Chapter 200 Let Me Be the Chief Designer
After all the researchers arrived, Song Wencong raised his eyes with a warm smile on his face and looked around. He stayed on Xu Yuan for a few seconds before retracting his gaze.

There are so many outstanding researchers in the institute, and there is also Xu Yuan, an all-round talent.

He can rest assured even if he retires and leaves the institute.

I believe that Jincheng Aircraft Design Institute will be able to go further and fly higher under everyone's leadership.

Develop advanced and powerful fighter jets.

Seeing that no one spoke first, Song Wencong finally took the initiative to open the conversation.

"First of all, on behalf of the institute, I would like to express my gratitude to you all. It is your dedication and hard work that have made our domestic stealth fighter project a complete success."

"Both Commander Yue Jinwei and the group leaders have affirmed our work."

"Xu Yuan has made the greatest contribution."

Having said that, he subconsciously turned his head to look at Xu Yuan, still with a relieved smile on his face.

When Xu Yuan heard Song Wencong suddenly mention him, he quickly responded.

"I could not have completed such a large project by myself. The credit should go to all the project members."

The voice just fell.

Liang Zhanjun, Shen Yamin and others beside him all smiled.

Among them, Liang Zhanjun directly waved his hand and said: "Regarding the research and development of the domestic stealth fighter project, Xiao Xu, don't be modest at this time. Everyone here knows your contribution." He didn't think there was anything wrong with Song Wencong's words.

Although it is true that the J-20 was developed by everyone together, if Xu Yuan had not provided the aerodynamic layout and appearance plan, I am afraid that this project would not be approved until several years later.

Not to mention that Xu Yuan also solved the fly-by-wire flight control system.

Conquer active phased array radar technology.

The others also nodded in agreement with what Liang Zhanjun said.

Song Wencong looked at the harmonious atmosphere in the conference room, and suddenly the smile on his face became even brighter.

Then he took over the conversation and said:

"The group will hold a summary meeting at the end of the year, and we will discuss these issues then. Today we are mainly discussing the new projects that the institute will be working on."

With Song Wencong speaking, others naturally would not remain silent.

After a little thought, he expressed his opinion.

"At present, our third-generation aircraft are already very mature. Next, we can replace their active phased array radar modules to further enhance their combat capabilities."

"After all, it will take time for the J-20 to achieve mass production and service."

Shen Yamin chose to speak first on this issue and directly pointed out the current problems of stealth fighters.

Although stealth fighters have strong combat capabilities and their performance in all aspects are unmatched by third-generation aircraft, their manufacturing and maintenance costs are also very large numbers.

It is no exaggeration to say that it will take at least a few years for the J-20 to be officially put into service.

In this situation, the third-generation aircraft is still the backbone.

Now they have the ability to produce active phased array radar modules, which can be replaced for third-generation aircraft.

Replace the original passive phased array radar of the third-generation aircraft.

In this way, the combat capability of the domestically-produced third-generation aircraft will be greatly enhanced, making it a fighter with more superior overall performance.

Song Wencong undoubtedly agreed with Shen Yamin's suggestion, and he even had this idea a long time ago.

In the future, active phased array radars will even be applied to various military weapons and equipment.

It was precisely because of the importance of radar that he was so shocked when he saw Xu Yuan’s active phased array radar solution. He was very clear about the importance of this technology.

For this reason, he did not hesitate to submit the active phased array radar for the science and technology awards.

He believes that given the importance of active phased array radar, it will definitely win this award.

Xu Yuan is also fully qualified for this honor.

With his thought staying here, he no longer hesitated and arranged things directly.

"The detection distance and range of passive phased array radars are limited, and the manufacturing cost is higher than that of the active phased array radar designed by Xiao Xu. It is indeed necessary for our third-generation aircraft to replace the airborne radar."

"Then I'll leave this work to you, Xiao Shen. Develop the J-10 radar module for replacement as soon as possible."

Shen Yamin, who originally came from radar research, naturally had no objection to this work arrangement.

I agreed without thinking.

"It's Song Yuan."

Then Song Wencong's gaze involuntarily fell on Xu Yuan.

He smiled and said, "Xiao Xu, tell me what you think."

"I think drones will play a significant role in future battlefields, and should be the next focus of our research institute." Faced with the inquiry, Xu Yuan directly said what he had already thought of.

His suggestion was not just a casual remark, but was indeed the result of serious consideration and research. At present, many forces in the world are researching drones, hoping that they can be used for reconnaissance and strike in the future.

