Chapter 1473 The finishing touch

The one-week routine security investigation did not directly affect the normal progress of the X51A project.

About 4000 km away.

Testing and Manufacturing Center, Seattle, Washington.

When Shapur Klinger's mouse clicked the last pressure distribution curve on the big screen, the shadow of a Boeing 737 technology verification aircraft just passed by the explosion-proof glass of the laboratory.

Since the new medium-sized passenger aircraft project originally planned to be developed in parallel with the 787 was cancelled, the Boeing 737 had to undergo another major overhaul based on the existing NG model to cope with the direct threat from Airbus' next-generation A320.

However, as a 45-year-old model, many of the 737's designs, such as the position of the main wing that is too close to the ground and the too small braking capacity when it was originally planned as a 50-ton aircraft, no longer meet the needs of civil airliners in the next 15-20 years.

To this end, the 737 must undergo a complete overhaul.

So much so that just for this improved model, two special technology verification aircraft were specially built.

Colin Jer withdrew his gaze from outside and looked up at the wall clock - this six-hour technical meeting had made everyone's suit jackets wrinkled like rags, but the ghost of isolation segment shock wave control, which had plagued the X51A project for two years, was finally nailed to the slide by his static pressure array solution.

"So when the sensor spacing is compressed to 3.2 centimeters, we can use Bernoulli's equation to infer the shock wave position."

Collinger pointed his laser pen at the densely packed contour map on the projection screen. The red jagged edges representing the shock wave front were originally as unpredictable as overgrown weeds, but now, under his combing, they have become tamed beasts, neatly arranged in the designated area.

"In theory...it's perfect."

After a moment of silence, Deputy Charlie Brink suddenly spoke up, tapping the data sheet in his hand with a pencil: "But to lay 2.4 sets of sensors in a 75-meter-long isolation section... signal interference shielding alone is very troublesome, and even if we don't consider the cost issue, there is not enough space inside the thin-walled shell of the X51A for wiring. Will it be difficult to achieve in engineering?"

The conference room suddenly fell silent, and several young engineers exchanged glances secretly.

Ever since the National Security Agency raided the server room last month, the working atmosphere in the project team has seemed much more depressing than before.

After all, in order to protect themselves, everyone has more or less submitted reporting materials on other people, and it can be roughly guessed that other people have done the same.

Although the purpose was to muddy the waters, and the final result seemed to be to pick it up high and then put it down gently, it was impossible not to have some grudges in one's heart after going through this.

Fortunately, Brinker and Collinger have a relatively close relationship, so he was not greatly affected and was still thinking about the problem as usual.

Ke Lingjie took out a cigarette box-sized metal block from his briefcase. The hexagonal surface was covered with microscopic holes:

“This is the solution.”

When he placed the device on the projection table, everyone could clearly see the words "NHC-2100" laser engraved on the shell.

"New Horizon's integrated composite static pressure sensor has three layers of piezoelectric film behind each hole. Wind tunnel tests at the University of California, San Diego show that its spatial resolution is 400% higher than our existing system. It can capture twelve axial pressure gradients simultaneously without the signal interference and spatial problems caused by multi-point sensors."

Brink took the sensor and checked it over and over again, his brows still furrowed. "With this level of integration...how do we solve the heat dissipation problem?"

"Zinc oxide nanowire substrate." Ke Lingjie pulled out a patent document. "The conductivity is improved at high temperatures, and -"

He stopped suddenly because logistics manager Elijah Poole was staring at the last page of the patent document, where "Patent Holder: Philip Collinger" and the huge watermark logo of New Horizons were clearly printed.

The air froze for a moment.

Ke Lingjie took off his glasses and wiped the lenses with his shirt sleeve. He deliberately let the silence last for a few seconds before he slowly spoke: "Yes, this is my son's company. But this technology has passed DARPA's third-party evaluation, and the performance data is indisputable." He looked around at everyone, "If anyone has a better solution, you can propose it now."

No one spoke.

Regardless of whether Collinger wanted to make money through his son or really wanted to promote people regardless of their relationship, there was no need for him to jump out and oppose the project manager at this time.

Finally, Jessica King, head of the materials group, stood up and said: "In any case, it is better than blowing up another $40 million verification machine."

With the first person speaking up, things went much more smoothly afterwards, and the entire plan quickly gained unanimous agreement from everyone.

Before the meeting ended, Collinger announced a new timetable:

"The hardware has not changed much. It is expected to be assembled within three months. Charlie, you go and coordinate the shooting range schedule with the Air Force. Jessica and Poole, you two will be responsible for coordinating the relevant raw materials and spare parts..."

