NOVEL NEXT Chapter 65
Chapter 65: Another Deal
In the bedroom, Fang Jian opened a document. It contained basic information about aircraft engines that Zhang Liang had provided him before he left. This information was not classified but widely known.
The working principle of a jet engine is remarkably simple: it draws in air, compresses it, ignites it, and expels high-speed exhaust air. Aircraft engines have a very high energy conversion rate, reaching 70% or even 90%, in contrast to typical cars’ 20-30% energy conversion rate.
High-quality military engines can achieve a thrust-to-weight ratio 1:10. There’s no need for groundbreaking theories in the aircraft engine field. It’s more about improving manufacturing processes.
However, both engines share a common flaw: limited operating hours and reliability. This is why the WS-10 engine is primarily used in the Air Force’s twin-engine heavy fighters, while single-engine fighters like the J-10 still use an upgraded version of the AL31-F engine imported from Russia.
So, when discussing the level of aircraft engine manufacturing, it’s essential to consider that these engines must be usable for an extended period. For instance, the F135 engine on the US military’s F-35 has a thrust-to-weight ratio of 1:15, something China could manufacture with its current technology. Still, it might only have a working time of around 10 hours, making it less practical.
In any field, being slightly behind is unacceptable. This issue arises because aircraft engine manufacturing requires an overall improvement in manufacturing capabilities. Currently, the country faces challenges in areas where the manufacturing process is not up to par.
Although progress is ongoing, decisive breakthroughs at key points remain elusive. To save time and effort, acquiring engines of higher standards for research purposes is the true intention of researchers.
Fang Jian considered this and then closed the door, entering his virtual space. He left a message on the wall, and soon Sima Shengjie appeared.
“Hey, Mr. Fang, hello,” Sima Shengjie greeted. He smiled and asked, “Do you have any instructions?”
Fang Jian nodded slightly and asked, “Can you procure genuine engines here?”
“Engines?” Sima Shengjie’s expression changed slightly. He replied, “Mr. Fang, we’re just a group of retro enthusiasts. We don’t have access to the most cutting-edge machines.”
Fang Jian smiled and said, “I’m looking for retro models.”
“Retro models?”
“Have you heard of the F-110 turbofan and F-119 engines?”
Sima Shengjie looked puzzled and shook his head, saying, “I haven’t heard of them. What are they…?”
Fang Jian sighed impatiently, saying, “You can look them up.”
“Alright, please wait a moment.”
Sima Shengjie immediately lowered his head. It was unclear how he searched, but within a moment, he looked up with a strange expression and said, “Oh my, those are ancient relics from a thousand years ago. They’ve been obsolete for who knows how many years. What do you need that for?”
Although Fang Jian had no idea how much technological progress had been made in the thousand years that followed, based on the other person’s expression and reaction, he estimated that it was probably much more advanced than he had imagined.
So he shrugged and said, “Why do I need it? Then why do you play with vintage machinery? It’s for interest, you know. For interest’s sake, I can invest without counting the cost.”
After a pause, he added, “Isn’t it the same for you?”
Sima Shengjie’s face blushed slightly, and he quickly said, “I’m sorry, it was my mistake. It’s just that very few people would be interested in something from a thousand years ago.”
Fang Jian snorted lightly and said, “Alright, can you do it? If you can’t, I’ll find someone else.”
Sima Shengjie patted his chest and said, “Fang, no need to find someone else. Leave this simple task to me. How many units do you need?”
“Let’s go with two of each. Remember, I want them to be completely retro, without flaws.” Fang Jian’s mind moved slightly, and he pretended to be indifferent as he said, “By the way, make a copy of the manufacturing process for me. I’m too lazy to look it up.”
“Sure, no problem.”
Watching Sima Shengjie leave happily, Fang Jian’s eyes sparkled.
Although the domestic engine manufacturing process might differ from that abroad, borrowing insights from others could lead to advancements. Fang Jian believed that domestic engineers would excel if they could obtain the other party’s manufacturing process and combine it with the most advanced and top-notch instruments he could provide.