Chapter 372 T-10 Improvement

Andrei smiled. As an outstanding Soviet aircraft designer, Andrei certainly couldn't let him lose confidence because of a project.

"I believe our T-10 project will be successfully completed," Andrei said. "I have full confidence in the Sukhoi Design Bureau."

"Thank you General Andrei for your support." Simonov was very moved.

"Comrade Simonov, I have some immature ideas that I would like to discuss with you," said Andrei.

This time when Andre came to Sukhoi Design Bureau, he certainly not only came to see the progress of T-10, but also had some new ideas.

"General Andrei, please go ahead," Simonov said.

"From the perspective of modern air combat, the first thing we need is radar detection." Andre said: "If our fighter planes can be undetected by the enemy's radar, or in other words, can they be undetected by the enemy's radar at a long distance, can the actual combat performance of the fighter planes be greatly improved?"

"Yes." Simonov said, "If our fighters cannot be detected by radar, it means that the survivability of our fighters has been greatly improved. The improvement of survivability will also increase combat effectiveness. However, our relevant departments are now researching plasma stealth technology. Once the research is successful, it will be installed on our fighters, which can greatly improve the stealth capability of our fighters."

Plasma stealth is to place some plasma generators in certain parts of the aircraft. During the flight, plasma flow is released to form a plasma electromagnetic shielding layer around the aircraft, "shielding" the aircraft and making it undetectable by radar. In the Soviet Union, this was a secret research technology, and only Simonov knew about it in the Sukhoi Design Bureau.

However, ideals are full and reality is skinny. In later generations, until the 21st century, this technology has not matured. Therefore, Andre will not pin his hopes of invisibility on such an unrealistic method.

"Comrade Simonov, plasma stealth technology is theoretically possible, but in reality there will be various problems. We cannot pin our hopes on it." Andrei said: "I now have a few small ideas that can improve the stealth performance of our existing fighters."

Anyway, it is a major change, and the entire aerodynamic layout is being modified. It is better to take this opportunity to realize the stealth of the Su-27. Although the effect is far from that of later stealth fighters, at least don't try to get an RCS value of 5 square meters.

Andrei knew very well that a few small ideas could greatly improve the stealth performance of the Su-27, because he had conducted such theoretical research in Shenfei later on.

"General Andrei, please go ahead," Simonov said.

"First of all, our engine is suspended directly below, which gives it plenty of power and good performance at high angles of attack. However, if you look directly over, you can see the structure of the compressor blades, which will greatly increase the reflection area. If the air inlet is optimized, baffles are designed, or the interior is changed to an S-shaped air inlet, the radar reflection area can be reduced by half," said Andre.

The treatment of the air intake duct is the first thing to consider. After all, the engine blades, this rotating metal impeller, is a strong source of anti-electromagnetic wave radiation. Many of the electromagnetic waves scanned by the radar are reflected by the engine blades.

"Also, the vertical tail occupies the largest radar reflection area on the side. The tall vertical tail reflects the radar waves vertically, making it easy for enemy aircraft to detect us through radar. If the vertical double vertical tail is changed to an inclined vertical tail, the side radar cross-section can be greatly reduced. For example, with this design, the F-14 radar can search for us at a distance of 100 kilometers. After the improvement, the F-14 radar may have to be at a distance of 50 kilometers or even closer to detect us."

The two that Andre mentioned are both common improved new models in later generations. Various third-generation aircraft have become third-generation and a half through these improvements.

Hearing this, Simonov nodded repeatedly. These improvements were nothing compared to the major changes that were about to be made and could be added in!

Andrei was greatly encouraged to see Simonov agreed. As a pilot, it sounded a bit far-fetched for him to tell aircraft designers how to modify fighter planes.

"Also, the missiles mounted on our fighter jets are also a large source of radiation. If we can build the weapons in, for example, place a built-in weapons bay in the middle of the two suspended engine air intakes of the T-10, and only open the launch bay cover when launching, and keep it covered at other times, this can minimize the radar reflection area, and we will have an absolute advantage over Western fighter jets such as the United States." Andre said.

Built-in weapons bay! If you want true stealth, a built-in weapons bay is a must. In later generations, some people even thought of not opening the door, but using a revolver-style or rocket-style, with the lower edge of the weapons bay flush with the lower edge of the air inlet, and the middle part of the two air inlets is the weapon launch window. This not only improves the stealth of the fighter, but also improves the reaction speed of the weapon. It can also implement the modularization of the weapons bay and the speed of weapon lifting. Different weapons bays can be selected according to different tasks, which is also conducive to the storage of weapons. It is much better than the lower and side doors of the F-22. This is the specialty of the Su-27, because only the Su-27 has space in the middle of the air inlet, and the forward field of view is wide!

"General Andrei, this internal weapon will greatly increase the complexity and difficulty of our fighter planes," Simonov said. It is not so easy to internalize weapons. How to launch and how to mount them are both difficult problems. I am afraid that they cannot be solved in a short time, and it will seriously affect the progress.

"These are my personal opinions." Andre said quickly: "If they are correct, you can accept them. If they are not correct, just ignore what I said. Stealth is still not taken seriously by the higher authorities. Perhaps, it will take a few more years for more people to realize the importance of stealth. Now, the focus of the Sukhoi Design Bureau is to finalize the T-10. These improvements can also be pre-researched first and left for later improvements."

"Yes, General Andrei, we will carefully consider your proposal." Simonov said: "Your erudition and foresight have benefited us a lot."

"Everything is for the Soviets. Our sky is not peaceful. There are always hateful Westerners who want to do something to us." Andrei said.