An F404 engine in the test workshop was being ignited and tested, and the huge light blue tail flame erupted several meters long, and the deafening sound shook the bodies of Lin Qiangsheng and others, and shocked their hearts even more.

Lin Qiangsheng felt deafening with a protective ear bag, and he couldn't hear the voices of others.

Although this advanced engine is the first time Lin Qiangsheng has seen it, it seems to be the same feeling.

But to Yang Wanli, Ma Chenglin, Niu Xintang left a deep impression, the whole F404 engine is like a finely carved work of art, the front of the turbine outer ring is a high-temperature stainless steel machined parts, the rear part of the outer ring is not a sheet metal part but a titanium alloy CNC machined part, the whole body is a color of silver white shining. And the electronic control system box on the left side of the engine is only the size of a 32-carat hardcover book, which is very exquisite.

After the visit, in order to give preferential treatment to the VIPs, Li Mao and others specially asked Lin Qiangsheng to take a photo in front of a complete engine.

This is also the first time that the Chinese have arrived at GE's test bench workshop, since the US government relaxed technical restrictions on China, these American giants are still very enthusiastic, after all, there is another huge market, they also attach great importance to the development of the Chinese market.

At the same time, there is also competition between them, Zhang Wei told Lin Qiangsheng and others that after visiting General Electric, people from Pratt & Whitney will come to pick them up to visit the engine factory in Pratt & Whitney.

Lin Qiangsheng and Yang Wanli were very surprised, while Ma Chenglin and Niu Xintang were a little excited, with an expression of looking at this and then shopping around.

Lin Qiangsheng also understands them, after all, the developed countries in Europe and the United States have been blockading China for a long time, especially the United States, and the technical restrictions on China are very strict, and it is estimated that they are all grateful in their hearts for the arrival of the honeymoon period between China and the United States. It is necessary to take advantage of this opportunity to introduce a large amount of American technology.

But they don't know that the process is arduous and the results are few!

"At present, 1,250 F404 engines have been produced and delivered, mainly for the F18 twin-engine supersonic attack aircraft, and Canada, Australia, and Spain have also purchased this aircraft," Li Mao told them. There are also advanced concept fighters such as the X-29, F-20, and Sweden's Gripen, which also use the F404. The engine is designed with replaceable units and is free of scheduled maintenance and overhaul. However, depending on the situation, the maintenance can be used to replace the unit body when the problem is found, and there is no need to adjust and test it. Generally speaking, the life of its hot parts is 2,000 hours, and the life of other components is 4,000 hours, and the actual statistical reliability, for every 1,000 flight hours, the number of repairs removed from the aircraft, has increased from 14 times in 1980. Reduced to less than 2 times to the present!

Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare backup engines on the aircraft carrier, as long as there are some backup units. For example, on a certain aircraft carrier, there are two squadrons (48 F18s), and they only took 14 engines from the aircraft in 7 months, of which 13 were repaired on the aircraft carrier, and only one was returned to the factory for repair! ”

Niu Xintang's eyes lit up, and he asked with great concern: "Can this engine transfer technology to us?" ”

This is also the question that Ma Chenglin and Yang Wanli are most concerned about, how much they want to hear the word "can" from Li Mao's mouth. Lin Qiangsheng also hopes for it.

However, after being stunned for a moment, Li Mao sneered: "It is impossible to sell technology. Our F404 only sells finished products! ”

He looked at the brows of several people and frowned, and said even more shockingly: "Moreover, we still have to sign an agreement, you can't copy our technology!" ”

Several people showed disappointed expressions, especially Yang Wanli and Niu Xintang, who knew technology, looked at such a good engine in front of them, which was really within reach but so far away from them.

They know. Even if you buy this kind of engine, if you don't have the help of the American side, it will end like Spey!

Lin Qiangsheng wiped his forehead, hiding the chagrin and the flash of pride on his face, his thoughts were complicated. On the one hand, they are angry that the Americans are guarding against their technology for fear of leaking out. But on the one hand, there is always a time when the Americans can't prevent it, and for Lin Qiangsheng, the Americans only need to agree to sell, and persist in continuous research on it, which will produce results sooner or later, and Taihang has proved this more than 20 years later.

Li Mao also knew that it had dampened the enthusiasm of the Chinese personnel, and he went on to mention another superior indicator of the F404 engine, saying: "In addition to high reliability, the F404 also has very good working performance, such as acceleration, from slow train to full afterburner in only 3.5 seconds, the aircraft is very adaptable to the go-around, and the on-board operation will definitely not stall." F18 is a twin-engine multi-purpose attack aircraft, some aircraft such as the Gripen fighter is a single engine, this is also an excellent multi-role fighter, the company in the ignition system, electronic control system, hydraulic system and other aspects have been changed to two redundant processing, its reliability has increased by more than 10% compared with the twin engine, of course, so the cost of each machine will increase by about 50,000 to 75,000 US dollars! In terms of future development, the F18 will use 16,000 pounds of thrust, the Gripen will use 18,000 pounds of thrust, and the next modification will be 20,000 pounds of thrust! (That's about 89 kN, and the RM12C engine of the Gripen fighter is this thrust.) ）

Li Mao said to Lin Qiangsheng and others with encouragement: "At that time, the thrust-to-weight ratio of the F404 successor engine will reach 9, and the basic shape will remain the same, but the fan flow is slightly larger!" ”

Yang Wanli and the three were very surprised, and Lin Qiangsheng was already thinking about how many F404s to buy. In the 80s of the previous life, the honeymoon period between China and the United States did not seem to have heard of the purchase of this turbofan engine in China.

Don't miss it in this world, there are some other advanced military equipment from the United States, and we must also seize the time to introduce it!

