Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

The 195-meter ski-jump runway test concluded perfectly. The J-11 fighter jet, even with a full load of 33 tons, could easily take off from the runway. This result was very encouraging.

"President Qin, according to your original design for the deck, we can completely arrange such takeoff points on a 60,000-ton aircraft carrier deck. Moreover, the aircraft carrier will have a certain speed. If it can take off on land, it will be even easier on the aircraft carrier," Zhao Guodong said with great emotion.

"Well, but the heavy-load takeoff point will encroach on the landing area. It's only for use in special situations. Under normal circumstances, a 105-meter takeoff point is enough. I just don't know how much weight this takeoff point can support," Liang Dacheng said with some concern.

Logically speaking, if a 195-meter takeoff point can meet the requirements for a fully loaded takeoff, then a 105-meter takeoff point would not be sufficient. The weight would definitely have to be reduced, but to what extent?

If it were around 23 or 24 tons, it wouldn't be of much use. It would have to be at least over 25 tons.

"It shouldn't be low," Lei Zi said as he walked over, carrying his helmet. "Our tests on the 195-meter runway still had some margin. Perhaps we can also take off fully loaded on the 105-meter runway. What do you say, President Qin?"

Qin Yang shook his head: "It's definitely impossible on land, but on an aircraft carrier, if there is a 30-knot deck wind, it might be possible."

Qin Yang didn't know what the ski-jump takeoff capability of the Tomcat fighter was. After all, although it had variable-sweep wings, it lacked leading-edge slats and other technologies, and was essentially a second-generation aircraft.

Although he didn't know the specific situation, Qin Yang firmly believed that the J-11 would not let him down.

"Let's start with a 23-ton test," Lei Zi continued. "We should be confident at this weight."

The J-11 took off again, rushing towards the runway, and then ski-jumping off the ramp. Watching the aircraft leave the deck, everyone's mood didn't relax; instead, they became more and more nervous.

Next, they would increase the weight!

Twenty-four tons! The fighter jet took off calmly.

Twenty-five tons! The fighter jet took off successfully again!

"Next, increase by half a ton each time, and after reaching twenty-six tons, increase by two hundred kilograms each time," Qin Yang also became cautious.

That evening, during the last test flight, the weight of the fighter jet was increased to 26.8 tons.

"The aircraft is starting to sink!"

Someone exclaimed when they saw the landing gear leaving the deck. This time, the aircraft didn't pull up directly, but sank downwards by more than ten centimeters before starting to climb.

"Twenty-six point six tons is its maximum takeoff weight," Zhao Guodong said. "In zero deck wind conditions, it can have this weight, carry five tons of fuel, and also carry 1.6 tons of ammunition, which is not bad."

A short-range air-to-air missile is only about 100 kilograms, and a medium-range air-to-air missile is less than 200 kilograms. 1.6 tons of ammunition is enough to carry six medium-range air-to-air missiles and four short-range air-to-air missiles, which is fully armed. Even if it carries Phoenix missiles, it can carry two, plus two medium-range and two short-range.

Five tons of fuel is enough for the fighter jet to fly a range of more than 1,500 kilometers, which is enough to perform many missions, much farther than the J-6 and J-7 that we have on hand.

"Well, these were all measured in zero deck wind conditions. If there is a 25-knot deck wind, the takeoff weight can be increased by at least three tons," Qin Yang nodded. "If we risk sinking another half a meter, the takeoff weight can be increased by another half a ton."

In extreme conditions, a 30-ton J-11 fighter jet can take off from a 105-meter runway, which is enough to perform many missions!

"That's right, it seems that our test has been a complete success. Ski-jump takeoff is feasible," Zhao Guodong said. "President Qin, thank you for making a great contribution to us!"

"I just made a suggestion," Qin Yang said. "I didn't risk my life to fly. Our pilots are the most respected. Is it time for you to send this aircraft back after the test flight is over?"

"Of course not yet," Liang Dacheng immediately said. "We just received news from the meteorological department that it will be windy tomorrow, and it will be blowing directly at our runway. We want to test the takeoff capability in windy conditions."

Without an aircraft carrier, they can only test it this way. Now that the aircraft has arrived, it will definitely have to stay at their base for a while longer.

"Then I won't interfere. I've stayed here long enough. I should leave tomorrow," Qin Yang said.

He still remembered his mission: to go to the grasslands and build tanks.

"President Qin, our test results have been reported. Old Liu is very happy. Old Liu will come to the base for a visit tomorrow. Will you wait a little longer?"

If it were someone else, Qin Yang wouldn't care, but Old Liu was different. He was a person who dedicated his life to the motherland's navy. His saying that he wouldn't rest in peace until the motherland had an aircraft carrier spurred on many people.

Now that Old Liu was coming, how could Qin Yang leave?

"Okay, then I'll stay for one more day."

"President Qin, Old Liu will definitely have many questions to ask you at that time. You'd better prepare in advance."

Still more? Didn't I answer a lot of questions last time? Qin Yang looked blank.

"The deck of the aircraft carrier needs to use high-strength steel. It is said that no more than five countries in the world can produce it. If we want to develop aircraft carriers, we must also have our own steel. How can this problem be solved? Also, how should the engine of the aircraft carrier be solved? A 60,000-ton aircraft carrier needs at least 200,000 horsepower. Also, the escorting warships, etc."

At this time, Qin Yang really wanted to say, what does this have to do with me? I'm not building ships for your navy. If it were someone else, he would really want to quit, but it was Old Liu who was coming. What could he do? He had already said the questions in advance. This was an open-book exam.

For Qin Yang, these questions were really not a big problem.