Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

The Americans offering us this ultimate modification of the TF30 is a result of some serious thought. This engine's performance is decent, with good high-altitude, high-speed capabilities, far better than the Spey. If we hadn't already reverse-engineered the M53, it would be a good option.

However, now that we have a reverse-engineered M53, the Americans are trying to fool us with this engine, which is a bit much.

"What? TF30? That's the worst fighter engine! Mr. Pelleyhack, are you my friend or my enemy? Are you trying to harm me by recommending this engine?" Qin Yang immediately raised his voice, feigning anger.

Pelleyhack was also taken aback.

What's wrong? Aren't you satisfied? This is much better than the Spey!

"Mr. Qin, please don't listen to the rumors. Our TF30 engine is very reliable."

"Reliable? When we were cooperating, I heard a lot of complaints from pilots," Qin Yang said.

There's no fooling anyone about this. The TF30 engine's weak performance has long been criticized by countless pilots. Even if the performance was later improved, this inherent impression wouldn't change.

Qin Yang had reason to be suspicious.

Pelleyhack then realized, and his face showed some embarrassment.

"Mr. Qin, please believe me. The initial versions of this engine had poor performance, but by the 100 series, it was already very stable. And with the 414, it's incredibly stable, and surge problems are definitely eliminated," Pelleyhack said earnestly.

Hmph, you think you can change this perception with just a few words? What a joke! Qin Yang chuckled inwardly. In the 21st century, some people still treat the Santana as a faith because they heard how great it was when they were kids, seeing important figures riding in it, and developed this belief. The VW logo's faith can last a lifetime.

Qin Yang expressed his disbelief.

"No, we don't want the TF30. Don't try to fool me with this outdated engine." Qin Yang shook his head like a rattle drum. "If it were good, why would Grumman use the F110 engine?"

This statement left Pelleyhack speechless. Indeed, they used the F110 engine to improve the Tomcat. This fact speaks louder than words. If the TF30 were so good, why switch to the F110, or even bypass the F100 altogether?

You're trying to make us use an engine that you yourselves dislike? Qin Yang indicated that he wouldn't fall into that trap.

Pelleyhack was a bit helpless but didn't know what to say, so he just stood there anxiously.

"Mr. Pelleyhack, if you're our friend, please provide us with the F110 engine. Even if the price is higher, we can accept it. Don't give us this TF30 junk."

The TF30 is unnecessary because we already have the Spey and a reverse-engineered M53 domestically. We don't need an engine from the same era. However, if we can get the F110, that would be fantastic!

In another timeline, China spent decades finally perfecting the WS-10, which was designed to be comparable to the F110. The WS-10 uses the core engine of the CFM56, an engine for civilian airliners. The F110's core engine is exactly the same, but the CFM's core engine was fitted with the former WS-6's bypass duct, and after tinkering, it became the most reliable power source in the East.

Relying on the reverse-engineered M53 engine could only solve the problem of having something. Qin Yang's idea was to wait until the collapse of the Soviet Union, at which point he could get the Su-33 from the Russians and solve the Tomcat's engine problem.

After all, comparatively, the Russian engine's craftsmanship is rougher and easier to reverse-engineer. The American engine is too advanced, and even with a sample in front of you, you can't replicate it because the technology is unsolvable.

But now, if there's this opportunity, of course, he had to seize it. Even if it can't be reverse-engineered for the time being, they could take their time later. First, import a batch of F110s from the Americans to meet domestic needs.

A Tomcat fighter with the F110 would be a tiger with wings. This engine is lightweight, has a high thrust-to-weight ratio, and doesn't surge. Combined with sufficient thrust, the Tomcat finally achieved a thrust-to-weight ratio close to 1, making it incredibly agile in aerial combat.

We want the F110!

Pelleyhack felt helpless. He knew that he would likely return empty-handed this time because the United States would never export the F110 to them.

"Back then, when the United States wanted to sell us the F-16, you tried to fool us with the J79 engine. However, that was during the Carter era. Your leaders wouldn't be so awkward now, would they?" Qin Yang seemed to know what he was thinking and reminded him.

In those years, Carter wanted to play the "monkey model" game, exporting outdated fighters to countries with lukewarm relations. To sell the F-16, it had to be equipped with the J79 engine, which was a ton heavier and had two tons less thrust. As a result, none were sold. Later, the policy was relaxed, and the F-16 factory didn't have to play this "monkey model" game anymore.

However, that was selling the entire aircraft. Now, Qin Yang was asking to buy the engines, which was different.

Pelleyhack was still very troubled but didn't know what to say.

"If you're willing to sell us this engine, we can also exchange insights on fighter development," Qin Yang added another bargaining chip.

Insights? You're just making a copy; what insights do you have? And you want to exchange with the object being copied? How does that not sound uncomfortable?

"Mr. Qin, what insights do you have?"

"We believe that to win future wars, fighters must have low detectability, that is, stealth in front of radar. Therefore, we are currently researching a modification of this fighter to minimize its radar cross-section as much as possible," Qin Yang said.

Pelleyhack's heart suddenly trembled. What, you're also working on stealth aircraft?

It was still the Cold War era, and the United States' military spending was also very high. Various advanced fighters were constantly being developed. Taking the Navy as an example, the ATA program had already been launched. This program was to develop a stealth carrier-based attack aircraft to replace the A-7. The project code was A-12, but after it was developed, it was thirty percent overweight. Even if it could barely be launched from the carrier, it couldn't carry any ammunition, so Cheney cut it off with one blow.

At the same time, the Air Force was working on the ATF project. The result of this project was the famous F-22. The U.S. Navy would also launch a similar project, the NATF, or Naval Advanced Tactical Fighter, to replace the Tomcat.

Now, Qin Yang suddenly mentioned this project, and Pelleyhack was naturally excited. This was the project they wanted to carry out, but he didn't expect the Easterners to be working on it too.

"Okay, we'll help you negotiate the introduction of this engine, and you'll give us the research results of this aircraft."

"Well, we still have a lot of experience in aircraft development," Qin Yang said shamelessly. "By the way, I heard that a certain company in your country is working on a carrier-based trainer and is struggling with the 'death dive.' If they need help, they can come to us, and we'll help them solve it."