Chapter 870 New Engine Test Platform

This kind of mount is meant to demonstrate the performance of the power system, which is somewhat related, but still a bit far-fetched.

The key is the improvement of structural design, which leads to an increase in load capacity and a reduction in the dead weight of the aircraft itself.

This resulted in an additional three tons of ammunition capacity being added to the original one.

Reached 9 tons.

Of course, as the KAB1500KR occupies most of the mount's weight, it is not very suitable for use on a single-seat fighter.

Most TV-guided weapons require humans to be in the loop to control the ammunition throughout the entire process, and the very few that have image matching capabilities can only reduce the burden on humans at the very end.

So for a single-seat aircraft, the pilot can only leave the flight to the autopilot system and concentrate on staring at the multi-function screen to control the ammunition.

This is of course nothing during training, but in actual combat, there are rarely times when you can be so relaxed.

Especially in the combat scenarios of the Chinese Air Force, the opponents generally have very strong air forces, or at least capable of fighting.

Thinking of this, Chang Haonan asked Liu Gaozhuo next to him:

"General Liu, do you have any plans for a two-seat model of the J-11B?"

In the previous life, from the J-11A to the J-11B to the J-11BS, each sub-model actually undertook different technical verification functions, which can be regarded as a research and development method of small steps and fast progress.

So in the end, the J-11 was developed, a third-generation and a half fighter jet that is similar in appearance to the J-16BS, but is a culmination of all the best.

But today's J-11B, except for the avionics system which remains at the average level at the turn of the century, the other parts are already in the shape of a third and a half generation.

Even during the design process, there was room for power and heat dissipation to be installed with higher-power, higher-heat-generating radars and flight computers.

Once the relevant equipment is developed, you can just replace it.

Therefore, if we make a two-seater model on this basis, it can be used directly as a genuine multi-purpose fighter.

"You mean the J-11BS?"

Liu Gaozhuo smiled mysteriously:

"Of course."

"However, we do not intend to make the J-11BS model exactly the same as the Su-27UBM."

"Oh?"

The other party wanted to keep it a secret, and Chang Haonan was happy to cooperate:

"Tell me more about it?"

Su-27UBM is the two-seat version of Su-27SM.

According to the agreement, Sukhoi and the 601 Institute jointly completed the development of an improved single-seat model. Only some of the onboard equipment differed between the J-11B and Su-27SM.

However, the contract does not include the two-seater model.

Of course, in principle, there won't be much difference between the two.

It is nothing more than raising the cockpit and tail, and imposing slightly greater restrictions on overload at the flight control level.

But obviously, Liu Gaozhuo was planning to do something fancy.

"There will definitely not be any major changes. After all, we have to consider the ease of maintenance during the troops' use."

Liu Gaozhuo replied:

"But we are planning to use side stick control on the J-11BS, but we have not yet decided whether to be more radical, using side sticks for both the front and rear seats, or leaving the front seat untouched and only changing the rear seat to a side stick."

This is indeed not a drastic change.

Especially after wing control and engine control are both electronic, the joystick actually sends out electronic signals, so from a technical point of view, it doesn't matter where it is placed.

But for human experience, the difference is huge.

A well-designed sidestick, like the Rafale, can make the pilot feel more comfortable in all aspects of the operation.

A side stick with a poor design, such as the F16, is designed for expert control and is a killer for novices, so much so that the proportion of the two-seat trainer model has been increased.

"In addition, Mr. Chang."

After a brief pause, Liu Gaozhuo continued:

"Does your AECC have any plans to develop vector propulsion technology based on the WS-10?"

"This one……"

Chang Haonan did not answer immediately, but lowered his head and thought for a moment.

The other party was asking about the Aero Engine Corporation of China.

But as the chief planner and chief designer of the WS-10, he may not have the final say on this matter, but at least he has the influence to make the final decision.

"It can only be said that this is one of the goals, but there is no clear timetable for this yet."

In the end, he gave a relatively conservative answer:

"Even after this round of appraisal, the two basic models of WS-10A/B have only completed the design finalization. For us, the top priority is to prepare for production finalization, especially to increase the yield rate and output."

"Mr. Liu, didn't you come to Beijing to find me for this matter before? No matter how good the performance of the product is, the production volume must be guaranteed..."

"..."

An aircraft under extreme load conditions cannot perform any fancy flying maneuvers. It is already quite good if it can maintain level flight and the most basic maneuverability.

Moreover, it is impossible to achieve both maximum payload and maximum fuel capacity.

Even a heavy fighter like the J-11B would be limited in terms of range.

Therefore, this flight demonstration did not last too long.

The plane circled Beiling Airport, hovered at the edge of everyone's field of vision for a few circles, and then reappeared in the sky above the end of the runway.

From Chang Haonan's perspective, he could see that the pilot deliberately released some fuel before approaching the airport to ensure that the maximum landing weight did not exceed the standard.

Even so, during landing, the hydraulic structure of the main landing gear was almost compressed to its limit.

