Genius of the Rules-Style System

Chapter 964: 486

"If we first adapt the Warhawk-1 engine, can we continue to adjust the parameters upwards to truly turn the J-20 into a fifth-generation aircraft?"

"Such a J-20 might catch up with the F-35, right?"

"However, even if it’s fitted with the J-20, the performance of the Warhawk-1 engine still has overflow..."

"Being too advanced isn’t necessarily a good thing either!"

Thinking with a wry smile, Liu Jiankun glanced at the test department’s assessment report on the Warhawk-1 engine’s flight test, where almost all comments were admiration, without finding a single issue, "Academician Zhao was right, the Warhawk-1 doesn’t need further improvement and can move on to the next stage."

...

While Liu Jiankun was reviewing the issues in the development of the J-20 fighter, his assistant reported that Zhang Gangchuan had come to visit, and he immediately put aside his work, greeting Zhang Gangchuan in the small conference room with curiosity.

Upon seeing Liu Jiankun, Zhang Gangchuan immediately smiled and said, "General Manager Liu, you’re really a busy man. I heard you were back and came over right away."

"What’s the matter?" asked Liu Jiankun bluntly.

Zhang Gangchuan said, "Well, first I have some good news to report. The Warhawk II engine has successfully completed the startup test."

"Now, we’re able to successfully start it up and keep the engine running normally, and after ten minutes of operation, it can be shut down properly."

"Hmm, hmm," Liu Jiankun nodded while listening.

If he hadn’t seen the success of the Warhawk-1, he would surely have asked a few more questions, for successfully operating it in a short time would have been quite remarkable.

But...

Liu Jiankun looked at Zhang Gangchuan, with a look in his eyes that roughly said, "Continue speaking, I’m listening." fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

Zhang Gangchuan felt a bit puzzled by Liu Jiankun’s attitude, but he continued, "At this pace, we should be able to bring the Warhawk II engine up to flight test standards within ten months."

"This was indeed thanks to Kunlun’s experience. I remember several years ago, it almost took two years from Kunlun’s design finalization to its flight test application..."

He began to reminisce about the past.

When he realized he had said so much without any response from Liu Jiankun, Zhang Gangchuan also felt a bit embarrassed. He changed the subject and continued, "The reason for my visit is twofold. First is to report our progress."

"Secondly, to address a problem. Our Kunlun team is seriously understaffed, especially in terms of professional technical personnel."

"General Manager Liu, as you know, the Warhawk series was developed under the leadership of Academician Zhao, and there are many design principles that we haven’t fully understood. It’s not easy to correct and solve problems when we encounter them."

"So, we were thinking, wouldn’t it be possible to have the entire Warhawk team come over to our side. Of course, we don’t insist on Academician Zhao’s direct involvement; just some guidance will suffice. The rest of the personnel were involved in the design of the Warhawk series engines, so having them join us would definitely be of great assistance."

Liu Jiankun was about to say something after listening.

Zhang Gangchuan hurriedly continued, "Hear me out. The thing is, the Warhawk-1 engine is too advanced. Frankly speaking, it’s a bit out of touch with reality, and there are bound to be many problems in the development and perfection process."

"If both our teams worked together on developing the Type II, the speed would be much faster. With the experience from Type II as a foundation, if we then went on to develop and perfect the more high-end Type I, I believe it would be a great help..."

"Therefore, I think we can put the Warhawk-1 engine project on hold and focus our efforts on the Type I for now."

Zhang Gangchuan finished speaking with a very serious look at Liu Jiankun, having rehearsed his speech several times, confident that Liu Jiankun would at least consider it, if not agree outright.

To be fair...

If Liu Jiankun hadn’t known about the progress of the Warhawk-1’s development and perfection, he really would have thought Zhang Gangchuan’s words made a lot of sense. The Type II design was of a lower grade, without major technical obstacles. Having the Type I team work together with the Kunlun team to first master Type I and then join forces to develop the more technically advanced Type II would be equivalent to a step-by-step approach to research and development.

But there are no ifs.

Liu Jiankun regarded him as if looking at a fool and then sighed deeply before turning around to pour a cup of tea for Zhang Gangchuan, gesturing for him to drink the tea and calm down, and then said, "Well, I also have some news to tell you related to the Warhawk-1."

"What news?" Zhang Gangchuan asked, his face full of anticipation.

"Do you know where I went a few days ago?" Liu Jiankun responded with a counter-question and, not waiting for Zhang Gangchuan to answer, continued, "I attended the flight test of the Warhawk-1."

"What?"

Zhang Gangchuan suddenly opened his mouth wide.

"Yes, I was as surprised as you are now. And then, the flight test of the Warhawk-1 was incredibly successful. According to the test department, the summary was ’successful, incredibly successful, astonishingly successful.’ Anyway, they couldn’t find any issues."

"Academician Zhao hopes the Warhawk-1 can skip further enhancement and go directly into the next phase. I’ve been worrying about which fighter to use as a testbed for the Warhawk-1 engine."

"Just now, I was thinking that the J-20 is very suitable. There happen to be two J-20s that have come off the production line, so let’s fit them with the Warhawk-1 engine for a trial. Maybe the J-20 can be further improved in the future..."

Liu Jiankun started talking to himself, unconsciously revealing his considerations as he spoke.

Zhang Gangchuan stood there stunned for a long while, unable to believe the news he had just heard. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

The Warhawk-1 had completed its flight test?

And it was extremely successful?

Doesn’t that mean it’s ready to enter the stage of extended testing on an actual combat aircraft?