Chapter 1595 You call this a missile?

The mood of the leaders in the front row was almost reaching the sky at this moment.

"Good! Very good!" The head of the General Armament Department said directly, "All subsequent testing resources will be given priority to your hypersonic project team. If you need anything, just report it directly!"

Then, he asked with concern:

"Does this weapon have any special requirements for the launch vehicle? Does it require coordination or modification of a special aerial platform for launch? For example, the latest improved version of the H-6?"

After saying that, he looked at Zheng Liangqun next to him.

This question is very practical.

Air-launched hypersonic weapons require a powerful carrier platform.

Judging from the size of the "Zou Yu" in the picture, it is about 9 meters long, and tactical aircraft obviously cannot expect to carry it.

But Zheng Liangqun had already seen some clues at this time.

In the design drawing of "Zou Yu", in addition to the very obvious ramjet engine air intakes under the armpits on both sides, there is also an air intake duct on the back of the aircraft that appears to be closable.

A weapon of this size, which is close to that of the J-5, would not need three ramjet engines to provide power.

Combined with Xing Muchun’s suggestive statement when he introduced Lingxiao-1, he mentioned that “it can be powered by batteries” and “the magnetohydrodynamic power generation equipment has been removed”.

He suddenly had a bold but reasonable guess.

Then, the head of the General Armament Department spoke up.

"Deputy Chief Engineer Xing, I have a question." Zheng Liangqun pointed at the "Zou Yu" model on the screen, "Is this... a missile?"

Upon hearing this, Xing Muchun on the stage revealed a mysterious smile.

Then, for the first time, an ambiguous answer was given: "Yes... but not entirely."

He rotated the model and specially marked the closable air intake area on the back:

"The original design of the 'Zou Yu' included two Lingxiao-2 dual-mode ramjet engines. According to this configuration, it needs to be launched by a large bomber. After reaching a speed of at least Mach 1.8 with rocket boost, it will start the ramjet engine's subsonic mode for autonomous flight and eventually reach hypersonic speed."

This is of course the safest and most feasible solution in everyone's opinion.

But since we are talking about "original design", there are obviously "unoriginal" designs.

Sure enough, Xing Muchun changed the subject:

"However, General Manager Chang has reserved enough space and lift redundancy during the prototype design phase. Here," he pointed to the position of the back air intake again, "it can accommodate an additional aircraft engine, such as our mature turbojet-14 modification..."

This fantastic plan shocked everyone.

Including Zheng Liangqun who had already had a premonition.

"in this case,'"

Xing Muchun pulled out a full-process flight envelope diagram and introduced it:

"Zou Yu can take off by itself, relying on the turbojet engine to accelerate and reach the start-up conditions of the sub-combustion mode, and then close the turbojet and the back air intake, start the ramjet engine... thus achieving autonomous operation throughout the entire process starting from the ground!"

There was a sound of inhalation in the meeting hall.

It seemed as if the temperature had risen a few degrees.

A hypersonic aircraft that takes off by itself.

This concept is much more radical than the air-launched one!

Moreover, since it is required to "take off autonomously", it obviously cannot be used just once and be done with it.

"However, the size of the prototype is really limited. After stuffing a WP-14 into it, the fuel tank space will be greatly compressed, resulting in a shortened effective flight time. Moreover, the increased weight and drag will also affect the upper limit of the maximum flight speed... Therefore, the specific plan to be adopted for the first flight has not yet been finalized."

Xing Muchun then frankly admitted the technical difficulties, but it seemed that no one cared about this part anymore.

Everyone seemed to be still immersed in the second plan.

From Zheng Liangqun's personal perspective, he certainly prefers the second option.

Although radical, it is definitely advanced.

It is even advanced to the level of black technology.

Moreover, under this plan, "Zou Yu" will be transformed from a missile into an airplane!

The scope of application is wider, the development potential is greater, and the tactical flexibility is incomparable.

As for the planes...the Air Force is in charge of them anyway.

Of course, even if we exclude the military element, he believes that many of his colleagues have the same idea as he does.

But ideas are ideas.

The hypersonic project has long been reported to the top. Decisions on this level of development route involve huge resource investment and risk balance, and it is not something that someone at his level can easily decide.

Therefore, despite his intense emotions, Zheng Liangqun only nodded slightly and did not express his opinion immediately.

The entire meeting room was somewhat silent.

Everyone is digesting information, weighing the pros and cons, or waiting for instructions from higher-ups.

at this time.

The door at the front of the conference room, next to the podium, was suddenly pushed open, immediately attracting the attention of almost everyone.

The person who appeared at the door was Chang Haonan, who was not present today.

He was holding a black encrypted briefcase in his hand and followed by two guards.

Obviously he had just returned.

Without any greetings, he strode directly onto the podium.

Xing Muchun immediately understood, gave up the seat in front of the microphone and stepped aside.

Chang Haonan stood still and glanced at the audience:

"I'm sorry to interrupt you all, but today's schedule has ended earlier than expected, and... there is an important decision that needs to be announced here."

In fact, by this time, many people, including Zheng Liangqun, had already guessed the content of the so-called "decision".

It must be about the selection of the "Zou Yu" prototype.

But no one dared to guess the final result.

You could hear a pin drop in the venue, and everyone held their breath.

Chang Haonan slowly took out a file bag from his briefcase.

After opening it, pull out a piece of document paper from it:

"After comprehensive evaluation and technical feasibility verification, the 'Zou Yu' prototype project will adopt the No. 02 'fully autonomous solution' for production and testing. At the same time, the air-launched solution will be retained as a technical backup and the basis for the development of future derivative models."

The words fell.

After a brief silence, warm and long-lasting applause broke out at the scene!

Zheng Liangqun, Zhang Xinping, the head of the General Armament Department and other leaders in the front row were the first to stand up and applaud.

Fully autonomous solution! This means that China will have an unprecedented flying platform that can take off independently and reach hypersonic speeds!

Its strategic significance and future development space far exceed that of a powerful missile.

The report ended in a warm atmosphere, but almost no one left immediately.

People came forward to shake hands with Chang Haonan and the core members of the project team to express their congratulations, and once again emphasized their commitment to full support.

Zheng Liangqun waited for more than half an hour before the crowd finally dispersed.

He found Chang Haonan, who had just talked with the head of the General Armament Department.

"Congratulations, Academician Chang!" Zheng Liangqun said sincerely, "This decision is so important!"

"Yes." Chang Haonan responded with a smile, "I was a little surprised that I could be recognized in one step."

"..."

Given the relationship between two people, there are naturally a lot of trivial things to talk about.

After a few rounds of discussion, Zheng Liangqun considered for a while and couldn't help asking, "Academician Chang, today... the meeting you attended was to make the final decision on the 'Zou Yu' plan?"

Chang Haonan was stunned for a moment when he heard this, and then responded with a mysterious and steady smile.

"Well...it is indeed one of the important topics."

He paused slightly and did not deny it, but did not go into details either.