Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

In the ever-changing dogfight, pilots rarely have time to look down at the instruments; everything relies on their own intuition. A moment of distraction could mean getting shot down.

If the landmarks are obvious, it's manageable, but if fighting over the sea, a few maneuvers could easily blur the line between sky and ocean! Therefore, pilots began suggesting to the engineers: Could the glass gunsight in front of the cockpit be improved to display some basic flight information?

After tireless efforts from the technical staff, the world's first head-up display (HUD) was finally installed on the A-5 carrier-based aircraft. Previously, this piece of glass could only display a ring to encircle the enemy aircraft as a gunsight. Now, in addition to the gunsight function, it could also display flight parameters, weapon ammunition, radar targeting, and other information.

"We are currently installing the head-up display. The issues of ejection seats and hardpoints are also under discussion," Elder Tu introduced to the client. "Since we want to enter the market and sell the J-7 fighters, we must carefully listen to the client's requirements."

"Yes, my friend, when we met last time, you made many suggestions for improvement. After returning, we modified it according to your suggestions. Here, the customer is God, the customer is truth!" Qin Yang said from the side.

In fact, this head-up display was not developed for them at all. It was a requirement from the Air Force. A contract for 124 sets had been signed. Now, if military trade is involved, more quantities can be ordered from Marconi, and Marconi would certainly not refuse. Moreover, the customer will also have a feeling of being valued.

Al-Walid nodded: "The head-up display is very helpful for aerial combat. It's great that you can make this improvement. The other projects must also be expedited."

"Of course, we will definitely expedite things here. However, you should also know that improvements cost money. These foreign trade projects are funded by the factory itself for research and development. Without strong financial support, the progress of the modification will not be too fast," Qin Yang said. "Now, the war has begun, which is a bottomless pit. A large number of cheap fighters are definitely needed on the battlefield. We are just afraid that the research and development progress is too slow and delays the customer."

Al-Walid frowned: "Qin, are you suggesting that we invest funds in the modification? Isn't that against the rules?"

"No, no, of course not. How can we let you spend money on our modifications? What I mean is, can you first purchase our existing models?" Qin Yang said. "Not too many, ten will do. We will also give you the lowest price, ten million each, so ten aircraft will be one hundred million. With this funding, our factory will definitely be able to complete the complete set of improvement plans."

Elder Tu widened his eyes, looking at Qin Yang gratefully.

He knew that Qin Yang was very capable. At their first meeting, Qin Yang acted as the translator and pointed out many of Marconi's pitfalls. Later, they went on a trip together, and he even charmed a big client. Now, Qin Yang's relationship with Al-Walid was visibly better, and he had already started persuading the other party to place an order!

Al-Walid frowned: "Qin, isn't this price a bit high?"

It's only the 1980s. The US Air Force's purchase price for an F-16 is only 8.5 million US dollars. Selling it to allies is only a little over 10 million US dollars. Is it a bit expensive to ask for 10 million for this old MiG-21 copy?

"Oh, my friend, I didn't make it clear. The price I just mentioned is ten million RMB, which is only a little over six million US dollars when converted to US dollars," Qin Yang quickly changed his words. "It's less than half the price of an F-16."

Al-Walid nodded: "Well, this price is still affordable. What missiles does this fighter mainly use?" Al-Walid asked in detail.

The domestic J-7, of course, uses the PL-2 missile, which is a copy of the old Soviet K-13 air-to-air missile, and the technology is only at the level of the 1960s. There is also the PL-5. Although this missile began development in the 1960s, it has not yet been finalized.

This question made it difficult for Elder Tu to answer. Just as he was thinking about how to answer, Qin Yang helped again: "We have our own advanced air-to-air missiles that can be mounted. However, considering that target customers use too many missiles, which will lead to complex logistics supply, we are willing to match the fire control system so that this fighter can launch French R550 air-to-air missiles."

Directly use foreign goods!

The domestic air-to-air missiles are really not good enough, so it's better to match them with foreign missiles. Qin Yang's arrangement was very appropriate. Elder Tu felt a burst of gratitude in his heart, and at the same time, he was a little curious. Did this Engineer Qin know too much?

Everyone was wandering around this fighter, talking about various details, and no one noticed that several European-looking foreigners were slowly walking over!

"That's right, French missiles are still good. It would be great to be able to mount this missile," Al-Walid nodded.

"Excuse me, are there foreign customers inspecting the aircraft?" At this moment, a sentence in English came from the periphery of the crowd.

Qin Yang was stunned. Damn, there's a third party? How is your Factory 132 doing the security work? This is troublesome!

Qin Yang slowly turned his head and saw the figures of Marlina and several others.

Elder Tu was also stunned: "Why are you here? Didn't you say you don't work on weekends?"

Foreigners abide by labor laws, so they definitely won't work overtime on weekends. That's why Elder Tu boldly brought Qin Yang and the client to see this fighter under improvement without giving his subordinates any extra instructions. After all, the more instructions he gave, the easier it would be to reveal the special identity of this client.

Who would have thought that the engineers from Marconi would come over! They are the equipment suppliers and are qualified to enter and exit here at will.

"We are also infected by your enthusiasm for work, so we want to come to work overtime," Marlina continued to look at the several Middle Eastern-faced people. "Where are these people from? Can you introduce them to us?"

"We are from the Kingdom of Jordan," Al-Walid said. "My name is Abdullah. I am here to inspect the Eastern J-7 fighter. We are very interested in the fighter using Marconi avionics, and we hope you can complete the modification as soon as possible."

Kingdom of Jordan?

Marlina nodded: "We will do our best. It's lucky to meet you here. Shall we chat together?"

J-7 cockpit, the top one is the HUD