Chapter 80: More Precious Than Gold

Li Fu carefully examined all the data and nodded slightly. The new material he had introduced this time barely met the requirements for the plasma engine. Naturally, the superior materials were reserved for his own use. A material that could withstand temperatures up to 5000 degrees was, at present, undoubtedly the most advanced on Earth.

Li Fu asked Xiao Ying to search through the development of advanced materials in leading countries around the world. In the field of high-temperature resistance, the most advanced was a tantalum-hafnium carbide alloy developed in a laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley, which could endure temperatures up to 4300 degrees. With continued research, there was hope of achieving a material that could withstand up to 5000 degrees.

Now, thanks to Li Fu’s guidance, the project team had quickly developed a new material capable of withstanding 5000 degrees. In this field alone, they were already leading the world. Of course, this was an exception—foundational materials required massive, sustained investment and continuous accumulation before breakthroughs could emerge.

“Haha, the new high-temperature-resistant material is finally ready! And I’ve just heard good news from the atomic battery project team—they’ve successfully developed the atomic battery as well. It seems fortune truly comes in pairs. Our new generation of fighter jets equipped with plasma engines will soon face their first tests.”

Liu Shiying, who now spent nearly every day with the materials research group, could not contain his joy. He looked at Li Fu as though he were a rare treasure. Since Li Fu’s arrival, it seemed that every problem had become solvable, and the project’s progress was astonishing.

“Yes, with the material and energy problems solved, plasma propulsion can finally come to fruition.”

Li Fu nodded as well. His tireless effort was motivated in part by his hope that his country would possess formidable weapons and grow stronger, for only with a powerful nation could its people feel true security. At the same time, Li Fu wanted to demonstrate his value to the nation in scientific research, which would also greatly benefit his future development.

“Ah, after a lifetime in research, I’ve never experienced such smooth progress as in these past few months. Li, I now believe that there’s no project you’re involved in that can’t be accomplished.”

Liu Shiying sighed deeply.

“You flatter me, Liu. This is the result of everyone working together, and most of all, the strong support from our country. For now, let’s focus on rebuilding the plasma engine with the new material and see how it performs in testing.”

Li Fu responded with a humble smile, then steered the conversation back to the new plasma engine.

“You’re right, we can’t celebrate too soon—it all depends on the test results. Zhang, go notify everyone to work overtime and finish their respective tasks as quickly as possible.”

Liu Shiying smiled and gave instructions to his assistant, Zhang Renjie.

“I think our funding might not be enough,” Zhang Renjie reminded them quietly.

“What? How is that possible? Didn’t we just receive a fifty-billion yuan grant not long ago? How could it already be insufficient?” Liu Shiying immediately frowned.

“These past few months, our experiments with new materials have required vast quantities of rare and precious metals. Just the consumption of these has exceeded twenty billion yuan. The atomic battery project has also consumed huge amounts of rare metals, costing over ten billion. Furthermore, the cost of producing the new material now exceeds that of gold per gram. Even with a rough estimate, manufacturing a single plasma engine with the new material would require at least eighty billion yuan.”

Zhang Renjie shook his head helplessly. The performance of the new material was indeed flawless, but its manufacturing cost was staggering, demanding large quantities of rare metals, some of which were dozens or hundreds of times more expensive than gold. For example, californium, a synthetic rare metal, could cost over a billion US dollars per gram.

Of course, not all rare metals used in the plasma engine were as precious as californium, but the variety and quantity of rare metals required meant the costs were astronomical.

“Eighty billion?”

Liu Shiying’s eyes widened. As a scientist in service of his country, he was used to having whatever he needed provided by the state and wasn’t sensitive to costs. In the past, no matter how extravagant a project, it would rarely run up such expenses in a year.

But over this recent period, they had already invested nearly a hundred billion yuan. The plasma engine they recently scrapped alone was worth more than ten billion, built from various new materials, each more costly than the last.

