Spark

Hearing Lin Yongming's request on the phone, Wang Ming looked strange.

He couldn't figure out why Lin Yongming, who had fully supported the introduction of Russian-made engines a month ago, suddenly changed his mind.

Moreover, the other party said on the phone that they want to develop their own engine, but they don't seem to be referring to WS-10.

Is there a new plan?

Can you make it?

Or is there an alternative in the US?

It seems that they have indeed heard that they plan to share the full set of technology of the CFM56-3 engine with Huaxia, and even plan to provide some upgrade technology.

But even so, it might not be enough time.

Wang Ming wanted to ask for clarification, but Lin Yongming pushed him back with a sentence of "Confidentiality Regulations". The other party asked him to call back through a confidential line in half an hour, and then inform him of the details.

So, he had no choice but to hang up the phone in a daze.

At this time, most of the people in the conference room also heard the content of the phone call, and everyone looked at each other in blank dismay, not knowing what to do for a while.

"In short, let's postpone the plan to the second round of negotiations next week."

"I have already made an appointment with Mr. Lin, and I will discuss the details with him in a little while. If I can report it at that time, I will report it to everyone immediately."

After finishing speaking, Wang Ming hurriedly left the conference room.

At this time, he was full of doubts, and he couldn't wait for a moment. He wanted to dial the internal number immediately to find out what happened to the group.

Behind him, the procurement representatives who stayed in the conference room were talking about it.

"Self-developed engine? What's the situation? It's a bit exaggerated, isn't it? The J-10 is about to go into mass production. How can it be possible to change the engine now?"

"It's not a question of whether it's too late, but a question of whether it's possible. The progress of WS-10 is so poor, and now we have to start a new project. Isn't it whimsical?"

"Maybe it's not a new project? Maybe it's forced?"

"Forced? You mean the AL-31FN has major flaws?"

"It's very possible. Otherwise, how do you explain these three accidents? Don't we think there is a problem? It's just that there is no way, the lesser of two evils."

"It makes sense but it's not right. Didn't you check it at Institute 606? There's not enough data to see the problem."

"What if it's not them who see the problem?"

"Are you kidding? They can't see it. Is there anyone in China who can see the problem? Damn, it's not another decision to slap your head?"

"It looks like this is a little troublesome. If the AL-31FN is really suspended, then our plane is still flying!"

"It's better not to fly than to fall. I think it's right to do so. I'd rather be late and not go in the wrong direction."

"Then you just stand and talk without back pain. We are too short of third-generation machines now."

Half an hour later, in a completely closed office.

Wang Ming was sitting at the table, frowning and talking on the phone.

"...Leader, this decision is really too sudden."

"We have been promoting this introduction project for two full years. Not only have everyone put in their hard work, but the progress of the J-10 project is also matched with the introduction work."

"If the introduction plan is temporarily canceled now, the entire J-10 project will be affected."

"I really have no way of understanding why there was a sudden change of plans. If it was because of the recent incidents, I don't think that is a good reason."

"First, these few accidents are not enough to show that the AL-31FN engine itself has major defects; second, we really have no other choice, even if this engine has some minor problems, we can only bite the bullet first. "

"What if the AL-31FN has major flaws?"

On the other end of the phone, Lin Yongming mercilessly interrupted Wang Ming's words.

Wang Ming here was taken aback when he heard the words, and subconsciously said:

"This is impossible! AL-31FN is a well-proven engine. It has always performed very well on SU-27. Although there are many small problems, the overall performance and design concept are no problem."

"Leader, if you say there is a problem with AL-31FN, you must at least present convincing evidence. Otherwise, it will be difficult for me to convince the employees below me."

"After all, this engine has been verified by 606. Judging from our current conditions, it is a qualified product."

Wang Ming's tone was firm. His confidence came not only from the so-called "Russian experience", but also from the professional judgment of the experts from the 606 Institute.

If they don't see the problem, then the engine is fine.

Even if you are a leader, you have to respect objective laws. You can't overturn all the judgments of professionals with a word from your superiors, right?

