CHAPTER 428: CHAPTER 426: THE AIRPLANE’S PROBLEM

While Chen Xin was contemplating, the meeting continued.

Various issues and situations were presented before the high-level leaders. Regarding the potential impact and problems caused by the Toba Volcano, each department was preparing corresponding responses.

However, the previous meteorite impact ultimately caused significant damage to Flame Country and the entire world. Even though Flame Country has now rebuilt and recovered significantly, with corresponding response measures and plans in place, the situation remains dire.

"...Based on the current situation, our country’s emergency response capabilities and rescue forces are only about 30% of what they were before the disaster, if not less. Our transportation capabilities are also stretched thin. If a large-scale geological disaster truly occurs in the Southwest Region, we are unable to mobilize enough resources for rescue operations." An official finished the report with a heavy expression on his face.

Despite Flame Country being the most capable nation on the Blue Planet in terms of mobilization, having never abandoned any of its people in the face of various past disasters, the impact of this disaster on the entire planet has been too great. Even Flame Country has not retained enough strength and cannot mobilize nationwide resources to aid one area as in the pre-disaster times.

This is not just a loss of economic strength; fields such as transportation, communication, production, and material reserves have suffered devastating setbacks. Now Flame Country is like a giant with severe injuries. Although the wounds are healing, it can no longer clench its fists to exert its full strength.

Flame Country now resembles a weakened giant, needing not only to recuperate but also to repair its own damages.

"Is it still the transportation issue? Do the comrades at the transportation department have any solutions?" The senior leader chairing the meeting frowned and looked at the representative from the transportation department.

"This... I’m afraid it’s very difficult!" The representative from the transportation department was also filled with helplessness, explaining to the leaders, "All road transportation nationwide is basically paralyzed. Even regional traffic is nearly impossible, and the whole country is now relying on railway transportation to maintain basic material circulation.

In terms of aviation, none of the jet aircraft can take off; the dust and particles suspended in the air greatly affect the aircraft engines. Even though we have acquired air filter devices for aircraft engines, only helicopters and some old propeller aircraft can take off.

However, helicopters have limited range, and the numbers and capacities of old propeller aircraft are insufficient. Overall, the aviation capacity is very limited, and what we can currently achieve is only emergency transportation of small quantities of materials and personnel.

To restore aviation capacity, we need an aircraft that can carry at least twenty tons of cargo, take off in this weather, and have a range of over three thousand kilometers."

Hearing what the representative from the transportation department said, the leader could only nod gravely, not pressing them further, but instead turning their gaze towards the position of the scientific research institutions, asking, "Do the comrades at the scientific institutions have anything to say? Can the requirements raised by the transportation department be met?"

"This..." The representative from the scientific research institution’s face contorted with difficulty. Conducting scientific research is not something that yields results quickly, and he could not produce an aircraft meeting the requirements in a short amount of time.

However, just as the representative from the scientific research institution was in a dilemma, Chen Xin suddenly raised his hand, indicating he wanted to speak, and then asked, "What about the Y-9? I remember the Y-9 can take off at Lhasa Airport with a load of fifteen tons, has a range of over three thousand kilometers, and uses a propeller engine, categorized as a medium-range transport plane. Can it not meet the requirements?"

"The Y-9 uses a turboprop engine, which has significant intake requirements. While we can equip it with air filter devices, this would greatly affect its engine efficiency, causing the aircraft’s takeoff weight and speed to decrease significantly." Sitting next to the representative from the scientific research institution was an expert in airplane development and manufacturing, who answered Chen Xin’s question and added, "Although a piston engine could avoid this problem, changing the engine—especially to one with a completely different working principle—is a complicated and troublesome project. Although we can do it, we cannot complete such work quickly."

In response, Chen Xin had nothing more to say. Although domestic transport planes came in small, medium, and large models, everyone had gradually abandoned the old piston propellers before the disaster, opting instead for turboprops to achieve higher efficiency and lower fuel consumption.

Moreover, aircraft are inherently delicate, with certain requirements for flight weather and environment. Under such circumstances, not having an available aircraft is not too surprising.

"Then I’ll have to trouble you to quickly come up with a plane capable of flying. Time is tight and the task is heavy, but I still need to give you more responsibilities." The leader, although understanding the objective facts, still made a request.

Faced with the leader’s demand, the people from the scientific department discussed it briefly and nodded in agreement.

Listening to the leader issuing tasks, Chen Xin suddenly recalled the issue he had been pondering over.

Clothing, food, accommodation, and travel. Clothing and food can be temporarily set aside, accommodations with shelters do not currently concern Chen Xin, but travel?

Considering the present situation, travel is evidently a significant problem. Roads are best not mentioned, the railway can manage with nuclear-powered trains, but there aren’t suitable planes for aviation.

Chen Xin contemplated for a moment, then raised his hand and said, "If it’s an aircraft you need, I should be able to provide a model that meets the transportation department’s requirements."

"You are Academician Chen Xin, right? I’ve heard of you, and I know your capabilities. Can you really provide a model that meets the requirements of the comrades in the transportation department?" The leader looked at Chen Xin with some surprise, evidently shocked by his sudden claim to provide an aircraft.

"If the conditions only require carrying more than twenty tons of cargo, taking off in this weather, and having a range exceeding three thousand kilometers, I have a way to meet them." Chen Xin confidently replied, "However, I need the design blueprints and research materials for the Y-9, as well as a Y-9 as a sample for research and modification. Within a week, I can deliver a feasible design plan."

"If you, Academician Chen, can actually do that, I can meet these requirements for you, but this is no trivial matter. Can you bear the responsibility?" The leader looked seriously at Chen Xin upon hearing his words.

Chen Xin nodded and also seriously replied, "I am willing to issue a military pledge."