But compared with fighter jets and bombers, the level of attention paid to drones is still relatively limited.

In reality, drones have a wide range of applications, and in some places they are even more effective than fighter jets.

In addition, he also knew that Jincheng Aircraft Design Institute already had experience in the research and development of drones.

However, the development of the first model had problems such as insufficient platform performance, low flight altitude, slow speed, poor maneuverability and wind resistance, as well as weak mounting and strike capabilities. The project was basically suspended and abandoned with no one taking over.

When Song Wencong heard Xu Yuan mention the drone plan, he became very interested.

He immediately signaled Xu Yuan to continue speaking.

Since the suggestion of developing drones has already been put forward, Xu Yuan will naturally not keep it in suspense.

After organizing his words a little, he continued to express his own views.

"Drones are undoubtedly an important means of attack in modern warfare, and they are excellent in both reconnaissance and strike."

“And there are also actual combat cases of drones overseas.”

"In addition, compared with stealth fighters, which are expensive to develop, manufacture and maintain, drones are fast and cheap to manufacture. When they reach a certain number and can establish communication and cooperate with each other in combat, the combat effectiveness they can exert is unimaginable."

As Xu Yuan finished speaking all this in one breath, the researchers present fell into deep thought.

Obviously analyzing the pros and cons.

After about ten seconds of silence, Liang Zhanjun suddenly raised his eyes and looked at Xu Yuan.

I couldn't help but ask, "Do you know that our institute has had a drone project before?"

"I know." Xu Yuan nodded and answered firmly.

"Then you should know the performance that an excellent reconnaissance and strike drone must have. Our technology is still lacking in this area, and it is not easy to successfully develop it."

Liang Zhanjun is very familiar with the institute's previous UAV projects. It can be said that he directly applied the technologies such as aerodynamic body structure, digital electronic flight control and integrated avionics mastered in the development process of advanced manned aircraft to the UAV projects.

Prior to this, we had no experience in developing drones.

As for the final result, it is also very clear that the performance of the developed drones cannot meet the needs in all aspects.

Compared with America's Predator drone, there is a huge technological gap.

Although they have now successfully developed a stealth fighter that surpasses the Raptor, there is still a gap between manned aircraft and unmanned aircraft.

Xu Yuan naturally understood Liang Zhanjun’s concerns, but he wanted to lead the world and stay ahead of the times.

Drones must be developed, no matter what difficulties and problems may arise.

So in response to Liang Zhanjun's concerns, he gave a direct and resolute answer.

“I don’t think we should abandon research and development work on a project just because there are technical difficulties.”

"Although we started later than overseas countries, whether it is the atomic bomb, hydrogen bomb or the recent stealth fighter, it has proved that no matter what difficulties are in front of us, we can conquer them."

Song Wencong listened to everything the two said and soon made up his mind.

Then he said in front of all the researchers present:
"Xiao Xu is right. Reconnaissance and strike drones are of great strategic significance. We should overcome difficulties and develop domestic drones that are better than those overseas."

"If others have no objection, I propose that Xiao Xu be appointed as the chief designer of this project."

When Xu Yuan heard that Song Wencong supported his proposal, he was quite happy and avoided his further persuasion.

But when the following words entered his ears, a look of surprise suddenly appeared on his face.

Subconsciously exclaimed: "Let me be the chief designer of the project?"

Although he was a researcher at the institute, he basically did his best to provide help for the institute's projects.

Song Wencong will be responsible for the rest.

Unexpectedly, I suddenly became the project manager.

You should know that strictly speaking, his main job is a professor in the School of Mathematics at Qinghua University.

Although there are no new mathematics research topics for the time being and the school has not arranged any teaching and graduate student tasks for him, it is not a good idea for him to stay in Jincheng for a long time. What's more, the Space Technology Research Institute has already approved a project to develop a space station experimental cabin to dock with the Shenzhou spacecraft. If Chen Jianfang asks him for help, he will have no way to refuse.

So the thought stopped here, and he immediately said: "Is it inappropriate for me to be the chief designer?"

“Even if I’m not the project leader, I will still participate in the research and development of drones to solve difficult problems.”

"You are the most suitable candidate for the chief designer. The institute can find whatever candidates the project requires, and this will not delay your other work." Song Wencong repeated.

Having witnessed Xu Yuan's strong talents in many fields, Song Wencong had great trust in him to serve as the project's chief designer.

He believed that with Xu Yuan in charge, it might not be long before domestically-made drones would shock the world again.

As for Song Wencong's decision, others also expressed their support and had no objection.

……

(End of this chapter)