CHAPTER 429: CHAPTER 427 HOW TO START

"Academician Chen, how are you going to deliver an aircraft that meets the requirements within a week? This isn’t child’s play!" After the meeting, the representatives of the research institutions along with experts in aircraft development and manufacturing approached Chen Xin with concern.

The experts in aircraft development and manufacturing couldn’t help but furrow their brows, as even with decades of experience, they couldn’t fathom why Chen Xin was confident about promising a solution in a week’s time.

The timeline for designing an aircraft has always been measured in years, and the Y-9 transport aircraft took from its initial project approval in 1969 to finally debuting in 2005.

Although there were various issues causing the Y-9’s development to be interrupted, the time needed for aircraft development is evident.

Even if Chen Xin was only making improvements to the Y-9, it’s not something that can be completed in just a week.

Chen Xin was, of course, confident in tackling this problem, but he knew that one aircraft wouldn’t solve everything.

Moreover, when they mentioned one aircraft, they didn’t mean solely a single plane but a model or solution that could make the current batch of aircraft readily available to meet the requirements quickly.

This might seem impossible to others, but for Chen Xin, a week was sufficient.

"Rest assured, I have already made a pledge to the leaders, and I won’t joke around with such matters." Chen Xin smiled slightly at the two before him and explained, "The Y-9 is a very well-designed aircraft and there’s already a ready-made template; I don’t need to make major changes.

All I need to do is improve the aircraft’s engine and air intake duct, allowing it to handle the current environment, and we’ll be able to fulfill the requirements and complete this mission.

Although a week is indeed a bit tight, I’m still confident we can manage this."

"Even though you say that, do you really have confidence, Academician Chen?" The expert sought confirmation from Chen Xin, still worried whether he could truly accomplish this: "I’m somewhat familiar with the Y-9’s design, perhaps I could assist you!"

"Thank you for your kindness, but don’t you have important work to do yourself? Please trust me, I’ve made a pledge with enough confidence to complete the task." Chen Xin politely declined the expert’s offer, knowing he had enough support from his system, ensuring he could tackle the matter without needing others’ time.

Seeing Chen Xin’s firm confidence, the representatives and the expert had no choice but to begrudgingly accept his approach to handle it independently.

"Speaking of which, why not use airships? The Zeppelin Airship, while a bit slow, should still be useful in the current environment, right?" Chen Xin thought of an old flying tool and asked the representative curiously.

The Zeppelin Airship first appeared in the 19th century; although it was a new type of aircraft at the time, it wasn’t particularly mature or practical.

It wasn’t until 1900, when Count Zeppelin created the world’s first rigid airship, that this type of aircraft truly matured and began to shine.

Not only was it used for civilian purposes; in that era before airplanes existed, these large flying machines were also widely used militarily.

This also led to the creation of the largest flying machine in human history—the Hindenburg Airship.

This colossal machine, measuring 803 feet in length, had an astonishing volume, capable of accommodating 72 passengers, at a time when planes couldn’t yet cross the Atlantic Ocean. It could reach the ocean’s other side in just two days and complete the entire journey in five days, which was astonishing in an era where crossing the Atlantic could only be done by ocean liner.

Of course, such a large airship actually had low load capacity; back then, everything on the airship was weight-reduced to ensure it could ascend safely, yet its carrying capacity remained low.

Despite its Titanic-like size, it never carried over a hundred people, including staff.

Moreover, since the Hindenburg’s crash in 1937, which burned completely in just 32 seconds, the decline of the airship era was announced. Since then, humanity hasn’t built large airships again; related research has only recently revived gradually.

Despite the various issues with airships, under the current conditions where planes are unusable, they can still serve some functions.

The representative, however, shook his head somewhat helplessly and said, "Airships could indeed be useful, but their cost-effectiveness is too low. Soft airships are relatively cheap to build but lack load capacity. They might be fine for transporting a few people but for cargo, large rigid airships are necessary.

But the cost of building large rigid airships... not to mention the cost, once built, their carrying capacity and flight speed are poor; it’d be better to build old-fashioned propeller planes!"

"That’s true..." Chen Xin touched his chin, realizing he hadn’t considered this point.

Seeing Chen Xin’s resolved determination, the representative and the expert refrained from further persuasion, saying a few words of reaching out if needed before departing.

Soon after, the design materials for the Y-9 needed by Chen Xin were delivered to him, and the plane he needed was at a wartime preparedness airport in Yu City.

In the past, the Y-9’s design materials alone could fill a Y-9, but now it requires just a hard drive.

Browsing the Y-9’s design diagrams on the computer, Chen Xin, though not very familiar with these things, could still understand the blueprints.

The Y-9 itself could handle flight missions under the current harsh conditions, but the key lies in the engine’s air intake.

Even though the Y-9 uses turboprop engines, its air intake requirement is just slightly lower than turbojet engines.

The Y-9 has a total of four engines, utilizing Flame Country’s independently developed Turboprop-6C engine, with an output power of up to 5100 horsepower, equivalent to 3751KW, making replacement with piston engines unlikely.

Even if Chen Xin could use the system to upgrade and directly change the plane’s engines to piston type, replacing engines on all planes nationwide would be an enormous undertaking.

Therefore, the solution Chen Xin could provide must be one that resolves the issue within a short time and doesn’t involve significant investments; otherwise, although not without use, it wouldn’t be as practical for the country.

If engine replacement were an option, the cost and time of switching engines and engine production would be a huge expense. Under the current impending crisis, there’s no time for leisurely work.

Thus, for Chen Xin, the most feasible solution is to improve the aircraft’s air intake duct and install a filtration system, similar to what was done on helicopters.

It’s important to note that after the eruption of the Toba Volcano, besides the dust and particles left by meteor impacts, the air will be filled with a large amount of volcanic ash.