Great Power Fighting Falcon

"Tell me in detail." Bao Guanhua said.

Li Zhan obviously thought carefully, but he did not have sufficient theoretical basis, and it could only be regarded as a personal opinion at best.

But his personal views cannot be ignored.

"Ever since the Second Division launched the J-7, I have been thinking about what kind of fourth-generation fighter the People's Air Force needs. At that time, I didn't know that the fourth-generation fighter was already in the sprint stage of development. To be honest, I saw the Black Ribbon making its first flight. The news, I even suspected it was fake news.”

"After confirming that it was a fact, I began to think more seriously about the same question - what kind of fourth-generation aircraft can meet the requirements for the People's Air Force in future wars. From Beiku to Feisha, I participated in many live-fire exercises during this period , live-fire confrontations, comprehensive exercises and drills, and also went outside to understand the current situation of foreign air forces and their strategic thinking.”

"Admittedly, there is nothing wrong with aiming to catch up with the F-22A. After all, there is only such a fourth-generation aircraft in the world. At first, I even thought that as long as our fourth-generation aircraft has combat capabilities that are almost the same as the F-22A, it would be good. As a result. What I didn’t expect was that the Lockheed Martin factory could make the first flight of the fourth-generation aircraft in such a short period of time. From this, I thought of a very key thing, that is, our aviation technology is developing much faster than we imagined. We We can no longer use the old thinking to think about things now and in the future.”

"I had the most profound experience while working in the Flying Shark Force. Now that we have enough research and development capabilities to achieve a qualitative leap, should we think more deeply about the problem and think further. The black ribbon is the standard Air Force A heavy-duty air superiority fighter, I have seen the flight of the F-22A in France. In terms of maneuverability alone, the F-22A is not as good as our Black Ribbon, and I believe the avionics system is also on par."

"But the F-22A is not perfect. After all, it is the design idea of ​​the 1980s and the technology of the 1980s and 1990s. The most important thing is the design idea. The design idea of ​​the F-22A was used to attack the Soviet Union The Su-27 and MiG-29 fleets formed an overwhelming advantage. In other words, at the beginning of the project, they did not consider that they would face our fourth-generation aircraft in the future."

"If we blindly take the F-22A as the goal of catching up, it will obviously limit our own development. This goal should be adjusted. Catching up with the F-22A can only be regarded as a basic goal, and having stronger capabilities to adapt to future wars Combat capability should be the ultimate goal of our fourth-generation aircraft."

Having said this, Li Zhan paused and continued, "My second reason is related to the navy. There is no doubt that the People's Navy will definitely equip large nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in the future. The U.S. Navy has proven it with a lot of experience Because the maintenance efficiency and dispatch efficiency of heavy-duty carrier-based fighters are lower than that of medium-sized carrier-based fighters, the risk of landing weight of carrier-based fighters exceeding 20 tons greatly increases. This is one of the reasons why they gave up the F-14 and F-111B."

"But the fundamental reason is that the U.S. Navy has lost its opponents at that time, and they do not need to use more resources to maintain the heavy carrier-based fighter fleet. In fact, by focusing on the design of heavy carrier-based fighter jets and the design of aircraft carriers, Starting with it, with current technology and future technological development, it is possible to improve the dispatch efficiency of the new heavy-duty carrier-based stealth fighter and reduce the risk of landing."

"Shen Hoy has built a technical verification aircraft for the fourth-generation medium-sized carrier-based stealth fighter. They have begun to use this aircraft to conduct related technology verification. It is basically certain that the main carrier-based fighter on the aircraft carrier in the future will be the J-Fighter -15 heavy-duty carrier-based fighter jets and fourth-generation medium-sized carrier-based stealth fighter jets form a two-level match."

"The combination of old and new will continue for a long time. According to the Navy's thinking, in the future, it will definitely use fourth-generation heavy-duty carrier-based fighters and fourth-generation medium-sized carrier-based fighters. The former will be the main force in air defense, and the latter will be the main force in air defense. Responsible for attack. This is their ideal configuration of the carrier-based fighter force of the future aircraft carrier battle group."

Li Zhan said, "Based on this, a problem arises. The research and development of Black Ribbon did not consider the possibility of being put on a ship. Everyone knows that it is very difficult to convert a land-based fighter to a carrier-based fighter. It is not possible to strengthen the landing mechanism and replace it with a larger thrust engine. That’s fine. The Soviet Union used the Su 27 platform to develop Su 33 for so many years. We obtained Su 33’s technology and drawings after we had thoroughly understood the technology of the Su 27 platform. It also took a long time to build the J-15 It was just completed. It shows that the development of carrier-based fighter jets is very difficult."

