The Military-industrial Scientific Research System of the Academic Master Chapter 892

Chapter 892: Seizing the early warning aircraft market

In addition to radar in the traditional sense, the broader application scenario of optically controlled phased array antennas seems to be electronic reconnaissance equipment.

Of course it can also be said to be passive radar—

Antenna is not only used to transmit signals.

Can also be used to receive signals.

In order to adapt to different signal frequency bands, traditional electronic reconnaissance equipment is usually surrounded by antennas of various styles and sizes.

Hence, the appearance of electronic warfare units is often relatively...

Abstract.

Especially for electronic warfare aircraft where space is tight.

If only the sides, back and belly of the fuselage are protruding, it will be considered relatively elegant.

Of course, for military models, being ugly is not a problem.

The problem is that after paying a huge price in terms of appearance, there are still trade-offs to be made in terms of performance.

Unless the carrier platform is really large, it will be difficult to cover all commonly used signal frequency bands given the limited size and weight.

But if two or even several antennas can be integrated together, it will obviously be a huge benefit for electronic warfare aircraft.

However, the ecstasy is short-lived after all.

A new technology, especially a disruptive new technology, often encounters difficulties from theory to implementation.

Chang Haonan and Wang Xiaomo were both engineers after all, so they quickly began to consider more specific practical issues.

After thinking for a while, the latter spoke first:

"In order to implement this multi-band radar, although antennas with large bandwidth operating characteristics are key technologies, other aspects, such as transmitter/receiver design and target recognition algorithms under the interaction of multiple bands, will also take time. Come and develop.”

“So I think the first thing to do now is to build a principle prototype and go through the whole process.”

“The principle prototype must be developed, but the problem is not just technical...”

Chang Haonan also added:

“The optical switches I mentioned at the beginning, whether they are fiber Bragg reflection gratings, fiber dispersion prisms, spatial light modulators and controllable reflectors, are all highly precise optical components that either cannot be produced in China at all, or are high-quality domestic products. The rate is very low and cannot meet the requirements of industrialization at all..."

“Actually, let's not talk about this. Even the most basic optical fiber can only be regarded as solving the problem of localization on paper at best. In actual applications, imported models are still the main ones.”

His team has just begun to produce engineering prototypes of ultrashort pulse lasers, and is naturally familiar with the conditions of these optical or optoelectronic components.

Pulse laser processing equipment can barely be regarded as scientific research equipment, and in fact it is only semi-photoelectric. Most of the consumables are still mainly electrical components. The problem of using imported optical fibers alone is not big.

But no matter how whitewashed the early warning aircraft and search radar are, they are purely military equipment.

Even if the Europeans use the spirit of capitalists to sell slings and export with their eyes closed, the People's Liberation Army may not dare to rely entirely on Western models for such a core component.

Moreover, although the two men have been using the 346 radar as an example, in April 2001, the basic version of the 346 has basically completed the national qualification test, including its carrier 052C, which is also close to being designed, and the power system is temporarily and Like the 052B that has already started construction, it uses imported UGT25000.

With two models of such high perfection, and the current military struggle situation is not optimistic, it is impossible to stop and wait just because there is a hint of new technology.

In other words, at the shipboard radar level, the concept of this optically controlled phased array, optimistically speaking, will have to wait until the next improved version of the 346, and may even wait until the second improved version in the future.

So, we must find an additional opportunity to conduct a round of technical verification.

“What if we make an export model?”

Chang Haonan's thoughts are getting wilder:

"Let's take it step by step. Let's put aside the multi-band issue first. The entire small T-type antenna phased array radar is based on its 150° wide field of view and lightweight and low cost. Moreover, it is not for our own use anyway. The core element is It doesn't matter whether the device is domestically produced or not. Maybe foreign users have their own import channels.”

“Compared to simply focusing on technology verification and research and development, this is at least profitable, and domestic manufacturers or research institutes will have stronger motivation to make local substitutions in the future.”

Technology, as long as it reaches the stage of making money, it can actually be easily recycled later.

If you are afraid that you will see only input but no output, then even if it is a state-funded support, you must weigh it first.

Furthermore, if an industry only relies on state funding for development, it is difficult to say what prospects it has.

Therefore, Chang Haonan's usual path since his rebirth can be summed up as “first opening up the general industrial cycle through key technologies or models, and then going back to gradually improve the overall domestic level.”

This time is no exception.

“Small early warning aircraft…”

Wang Xiaomo touched his chin, which had turned white with stubble:

“What about the aircraft platform?”

Logically speaking, this should be Chang Haonan's most professional field.

However, he waved his hand nonchalantly: "This is not important."

“Since the goal is to generate income through exports, let's talk business.”

Facing Wang Xiaomo's questioning gaze, Chang Haonan continued to explain:

“What we are exporting is not an early warning aircraft, but a separate airborne early warning and control system.”

“Of course, if users are willing to use it, we can also provide MA60 or a complete solution for the C808 platform.”

"But if users want to be more common between aircraft and civil aviation to reduce logistical pressure, then we are not opposed to cooperating with other manufacturers and moving our early warning system to other people's models, such as Airbus A320 or regional airliners. , or even a slightly larger business jet.”

The optically controlled phased array also has another modest advantage, which is that it is not very sensitive to the physical size of the radar.

This means that a model echelon of difficult size can be produced at a relatively low cost.

Of course, as mentioned before, for an aircraft that is too large, the advantages of wide field of view and lightweight are not obvious, and Chang Haonan is not ready to take advantage of multi-band for the time being.

Hence, the upper limit should be about 200 for the Air Police.

As for personal use models…

It is better to run quickly with small steps first.

The Air Police 2000 carried by the C909 aircraft is probably the same as the 346, and will not be able to tolerate this latest technology.

“Airborne early warning and control system…”

Wang Xiaomo's eyes suddenly changed:

“Like Érieye in Sweden, or...Felcon in the Kingdom of David?”

Philcon of the Kingdom of David

Although the Ring Project eventually got back the advance payment, the IL-76 was also incorporated into the transport aircraft force after being dismantled.

However, the Kingdom of David blatantly breached the contract at a critical moment, and also brought personnel from other countries to have close contact with Chinese equipment without permission.

This matter is not so easy to get over.

I wrote it down every stroke in the small notebook.

The reason why there has been no action is because there was really no way to directly cause any trouble to the opponent before.

But now…

Felcon is actually a model focused on the international market.

There are also model echelons of different sizes.

It also mainly sells equipment rather than complete machines...

This is a serious competitor.

So, if we can beat Falcon in the arms sales market...

Although it is difficult to say that it will have any crippling impact on the Kingdom of David.

But at least it's an opportunity to vent some bad anger.

As for love to set eyes...

Then I can only say sorry.

“In this case, we may also need a loud name.”

Wang Xiaomo said:

“It's best if it's a pun in both Chinese and English.”

“I've already thought about this.”

Chang Haonan looked at a paper on the computer screen:

“It's called 'gaoming'.”

"Um?"

Wang Xiaomo couldn't understand the reason for choosing this name for a while:

"Why?"

“Gao Ming is the clairvoyant in Fengshen Yanyi, which is consistent with the function of the early warning command system.”

Chang Haonan replied:

“In addition, it can be translated directly into English according to the literal meaning.”

“Literally...highlight?”

Chang Haonan had a pleasant smile on his face:

“That's right, highlight…”

(End of this chapter)

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