Chapter 534 Stealth Technology

"Comrade Belyakov, what about the stealth capability of this fighter?" Andrei asked.

"We plan to use plasma stealth technology, so there is no doubt about the stealth capability of this fighter," Belyakov said. "We are fully confident that we can make this fighter the most powerful fighter in the history of our Soviet aviation."

The Soviet Union began research on plasma technology in the 1960s. Although Soviet research in this field far exceeded that of the United States, this technology is only theoretical after all. It takes time to transform theory into practice.

"Sorry, I want to know, do we have the industrial samples needed for mature plasma stealth technology now?" Andre asked.

"Not yet, but our technical research is ongoing. It will definitely mature after our fighter jets are developed," Belyakov replied.

"So, what if this technology cannot mature?" Andre said, "I think it is unrealistic to put all the indicators of stealth on a plasma technology that has not been transformed into a practical industrial product. If this product cannot be developed, then how can our new fighters deal with the American stealth aircraft? Moreover, even if it is developed, it may not be suitable for aircraft assembly. As far as I know, it takes a lot of energy to generate plasma, and our fighters may not be able to afford it. What do you think?"

Belyakov was stunned for a moment. Andrei's words were actually correct to some extent. This technology might make a breakthrough, or it might remain stagnant. In fact, during the development process, they did not consider the issue of stealth too much, because it sounded a bit unrealistic.

"I'm sorry, General Andrei, we feel that even if this plasma generator cannot be produced, our fighter jets still have other outstanding performance and will not be at a disadvantage in confrontation with American fighter jets. Moreover, the stealth capability that the Americans have been promoting may just be a strategic deception. We don't believe that the Americans can possess that technology." Belyakov said.

"Really?" Andre's face turned a little ugly. As the chief designer of a design bureau, he was so short-sighted and thought that the American technology was just a scam?

What should Andre say? Will the F-117 be able to complete its test flight and be equipped to the troops this year? It is very likely that the Americans will use this epoch-making weapon in the next war to rewrite the course of the war?

"Comrade Belyakov, I feel very sorry about this." Andrei said: "In short, stealth is a hard indicator. If the fighter cannot make a breakthrough in stealth and meet our requirements, such a fighter will not meet the future needs of our aviation force. And the standard of stealth needs to be achieved. The radar reflection area of ​​this heavy fighter needs to be the same size as a helmet. Regarding this indicator, I will raise it at the meeting to determine the performance data of the new generation of fighters of the Ministry of Aviation Industry. This is a hard indicator that must be achieved. Moreover, I will also report this to Comrade Andropov."

"General Andre, is stealth really that important? The standard you mentioned is impossible for the United States to meet." At this moment, a designer next to him asked dissatisfiedly.

"Shedov, don't be rude." Beliakov said quickly. This designer was his assistant and the chief engineer of the new generation of fighter jets. Of course, they were all appointed within the design bureau, and these plans were also made by the design bureau itself.

"Comrade Sedov, you will see whether stealth is important in the next war." Andrei said, "For our designers, it may be insignificant, but for the air force on the front line, it means the difference between life and death! Ignoring this indicator is a serious dereliction of duty."

Turning his head, Andrei said to Ustinov: "Comrade Marshal, we should not only pay attention to the development of our own stealth aircraft, but also pay attention to the development of technology for detecting stealth aircraft. I suggest that we need to make great efforts to improve and enhance the precision detection of meter-wave radar."

"Andrei, what do you mean?" Ustinov looked at Andrei. He had never seen Andrei so stubborn before.

"Perhaps, in the next war, we will face the threat of stealth aircraft." Andre said: "On the battlefield, despising the existence of the enemy means death."

As a front-line pilot and the commander of several successful battles in succession, Ustinov took Andrei's words very seriously.

Thinking of the later MiG 1.44 prototype, in order to reduce the complexity, it still adopts a semi-buried design, which shows how little the designers value stealth! This is also because the Americans kept the stealth technology confidential, which made the Soviets not pay attention to it. They thought that the Americans were not that strong. If they knew that the United States now has aircraft that can fly freely in the sky without being detected by radar, would they still be so calm?

The Soviet Union was not a second-rate European country that thought it was great just because it developed the Typhoon and Rafale. The Soviet Union was a great power that could rival the United States! In the development of the fourth-generation aircraft, it must not lose to the United States!

Andrei knew that he would make many people unhappy by playing the good guy in Sukhoi and the bad guy in Mikoyan, but Andrei believed that all this was for the Soviet Union and for the future sky!

If these people in the Mikoyan Design Bureau accepted Andre's suggestions, made improvements, and developed products that were even better than Sukhoi's products, Andre would not mind supporting the Mikoyan Design Bureau. However, stealth indicators are rigid and absolutely cannot be compromised!

After saying all this, Andrei still tried his best to change his image in the Mikoyan Design Bureau. He said lightly: "After talking so much, I feel a little hungry. Comrade Beliakov, can we have a working meal here? We will pay for the meal ourselves. We must conscientiously implement the anti-corruption policy formulated by the General Secretary."

"Of course," Belyakov said, "but it's noon now and we don't serve vodka here."

At this point, the two smiled at each other, and Andrei suddenly felt that all grudges were forgotten with a smile. Could it be that he and the chief designer in front of him were friends after a fight?