Chapter 249 Can be made, but cannot be mass produced?

Author: September Sauce

Chapter 249 Can be made, but cannot be mass produced?

After Tang Changhong gave the Russian technical team a warning, the progress of both the H-20 project and the PAK FA project cooperated by both parties has obviously accelerated.

The airframe design was quickly finalized, the engine trial production work was accelerated, and the production of internal structural parts began.

If everything goes well, it is very likely that, as Chen Nian said, Xifei will be able to bring a major surprise to the people of the country after the New Year.

However, even under such smooth progress, a major problem gradually surfaced.

The reserves of T800L carbon fiber used in fuselage manufacturing are completely insufficient.

In fact, the formula and production method of the T800L carbon fiber material were originally provided by Chen Nian and were included in the H-20's technical package.

Laboratory trial production of this material had already begun before the project was launched.

But the problem is that due to technical conditions and equipment conditions, this material has not yet achieved large-scale mass production.

According to the initial plan, the T800L carbon fiber material required for the first H-20 will be supplied with laboratory products.

Originally, the output of small-scale production was enough to meet the first batch of usage needs.

But the problem is that in subsequent designs, H-20 introduced more and more complex designs.

Including variable swept wings, wing fuel tanks, quick opening and closing weapon bays, etc.

Under such circumstances, XAC had to arrange more experiments than expected, which caused the production of T800L to begin to be stretched.

In the office, Tang Changhong frowned and looked at the report in front of him, while Gao Yongyu on the side reported the latest project plan.

"Based on the current output of T800L, the speed of material preparation may not be able to keep up with the speed of our aircraft manufacturing."

"So far, the gap in carbon fiber materials has reached 2.6 tons. This number may decrease slightly in the future, but it is basically impossible to eventually level it out."

"If we have to wait until all the materials are ready before starting trial production, the project process may be delayed by more than three months."

"Although it is very fast, I doubt whether the Spark Team can accept it."

"After all, the technology is provided by them, and there are almost no difficulties that need to be solved in our hands."

"If we do this, it will be difficult for us to apply for subsequent budgets."

After hearing his words, Tang Changhong hummed and did not answer immediately.

In fact, he was not that worried about this issue.

Regardless of what is budgeted or not, although the performance and results of the project team must be assessed, in the final analysis, they still have to contribute to the development of national science and technology.

The development of the H-20 is the most important step in the development of the Air Force in recent years.

Only with the H-20 can we have a complete strategic deterrent force.

Even if Xinghuo is stingy, he will not waste his budget on this kind of thing.

But the problem is, just because they don't have a budget jam, it doesn't mean that this matter can go over like this.

Because if H-20 wants to be mass-produced, it still needs the support of new materials.

This time we managed to solve it by stalling for time, but what about next time?

The laboratory's output will definitely not be able to support the H-20's combat effectiveness. If the aircraft is to be truly "manufactured", the problem of insufficient material output must eventually be resolved.

Thinking of this, he said:

"Have you contacted other brother units? Is there any way for this material to be put into industrial production lines in China?"

Gao Yongyu shook his head and replied:

"There is no way."

"The development of our domestic carbon fiber industry is too weak. Let alone T800L, even the T700 material that has become mature internationally, no factory can produce it."

"If you want to do it, I guess you have to launch a special project like the chip project."

"That difficult?"

Tang Changhong said in surprise.

He knew that carbon fiber was difficult to make, but in fact, he didn't know much about this industry. He just subconsciously thought that this was a problem that could be completely solved by solving the material manufacturing method.

Gao Yongyu on the opposite side sighed and said:

"Yeah, I didn't expect it at first."

"But recently I checked a lot of information and consulted a lot of experts in the industry, and finally I figured this issue out."

"Actually, the carbon fiber industry originated from island countries."

"In 1959, the island country invented a method of using polyacrylonitrile to tension and draw raw filaments to make carbon fiber. It began commercialization in the 1970s and was subsequently widely used in military and civilian fields."

"Our carbon fiber research actually started in the early 1960s. However, due to the harsh international environment at that time, the West implemented a high degree of technological blockade on us, and domestic resources were tight, so the progress of carbon fiber-related research work was very limited."

"It wasn't until 1975, under Zhang Aiping's deployment, that we united more than 20 units to tackle key problems, and finally solved the problem of 'have or not'."

"But it was at this stage that the blind worship of Western technology began."

"Under the impact of mature Western products, our fledgling industry was simply unable to withstand the impact. For 20 years, we can almost say that we have made no progress in the field of carbon fiber."

"The main problem is two-fold. On the one hand, we don't want to do it ourselves and feel that the investment is too high."

"On the other hand, even if it is introduced, it cannot be introduced."

"You know, under the Batumi Treaty, companies with excellent technology are unwilling to transfer technology to us, and even obtaining equipment is extremely difficult."

"So, under this circumstance, our carbon fiber industry eventually developed into the abnormal situation it is now."

"In a word, the principles are very familiar and the technology is very strong - even advanced materials like T800L can be quickly understood and mastered."

"But the problem is that industrial mass production is almost impossible."

After finishing speaking, Gao Yongyu shook his head subconsciously, and then added:

"Even now, it is still impossible for us to introduce technology and equipment."

"The top companies in the world don't even consider cooperating with us, and second- and third-tier companies, such as RK in the UK, also have an ambiguous attitude towards us."

"If we really want to cooperate with them, I'm afraid we will suffer even more losses."

Tang Changhong nodded silently and then asked:

"What about similar products internationally? Is there a way to directly introduce products?"

"Whether production can be solved or not, at least the urgent needs must be solved first."

"It can't be introduced."

Gao Yongyu replied decisively:

"T800L is already one of the 48K large wire harness carbon fibers with extremely excellent performance. Even in island countries, although they have such products, their output is as small as ours."

"However, unlike us, their equipment is complete. The main difference lies in their workmanship."

"What about exchanging technology for equipment?"

Tang Changhong spoke subconsciously, but then he realized something was wrong.

T800L is a truly strategic material, and it is not cost-effective to exchange it for production equipment.

Neither Xinghuo nor the superior department would agree.

So, he quickly said:

"This is definitely not possible, but is there really no other way for us to get the equipment we need?"

"For now, as long as we solve the problem of core equipment, we can solve the problem of T800L output, right?"

"That's right."

Gao Yongyu nodded, but then said:

"The problem is, it's not that easy to get the equipment."

"A series of core equipment from pre-oxidation furnace, to high and low temperature carbonization furnace, to wire retracting and unwinding system are almost never sold separately."

"If you want to buy it, just buy a production line."

"What do we have to pay for them to sell this to us?"

"After all, when selling these devices, they face not only 'competitive risks', but also political risks."

"Understood."

Tang Changhong sighed.

"But no matter what, we have to give it a try."

"Go and sort out the list of relevant companies and prioritize them."

"Then, submit the difficulties we are encountering to Chen Guo and see if he has any solution."

"The Civil Development Office under the Spark Group has been established for some time, and the network has begun to operate. Maybe it will give us unexpected surprises."
To be continued...