Chapter 163: The Broken Axe

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As he spoke, Cheng Yanxing stood up and bowed deeply to Wu Tong.

“President Hua, you mustn’t…” Wu Tong was taken aback by Cheng Yanxing’s earnest request. Her first instinct was to steady his movement, not allowing him to bow so low. As a junior novice, she felt unworthy of such grand respect from these powerful figures.

“Please, just tell me what you need. As long as it’s within my ability, I will give it my all!” Wu Tong said repeatedly. She would never refuse when it came to serving her country.

These influential figures truly had a passionate dedication to the nation, a spirit that moved and earned her deep respect.

Security arrangements were already in place. Mr. Cheng had sufficient authority, and material matters required his oversight.

Lu Xiao’s authority was no less than hers, especially after the successful test flight of the J-20 Mighty Dragon, whose superior performance ranked it among the world’s elite. His importance had risen several levels, making him one of China’s top scientific researchers.

At the same time, he was a leading domestic expert in physics and dynamics. The PL-15 missile also needed, or perhaps required, his assistance. He was one of her go-to contacts for support.

Therefore, after Wu Tong agreed, Cheng Yanxing began explaining the current status of China’s air-to-air missiles.

“Currently, China’s in-service air-to-air missiles are the PL-12 and PL-13. The PL-14 is under development; it is expected to be an active radar homing missile with a range of 100 kilometers. It has already entered the final stages of technical breakthroughs. The future pre-research goal is the PL-15, also focused on long-range development.

“Before these, our missiles were more outdated. The PL-11 had only about a 40-kilometer range with semi-active radar guidance. It could only hit targets when the missile’s nose was directly aimed at them, which was a severe limitation and a long-standing regret.

“The PL-12’s range is still under 100 kilometers, around 70 kilometers, with the improvement being active radar guidance. The PL-12 and PL-13 have made some progress but still lag far behind the world’s advanced standards.

“To be honest, even after developing the PL-14 to this stage, we have not yet fully determined the direction for the PL-15. We urgently need an air-to-air missile with ultra-long strike capability, exceptional propulsion and endurance, and advanced radar guidance. Yet, the current technology and materials remain major challenges.

“Especially the engine and guidance radar…”

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Wu Tong was shown ballistic designs that gave them world-class missile trajectory design capabilities. Later, seeing her optimization of the WS-15 and the resulting WS-15S’s performance data, he felt hopeful that the PL-15 could reach world-class standards. Thus, Wu Tong, he hoped for her assistance in helping the nation create an ultra-long-range, ultra-kinetic sword. He solemnly invited her to serve as the chief designer for the PL-15!

To increase the range of an air-to-air missile was not as simple as just lengthening the missile body or adding fuel.

Having worked in this field for many years, Wu Tong knew many advances came from starting from scratch, accumulating knowledge, and trial and error. Grateful for the nation’s trust in entrusting her with the development of such a vital weapon, she approached the task with cautious determination.

Now, there was finally a glimmer of hope illuminating their difficult, barely begun project. Cheng Yanxing, known for his decisive and resolute manner, was willing to do whatever it took to enlist Wu Tong’s help.

Chief designer of the PL-15? President Hua truly held her in high esteem.

Wu Tong’s face showed surprise. “You think too highly of me, President Hua. Chief designer is beyond me! I understand your feelings and thank you for your trust. Wherever you need my assistance, I will do my utmost. But you are the top expert in this field; you know best I cannot shoulder such a heavy burden!”

Just the title of chief designer was enough to bring great pressure.

Wu Tong was not refusing due to pressure but out of self-awareness.

“President Hua, while I have some foundation in dynamics, I am completely unfamiliar with the air-to-air missile sector. So, could we do this instead: you provide me with the parts you need assistance on and the relevant data, and I will derive and convert mathematical models to optimize the data as best I can?”

Data optimization was her strength, but designing an air-to-air missile from scratch would require her to learn everything anew. President Hua might not have the time to let her waste effort.

Such a large project was not something she could fully grasp in a short time.

But Cheng Yanxing was a top expert in this area, and if he handled the specific layout, Wu Tong felt she could contribute by deriving better parameters from existing data.

“I may need some time and access to air-to-air missile data for research and study.” Without any prior knowledge or basis, even with her talents, she had no grounds to make absolute deductions or definitive judgments. All reasoning depended on elevating her existing academic knowledge.

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She needed a sufficient knowledge base to serve as the foundation for advanced reasoning and absolute directional judgment.

Success never comes without cause, nor do miracles spring from nothing.

“My optimization of the WS-15 was based on comprehensive data provided by Director Yang. I also consulted extensively with Professor Lu on dynamics, which sparked ideas that led to the optimized parameters. At that time, I transformed problems into mathematical models within my expertise to produce those results.”

Wu Tong sincerely explained herself. She had learned as she went and could not let President Hua believe she knew everything. Only after working on the WS-15 did she gain some basic understanding of aero engines.

Her true strength lay in mathematics. As for materials science, she still considered herself an amateur. She had made some progress, and her unique reasoning led to the development of new materials T4 and T5, but she was far from being a top materials expert.

Her foundation was largely built up over the past two months of intense study. Now she could claim a firm grasp of the basics and genuine entry into the field, but she knew she was still far from the mastery of her mentors.

“You can handle the chief designer role. Rest assured, I will take responsibility for all necessary coordination so that trivial matters won’t distract you. You just focus on your research.

“Whatever materials you need, once you assume this role, the entire 624 Institute’s data library will be open to you. Access anything you want, and if you need support, just tell me. You set the direction; I’ll arrange the execution!” Cheng Yanxing insisted with resolute determination. With her ballistic trajectory designs alone, Wu Tong was already among the top missile experts.

Wu Tong was humble about the aero engine aspect. Assisting with the WS-15’s evolution was already at expert level. Coupled with her rare domestic mathematical skill and advanced materials research that produced two epoch-making materials, she was more than capable to serve as the PL-15 chief designer. As long as the PL-15’s performance surpassed expectations, she would be willing to serve as deputy assistant.

(End of chapter)