Through the flight tests of the Y-9, the two modification plans proposed by Chen Xin were both approved.
Although the conditions of the stratosphere still do not allow flights, at least with Chen Xin's proposed modifications, aircraft can operate in the troposphere, which is already great news given the current situation.
Keeping the aircraft in the troposphere will encounter considerably harsh convective weather compared to the stratosphere and will consume more fuel due to various circumstances, but it's better than not being able to fly or having to overhaul the entire aircraft after one flight.
The more cost-effective option among the two is naturally to modify the aircraft's air intake. After all, installing electric drive compensation requires engine modifications, which is relatively high in both time and cost.
Therefore, after some discussion and research, the higher-ups ultimately decided to adopt the method of modifying the air intake duct.
