Chapter 1055: Are business jets used for military purposes?
However, Robb Boudin apparently did not notice Ed Steiner’s emo.
For him, who is only responsible for test flight missions, his lifelong interest is focused on exploring the performance limits of a model, and he is not very willing to care about the entanglements of interests in the research and development process.
Therefore, after a brief pause, he continued:
“In fact, as far as my personal feeling is concerned, this aircraft is far from reaching its limit. During the test flight, a shallow dive should be performed, which should be able to break through to a higher speed..."
Robb said, stretching out his hand and making a downward diving motion in mid-air.
This somewhat crazy proposal made Ed Steiner tremble with fear. He said in his heart that you guys who are doing test flights are really not afraid of death——
He did think about it at first. A shallow dive was used as a disadvantage, but that was because according to estimates at the time, the Falcon 8Z's maximum airspeed in level flight could not even reach Mach 0.9 due to its large size and thick fuselage.
In this case, if you take advantage of the tailwind and engage in shallow dive acceleration, the risk is still within control.
But now, the actual flight result is almost 40km/h faster than the original calculation.
Don't look at it. This number is not too high in proportion, not even a 5% deviation.
But this is the transonic section.
It is no exaggeration to say that every 1km/h speed change will have unpredictable effects on airflow and structure.
Unpredictable, at least for Ed Steiner.
That’s all if you keep flying level.
After all, there is no longitudinal overload. Even if the speed is found to enter the danger zone, gentle deceleration can be achieved by simply closing the throttle slowly.
At least there won’t be any big problems like machine destruction and human death.
But if it enters a dive state, it will be difficult to tell when it needs to be leveled off.
What if the rudder locks or even the wing breaks off...
Ed Steiner just thought about this direction for a moment and felt a chill down his spine.
If nothing else, Falcon Z will be the last important project he is responsible for in his career.
Now that the pie that was drawn back then has now come full circle, the remaining task is to ensure that the model can be launched smoothly and achieve commercial success.
The old man is too old to do risky things.
“It’s still unnecessary.”
Ed Steiner decisively refused:
"The maximum speed and minimum speed tests are both up to standard. Now that the design indicator of 0.92 has been exceeded, the focus of subsequent tests should turn to the allowable envelope range at this speed, rather than blindly continuing to accelerate."< br>
“Furthermore, according to our flight control program settings, no matter if the aircraft’s airspeed exceeds Mach 0.9 under any circumstances, it will sound an alarm and automatically enter the deceleration program.”
As he spoke, he added He connected the data recorder that Robb had just brought over to a special reading device, preparing to confirm the test flight data himself, and then cut out a more eye-catching section from it to use as promotional materials.
“Huh?”
Robb couldn’t help but be stunned:
"Is there such a restriction?"
"Well... I learned lessons from some typical air crashes that happened in the past and specially added it."
Ed Steiner's answer was a bit ambiguous, obviously not I really want to continue to struggle with this topic:
“Of course it was not installed during the test flight. You test pilots definitely don’t need these...but it’s hard to say for commercial airline pilots...Including what you just said In the future, it is possible to restrict large-angle climbs and dives from the flight control level."
Robb next to him suddenly showed a look of realization.
Everyone is in the same circle.
For this reason, you can’t guess the reason.
"Anyway, remember to make arrangements as soon as possible..."
Just when Ed Steiner was about to end this conversation, another voice came from behind:
"Actually, Charles, based on our analysis of the engine operating data during this test flight, the SeA650 has the potential to further increase thrust..."
The two turned around and saw Ian Vista coming out of a small cubicle next to them.
“Of course I know that.”
Ed Steiner said with a matter-of-fact expression:
“But the Falcon 8Z is already the largest model in the entire series. Even if an aircraft engine with greater thrust is redesigned, I'm afraid it can only be used by regional airliners..."
Obviously, he would be wrong.
I thought the other party was saying that based on the same core machine, products with a higher thrust level could be designed.
This is indeed a reasonable thing.
After all, SeA650 can essentially be regarded as a non-afterburner model with a small bypass ratio.
Even if nothing else is done, just replacing it with a larger fan can increase the thrust to 9-10 tons.
It’s just that there is no suitable installation target.
But Vesta shook his head:
“It’s not a redesign... I mean, judging from the performance, the SeA650 itself can also squeeze out some extra thrust, but it is currently blocked by the engine. The control program is just limited.”
“Of course, what I see here can only be regarded as some superficial symptoms. I still need to seek the opinions of China’s partners for the specific situation...”