However, what he did not expect was that Lin Yongming did not try to use his status to overwhelm himself, but patiently explained:

"The AL-31FN engine is good, but I want to ask you, do you know what the design concept of this engine is? In the case of insufficient material strength, how did they improve this engine? motivation?"

"Double intermediate bearing, four bearing low pressure rotor design."

Wang Ming replied without thinking.

Although he is not an expert in this field, he still understands some basic principles.

"Then do you know what is the flaw in this design?"

"Defects? From the current point of view, there are no obvious defects in this design. If I have to say it, maybe the connection method of the bearing is more complicated?"

"By the way! This is the crux of the problem! All the main shafts of this engine need to be fixed and supported by rolling rod bearings. The rotation of the rolling rods requires a lot of lubricating oil to reduce friction so that they will not be sintered, peeled off, Extruded deformation, even cracked, worn."

"So, the lubrication system is particularly important for this engine."

"Generally speaking, the nozzle for spraying lubricating oil will be installed very close to the bearing of the engine, and directly inject high-pressure, high-flow lubricating oil at high speed to the balls and rollers of the bearing."

"However, due to the special design of the AL-31FN, the bearings between the rotors, regardless of the inner ring and the outer ring, are connected to high-speed rotating parts, and there is no way to install a fixed lubricating oil nozzle, so we have to settle for the next best thing and put the lubricating oil first. It is injected into the low-pressure turbine shaft, and then through the high-speed rotation of the turbine shaft, the oil is thrown from the left and right sides to the bearings."

"Such a design, whether it is flow, speed, or pressure, cannot form a reliable lubrication and cooling effect. This is the fatal flaw of this engine!"

"Lubrication Reliability!"

"Do you know why this engine performs better on the SU-27 than the J-10? Why does it have a much lower failure rate on the Su-27?"

Hearing Lin Yongming's words, Wang Ming on the other end of the phone was already lost in thought.

Lubrication reliability. This is a direction that he, and even the researchers of Institute 606, have not considered.

It's not because of their lack of ability, but because the flight data is too poor to reflect the real situation of the engine's internal lubrication system, and every time there is a problem with the engine, the Russian side will immediately take it back for inspection, and its own side even has no chance to check Those worn components!

Cold sweat broke out on his body.

If this is the case, then the J-10 will definitely not be able to use this engine.

The reason is simple, loads!

Su-27 is a twin-engine fighter, while J-10 is single-engine!

No wonder every time the problem is under high engine load conditions!

His hair stood on end, his mouth opened subconsciously, but he could only stammer a few words.

"Because the Su-27 is twin-engined"

"That's right!"

Lin Yongming on the other end of the phone sighed heavily.

"So you now know why I stopped the introduction."

"We almost missed this major defect point. If it is really introduced, we will face a series of problems in subsequent use."

Wang Ming nodded dumbly. From Lin Yongming's explanation, he had already sensed the seriousness of the matter.

However, at the same time, another question arose in his heart:

Who discovered this problem?

It is absolutely impossible to be Lin Yongming, he does not have such a professional level.

It's not 606, because just earlier today, I discussed with them about this engine.

Could it be that the old monster came out again?

He subconsciously wanted to ask clearly, but soon realized that this might not be the question he should ask.

So, he could only calm down, change the subject and say:

"Leader, I understand what you mean."

"But even if this is the case, it is not wise to hastily stop the introduction of AL-31FN. We should at least purchase a small amount and go through the window period first."

"no need."

Lin Yongming on the other side replied decisively.

"We don't have to buy this engine, and we probably don't even have to wait for the WS-10."

"We're going to build a whole new engine."

"A more powerful and technologically advanced engine."

Hearing this, the shock in Wang Ming's heart was beyond words.

Really need to build an engine.

And judging from Lin Yongming's tone, his confidence in this matter is something he has never seen before.

Who gave him such confidence?

Thinking of this, he could no longer control his curiosity, and asked impatiently:

"Who will make it?"

Lin Yongming on the other end smiled and gave him an expected answer:

"Of course the one who discovered the flaw in the AL-31FN lubrication system!"