Chapter 529: Preliminary Research on the New Generation of Fighter Aircraft

Simonov's words were admiring. To be able to fly any aircraft type like Andrei was definitely a genius. Even if you searched the entire Soviet aviation force, you would not be able to find a second person like him. Therefore, while equipping the troops with single-seat Su-27s, they must also have two-seat Su-27s for training. The cockpit should be raised, and the nose should be lowered to keep the center of gravity unchanged, so as to transform the Su-27 into a two-seat trainer model.

The two-seater model can be used not only for training, but also for adding an extra operator, which is exactly what a fighter-bomber needs. Improved electronic equipment can better perform ground bombing missions, while retaining the prototype's air combat capability.

The Su-27 has a good airframe and excellent improvement potential, and can be easily improved into various fighters, including carrier-based aircraft.

Now, the carrier-based aircraft on the Soviet aircraft carrier is the MiG-23K. This fighter uses the MiG-23 fuselage, greatly improved avionics and engines, and achieves performance close to that of a third-generation aircraft. After all, it is only a transitional product. The next generation of Soviet carrier-based aircraft will appear between the MiG-29 and the Su-27. Therefore, the task of improving the Su-27 into a carrier-based aircraft has also entered the research and development stage as the prototype is equipped to the troops.

Speaking of aircraft carriers and carrier-based aircraft, Andrei also became excited. This time Andropov allowed him to inspect everywhere, and he must go and see this aircraft carrier again!

"Yes, we need to seize the mission of carrier-based aircraft. Our aircraft carrier fleet is a symbol of our country's strength, and we have many rights and interests at sea that need to be protected, and we need our aircraft carrier fleet." Andre said. This time, if there is no dual aircraft carrier fleet, how can we obtain these interests in the Persian Gulf? Now, the Soviet Union has a unified understanding that aircraft carriers are necessary!

"Comrade Simonov, are you the one who is in charge of these improved aircraft models?" Andrei asked.

Simonov shook his head: "No, I have handed over the improvement of these models to our young designers, Korchin, Melyanov and weapon system designer Viktor Galushko and others. I believe they will do a good job."

In the development of an aircraft model, the most difficult part is to create it from scratch. Now, the Sukhoi Design Bureau already has complete and mature models, and the improvement of these models can be safely and boldly handed over to others to develop.

"Our design bureau has already started developing the next generation of fighter jets," Simonov said. "General Andrei, the suggestions you gave us have been very inspiring to us."

Next generation fighters! Historically, each generation of Soviet fighters lagged behind the United States, resulting in the Soviet Union using the second generation MiG-21 and MiG-23 to fight against the third generation F-15 and F-16 of the United States. The advantage of the later design is that it can suppress the United States in all performance data, but the disadvantage is that it is always one generation behind!

Now, the Soviet Union has caught up in the third-generation aircraft. With advanced electronic technology, the development of the Soviet MiG-29 and Su-27 has been relatively smooth. However, even so, it is still five years behind the F-15!

Now, after discovering that the F-15's advantage could not be maintained, the United States has begun to make substantial improvements on the basis of the F-15 and produced the F-15C, a major modification of the fighter. The previous early models will also be improved to the F-15C standard. At the same time, this is also a last resort in response to the fact that the Soviet Union has already obtained the F-15 fighter and mastered the parameters of the prototype.

However, the United States obviously will not watch its air force fighters fall behind. While improving the F-15C, the United States has begun developing a new generation of fighter jets!

Just a few days ago, the United States started the tender for the next generation of fighter jets, which is five years ahead of history. In history, the United States proposed the advanced tactical fighter plan in the late 1970s, but it was not until 1985, after the Su-27 entered service, that it began to be implemented. Now, just as 1981 is approaching, the Su-27 has entered service. Stimulated by the Su-27, the United States has begun the development of the next generation of fighter jets!

Of course, the Soviet Union would not retreat. In terms of third-generation aircraft, the Soviet Union lagged behind by five years, but now, the Soviet Union is finally on the same starting line with the United States!

Andrei was very interested when he heard about the development of the next generation of fighter jets. The meeting being held now was actually a briefing meeting of the Sukhoi Design Bureau. Except for Andrei who was a newcomer and had never heard of it before, the rest of the people had actually been exposed to it.

"First of all, our design indicators. The United States has proposed a plan for advanced fighter jets, which requires supersonic cruise capability, super maneuverability, stealth performance and advanced electronic warfare capabilities." Simonov said: "And our fighter jets, of course, surpass or at least match the Americans in these projects."

The third-generation aircraft had just been put into service, and the fourth-generation aircraft had begun preliminary research. In fact, the development of military aircraft follows this rule. (In fact, the Soviet Union and the United States have different standards. According to the Soviet standard, the Su-27 is considered a fourth-generation aircraft, and the new aircraft should be called a fifth-generation aircraft. It is easy to say, so let's follow the American classification.) In later generations, after Chengfei's J-10 was completed, General Song handed over the improvement of the J-10 to others and tinkered with the next generation of fighter jets.

Andrei nodded. Being able to give priority to stealth performance, it seemed that the Soviet aviation industry would no longer take an extreme approach, focusing only on maneuverability and ignoring stealth performance.

"First of all, the general principle we have determined is that our current aircraft is very advanced, so our new fighter jets are mainly improved on the existing aircraft to make it stealth-capable. For example, as General Andrei said, the vertical tail will be tilted, the air intake will be shielded, the nose will be changed in shape, and the weapons will be built-in." Simonov said: "We have also started the research and development of stealth coatings, and hope to catch up with the progress."

Abandoning the unreliable plasma stealth technology, Simonov became more pragmatic under Andrei's advice.

"At the same time, based on the existing foundation, we plan to equip the fighter with a pair of canards to improve the agility of our fighter. The relevant design is underway," Simonov said.

Hearing this, Andrei was stunned and blurted out: "The best canards are on the enemy's fighter planes, Comrade Simonov. If we install canards on our fighter planes, we will be taking a detour."