Ed Steiner couldn't help curling his lips, subconsciously wanting to complain about whether it was a bit inaccurate for the other party to call China a "partner".
But as I spoke, I remembered the situation of Falcon 8Z, and felt that I had no position to speak out against others.
Finally he swallowed it. Robb next to him immediately began to look forward to the opportunity to further achieve a higher level flight airspeed, but then he remembered that Ed Steiner had made it clear that there was no need for this, and for a moment he didn't know what to say...< br>
The atmosphere between the three people actually became silent...
...
Fortunately, just as Vesta caused the When I felt a little embarrassed due to the cold scene, another figure appeared at the door of the hangar and walked in hastily.
Said Cao Cao Cao Cao has arrived.
It was Liu Yongquan who came to inspect the test flight on behalf of China.
Vestal breathed a sigh of relief and rushed forward to ask about the feasibility of further increasing the thrust of the SeA650 engine.
"Liu, take a look at this data."
He thrust several charts into Liu Yongquan's hands:
"Even at the very edge of the flight envelope, the peak vibration data measured by the sensor is still only about three-quarters of the maximum allowable amount. In this case, why can't a higher speed limit be opened at the control program level?"
The latter came here this time because he received news from Chang Haonan and was going to discuss the feasibility of expanding the Falcon Z market with Ed Steiner.
As soon as I walked in, I was asked a technical question.
So much so that I was a little confused at first.
It wasn’t until I took the chart and looked at it for a while that I finally came back to my senses.
Immediately afterwards, he showed a slightly embarrassed expression——
Because this speed limit was specially added by Chang Haonan.
Under normal operating conditions of the SeA650, because the rotor bearing at the No. 1 fulcrum is replaced with a non-contact magnetic bearing, the vibration situation has indeed improved, and as Vesta said, it can Increase the engine speed by about 5%.
Considering that this is the first time that magnetic bearings have been put into practical use, in order to ensure foolproofness, backup rotor bearings and corresponding mechanical actuation systems are installed.
If the speed is further increased, the magnetic bearing does not matter, but this set of mechanical backup is likely to be unable to withstand it.
But the fundamental reason for such a slightly awkward design is that Chang Haonan regarded SeA650 as a guinea pig for technical verification.
How can he explain this to the other party?
"Ahem——"
Liu Yongquan looked away with a guilty conscience, and at the same time, his brain was spinning rapidly and he began to formulate words:
"Design indicators of SeA series engines It is set based on the needs of Party A...that is, Dassault. When the performance is sufficient, the main purpose is to retain a larger safety margin. There is no need to pursue more extreme paper data..."
< br>
As he spoke, he looked at Ed Steiner not far away:
"Is that so, doctor?"
The latter was a little surprised to be cueed suddenly, but Liu Yongquan's answer was just right. He didn't want to get into trouble, so he nodded immediately;
"That's right."
"In the test flight just completed, the Falcon 8Z has reached a Mach number of 0.92. Airspeed, further increasing thrust will reduce cost performance and have a negative impact on safety..."
"..."
After a lot of hesitation, the two finally managed to deal with Vesta and Robb, who were obsessed with pursuing the ultimate.
“Huh——”
Ed Steiner sighed and shook his head helplessly:
“How come these people who are engaged in aviation development have nothing in their minds? There is no concept of risk control..."
After I finished speaking, I realized that the situation seemed not quite right, so I quickly added:
"Oh...I'm sorry, I'm not talking about you..."
"It's okay..."
Liu Yongquan didn't care about these minutiae. After confirming that there was no one else nearby, he quickly switched to the main topic of his trip:
"Doctor, I came here specially this time because I received a request from my superiors to inquire. Does your company have any plans to enter the military market with Falcon 8Z? ”
According to his thoughts, his hint was already very obvious.
When business jets enter the military field, besides changing them into special aircraft platforms, is there another way?
It should be said that if Ed Steiner was from another company, there is a high probability that he would indeed understand what Liu Yongquan meant.
However.
He is from Dassault.
Dassault, business jets, military.
When these three keywords were put together, the other party's sixty-year-old comrade's thoughts were instantly diverted.
"Military market?"
Ed Steiner had a "Are you kidding me" expression on his face:
"Falcon 8Z does have an optional set. Optoelectronic system for all-weather use, but that’s…”
Having said this, he subconsciously glanced both ways, and then lowered his voice a bit:
"That is to transfer the technology of the Damocles pod to you... There is no choice for normal users. Install... And in the 21st century, there will no longer be madmen who install two missiles on business jets for low-altitude penetration..."
(End of this chapter)