Free Web NovelChapter 740: Chapter 406 My Job Must Have Meaning! _3
However, there are indeed problems.
The Kunlun engine’s performance still falls short compared to imported jet engines, failing to meet the demands of the latest fighter aircraft. The high failure rate is also a considerable issue. An engine failure on a fighter jet is no insignificant matter; each failure could potentially result in the loss of a plane, or even the far costlier loss of a pilot.
Therefore, the Kunlun engine has not yet been widely adopted and has only been installed on a few experimental aircraft. The team at the Aviation Research and Development Center is also continuing to refine the engine’s design.
Zhang Gangchuan, the head of the engine research and development team, explained, "Our current goal is clear. First, we aim to enhance the performance of the Kunlun, so it meets the requirements of at least third-generation fighter aircraft. Secondly, we aim to refine the design of the engine to minimize failure as much as possible."
He shook his head and sighed bitterly, "Actually, when the Kunlun project was launched, the original goal was to create a top-tier, domestically-produced fighter jet. But the speed of international technological advancement is so rapid. Now we are talking about fifth-generation jets, and our engine, proposed to meet the needs of third-generation or at most three-and-a-half generation jets, turns out to be outdated by the time it’s completed...."
This is an extremely frustrating situation.
The Kunlun engine project was initiated more than 20 years ago when the third-generation jet was considered state-of-the-art. Back then, our nation did not have the capability to independently develop a top-tier fighter jet engine. The initiation and development of Kunlun were regarded by many as a ’pipe dream.’ Persevering all the way through has not been easy.
Despite its successful development a few years ago, there is still a significant time gap, and it has not kept up with international top-tier standards. Furthermore, issues with performance and high failure rates are significant obstacles to be resolved if it’s to be adopted for the third and three-and-a-half generation jets.
Zhang Gangchuan candidly told the group of experts, "We have confidence that if we keep going, there will come a day when the engine has been refined. It’s just a matter of time..."
"So this time, when you came over, I specifically mentioned hoping that someone would be able to assist us with our work ..."
He spoke with sincerity.
The experts could sense Zhang Gangchuan’s sincerity. However, the development of the turbofan engine series has lasted more than twenty years, and its internal structure is extremely complex. Even academicians specializing in engine theory can only understand its design and have difficulty offering improvement ideas.
They sincerely wanted to help but felt powerless.
It was the same for Zhao Yi.
Zhang Gangchuan merely provided a brief introduction to the parameters of the Kunlun engine and took the group of experts to visit a fully constructed engine and a fighter jet equipped with the Kunlun engine.
These experiences did not provide sufficient conditions for Zhao Yi. Additionally, the engine’s design was excessively complex for his system capabilities to study effectively.
After the tour, the experts were invited to dine in the hall.
Zhang Gangchuan specially sought out Zhao Yi and took him to his office, sincerely saying, "Academician Zhao, you’ve seen the issues we are facing in our research. I would like to invite you to serve as a ’special expert’ for the Kunlun engine research and development team."
Zhao Yi deliberated.
Zhang Gangchuan continued, "I understand, Academician Zhao, that you have many research projects and are very busy. As our special expert, you wouldn’t need to do anything specific. If there’s a problem, and you have time, look into it and if possible, resolve it. If you can’t resolve it, it doesn’t matter."
"Actually, this time, my main purpose is to invite you. Other people ..." He shook his head and said, "Even an academician expert in power engineering, even those at the top end of research, wouldn’t be much help."
Zhang Gangchuan spoke sincerely, his humility making it difficult for Zhao Yi to decline.
As a special expert, he wouldn’t have to do anything and would still receive an ’expert supplement’ from the research and development team. Even if he participated in the research, his role would essentially be a ’consultant.’
This kind of good fortune...
Zhao Yi carefully pondered, not caring about the supplement, nor would he agree just because the other party was humbling himself. Instead, he began to consider the potential research problems.
Now that the Kunlun engine has been successfully developed, the subsequent steps involve refining the performance and reducing failure rates based on the existing design framework. It appears simple – as long as there’s enough understanding, could the ’Supervision Law’ directly solve it?
Zhao Yi pondered and then spoke, "I do not oppose serving as a special professor, but my work must be meaningful and not solely calculation-based..."
He spoke with a tinge of frustration.
Zhang Gangchuan instantly understood. He knew Ying Shaowen well. The research on aviation engines and aircraft carrier engines fell into the same category, so there must have been professional communication between them. Recalling when Ying Shaowen praised Zhao Yi’s calculating ability, saying one Zhao Yi topped their entire team.
Zhang Gangchuan hadn’t thought much about it before. But hearing Zhao Yi’s words, he suddenly realized, "Ying Shaowen, this guy, actually treated Zhao Yi as a calculating tool? No wonder Zhao Yi rejected him directly."
"Haha ..."
Zhang Gangchuan felt like laughing but held it in and asked, "What does ’meaningful work’ mean to you?"
"I need to see the detailed information of Kunlun, including the architecture, design drawings, technology, even the materials used in each part, control systems, etc., everything."
Zhao Yi spoke seriously, "Only then can I understand how to refine it rather than acting just as a calculator or consultant." He added with frankness, "I am not an expert in engines, my knowledge about them is limited and probably not qualified to serve as a consultant."
Zhang Gangchuan took a deep breath, looked at Zhao Yi in amazement. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
What Zhao Yi requested involved ’confidentiality’ issues, and normally only researchers genuinely involved in the research and development team who participate throughout the development process would be entitled to access such extensive information.
The development of Kunlun has spanned over twenty years, and many of the researchers still working on the project joined halfway through. Their work only involves a part of the content. For example, those researching control systems won’t need data on the fan blades, as knowing the parameters is sufficient.
Now with Zhao Yi asking for so much information, Zhang Gangchuan was momentarily unable to make a decision.
Zhao Yi then went on to say, "There’s no need to provide everything all at once. Viewing, and requesting a portion at a time would be sufficient. But my need for access to information must be met, only then can I play a crucial role."
Zhang Gangchuan took another deep breath, reflected for some time, then gritted his teeth and nodded, "Okay!"
