WS-15, this basic version of the domestically produced engine, how long did it take for it to be developed and produced in China? If we count the beginning of domestic engines, it can be said to be a full thirty years, no more and no less.
Thirty years, based on the average life expectancy of sixty or seventy, is half a lifetime. Based on a life expectancy of a hundred, nearly a third of a lifetime has already passed. It's enough time for a newborn to grow into a thirty-year-old.
Throughout the development of China's aviation industry, promoting breakthroughs in aviation engine technology has always been a key challenge.
Domestic industrial research started late and faced an extremely difficult mode of technological blockade. Every step of progress was achieved by domestic aviation engineers, who crossed the river by feeling the stones with their impressive perseverance and wisdom.
Catching up with the world's advanced level in the field of aero-engines is the ultimate dream that all domestic aerospace engineers are tirelessly pursuing!
The research and development of the WS-15 engine has gone through decades of hard work, from the initial conception to the difficult and ridiculed WS-10 as a patchwork, from humbly seeking advice from the big brother next door to the painful experience of being almost cheated and buying a problematic and poisonous pie... In the field of aviation engines, they have always faced many challenges and difficulties.
As a latecomer, they have been imitating and learning the technology of advanced countries, exploring their own development path. The development process of the WS-15 engine was full of hardships and twists and turns.
The successful birth of WS-15 was due to the unremitting efforts of all the staff of Institute 614.
Although it may not be perfect when it was first created and may still have a long way to go before it reaches the world's leading level, its creation represents that China finally has a good, independently developed state-owned engine. It is a major breakthrough in their aviation industry and has important strategic value.
The reason why their engine can achieve such a breakthrough is due to the long-term pursuit and exploration of aviation engine technology by all patriotic aviation engineers!
It is this persistence and hard work that made the WS-15 engine successfully complete its maiden flight in 2005, and it is also the technological breakthrough that all aviation engineers have been pursuing.
They still remember the spirit of struggle they had back then, and have never forgotten it. Over the past two years, thanks to Wu Tong's support, they've been exposed to more advanced concepts, mastered them, and thoroughly understood them. The team's overall level has significantly improved compared to its predecessor, giving them greater potential to build their dreams!
Led by Yang Wei, the team once again showed the same attitude as when they tackled the tough WS-15, and finally cooperated with Wu Tong to complete the landing of WS-B1.
When the brand-new results were presented in front of Yang Wei and others, their vision could not help but change from clear to blurred, and tears of excitement welled up in their eyes.
"Mr. Wu, did we succeed? We have a variable cycle engine, right?" Yang Wei's voice was choked, and his lips trembled a few times before he found his voice.
For years, they had been eagerly anticipating a world-beating, world-leading achievement. Now, the fruit of their anticipated world-beating achievement lay before them, brand new and created by them.
If I hadn't built it myself and supervised each component and part personally, and now each component has formed this brand new WS-B1 that has opened up a world gap and has the best performance expectations.
Looking at it, their hearts still swelled with pride. If they hadn't retained a modicum of rationality, they would have wanted to laugh with arrogance and pride. Let everyone bear witness to the remarkable new achievements they had forged under the guidance of Mr. Wu Tong!
"Yes, Professor Yang, there were no surprises. We succeeded. The WS-B1 is here, ushering in the era of variable cycle engines!" Wu Tong, looking at the not-so-large engine before him, was equally pleased. A design sketched on paper could never be more astounding than the real thing before his eyes. The WS-15, now in final assembly, resembled a small torpedo. Its small size yet its extraordinary burst of power would bring the world an ultimate experience and bring China's time to mature variable cycle technology by over a decade.
In her future memories, Wu Tong accidentally browsed through some fragments of information. It should be eight years before China has the preliminary verification of variable cycle technology. The real maturity of the technology will not be brewing in one or two years. She is also very pleased to be able to join this technological process.
"Hahaha..., haha, we succeeded, President Wu is awesome, President Wu, we succeeded!" President Yang and several core engineers cried with joy and danced almost crazily. They succeeded, they succeeded in creating a world-leading, super-performance, variable cycle engine that belongs to China!
Previously, they believed that technological development was a gradual process, with each step reflecting accumulation and progress. That is, until they met Wu Tong, whose remarkable achievements, one after another, silently proved to the world that China should never be underestimated!
Before Wu Tong, when it came to the development of aviation engines, the biggest gap between them and their counterparts across the sea was in their R&D model.
Their development of aviation engines is to develop the aircraft first and then the engine, and the engine development often begins after the aircraft model is determined; while on the other side of the sea, the engine is developed first and then the aircraft. When the aircraft is developed, there are already engines to choose from.
It can be said that the development model of existing engines and aircraft is in line with the development laws of aviation engines!
This is because the development technology of aircraft engines is much more difficult than that of aircraft, and the development cycle is also much longer than that of aircraft.
The two different R&D models produce completely different consequences.
Domestically, engines often fall into despair and eventually die due to the cancellation of aircraft models. In contrast, a good engine foundation is much better. Even if one or two aircraft models are cancelled, investment in engine research and development cannot be stopped!
Fortunately, there is never a shortage of knowledgeable people in the country, nor is there a shortage of unknown scientific research warriors who are willing to fight for the country and never regret their lives. When the relevant departments and outstanding R&D personnel realized the importance of this, they changed the original development of aircraft engines as an important accessory component of aircraft to the importance of aircraft engines being on par with or even higher than that of aircraft.
Now, they have the blessing of Wu Tong. With his assistance, they have developed the world-leading WS-15S and now the brand-new WS-B1, with even greater performance and greater resource efficiency, putting them one step ahead of the world. With the completion of the variable-cycle engine, China can now proudly call itself an engine powerhouse.
They, China, have never fallen behind!