Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, the group arrived at the runway.

"Back when our factory was just starting out, this runway was still a gravel one. But for the sake of the factory's development, the higher-ups gave us strong support back then. They gave us money when we needed money, and people when we needed people. The runway was quickly hardened. A few years later, our imitation of the Yak-18, which is the CJ-5, took off from this runway. It was our first aircraft in New China."

Speaking of this, Old Hong was filled with emotion.

The Northern Institute always boasts about being the first, but in reality, the first domestically produced aircraft was flown from our 320 Factory!

"After that, we mainly focused on producing trainer aircraft and attack aircraft. We never dreamed that we would be able to fly our heavy fighter jet on this runway!"

For them, this was a source of pride!

As he said this, a roar came from the workshop, and everyone looked up, eagerly anticipating.

"For this first experiment, aren't we supposed to tow it over with a trailer?" Old Lin asked curiously.

Despite being a bigwig in the Air Force, Old Lin didn't understand these things.

Hearing his question, Old Lu explained, "According to the flight test plan, we will first conduct taxiing experiments. This taxiing experiment is divided into three parts: low-speed, medium-speed, and high-speed."

Low-speed taxiing is similar to walking. This is to verify the turning radius of the fighter jet on the ground, treating the aircraft like a tricycle to test its flexibility.

Next is medium-speed taxiing, at a speed of about sixty kilometers per hour. This mainly checks whether the aircraft can run in a straight line.

If there are problems with the aerodynamics, problems with the brakes, improper installation of the landing gear, etc., it may veer off course.

Then there is high-speed taxiing, where the aircraft accelerates to the speed of lifting the front wheel, and then the front wheel is allowed to fall again. This tests whether the aerodynamic layout of the aircraft is suitable, and it is the step before flying into the sky.

For older second-generation aircraft, you have to accelerate to over 150, or even 200 kilometers per hour. But with the Tomcat's wings spread, its low-altitude, low-speed performance is very good, and it can lift its front wheel at a speed of 100 kilometers per hour.

As Old Lu introduced it to everyone, the aircraft had already taxied from the workshop to the end of the runway, making a flexible turn to align with the centerline of the runway.

Looking at the aircraft at the end of the runway, everyone's hearts were surging.

This newly built aircraft has not yet been painted on the exterior, showing the silver color of the aluminum alloy. The rivets are still exposed, full of ruggedness and violence.

"However, since it is an imitation of a mature aircraft, the taxiing experiment is just a formality. Just now we conducted low-speed taxiing, followed by medium-speed and high-speed taxiing. If we are lucky, we can finish testing in the morning, and the first flight should be possible in the afternoon."

First flight!

Everyone became excited again.

If it were a completely new aircraft, the taxiing would require several months of experiments, constantly solving the problems encountered. But reverse engineering is that simple.

The J-11 taxied from the workshop to the runway with the engine running, which is equivalent to completing the low-speed taxiing experiment. Next is medium speed.

"Who is in the cockpit?" Qin Yang asked, looking at the cockpit.

"Alaga and his partner," Old Lu said. "We originally said that one test pilot would be enough, but Alaga didn't agree. He insisted on operating according to the actual situation. However, I am confident that I can fly them back safely, after all, it's just imitation."

As he spoke, the roar of the aircraft sounded, and two clusters of hot flames emerged from the tail. The fighter jet began to accelerate on the runway.

With its wings spread, it was like an eagle skimming across the runway, getting faster and faster. When it taxied in front of everyone, it began to slow down again.

"The medium-speed experiment is complete, and it didn't veer off course," Old Lu said. "Everything is going smoothly."

The J-11 fighter continued to decelerate. After coming to a complete stop, the two engines were turned off one after the other, and the roar disappeared.

A look of doubt appeared on Old Lu's face, "What's going on? Why did it stop? Continue!"

The airport runway is not a single runway; it has a ring road next to it. The aircraft can continue taxiing, circling back to the end of the runway along the ring road, and continue the high-speed taxiing experiment. It's not too late to shut down after all the experiments are completed. We don't care about that little bit of fuel.

The runway is not long enough?

Everyone was stunned, "How could it not be long enough?"

"Just now, I only conducted a medium-speed taxiing experiment, and I taxied for about 200 meters. If it is high-speed taxiing, then the taxiing will require a length of 300 to 400 meters."

The Tomcat fighter uses catapult takeoff on aircraft carriers and can take off over a distance of just over 100 meters, but that is with the help of the catapult!

On normal ground, when taking off with afterburner, the taxiing distance under normal takeoff weight is 427 meters. If taking off in a normal way, the taxiing distance would be about 600 meters.

After all, this is a heavy aircraft, and its actual takeoff performance is already very good. Even the domestic J-7 fighter has a taxiing distance of over 1,000 meters.

Of course, due to the weak engine, it cannot be compared with those F-15s and F-16s that can take off in just 300 to 400 meters.

"Our runway is 1,500 meters long. Isn't that long enough?" The Air Force leader on the side was a little puzzled.

"If it's just for taking off, of course it's enough, but we are doing high-speed taxiing. When the speed reaches 100 kilometers per hour, we have to decelerate and stop. The remaining length cannot guarantee that we can brake to a stop."

The Tomcat fighter not only has a long takeoff distance, but also a long landing taxiing distance. Under standard landing weight, the taxiing distance is 884 meters.

High-speed taxiing for 300 to 400 meters, and then decelerating taxiing for 700 to 800 meters, adds up to still within 1,500 meters, but the margin is too small. When increasing the speed, you have to pull the stick to lift the front wheel, leaving only the rear wheels in contact with the ground to continue taxiing, and then decelerate. This also requires length.

Once the operation time is extended, or the acceleration is slightly too forceful, it will not be enough for deceleration!

What to do?

A difficult problem was placed in front of everyone.

"It seems that we can only install a drag parachute at the back," a technician said.

Eastern fighter jets rely on drag parachutes to reduce speed and shorten the taxiing distance after landing, but the West does not.

The Tomcat, as a carrier-based aircraft, relies on arresting gear on aircraft carriers to stop within tens of meters. On land, it relies directly on brakes. Since it does not use advanced composite brake pads, its braking distance is very long.

"There is not enough time, and drag parachutes will also disrupt the aerodynamic layout," Old Lu shook his head.

"Then open the afterburner during acceleration?"

Afterburner will shorten the taxiing distance, so the runway will be long enough!

"No," Alaga shook his head. "According to our experience, afterburner can make the aircraft accelerate faster, but the speed of the aircraft lifting its nose will increase, and the taxiing distance will not be reduced."

The Iranian Air Force has rich experience in operating the Tomcat. If it is to take off, afterburner can be used, but if it is only accelerating to 100 kilometers per hour, the nose cannot be lifted by pulling the control stick at this time.

"Why?"

Alaga shook his head. They didn't know, they were just talking from experience.

"Because the engine thrust is too great, reducing the pitch-up torque provided by the control surfaces," a voice came.

Chief Engineer Qin? Chief Engineer Qin even understands these things? Everyone's eyes were full of curiosity.