Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

Unknowingly, summer had arrived.

The conference room of the Capital Aviation Industry Department was bustling with people.

The conference room was very old, with the walls pitted and uneven. Although covered with layers of paint, traces of old propaganda slogans could still be seen.

The paint on the windows was peeling off, but the glass was clean and spotless. Through the windows, one could see a riot of colors outside.

Inside the room, many people sat behind old wooden tables, gathered in small groups, discussing something. Some were excited, some worried, some spoke eloquently, and some remained silent.

They talked from time to time, occasionally looking up with complex expressions at the banner on the rostrum: Third-Generation New Fighter Aircraft Program Argumentation Meeting.

When Qin Yang and Old Lin walked in together, they instantly attracted everyone's attention.

"Director Qin, you've finally arrived!"

"That's right, Director Qin, you are a rising star in our aviation industry!"

Qin Yang was a little embarrassed: "Actually, I didn't plan to attend the meeting. After all, our Capital Agricultural Machinery Factory is not participating in the bidding. But Old Lin enthusiastically invited me, so I came along to join in the fun."

Just then, the side door on the rostrum opened, and a group of leaders entered. The old man at the front saw Qin Yang and immediately strode over.

"Director Qin, you absolutely had to come. You helped our 011 base get out of its predicament and ushered in new development opportunities. You are a hero in our aviation industry system!"

"Old Zou?" Qin Yang recognized the person and was very surprised.

Old Zou was a leader in the National Defense Science and Technology Industry System. Although this project belonged to the aviation industry system, it was also a project under the National Defense Science and Technology Industry System. Therefore, Old Zou also came to participate in this bidding!

With Old Zou taking the lead, there was no need to worry about some people playing tricks.

"See that? Everyone says Director Qin is amazing, able to recognize people at the first meeting." Old Zou said with a smile, "Your Capital Agricultural Machinery Factory is not participating in the bidding and has no conflict of interest. Therefore, we invite you to be judges, and you will also have a vote in the final vote."

"I often hear Xiao Qian's grandfather mention you. Our Capital Agricultural Machinery Factory is also involved in military industry, but we have never met you. I am ashamed, ashamed."

"You mainly engage in foreign trade, earning money for our country. You also contributed the lion's share of the start-up funds for this new fighter jet. We have to thank you. Come, sit up here!"

Qin Yang hurriedly declined. How could he be worthy of sitting with these leaders who had been involved in the military industry for half their lives?

However, Old Zou insisted, so Qin Yang had no choice but to reluctantly go up to the rostrum and sit in an edge seat.

Many eyes looked over from below. Qin Yang ignored them directly.

"Ahem." Leader Wang, who was presiding over the meeting, said, "Alright, everyone is here. Let's start the meeting now. As you all know, the country has decided to invest 300 million RMB to start the research and development of a third-generation fighter jet. For this meeting today, we will adopt a bidding approach. Whoever has the better plan will win!"

"Times are developing, and society is progressing. We must also change our mindset. The old high-and-mighty thinking must be discarded! Everyone must always grasp the string of reform! Our aviation industry system must also undergo a top-down reform!"

Leader Wang's face flushed slightly, and then he said, "This meeting is to determine the third-generation fighter jet project. The air combat performance of this fighter must be superior to the current J-8 fighter and the Soviet MiG-23 fighter! We strive for performance close to the American-made F16 fighter!"

Hearing this, Qin Yang frowned.

Old Zou noticed Qin Yang's expression and said, "Director Qin seems to have a different opinion?"

Leader Wang's speech was interrupted, but he didn't dare to get angry. He quickly said, "Yes, Director Qin, what are your opinions? We emphasize democracy. You are also on the rostrum. If you have any opinions, you can speak directly."

"Alright, then I'll speak." Qin Yang didn't refuse. Since he was here, he had to play a role and create momentum for Old Song and the others.

"Currently, the F16 is already an aircraft in service, while our aircraft has just begun to be designed. According to the objective laws of military aircraft research and development, an aircraft takes at least five years of research and development time. And because we rarely independently develop fighter jets, the time will be longer. I estimate it may take ten years. Is that right?"

Everyone nodded.

"That is to say, if our current third-generation fighter jet project is positioned to be close to the F-16 fighter, then when our fighter is developed ten years later, its performance will still be inferior to the current F-16A, let alone the F-16C or even E ten years later. When our fighter is developed, will it be completely outdated?"

"Yes, if we only aim for the current F-16A, and only strive for performance close to it, it will definitely be outdated in ten years, just like our J-8. By the time it was built, the times had already changed," Old Lin echoed.

"Director Qin, what are your insights?" Old Zou asked.

"I think our positioning should be high. The performance of this third-generation fighter must reach or even exceed the current F-16, and it must never just be close!"

As soon as these words came out, the faces of many people below changed.

The first step in developing a fighter jet is to determine the specifications. Various solutions are selected based on the specifications.

Take the United States as an example. What standards a fighter jet needs to meet are proposed by the US Air Force. Third-generation aircraft must meet the energy maneuverability theory, and fourth-generation aircraft must have 4S capabilities, including stealth.

The United States has always been leading the trend, while the old Maozi builds whatever the United States has, but with even stronger performance.

The old Maozi is like this, and other countries must be like this, just targeting a certain model.

The goal given by the aviation industry system was to be close to the F-16, while Qin Yang proposed to reach or even exceed the F-16. These are two different standards. If this standard is established, the Northern Institute will be directly excluded, and there is no need for bidding at all.

Because the J-13 project that the Northern Institute brought over for bidding has performance indicators lower than the F-16.

Old Li clenched his fists and suddenly stood up and said, "Director Qin, what you said is wrong. It's easy to shout slogans, but it's not easy to achieve this kind of performance!"

"That's right, if the indicators are set too high, our aviation industry system doesn't have that ability, and the whole project will be a castle in the air!"

"We must learn from past lessons. In the beginning, the Air Force proposed double 3, double 2.8, and double 2.5, which all exceeded our domestic industrial level, and all failed!"

For a time, dissenting voices continued.

Qin Yang smiled: "Just because you don't have the ability doesn't mean others don't. If you can't build an advanced fighter jet and end up making garbage, isn't it just a waste in the end?"

Everyone's words stopped abruptly.

Was Qin Yang scolding people?

Was Director Qin being too much?

"Director Qin, who has this ability?" Old Li asked, suppressing the anger in his heart.