Chapter 50: Did the Instrument Malfunction?

Chapter 50: Instrument Malfunction?

Wang Yang smiled, “Of course there is, otherwise how could we conduct the tests?”

Lin Yi and Su Qi exchanged glances, feeling that Wang Yang’s explanation made some sense, though it seemed a bit far-fetched. After all, why would two F-22 fighter jet models need testing equipment? It was possible that Wang Yang was just trying to impress the buyers or provide a professional service, making them feel that they weren’t just purchasing a model, but an actual fighter jet during the inspection process. This would certainly increase the chances of a sale.

After rationalizing it this way, Lin Yi and Su Qi nodded without further comment.

Lin Yi then took the simple testing device he had brought and approached the underside of the F-22 model.

Wang Yang quickly stepped forward and removed the bottom panel. “Now we can test it. Are you sure you don’t want to use my equipment?”

“You’re not going to detect anything with your device,” Lin Yi and Su Qi thought simultaneously, but neither voiced their skepticism.

“No need, we’re more familiar with our own equipment,” Lin Yi said with a smile and ignored him, crawling under the F-22 to inspect its interior.

When he saw the inside, he was stunned.

He almost believed it was a real F-22 fighter. The dense network of pipes, the metallic tubing, and the layout of various components all matched perfectly with what he had seen in an actual F-22’s underside.

Good heavens, where on earth did Wang Yang find such repair technicians? These were no ordinary mechanics; they were practically fighter jet researchers. Even if the components were replicas, they were astonishingly accurate, right down to the distribution of the parts. This was truly impressive!

“Lin Yi, Lin Yi!” Su Qi called out from outside, noticing Lin Yi’s stunned expression.

Lin Yi snapped back to reality. “Huh?”

“What are you doing? Why haven’t you started the tests yet?” Su Qi frowned.

“Oh, just thinking,” Lin Yi replied casually as he picked up the testing device and connected it to the aerodynamic system.

He then pressed the instrument’s power switch.

Zhai Lin came over, craning his neck to get a glimpse of the testing process inside.

Wang Yang stood by, smiling patiently, waiting for the results.

Not long after, accompanied by a series of beeps, the instrument in Lin Yi’s hand displayed results.

Staring at the data, he was completely dumbfounded.

Y: 161157N - 172049N
v: 38.583 m/s
S: 78 m²
ρ: 1.225 kg/m³
Cl = 2 × 161157 / (38.583 m/s)² × 78 m² × 1.225 kg/m³ = 2.2654
Cl = 2 × 172049 / (38.583 m/s)² × 78 m² × 1.225 kg/m³ = 2.4186

“Lift coefficient... between 2.2 and 2.4?” Lin Yi exclaimed, utterly stunned, lifting his head in amazement to look at the aerodynamic system beneath him.

Outside, Su Qi was equally taken aback. “No, did your instrument malfunction? How could it possibly detect a lift coefficient?”

This was just a model—it couldn’t possibly produce aerodynamic data!

Moreover, the lift coefficient is a standard measure for aerodynamic testing. The actual F-22 fighter’s lift coefficient is between 2.2 and 2.4, yet this model is outputting the exact same data. That’s absurd!

“Is the instrument broken?” Lin Yi muttered, glancing at the device and then at the aerodynamic system, still bewildered.

The chance of instrument failure was slim, especially for high-precision equipment used in military research. But even so, it wasn’t impossible.

Testing a fighter jet model that shouldn’t even have an aerodynamic system and getting lift coefficient data was simply impossible.

Silently, Lin Yi crawled out from under the jet, eyes fixed on his instrument. “Could it really be broken?”

Su Qi whispered beside him, “I think so. No matter how you look at it, this is a model. It shouldn’t be able to produce lift coefficient data. Besides, this device has been in use for many years. We might as well use this opportunity to request a new piece of equipment from the research institute.”

“Yeah, that’s possible,” Lin Yi nodded, though his furrowed brows never relaxed.

“Let’s move on to the next test,” Lin Yi said, turning to Wang Yang and Zhai Lin.

Zhai Lin wanted to see the data, but Lin Yi and Su Qi guarded the instrument closely, preventing him from doing so. Yet from their serious expressions, he began to suspect something was amiss.

Could it be that the model’s data was off? Or was there a problem with the model itself?

If the model was flawed, spending three hundred million on it would be a considerable loss.

A flood of questions swirled in his mind, leaving him unable to make a quick judgment or determine if the problem was with the model.

Wang Yang, standing nearby, did not object. “Alright, need any help?”

“No,” Lin Yi replied, then retrieved another device from his case to test the engine and crawled back under the F-22.

This time, to avoid a repeat of the earlier issues, he thoroughly inspected the instrument, ensuring it was functioning perfectly before connecting it to the engine.

After double-checking everything, he pressed the power button.

Everyone in the warehouse watched Lin Yi closely, their expressions ranging from solemn to expectant, each harboring their own thoughts.

Beep, beep, beep!

As the device emitted its signal, Lin Yi’s expression shifted from confusion to shock. His pupils dilated as he stared incredulously at the instrument, silent.

Su Qi was startled by his reaction and quickly asked, “What’s wrong? Is the instrument malfunctioning again?”

Zhai Lin also looked on with concern, but due to his angle, he saw nothing.

Wang Yang furrowed his brow.

He had just tested this F-22 yesterday; the engine, aerodynamic components, and every part were flawless. There should be no issues.

At that moment, Lin Yi looked up blankly and pointed at the data on the instrument, his tone filled with disbelief.

“Thrust: 133.6 kN, maximum dry thrust: 97.86 kN, thrust-to-weight ratio: 10, bypass ratio: 1:5, total pressure ratio: 26, turbine inlet temperature: 1850 K, afterburner specific fuel consumption: 2.4 kg/(daN·h)...”

Upon hearing these figures, Su Qi’s face changed dramatically.

This F-22 model was actually producing engine data?

If the previous aerodynamic data was due to instrument error, this second set of data had to mean something.

It was impossible for both instruments to be faulty!

There was only one conclusion left: This was not a model fighter jet, but a real one!

(End of chapter)