Just when the Navy said that although the size of the new Z-8 was a bit large, it was enough to meet the loading requirements of its own destroyer, Chief Master Shen was also willing to give the Navy a surprise.

"Our new Z-8 helicopter is indeed wider and taller than the Seahawk helicopter in the design, but these are not without benefits, such as the anti-submarine helicopter after the helicopter rear cabin springboard is closed, the sonar buoy can be installed here, and the space utilization rate is very high. Coupled with the ample power output of this helicopter, we can also install helicopter hoisting sonar, large anti-submarine search radar, and at the same time carry enough weapons, such as anti-submarine torpedoes, and even anti-ship missiles. ”

At this time, it also highlights the role of the newly improved Z-8 relatively large fuselage in anti-submarine warfare, with the current fuselage design, it is definitely possible to install more anti-submarine equipment than the Seahawk anti-submarine helicopter, and the combat capability can completely surpass the Seahawk helicopter, and there is no other reason for this, that is, because the fuselage is large enough to install more equipment.

Yang Hui remembered that it seemed that because of the problem of airframe space, the Seahawk anti-submarine helicopter was divided into two schemes at the same time, one was the B type with sonar buoys, and the other was the F type with a suspended sonar, which was the shortcoming caused by the small size of the anti-submarine helicopter.

Of course, the navy also understands these points, and the large enough fuselage does have many advantages, so it understands the larger fuselage of this helicopter, and begins to look forward to how awesome the anti-submarine helicopter that can be successfully developed in the future, and must catch the submarines of the United States and Japan in the surrounding waters and spank them severely.

"Very good, our Navy is optimistic about the plan to change this aircraft into an anti-submarine helicopter, and it will definitely be able to shine."

When I said these words, I actually began to think in my heart, is this possible to give up the development of the Z-9 anti-submarine type? Anyway, it hasn't been long since the project was launched, and the R&D and design indicators of airborne anti-submarine equipment can be adjusted in time, after all, with a 12-ton anti-submarine helicopter in the future, who wants a little guy like a straight 9 to anti-submarine.

In this way, unconsciously, the Bingcheng Helicopter Factory, which originally received the armed reconnaissance helicopter project, will soon be dismounted from the anti-submarine Zhijiu, which can really be described as a typical example of blessing and misfortune.

By this time, the Navy had already asked all the questions it should have asked, and then it sat on the side with satisfaction, waiting to see what the other two sides had to say. It was at this time that Lu Hang's side suddenly remembered a question, which also aroused everyone's interest.

"This time the straight 8 improvement plan, I think there are too many changes, or we will simply re-number it, what do you think?"

It is definitely a good thing to re-number it, and the staff and technicians of AVIC Southwest, including Yang Hui, as well as the two chief designers on the stage, are quietly waiting to see what number can be given to the new aircraft.

Soon, the navy was the first to have an idea, and they had been close to AVIC Southwest for a long time, and they knew what the numbers of the projects in AVIC's hands were, as well as their sensitivity to numbers.

"I don't think I need to study more, they already had a J-18 fighter before, and now it is just right to add a Z-18."

"That's right, 18, 18, to send! Okay, I think this number is very auspicious, I want this number, I can please a good lottery in the future, how about it? ”

And hearing the echoing voice of the crowd, Yang Hui was also emotional, this magic change of the straight 8 after all still has to end up with a straight 18 number, it seems that the development of history is indeed still a certain inertia, although the two straight 18 magic changes of the Cheng dù are very different, but the fate is still very different after all.

"Thanks to the love of the leaders, we will definitely be worthy of this number, straight 18, this is an auspicious number, we will be able to win. As for the R&D funds of about 150 million yuan required for this project in the future, we will find a way to raise it ourselves, and we will definitely be able to complete the finalized production and deliver it within 5 years anyway. ”

At this time, the layout of AVIC Southwest in the helicopter industry is roughly clear, gathering all the relevant resources of the head office, and completing the development of the Z-18 together, when the time comes, this is not only the research and development of the engine subsystem, no matter which aspect, it must also have strong technical support.

Starting from the most basic office design method of 602 Institute, CATIA/CAD/CAM design and manufacturing technology from 0111, 611, 603 and other relevant design units must be there, and it is certainly right to invest a certain amount of money to carry out technical transformation of 602 and Changfei units.

The original metal glued propellers used in the Z-8 must be abandoned, and the choice of using the composite propellers learned by Bingcheng Aircraft Factory in the Z-9 helicopter project is the general trend.

In order to ensure the structural performance and weight requirements, all of the important propeller hubs and propeller shafts were changed to titanium alloy processing and manufacturing based on the design scheme of the European NH-90, which needs to be completed by the largest titanium alloy processing and manufacturing base in China under the AVIC Southwest Corporation in Guiyang Aviation Industrial Park.

Straight 8 in the early design of the use of metal fully articulated rotor hub has been extremely backward, just this one thing has nearly a thousand parts, to really manufacture it is simply a collapse, fortunately when the introduction and localization of the straight 9, the straight 9 uses a star-shaped flexible rotor hub, this technology can be very effective to reduce the original nearly 1,000 parts directly to just nearly 100 parts level, but also reduce the weight by 40%, the service life directly doubled.

And this technology, back then, was allocated to the 602 Institute for tackling key problems and manufacturing, and now it is necessary to design a new straight 18 helicopter, which can be directly and effectively used, and it can also be regarded as a more mature design.

The bigger head is the most rapidly developing glass cockpit in the southwest of China in recent years, which can not only be used by fixed-wing aircraft, but also must be used in the improved Z-18, so that the cockpit layout can be effectively optimized, so that the Z-18 can be truly modernized, and this needs to be designed and manufactured by Yang Wei and Liyun's upcoming avionics-flight simulation company.

As for the composite radome, aluminum-lithium alloy metal skeleton and skin, these are also very necessary, after the comprehensive use of the above technology, Yang Hui has reason to believe that the Z-18 can become a helicopter with good enough performance, I believe that no matter which side of the three armed forces is at that time, will be appreciated by the Z-18.

As for whether the Z-18 will be more expensive than the Mi-171 in the future, I can only laugh at this question. After using so many advanced technologies, how can the Z-18 be comparable to the Mi-171? And fully implement the standard of getting what you pay for, maybe the straight 18 will be more expensive at that time, but I believe it is also acceptable to the army.

In this way, the republic's helicopter industry can also develop by a great leap forward, and it will become a level that is only about 10 years behind the advanced level of the West like fixed-wing fighters.

If you want to ask why there can be such a leap and bound, it can only be said that the aviation industry is a whole, when the fixed-wing aircraft and subsystems are raised to the level, then the helicopter industry can also take a ride. (To be continued.) )