“That’s just a conservative estimate. Then there’s the atomic battery, the new aircraft design and construction, and so on. I estimate that without several hundred billion, it’ll be impossible to build the new generation of fighters.”

Zhang Renjie added with a smile. Nonetheless, he was confident that Liu Shiying could secure such a massive research budget, given that this project was for the country’s next-generation fighter jet—a matter of national defense, which the authorities would undoubtedly support.

“I’ll apply for more funding. For now, tell everyone to get started and use up our current resources.”

“I’ve heard that the American F-22 fighter costs 350 million US dollars per jet—over two billion yuan. The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber costs as much as 2.4 billion US dollars, nearly fifteen billion yuan. Ha! It looks like our new generation of fighters will cost at least twenty billion yuan each.”

“I used to think those American aircraft prices were inflated, but now I see that you truly get what you pay for. In the realm of high-tech aviation, costs really can’t be measured by conventional standards.”

Liu Shiying did a rough calculation in his mind and couldn’t help but sigh.

“Indeed. Even with all their wealth, the Americans have only built just over a hundred F-22s. Each one is precious and never stationed overseas. As for the B-2 Spirit, only twenty-one were ever made—the cost is simply too high!”

Li Fu nodded. High-end weapons in cutting-edge fields were simply beyond the reach of most countries, given the astronomical costs of manufacturing, maintenance, and upkeep.

“Expensive or not, we must build them. We can’t afford to fall behind in advanced technology. Otherwise, how will we defend our nation’s security? Don’t worry, the authorities will definitely approve our request soon.”

Liu Shiying spoke resolutely, full of confidence. In recent years, the country’s investments in national defense and research had been immense, with an almost cost-no-object attitude. Aircraft carriers, new missiles, satellites, new fighters, large planes—virtually every high-tech field was advancing simultaneously, clearly demonstrating the nation’s commitment.

Just as Liu Shiying expected, word soon came from above: a staggering three hundred billion yuan was allocated to the project. The new generation plasma-powered fighter, a technology set to surpass anything in the world, was regarded as a national priority. With nearly all technical challenges overcome and only the assembly remaining, the state spared no expense—whatever was needed, it was provided. The message was clear: no cost was too great for the development of the new plasma-powered fighter.

With such strong national support and all critical problems resolved, the remaining issues were trivial by comparison. The entire project team was elated, as if injected with adrenaline.

The new generation of fighter jets equipped with the plasma engine was named the “Divine Arrow”—as swift and lethal as a godly arrow, capable of striking enemies from thousands of miles away.

With a thunderous roar, a brand-new plasma engine in the wind tunnel laboratory blazed with dazzling white exhaust. The immense power made the entire lab tremble slightly. This time, the engine ran perfectly, without a single flaw. Even with a core temperature reaching 5000 degrees, the advanced new material performed flawlessly.

Meanwhile, Li Fu joined the design efforts for the “Divine Arrow” fighter. He was fully confident in the engine; having solved the key material challenge, the plasma engine was no longer a concern. The real challenges now lay in the aircraft itself.

The plasma engine’s power was so immense that the jet could easily break ten times the speed of sound, necessitating a complete redesign of the airframe to accommodate this formidable propulsion system.

To begin with, the jet’s fuselage would have to be built from entirely new materials; otherwise, the frictional heat generated at Mach 10 would be enough to incinerate the aircraft.

Moreover, flying at ten times the speed of sound would subject the pilot to extreme g-forces. The average person could only withstand 2-3 g; highly trained pilots and astronauts might endure 5-6 g, with the human limit being no more than 10 g—and only for brief moments.

But with the “Divine Arrow” at full speed, the forces on the pilot would easily exceed 10 g, potentially causing the human body to literally explode under the pressure.

Thus, it would be necessary to develop special anti-g suits to reduce the strain on the pilot. The aircraft’s structure itself would also need to be fully engineered to withstand these enormous stresses—otherwise, the plane might be torn apart by the sheer power of plasma propulsion.

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