"If the fourth-generation aircraft can be developed with the possibility of being put on ships considered, it will be of great help to the development of future fourth-generation heavy-duty carrier-based fighters. I don't mean to black-ribbon bring out the navy's carrier-based fighter. In my opinion, the F-35 project undertaken by the Americans is a failure. They want to use one platform to derive a common fighter for all three services. The idea is beautiful but the reality is cruel. In addition to conventional models, there are short take-off and landing models and vertical take-off and landing models. They have not developed combat effectiveness, and even the frequency of use cannot be normal. When they will mature, it seems to be far away. "

"We don't need to build a world fighter jet. According to our own situation, the fourth-generation aircraft of the Air Force and the fourth-generation aircraft of the Navy can be developed separately. The derived technology can be used to improve the third-generation aircraft, presenting two The locomotive drives the simultaneous development of the entire aviation equipment. For example, the J-16 uses a large amount of advanced avionics technology from Black Ribbon. Although the appearance has not changed much, the inside is completely different. The improvement in combat capabilities is huge. "

Bao Guanhua listened carefully and nodded slightly, "I understand what you mean. The research and development of the Black Ribbon should best take into account the application of new technologies in the future Navy's fourth-generation carrier-based fighter project."

"Yes." Li Zhan said.

Li Zhan said so much about his opinions that can be summarized in two sentences because he hoped that Bao Guanhua, one of the persons in charge, could understand his complete thoughts from beginning to end.

Objectively speaking, the F-35 also applies a large number of technologies brought by the F-22 project. Without the foundation of the F-22, there would be no F-35. This is a technical issue, and what Li Zhan raised was the navy and air force’s views on the positioning of new fighter aircraft in the future, which is related to the development strategies of the two major services.

The Air Force aims to transform into both offense and defense, and vigorously develops two main types of equipment. The first is the main fighter jet, and the second is the surface-to-air missile. The former constitutes the main force that can attack and defend, while the latter is to form a force capable of intercepting ballistic missiles. of the national missile defense system.

Under the guidance of such development strategic thinking, it is very clear what kind of equipment needs to be developed and what technical performance the equipment should achieve.

The Navy's current thinking is very simple, that is, to make dumplings. But the navy has ideals. As one of the four major military services, if it doesn't have ideals, it's no different from a fishing boat. And the Navy's ideals are even more terrifying and lofty.

Now the Navy has no other choice. They can only use the J-15. However, relatively speaking, the J-15 is definitely an excellent carrier-based fighter. There will be no problem at all in using it for forty or fifty years. The problem is that since the first flight of the Black Ribbon, the Navy's appetite has suddenly increased - it turns out that we have such strong research and development capabilities!

Then the ideal goals that were previously hidden and dare not be shown to others can naturally be boldly brought out.

Li Zhan said, "In general, I think fourth-generation aircraft must not only have strong single-aircraft combat capabilities, but also have sufficient air command and combat capabilities. What I mean is not that one fourth-generation aircraft can command other fourth-generation aircraft. The combat command capability is the command capability of a fourth-generation aircraft to command several unmanned combat aircraft."

"Oh? Your idea is very interesting. Let's talk about it in detail." Bao Guanhua's brows jumped sharply, and he keenly smelled the strong new combat style contained in it.

Li Zhan said, "Unmanned equipment will increasingly enter military service in the future, and many tasks, including combat and support, will increasingly be implemented using unmanned platforms. Unmanned combat It is a new trend, whether it is air combat or ground combat. Perhaps the fourth-generation aircraft will not only face the enemy's manned aircraft, but also face a large number of unmanned fighter jets, which in turn requires the fourth-generation aircraft to be able to command several unmanned aircraft. The ability of manned fighter jets to conduct combat operations can ensure that they are not shot down in the enemy’s drone-human sea tactics.”

"Our Air Force is at the forefront in this regard, and globally, our drone technology is one of the best. This is a big advantage for us. So I think we should give full play to this advantage."

Bao Guanhua said, "Most unmanned aircraft can now only undertake some support and support tasks, and it may take some time to achieve air combat. The United States has a lot of experience in using unmanned aerial vehicles for combat, but their experience is limited to Completely controlling the air and electromagnetic power on the battlefield, and even using unmanned aircraft to attack the ground while having absolute advantage on the battlefield is more of a reconnaissance mission."