Even Chang Haonan could see the wings trembling slightly through the telescope...

After using up most of the runway's length, the plane slowly stopped and drove onto the taxiway.

A few more minutes passed before it finally came to rest on the tarmac, not far from where the ceremony was to take place.

Now, others who don't have telescopes can also clearly see the amazing mounts under the plane.

Especially some comrades wearing air force uniforms, their eyes were shining.

What does a load of more than 8 tons mean?

It is equivalent to flying with a J-7 hanging on it.

The largest combat aircraft currently equipped by the Chinese Air Force is the H-6D, which has a maximum bomb load of only 9 tons.

In reality, there are not so many racks, so the maximum mounting option is 5-6 tons.

And now even a tactical aircraft can demonstrate the same level of capabilities...

This was something that was totally unimaginable in the past.

Looking at the aircraft that was baring its fangs and claws, and even exuding a bit of murderous intent, the representatives in charge of planning the appraisal task suddenly felt that the appraisal plan they had set seemed a bit conservative...

……

Although the ceremony was held in Shengjing, the design finalization and appraisal itself was carried out in Gaojing.

After all, the Flight Test Institute is located here.

Then, in response to different environments, we went to several airports with typical climates such as Hailar, Shigatse and Lingshui to complete some subjects.

Therefore, the day after the identification mission officially began, the group was divided into several batches and transferred to Gaojing together with the three aircraft participating in the test flight.

Chang Haonan himself hasn't been here for a while.

This time, I found that Yanliang Airport has changed a lot compared to a few years ago.

At least the control tower and runway facilities in the distance can clearly be seen to have been renovated.

An Il-76 transport plane painted in test pilot colors was parked not far away.

The three black numbers "760" are painted on the side of the fuselage.

If you look closely, you can see that this aircraft is different from the ordinary Il-76.

It has only three D30KP2 engines.

On the inside of the left wing is a pod of a significantly different shape.

As a reborn person, Chang Haonan certainly knows the identity of this plane.

Flight test platform No. 760 belongs to the China Flight Test Institute.

The function is similar to that of No. 16 modified from Figure 086 in the past.

But compared to the 086, which can only hang the engine under the fuselage, the high-wing Il-76 obviously has more space and can even support the hanging of giant engines such as the GE90 with a diameter of 3.5 meters.

It is also possible to install more test equipment in the cabin.

However, in Chang Haonan's impression, this plane was purchased by China in 2004 and transferred to Yanliang in 2005.

Now it has been brought forward by 5 years, which is obviously a great benefit for him as a senior manager of the Aviation Power Group.

So, until he got off the plane, Chang Haonan's eyes were still unconsciously glancing in that direction.

The person who greeted him on the tarmac was Huang Bingxin, the newly appointed Vice President of the Flight Test Institute and President of the Test Pilot Academy.

He was also the pilot who carried out the maiden flights of the JH-7 and J-8II.

Although Chang Haonan had reached the maximum flying age of 48 when he was reborn, the two had never dealt with each other before.

But before the former was reborn, the deeds of this test pilot hero had already been declassified, and he had even made a report to them.

So I have heard of the name.

"Hello, Dean Huang."

Chang Haonan quickly walked up to Huang Biaoxin and shook hands with him:

"I've heard a lot about you!"

The latter was stunned by this enthusiasm before he could even open his mouth:

"Boss Chang... have you heard of me before?"

In this day and age, even within the aviation system, there is not much publicity for test pilots.

If you have never participated in a project together, it is normal that you are not familiar with each other.

"Of course, although I didn't catch up with the JH-7 and J-8II projects, I was fortunate to participate in their subsequent models and heard about them from my predecessors."

Chang Haonan only used a few words to bring the two people closer together when they met for the first time.

"Then I am lucky."

Huang Biaoxin looked calm on the surface, but he felt happy to be recognized as a former test pilot:

"What a pity! If I had been born four or five years later, I would have had the opportunity to participate in the test flight of the JH-7A..."

"..."

In fact, when they met just now, Huang Biaoxin noticed that Chang Haonan's eyes were constantly looking into the distance.

Therefore, after some pleasantries, he offered to take the latter over to have a look.

“This should be a new flight test platform?”

Chang Haonan came to the nose of the No. 760 aircraft and found that the nacelle on the inner side of its main wing was actually empty. It was just a tube with two transparent ends, perhaps used for counterweight:

"I don't think I've ever heard you mention it before..."

"Yes."

Huang Biaoxin nodded and replied:

"When the Aviation Power Group was established last year, didn't you say that you planned to develop a high bypass ratio turbofan engine based on the WS-10 core engine?"

"At that time, we considered that when the old 086 platform was testing the WS-10 prototype, the space was already very limited. If the bypass ratio was increased, it would not be able to fit it anyway."

"So in order not to hold you back, we bought an Il-976 measurement platform from the Gromov Flight Test Institute last year, and then commissioned Ilyushin to refurbish it. It was then modified into its current form, and it just arrived last week."

"It can be considered a surprise for you..."