming is the clairvoyant in "The Legend of the Gods", which matches the function of the early warning command system."

Chang Haonan replied:

"Also, it can be translated directly into English based on the literal meaning."

"Literally... highlight?"

A cheerful smile appeared on Chang Haonan's lips:

"Yes, highlight..."