Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

Natalie appeared calm on the surface, but her mind was incredibly complex. She was preoccupied with so many thoughts that she didn't even realize how she had arrived at the workshop for the J-8 modification project, codenamed 'Strange Snake-3,' nor did she feel the cold when she got off the plane.

The workshop was also a production facility, but it was empty, containing only an old J-8 awaiting modification.

"To welcome our distinguished guests from afar, we've specially cleared this workshop for your use. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask," Factory Director Tang said with great enthusiasm.

"Alright, we'll modify the aircraft as soon as possible," Natalie nodded. "Let's start work now!"

With everyone busying themselves, Qin Yang's task could be considered complete.

"Everyone, please carry on. I'll show you the accommodation and the meals the cafeteria has prepared for you."

Leaving those words behind, Qin Yang strolled leisurely away, with Nie Xiaoqian following. Factory Director Tang trotted after him, eager to please.

"Director Qin, this is all within your calculations! You predicted that these people would be cold after getting off the train, and they would enter our factory, which is closest to the train station. We arranged for a J-8II fighter jet to be here in advance, with the nose exposed for them to see. Now they should really believe that we have powerful airborne radar!" Factory Director Tang said in a low voice.

Everything was according to plan. The radar in the nose of the J-8II was only a real antenna, and even that was a defective product. They couldn't bear to install the subsequent radar circuitry on it.

"Well, Factory Director Tang, you're really cooperating. You even cleared an entire workshop for them. Are you afraid of leaking the secrets of other fighter jets?" Qin Yang asked.

Hearing this, Factory Director Tang's face showed embarrassment. "Director Qin, saying that was just to save face. Actually, our factory's orders have plummeted. At its peak, we could produce 300 aircraft in half a year, but this year's orders are only 20. Next year's number will probably be even lower. Our workshops have been emptied out of necessity. Our factory is having a hard time!"

Learning that Director Qin was coming, they were very happy and quickly cooperated, hoping that Director Qin could help their struggling factory.

Factory 112, the old leader in the domestic aviation industry, how glorious it once was!

Back then, when manufacturing J-6s, they produced 300 in half a year. Although 299 of them were substandard, in that special period, 300 in half a year still represented the spirit of daring and hard work of Factory 112.

But what about now?

Orders have gone from three digits to two digits. Ten J-8s with nose intakes, ten old J-6s. It is said that after these ten J-6s are built this year, production will stop. Next year's orders may likely become a single digit!

"Aren't you the old leader of the aviation industry? How did you end up in this state?" Qin Yang was also very surprised. He looked at the factory buildings with traces of time, at the towering trees covered with snow on the path. This factory has a long history and should be able to live very well relying on air force orders.

Factory Director Tang had a bitter expression.

"Our main product used to be the J-6, but the J-6 is outdated. This year's order is the last batch. Although we were the first to successfully copy the J-7, the higher-ups gave the J-7 to Factory 132 with a single sentence. We have been working on the J-8 all these years. Now that the J-8 is about to come out, the air force doesn't like it anymore. They are concentrating all their efforts on the J-11."

Although the task of reverse-engineering the Tomcat was secret, leaders of Tang's level were qualified to know.

Factory Director Tang, born in 1933, from Hunan, dedicated half of his life to the Northeast. He worked in Factory 112 for many years, serving as the director of the final assembly workshop, the commander of the J-8 aircraft, and the deputy director of Factory 112. After the factory was changed to a company, he became the general manager of the factory.

"That's not up to me," Qin Yang said. "This is an internal matter of your aviation industry. Our Factory 960 only makes guns and cannons, and our Fangbei Company only deals with land weapons. You have AVIC."

Qin Yang directly began to pass the buck, and he did so with confidence.

This is indeed an internal matter of the aviation industry, but the current aviation industry is no longer the era of brotherly units helping each other! Back then, Factory 112 transferred 26,000 technical talents to all parts of the country. Looking at it now, it's teaching the apprentice to starve the master!

"Director Qin, you are a capable person in our military industry system. Please give us some advice. I represent more than 20,000 people in the factory to thank you!"

After saying that, Factory Director Tang stood in front of Qin Yang, took off his dog fur hat, and planned to pay his respects. It was freezing cold, and he would definitely catch a cold if he took off his hat.

Looking at such an old military industrialist behaving like this in front of him, how could Qin Yang bear it? Even if he had resentment towards Shen Fei in his later life for not living up to expectations, he must lend them a hand now.

"Factory Director Tang, the main product produced by our factory is the J-6, right?"

"Yes, we started production in 1960, and a total of more than 5,000 aircraft have been produced by the end of this batch of orders this year." Speaking of this, Factory Director Tang was still relatively proud, but then he became a little黯然: "Unfortunately, our J-8's research and development progress was too slow. If the J-8 could have been flown ten years earlier, our factory would definitely be producing J-8s in large quantities now."

The J-8 was developed in 1965, first flew in 1969, and then there was a long test flight, and it was not finalized until 1980.

Unfortunately, the times have changed. The J-8, a high-altitude, high-speed fighter, has lost its market. The J-8 with the nose intake cannot meet the needs of future air combat. They are making persistent efforts to develop the J-8 with side intakes, but it has not yet made its first flight. The one in the workshop is just a prototype under construction.

"Don't talk about the Eighth Master, let's talk about the Sixth Master. More than 5,000 Sixth Masters are outdated. Factory Director Tang, think about how the army should deal with these outdated aircraft?"

Sixth Master, Eighth Master? Director Qin's titles are so unique! Factory Director Tang sighed, but didn't dwell on it. He quickly thought about the question Qin Yang raised: What to do with outdated aircraft?

Remelt them?

Seems too wasteful.

If they are not remelted, what else can they do?

"Director Qin, please advise," Factory Director Tang said.

"The Sixth Master cannot be wasted. We need to let the Sixth Master rejuvenate its second spring!" Qin Yang said, looking at the building in front: "State-owned Songling Machinery Company Cadre Cafeteria?"

First put the picture, everyone should be able to guess what it is

"Yes, Director Qin, we've arrived at the cafeteria. I'll take you inside for a few drinks to warm up. We'll talk while eating and drinking," Factory Director Tang said, then looked at Nie Xiaoqian, who had been following: "Little Nie, come along."