Chapter 1406: Prepare to Give a Gift

Chang Haonan's speculation caused Li Yabo to fall silent for a while.

About half a minute later, he came out of his thinking state and said:

"I remember that a few years ago... maybe more than a decade ago, someone had already achieved negative refraction in the microwave frequency band..."

The former nodded with satisfaction:

"Yes... Strictly speaking, it was thirteen years ago, but the method used to achieve it was rather opportunistic. It used a wood material with strong wave-transmitting ability as the matrix, with periodically arranged metal strips and an open C-shaped metal resonant ring inside, allowing microwaves to be controlled and reflected in these structures. In essence, it is equivalent to introducing microwaves into a maze, thus reflecting the effect of negative refraction at the macro level. It is completely different from the homogeneous material we are studying now."

Hearing this, Li Yabo's eyes showed some anticipation:

"It's not difficult to test the refractive index. If a material has a negative refractive index, then the incident and refracted light at both ends of its interface will be on the same side of the normal line, rather than on both sides of the normal line like conventional materials. The only problem may be that the transmittance of this metal-based coating is too poor, so the sample needs to be made very thin..."

"..."

……

The amount of HDK305 coating material used on the WS-10G does not exceed 0.5%, and on the entire J-20 it is less than one thousandth, and it does not affect flight safety.

What's more, the power installed on aircraft No. 2001 is still the old model turbofan 10A, which has nothing to do with new materials.

Therefore, the series of disturbances that started with this did not affect the testing arrangements of the J-20.

Preparations before the first flight are still proceeding step by step.

It was not until the Spring Festival, when the itinerary of a US Department of Defense delegation was finalized, that superiors finally issued an order allowing field tests to begin and the first flight to be carried out in late February.

Huangtianba Airport, which had been silent for a long time, finally became bustling again.

2009 1 Month 23 Day.

Deep inside the No. 1 assembly workshop, aircraft No. 2001, with its nose and cockpit partially wrapped in camouflage rainproof cloth, is shedding its last layer of protection, preparing to show its slim and elegant figure to the world.

At the entrance of the workshop, Yang Wei and Liu Yongquan watched the technicians lift the canopy cover and remove the covers on the air inlet and tail nozzle. The fine dust raised by the action was dancing in the beam of light cast by the ceiling light.

A photographer whose fisheye lens was confiscated was squatting nearby, preparing to use his lens to record the moment the plane left the factory.

"I think in addition to technology, we should also learn from the Americans in terms of publicity."

The former suddenly said:

"It's brightly lit here. When taking pictures, it's inevitable to include the pipes, cables, and equipment in the workshop. Not only is it not conducive to confidentiality, but the background is messy and doesn't look good. But if we turn off all the floodlights, make the background darker, and then use spotlights to cast a few beams of light on the plane, and add some angles, the effect will definitely be much better than it is now..."

"Um……"

Liu Yongquan nodded in agreement, but his tone was perfunctory, and it was obvious that his mind was not on this matter:

"I say, Lao Yang, the weather forecast says that the cloud base height today is only 300 meters. Is it really okay to do field testing?"

Because he had never experienced this kind of thing, he was actually more worried about safety than the other party.

Yang Wei was stunned when he heard this, then smiled and shook his head, saying comfortingly:

"The cloud base is indeed low, but visibility is not bad. And today we will neither take off nor taxi. We are just letting the pilots get used to the field environment and conducting in-cockpit startup tests... The aircraft itself will not move under autonomous power, so don't worry."

At the same time, the fully movable canard and vertical tail of aircraft No. 2001 began to deflect, drawing a beautiful trajectory amid the hum of the hydraulic actuator.

That was the fighter's active stability control system performing a self-check procedure.

This program component, which was first developed by Chang Haonan, helped the J-1001 prototype No. 10 avoid a potential engine failure during its first trial thirteen years ago.

Since then, similar systems have been rapidly installed on all new models, from transport aircraft to primary trainer aircraft, and their functions have gradually expanded from simply protecting aircraft engines to protecting all subsystems of the aircraft.

In addition, CAAC is also negotiating with EASA, hoping to introduce this capability into the civil aviation industry and make it a mandatory safety configuration for passenger aircraft registered in China and the European Union.

Of course, since China is basically the only one in the field of active aircraft control technology, the negotiation process was extremely difficult.