"..."

In fact, if we look at it from a bird's eye view, relying on limited ground test resources, flight data provided by two failures, and his own intuition as an experienced engineer, Collinger has pushed the actual progress of the X51A to a level almost equivalent to that of China's "Lingxiao-1" verification system.

Even more advanced subsystem sensors may allow us to skip the math and simulation aspects and regain a certain lead.

However, the change came faster than expected.

……

Three days later, when Collinger was modifying the fuel valve parameters on the computer, Brink broke in without even knocking on the door.

"The range is occupied by other tests." He was breathing rapidly, not like a marathon enthusiast. "The Operational Test Command said there is a scheduling conflict. In order to deal with the threat of China's stealth fighters, the JSF project needs a stand-off attack munition that can be carried in the bomb bay. The test window is also in about three months."

Collinger looked past the monitor but did not behave too out of control.

The X51A really stands out in almost all categories.

But JSF is definitely not one of them.

"Let's follow the backup plan first." Ke Lingjie closed the folder containing the new sensor wiring. "Ask the other party when the earliest test window can be vacated. We only need 5-7 days at most."

"Tried it."

Brink turned the PAD around and saw the reply from the Air Force Materiel Command on the screen.

"They said the test range's schedule is locked for at least the next nine months and advised us to 'wait for further notice.'" The last few words were in bold font, as glaring as a knife tip.

This seems a bit unusual.

The so-called beyond-visual-range attack ammunition of the F35 is nothing new. It is just a limited improvement based on the Norwegians' existing model. In any case, it is impossible to test it for such a long time as half a year.

At this moment, Collinger suddenly realized that since the NSA ended its investigation last month, the project team seemed to have not received any military emails marked "urgent".

Before he could think things through, Elijah Poole's voice came from the door:

"Hell, three purchase orders were rejected, and even the helium supply for the wind tunnel lab was stuck in the approval process."

He handed over the document, with a bright red "REJECTED" stamp covering the entire list, and Collinger noticed that the rejection dates were all this week - or more strictly speaking, today.

"Is there any news from Pratt & Whitney?" Colin tried to keep his voice steady. He already felt that this could not be a coincidence.

Poole shook his head. “Engine delivery is six months late. They say it’s a supply chain issue for titanium forgings.”

The reason was so absurd that Collinger almost laughed out loud - Pratt & Whitney's Ohio factory had just obtained the Pentagon's "strategic materials exemption", allowing it to bypass the normal procurement process.

"I need to talk to their technical director in person."

Collinger grabbed his coat.

As soon as he walked out of the research center’s gate, he noticed something unusual at the edge of the parking lot.

Two men in suits, one pretending to read a newspaper, the other pointing his cell phone at the building entrance.

Collinger slowed down and observed with his peripheral vision.

He had not received any special anti-reconnaissance training, but the old engineer's meticulousness came in handy at this moment.

The man reading the newspaper had too stiff fingers, and the man "making the phone call" wasn't talking at all.

He got into the car and didn't start the engine immediately, but continued to observe through the rearview mirror.

Sure enough, the two men quickly walked towards a Ford Explorer that had no police markings.

NSA? FBI? Defense Technology Security Agency?

Collinger's brain was working rapidly.

It is not uncommon for security clearances to be followed by routine undercover investigations.

In fact, this is almost something that everyone knows.

But combined with a series of unusual circumstances just now, he was already somewhat unsure of the current situation.

Ke Lingjie took out his cell phone, hesitated for a moment, and called his son.

"Dad?" Philip's voice came from the other end of the phone.

“Philip, has New Horizons received any inquiries from the government recently?”

The old engineer came straight to the point.

The son on the other end of the phone was visibly stunned at first, then replied:

"Indeed, we received it. We just received a call from the National Defense Technology Security Office, saying that they need me to provide some additional patent authorization documents..."

"What specific materials are needed?" He suppressed the irritation in his heart.

"It's mainly overseas authorization records of some past patents, as well as technical details related to sensor integration solutions... These are all things I've never asked for before. Maybe there are some new policy changes. But don't worry, I can handle it and I can definitely guarantee on-time delivery..."

"..."

Young Philip was still talking non-stop, treating it as a normal information check.

But as an old antique who had almost completely experienced the Cold War era, Collinger already had a bad feeling -

Although I don't know where the mistake went, I'm afraid that someone is targeting me.