Smiling, Li Zhan said, "I have a hunch that our development speed will be very fast. In the field of unmanned fighter jets, perhaps military researchers will give us another big surprise."

"Will you?" Bao Guanhua said with a smile.

Li Zhan nodded firmly, "I'm very confident."

"Based on the progress of the fourth-generation aircraft project, I believe that the development of unmanned fighter jets will not be slow, and I am afraid it will be a stealth model. Ten years ago, I read an article published in the Chinese Air Force Monthly, and the author was a young Captain and staff officer, his vision for future air combat seemed unbelievable at the time, but looking back now, I am afraid that his vision will soon be realized," Li Zhan said.

Bao Guanhua recalled it carefully and said, "Does he think that the main force in future air battles will be unmanned fighter jets?"

"right."

"I have the impression that the article attracted the attention of higher-ups."

Li Zhan said, "Yes. He believes that future air combat will involve operators controlling unmanned fighter jets from ground command terminals. In the future, air combat will be like playing games, with pilots from both sides competing by controlling handles. In fact, his vision has changed. It’s become a reality.”

"I think the technology of unmanned fighter jets is not a problem. What restricts the development of unmanned fighter jets is the signal transmission link. In the future, when the Beidou system is completed, these constraints will naturally disappear, and the development of unmanned fighter jets will definitely advance by leaps and bounds. Take command and control from the ground Moving to the air and realizing the wolf pack tactics under one will, fourth-generation aircraft are critical." Li Zhan said.

Bao Guanhua nodded repeatedly. Obviously, he agreed with Li Zhan's view.

Everyone knows that the command aircraft developed using the tactical transport aircraft platform can command and control unmanned fighter jets, but this platform has no advantages compared with fourth-generation aircraft. In order for fourth-generation aircraft to be able to command several unmanned fighter jets for combat, the key is to miniaturize the command and control system and integrate it into the avionics system.

The space of a fighter jet is extremely limited, and it is impossible to install a large amount of electronic equipment like the command aircraft developed from the tactical transport aircraft platform.

It is obviously very difficult to miniaturize the command and control system and integrate it into the avionics system, but it is not impossible based on current technology.

If this issue is taken into consideration during the research and development process, there will be more room for success in the future. Compared with the F-22A, the Black Ribbon is larger, has greater redundancy, and has greater potential for improvement. It is relatively easy to make reservations in advance.

After pondering for a moment, Bao Guanhua said, "You formulate a written report, and I will bring it out for everyone to discuss at the next project discussion meeting."

Li Zhan said with some surprise, "Old leader, it's just my superficial opinions, can't they be brought to the table?"

"Who dares to call your opinion superficial?" Bao Guanhua said with a smile, "Since you raised it, we should discuss it with everyone. Xiao Li, you just don't know yourself deeply enough sometimes. Why did you leave HNA? Coming back to serve as the main test pilot of fourth-generation aircraft? I value your combat experience, and you are the only one in the army. It is no exaggeration to say that your suggestions can influence the future tactical direction of the army."

Li Zhan smiled awkwardly, "It's not that serious, is it?"

"Yes." Bao Guanhua said seriously, "You are a treasure of the army, and you are full of treasures. So I must emphasize again that you must absolutely obey the tower's instructions. You must not have any questions when the commander orders you to parachute. of hesitation."

Li Zhan said solemnly, "Yes, I will obey orders resolutely!"

"good."

Bao Guanhua nodded slightly, although he knew that such emphasis might not have much effect. He changed the topic and said, "Do you have any specific ideas about the subsequent test flights? Tell me before you go on vacation. It’s easier for me to prepare in advance.”

"I really have a specific idea." Li Zhan said with a smile.

Bao Guanhua stood up to refill Li Zhan's tea and said, "Tell me, tell me, I know you have a very smart mind."

There is no doubt that Li Zhan is a flying genius. When you think he is thinking about the problem at hand, he is actually thinking much further. He is a character who likes to take the initiative, as are all pilots, and his awareness of this aspect is even stronger.

Although it had only been a test flight, given Li Zhan's character, he might have already had a complete test flight framework, thinking entirely from a practical perspective.

"Okay, then I'll tell you what I think."

PS: On September 30, we agreed that everyone would vote monthly and start the battle to finish the work for the Fighting Falcon.