EASA cannot accept that the flight control systems of all passenger aircraft must be handed over to China for approval before registration. It hopes that China can open source or authorize the civilian version of the program. For this reason, it would even rather make concessions on the airworthiness certification of the second-generation C909NG.

Twenty minutes later, the last inspection procedure before the aircraft left the factory was completed. The ground crew team leader waved a fluorescent stick to guide the tractor to back into the work station, and then directed several other people to hang the tow bar on the front landing gear of the aircraft.

Yang Wei picked up the intercom from a small table next to him and took a deep breath:

"set off!"

The engine of the aircraft tractor let out a low roar and slowly started towing the slender body of aircraft No. 2001, which was over 20 meters long.

"I've always wanted to ask."

Liu Yongquan turned around and looked towards the door of Workshop No. 1.

There was an old-fashioned bicycle parked there that looked a bit out of place with the surroundings:

"This 28-ton truck has been parked here since last night, and the safety officer specifically told me not to move it. Does it have any special function?"

Yang Wei put down the intercom:

"It's not really a function, but when the J-10 was first launched from the workshop, General Xue rode a -inch bicycle in front to lead the way..."

He walked over to the bicycle, kicked the frame open swiftly, and then sat on it:

“So I plan to carry on this tradition.”

Liu Yongquan showed a shocked expression:

"Is this the one?"

"Of course not possible."

Yang Wei exerted force with his right leg and slid out on his bicycle:

"The bicycle is in our group's exhibition hall..."

……

Because it had rained and snowed two days ago, there was still some water on the edge of the tarmac, reflecting the leaden gray sky.

Three electrical auxiliary vehicles surrounded the fighter like roaring beasts, providing the latter with the energy and power necessary for ground work.

Of course, the J-20 is equipped with an auxiliary power unit (IPU) that can start autonomously, but it will definitely not be used at this stage.

When test pilot Li Gang, wearing a gravity suit, stepped onto the plane along the boarding stairs, Liu Yongquan noticed that the top pilot's movements paused for a moment.

Although I have experienced it countless times on simulation equipment before, after actually entering this futuristic cockpit, I can't help but be shocked by the neat and clean layout and the two extra-large displays.

"Power on the cockpit, operating procedure started!"

After all, he was an experienced and experienced test pilot. Li Gang's voice soon came over the radio:

"Electrical supply is normal!"

"Flight control system activated..."

"..."

At the moment when the roar of the two WS-10A engines tore through the humid air, Liu Yongquan subconsciously raised his wrist to check his watch, and then wrote something down in his notebook:

【2009年1月23日上午9时08分，2001号验证机装配的涡扇10A发动机顺利实现座舱内自主启动】

"Old Liu."

Yang Wei's voice suddenly sounded from behind him, the deliberately raised volume even drowning out the roar of the engine:

"I started working relatively late, so I want to confirm with you whether the early models of the WP-7 engine were equipped with some Soviet-made parts?"

Liu Yongquan's face flashed with confusion, but he thought about it for a moment and then replied:

"If I must say, the first WP-7 was actually assembled from the P11F-300. Although the number was small, and the subsequent mass-produced batches did use some parts obtained from special channels, by the 80s at the latest, it had been completely domestically produced..."

After saying that, he looked up at the other person:

"Why do you ask this suddenly?"

Yang Wei smiled:

"Because I wonder if the J-20 is the first model to use domestically produced power on its maiden flight."

He seldom takes the initiative to mention these record-keeping things, but that doesn't mean he really doesn't care.

"Well--"

Liu Yongquan pondered for a moment:

"Strictly speaking, the JJ-1958, which made its maiden flight in October 10, used the completely domestically produced E-1A engine..."

Noticing the other person's slightly dimmed eyes, he changed the subject:

"But the engine has a thrust of only 1.6 tons, and its reliability and lifespan are not that good. In addition, the J-1 trainer has only built three prototypes, and it is far from the stage of qualitative production... So the J-20 should still be considered the first of the official models..."

Yang Wei did not reply immediately, but the expression on his face undoubtedly reflected his satisfaction.

Liu Yongquan continued with the same topic:

"We need to invite President Chang to the first flight ceremony... and the seniors who have participated in Project No. 10 before, such as your President Song and President Xue."

As he spoke, he patted the seat of the 28-inch bicycle.

"Don't worry about this, wait two more days."

Yang Wei obviously had a plan in mind:

"Just think of it as a Spring Festival gift for them."