Chapter 227 Large Aircraft Industrial Park! Agreement reached!
On the other side, Lorenzo finally got the few videotapes he had been thinking about before leaving Yanliang Airport.
Since uninvited people are not allowed to enter here, Schneider and other key members of the European delegation can only wait outside.
These people could only see two planes taking off one after another, and then landing one after another after a while.
At least they all flew back.
But the specific situation is still unknown to everyone.
After all, the entire icing test was completed at an altitude of 4,500 meters.
So after seeing Colombo and the other three people appearing at the airport gate, the group of foreigners waiting in the lobby suddenly stood up and swarmed around the exit.
"How was the test going?"
"Did the Chinese really conduct tests under SLD conditions?"
"How different is the icing situation on the plane from their predictions?"
"What is the purpose of the H-6 that took off with it?"
"..."
Everyone had questions they wanted to ask. There was a lot of people talking, and various languages were intertwined, and it was impossible to hear anything.
In the end, Schneider took control of the situation, and as a representative asked the question that everyone was most concerned about:
"Based on what you saw on the plane, what kind of research do the Chinese people have on icing and anti-icing?"
This question is relatively professional, and Colombo is very self-aware and not prepared to answer it.
Ms. Valette had given up treatment and covered her forehead with one hand, signaling Lorenzo to have a quickie.
So everyone looked at the old professor and Airbus engineer who was holding a large box of video tapes.
Lorenzo thought for a few seconds and then shook his head.
"Huh..."
This reaction made Schneider relieved:
"Let me just say, the Chinese people were probably bragging before. How can it be accurate with the current technical level? Prediction..."
However, before he could finish speaking, Lorenzo continued:
"With my ability, it is completely impossible to estimate how high their research level is. ”
"???"
This answer was obviously beyond everyone's expectations.
"Professor, what do you mean?"
The outspoken person asked directly.
Lorenzo's expression kept changing, as if he was hesitant to speak.
Finally he just lifted the box in his hand.
“I can’t explain this matter in one or two sentences. Let’s go back to the hotel and talk in detail.”
……
That afternoon, everyone in the European delegation met in a room In the temporarily borrowed conference room, I watched the entire video tape that Lorenzo had brought back.
Of course, the three simulation results pictures Chang Haonan sent to them were also circulated over and over again.
"So what you're saying is that they are really far ahead of us in this aspect?"
Schneider's voice was a little dry, and his tone was full of disbelief.
Based on the news brought back from Colombo, as well as insinuations from multiple channels, they basically determined that Huaxia has certain advantages in the design of anti-icing systems, and more importantly, it has a complete set of airworthiness certification and testing related to anti-icing systems. system.
Otherwise they would not have brought such a delegation to negotiate with China.
But before coming to China, everyone’s understanding of this advantage basically stayed at the level of “definitely better than us, but probably not as good as those in North America.”
Even before today, the common view was that China might have its own advantages and disadvantages compared to North America, and it could provide an opportunity for equal negotiations with the FAA.
As a result, today, Lorenzo told them directly that the Chinese people’s research level in this field is not at the same level as Europe or the United States.
According to his original words:
“With my cognitive ability, there is no way to calculate how big the gap between us and them is, nor to estimate how much we need. It will take a long time to develop to this level. I can only say that if there is no cooperation, there will be no possibility of catching up within five or six years. As for the future..."
Lorenzo thought about it. Click:
"That depends on the development of computer performance. Theoretically, we can use CFD to achieve similar effects, but the amount of calculations is simply unimaginable. It is enough for supercomputers to calculate until the 22nd century."
"So... we really need to conduct joint research with them?"
Schneider raised his head and looked at several other people, seemingly seeking advice.
“With all due respect, Schneider.”
Colombo suddenly interjected:
"In fact, anti-icing research, especially anti-icing research under SLD conditions, is not a particularly important field in normal times."
"But at this juncture when the FAA uses aviation safety issues to attack us, There is only the lesser of two evils. The Chinese are at least not an imminent threat to us, and if Boeing and McDonnell Douglas merge without paying any price, it will be a fatal thing."
No matter. Starting from the interests of Finmeccanica Group and Colombo's own personal interests, he has very good reasons to promote the smooth progress of this negotiation.
At this time, Lorenzo also added:
"In addition, icing simulation is a field that spans many disciplines. The ability shown by the Chinese people shows that they have great experience in basic physics. He must also have made great achievements in science and computer science. In short, if we can cooperate with them, we will not suffer. ”
This time it's a real win-win. Schneider's expression was wonderful for a moment.
After Lorenzo said what he just said, he paused for a moment and then talked about the AIT aircraft:
"In addition, I Special attention was paid to the conditions during this test. The conditions they simulated with the AIT aircraft were indeed very realistic. The diameter of the artificial supercooled droplets was uniform, and the water mist formed could last for a considerable period of time. It was completely feasible. It has the potential to be used for icing test flights of larger aircraft!”