At this time, Niu Xintang asked with concern: "With this F404 engine, does the aircraft have to be changed to a large opening in the lower part of the rear fuselage?" ”

His English is okay, and some expressions he doesn't understand are supplemented by Ma Chenglin. The two of them were obviously concerned about the question, and they both looked at Li Mao and waited for his answer.

Li Mao said to them: "From the perspective of maintenance, because the F404 engine is highly reliable, there is no need to make a lot of effort to change the rear fuselage of the aircraft to a lower large opening, please rest assured!" ”

Li Mao looked at Lin Qiangsheng suspiciously, after all, the information he saw was that this young man was the head of the Chinese side. So he asked Lin Qiangsheng curiously, "Mr. Lin, do you have any other questions for me?" ”

Ma Chenglin and Niu Xintang also looked at Lin Qiangsheng, and at the same time the two were thinking about what else to ask, because it is not easy to visit once, and there are two domestic projects that are considering the use of imported engines, and this F404 is very good in their opinion. All have achieved the predetermined goals, and the only regret is that the Americans only sell products and not technology.

Lin Qiangsheng thought for a moment and said, "Mr. Li, you have answered very clearly. ”

Then, he turned his head and asked Zhang Wei directly: "Mr. Zhang, I want to ask if I order 24 improved F404 engines now, when will you be able to deliver them?" There is also the improvement of subsequent models, do we also have the convenience of procurement? ”

As soon as Zhang Wei heard that Lin Qiangsheng was going to order an engine, his heart suddenly brightened, and he immediately said, "Mr. Lin." The Lynn plant can currently deliver you four 2-redundancy improved F404 engines per month, and the deal can be completed in six months! ”

Lin Qiangsheng nodded and said, "It's really fast, then you guys are ready for business negotiations, my negotiation team can come here tomorrow!" ”

Zhang Wei said happily: "Mr. Lin is quick to speak, then I will prepare negotiation materials and personnel waiting for your people!" ”

Ma Chenglin and Niu Xintang looked at Lin Qiangsheng in surprise, when they wanted to come to such a big contract, at least the two sides had to contact several times, and then talk about it for another year or two before it was settled. Why doesn't this Lin Johnson play cards according to the routine!

When the two sides left the factory workshop, Lin Qiangsheng suddenly thought of something. Turning his head to Zhang Wei, he said: "Our company plans to jointly develop a training aircraft with General Dynamics, please wait for Mr. Zhang to contact their people." ”

Zhang Wei asked in surprise, "Can Mr. Lin be more detailed?" About this trainer! ”

"This is a supersonic advanced training aircraft designed by our side, and the design of the fuselage, wings and tail units has been basically completed, and we are invited to do a blow test by General Dynamics; We would also like to ask them to complete the development of the flight control system, avionics system, and hydraulic system, and at the same time guide us to manufacture it! Lin Qiangsheng said reservedly.

Zhang Wei and Li Mao glanced at each other, he turned his head to Lin Qiangsheng and said, "Okay, Mr. Lin." I think General Dynamics will be interested in your idea! ”

General Dynamics, the designer and producer of the F16 fighter. In 1993 General Dynamics sold its aviation business to Lockheed, after which the F-16 fighter was called the Lockheed F-16.

After talking, Zhang Wei arranged for the four of them to have dinner, during which Ma Chenglin whispered to Lin Qiangsheng: "Xiaolin." Is your company still going to work on training aircraft with the Americans? ”

Lin Qiangsheng saw that Niu Xintang also looked at him with concern, nodded and said to the two: "Our company has this plan, mainly to go through the process of aircraft design to manufacturing through cooperation with Americans, and increase the depth and understanding of the American aviation industry!" ”

Niu Xintang said in a solemn tone: "Comrade Johnson & Johnson, it stands to reason that I should support your idea, but have you thought about it?" The Americans may not take your request for cooperation seriously, and they may not teach you the real thing! ”

Lin Qiangsheng nodded and said: "This is inevitable, but even if you learn a little, it's good, if you don't learn, you won't improve." At present, it is the best time to get in touch with the Western military industry, and we must not miss the opportunity again, we should not miss it! ”

Ma Chenglin pondered for a moment and said, "That's true, but I'll tell you something now, you think about it!" ”

Lin Qiangsheng asked, "Deputy Director Ma, could you please speak?" ”

Ma Chenglin hesitated for a moment, and then said to Lin Qiangsheng as if he had made up his mind: "At present, there are two domestic aviation projects that want to cooperate with the United States, one is Chengfei's Sabre II (Thunder Dragon fighter), which intends to choose an American company to cooperate in modifying advanced avionics, radar and other systems; And the other is the J-8 II project, maybe you have already heard, Shen Fei also wants to find an American military industrial enterprise to upgrade it, and you have the same purpose, they also want to learn the technology of the Americans through cooperation! ”

Lin Qiangsheng nodded, glanced at Yang Wanli, Lao Yang glanced at him excitedly, Lin Qiangsheng understood that he was tempted and wanted to do it with China.

Ma Chenglin looked at Lin Qiangsheng and Yang Wanli and said: "According to my idea, your company has just been established and its technical strength is weak, so it is better to participate, you can choose any project, so that it is easier for everyone to make contributions together!" ”

Lin Qiangsheng nodded, he didn't answer Ma Chenglin immediately, but said: "Deputy Director Ma, if we can, we want to talk to the people of these two factories to see if we can reach a consensus on our ideas!" ”

Ma Chenglin nodded with a smile and said: "Okay, let's sit down and talk about it, I hope you will cooperate and concentrate technical forces to do things!" (To be continued.) )