Chapter 892 Seizing the Early Warning Aircraft Market

In addition to traditional radars, the broader application scenario of optically controlled phased array antennas seems to be electronic reconnaissance equipment.

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

Antennas are not just 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 is usually surrounded by antennas of various styles and sizes.

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

abstract.

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

If only the sides, back and belly of the aircraft were protruding, it would be considered quite 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 large, it is difficult to cover all commonly used signal frequency bands due to limited size and weight.

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

……

However, the ecstasy was short-lived.

A new technology, especially a disruptive new technology, often encounters difficulties in the process 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:

"In order to implement this multi-band radar, antennas with wide 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, also require time to develop."

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

"We must definitely make a prototype, but the problem is not just technical..."

Chang Haonan also added:

"The optical switches I mentioned at the beginning, whether they are fiber Bragg reflection gratings, fiber dispersion prisms, spatial light modulators, or controllable mirrors, are all highly precise optical components. They are either completely impossible to produce domestically, or the yield rate of domestically produced products is very low and cannot meet the requirements of industrialization at all..."

"In fact, let's not talk about these. Even the most basic optical fiber can only be regarded as solving the problem of localization on paper. In actual application, imported models are still the main ones."

His team has just started producing engineering prototypes of ultrashort pulse lasers, so they are naturally familiar with the conditions 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. Simply using some imported optical fibers is not a big problem.

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

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

Moreover, although the two have been using the Type 346 radar as an example, as of April 2001, the basic model of the Type 4 has basically completed the national identification test, including its carrier 346C is close to design finalization, and the power system is temporarily the same as the 052B that has already started construction, using the imported UGT052.

With two models of such high degree of perfection and the current military situation not optimistic, it is impossible to stop and wait just because of the emergence of some new technology.

In other words, at the shipborne radar level, the concept of optically controlled phased array, at best, will have to wait until the next improved version of 346, or possibly even until the second improved version after that.

Therefore, we must find an additional opportunity to conduct a round of technical verification.

"What if we make an export model?"

Chang Haonan's thoughts became wilder and wilder:

"Let's take it step by step. Let's put the multi-band issue aside for now. The selling point of the entire small T-antenna phased array radar is its 150° wide field of view and lightweight and low cost. Besides, we won't be using it ourselves anyway, so 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 subsequent domestic manufacturers or research institutes will be more motivated to make domestic substitutions."

As for technology, once it reaches the stage of making money, it is actually very easy to start a cycle afterwards.

I am afraid that there will be only input but no output. Even if there is state funding support, we have to think carefully first.

Moreover, if an industry relies solely on government funding for development, it is hard to say what its prospects are.

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 turning back to gradually improve the overall domestic level.”

This time is no exception.

"Small early warning aircraft..."

Wang Xiaomo touched his chin, where his stubble had turned white:

"What about the aircraft carrier?"

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

However, he waved his hand nonchalantly:

"It does not matter."

"Since the goal is to generate revenue through exports, we should just talk business."

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

"What we exported was not an AWACS aircraft, but a separate airborne early warning and control system."

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

"But if the user wants the carrier aircraft to be more common with civil aviation to reduce logistical pressure, we are not opposed to cooperating with other manufacturers to move our early warning system to other models, such as the Airbus A320, regional jets, or even slightly larger business jets."

Optically controlled phased arrays have another small advantage: they are not very sensitive to the physical size of the radar.

This means that a large-scale model lineup can be built at a relatively low cost.

Of course, as mentioned before, for aircraft that are too large, the advantages of wide field of view and light weight are not very obvious, and Chang Haonan is not ready to use the multi-band feature for the time being.

Therefore, the upper limit should be around KJ-200.

As for the self-use model...

It is better to take small steps and run fast at first.

The KJ-909 on the C2000 carrier aircraft is probably the same as the KJ-346 and will not be able to enjoy this latest technology.

"Airborne Warning and Control System..."

Wang Xiaomo's eyes suddenly changed:

"Like Sweden's Erieye, and... David's Falcon?"

Falcon

Although the advance payment for the Ring Project was finally recovered, the Il-76 was incorporated into the transport aircraft unit after its equipment was removed.

However, the David Kingdom blatantly breached the contract at a critical moment, and also brought foreign personnel into close contact with Chinese equipment without permission.

This matter is not so easy to expose.

Every stroke is recorded in the little notebook.

The reason why there has been no action is because there has been no way to directly cause any trouble to the other party before.

But now...

Falcon is actually a model that is mainly aimed at the international market.

There are also model echelons of different sizes.

It is also mainly selling equipment, not complete machines...

This is a definite competitor.

So, if we can beat Falcon in the arms sales market...

Although it is hard to say whether there will be any serious impact on the Kingdom of David.

But at least it's a chance to vent my anger.

As for the Eye of Love...