For a moment, Valette even worried that Schneider would die during this round of bombings.
However, the latter did not really just focus on sightseeing in the past few days. After thinking for a while, he came up with his own plan:
"As for the AIT aircraft, just buy one." The improved version of the 16 is not feasible in terms of technology or market feedback.”
“But after communicating with the Toulouse headquarters in the past few days, I think it can be based on the Airbus A330 or A340 platform. By purchasing China’s subsystems or technologies, we can produce one or two of our own AIT aircraft.”
After watching the video Lorenzo just shot, everyone also knows what this AIT aircraft is. .
So another Airbus representative went on to say:
"Their H-6AIT looks a lot like an aerial tanker, so I thought... maybe we can also develop an aerial refueling model during this process? I think many countries will be very interested."
This is an eye-catching proposal.
So someone responded immediately:
“If this is the case, then I suggest choosing the A330 platform. The twin-engine configuration is more economical, compared to KC135 or KC10. Will be more competitive..."
"..."
In short, the matter was settled like this.
In the third round of negotiations two days later, Schneider predictably put forward the requirement to introduce six AIT systems to retrofit two A330AITs.
Although Chang Haonan had been vaccinated in advance, Huai Guomo almost couldn't help but agree immediately when faced with this condition -
This is exporting aviation products to Europe!
Or Western Europe!
The famous Airbus company actually wants to buy core subsystems from China!
Except for a few people who were already mentally prepared, other representatives from China were even stunned by this request.
Then the first reaction was to look eagerly at Huai Guomo and Chang Haonan in the middle.
Why don’t you agree quickly?
This is definitely a big event that will be on the 7pm news!
However, after all, Huai Guomo had experienced hundreds of battles and finally restrained himself, secretly signaling Chang Haonan to make up his mind.
“Although the AIT system is not on our list of technologies prohibited from export, it is not easy to go through the approval process for external sales.”
The latter clearly After clearing his throat, his first words stunned many people in China.
What is the list of technologies prohibited from export?
Why didn’t I know there was such a thing?
Fortunately, the people who can sit here still have some professional skills in negotiation. Moreover, now everyone can see that their side has the advantage and quickly realize that they are preparing to raise conditions.
Sure enough, Chang Haonan continued:
“But if the name of export is changed to cooperative production, then almost the entire process can be omitted, and work can start immediately.”< br>
“With all due respect, Mr. Chang.”
Schneider shook his head:
"You have indeed made great achievements in the field of icing and anti-icing, but in terms of aviation manufacturing level, I don't think it is possible to carry out the cooperative production you mentioned."
This is not a lie, A330 For an aircraft of this level, let alone production, China currently cannot even do final assembly immediately.
After a moment of pause, he continued:
“But if you are interested, then the AE100 project we talked about before is fine...”
It must be said , Schneider is quite talented. He actually thought of talking about the already cold AE100 and prepared to make another fortune.
However, he was directly interrupted by Chang Haonan:
"Mr. Schneider, due to changes in the development path of our country's aviation industry, the AE100 no longer meets our actual requirements, so there is no need to continue talking."
Let Airbus design aircraft according to Chinese standards without even mentioning it, so he simply stated his requirements directly:
“However, although we are not interested in producing AE100, But we are very willing to become a parts supplier for Airbus aircraft.”
“With the current development speed of my country’s air transport market, the number of passenger aircraft that needs to be purchased in the next ten years or even decades will definitely be huge. Numbers, I think Airbus would be happy to take some of the cake.”
"And if some parts produced in my country can be used on aircraft sold to my country, I think it will definitely benefit the competitiveness of your company's aircraft models."
"Of course, regarding the qualifications of suppliers, As well as the quality of the parts, you can send someone to verify it.”
Schneider did not answer immediately because this was not within his scope of authority.
But both he and Chang Haonan knew that Airbus would not refuse this request.
After all, not all parts of an aircraft are full of technical content.
What Schneider naturally wants to do is to increase sales by leaving the relatively large parts with low technical content and low profit margins to China.
What Chang Haonan thinks is that as long as Airbus experiences the production capabilities of China, the profit-seeking instinct will inevitably prompt them to move more and more production links to China.
After all, it was like this in the previous life.
He just advanced the process a few years.
On the one hand, although these European standard parts cannot be directly used in future Chinese large aircraft, the experience of engineers and workers can help the development of the future aviation industry.
On the other hand, it must be admitted that these days, even the parts that Europeans think have lower profit margins are still a sweet potato for China, and can also solve the urgent employment problems.
Therefore, Chang Haonan is preparing to take this opportunity to lay out a large aircraft industrial park in advance!
It’s time to get the J-10
(End of this chapter)