Chapter 488 Preparing to engage in drones
For Rolls-Royce, the M250 was just an unexpected bonus they received when they acquired Acheson Company.
The basic design of this engine was completed as early as the 1960s, and it had been transferred to several countries for license production during the Acheson period.
Although the update cycle of turboshaft and turboprop engines is not fast, and this model is not obsolete until the 1990s, this gadget with a maximum output of only 331kw is nothing in any case. core technology.
The current bid from China is quite reasonable, and it is a market with huge potential. Rolls-Royce made the right choice within a few days.
Taking into account their previous experiences and lessons, George and Adam no longer dared to mention anything that would be discussed once a year, but honestly signed a three-year technology transfer contract.
Of course, the British are not philanthropists.
They specially added a piece of content in the contract:
In China, this model can be used in any way, but if it is to be sold to a third country, then every transaction must be Pay Rolls-Royce a special export license fee.
I can only say that after all, it is a big company with rich experience.
In fact, this is the template of Rolls-Royce's technology licensing contract, which is required for any authorized object.
Since the default fee ratio is really not high, neither Rolls-Royce headquarters, George and Adam, nor Ren Bingda from China took it seriously when signing the contract.
No one thought that this clause would actually come into play one day.
However, not too many years later, Rolls-Royce will thank its predecessors who set this template.
……
Let’s go back to Shengjing.
Before the formal negotiations, Ren Bingda had already reported his ideas to Chang Haonan through Zhang Zhenhua.
"M250 series engines..."
In fact, the latter himself did not have too in-depth research on the type spectrum of this type of light aviation engine, so he took the information sent by Zhang Zhenhua and looked at it. For a while.
This is a light turbine with numerous sub-models, and its targets are determined to be the B17 turboprop model of the M250 II series, and the C10 turboshaft model of the same II series.
Both models use the same 6-stage axial flow + 1-stage centrifugal compressor, and the maximum output power is adjustable between 294-331kw according to different lifespans.
"Mr. Chang, the II series is the most balanced choice for General Manager Ren and his colleagues in terms of cost, technical difficulty and performance after comprehensive consideration."
Zhang Zhenhua saw Chang Haonan turn to the key point, He quickly opened his mouth to explain:
"Although the III series and IV series are advanced, Rolls-Royce may not be willing to transfer technology, and the asking price must be high."
"Also, the C30 series The level of the turboshaft is the same as that of the turboshaft 8 that our country has introduced a complete set of technology from France, and it does not meet the 300kw power level you previously requested.”
Obviously, he was worried that Chang Haonan would be dissatisfied with the model selection.
Although the 300kw level was personally decided by Chang Haonan when the two met last time, in the process of technology introduction, there are many leaders who can't move when they see advanced models. It is better to explain a few more words. Insurance.
“Don’t worry, I can understand.”
Chang Haonan stretched out his hand and pressed down in mid-air, signaling the other party to relax:
“Model development is not blind. Instead of pursuing high-level data on paper, we should comprehensively consider the entire aerodynamic system and strive to build a complete spectrum of aero-engine types from low to high.”
"From this perspective, your group's choice is not wrong."
Looking at Zhang Zhenhua's cautious look, Chang Haonan sighed secretly in his heart.
Although when the two met for the first time at the end of last year, the latter already had a fairly high reputation in the aviation industry system.
But reputation and power are two different things after all.
Today's Chang Haonan is already quite extraordinary just because of his actual identity.
Although Torch Group is small in scale, it is also a second-level state-owned enterprise directly under the Academy of Sciences. Its level is on the same level as Haojing Engine Group and Shengjing Aircraft Industry Group, which have thousands of employees.
As the general manager of Torch Group, if Chang Haonan insisted on ranking, he would even be able to hold a full-time position in the department.
It’s just that because he is too young and the de-administration of state-owned enterprises is being promoted, he is regarded as a low-level professional and has not been officially promoted.
But the authority in his hands cannot be compromised at all.
Not to mention that as the chief designer of the Turbofan 10 project, it is no exaggeration to say that he can directly mobilize the resources of half of the aviation industry system.
As for the personal connections with the Science and Technology Committee and the Science and Technology Committee, which can be directly spoken to, it is even more scary.
When Ding Gaoheng and Song Jian faced Chang Haonan, they behaved like two ordinary and kind little old men, but it did not mean that they were like this in front of others.
Most people have no chance of talking to them directly.
In short, the superposition of many identities has actually given Chang Haonan's words and deeds considerable influence.
This is especially true for middle-level leaders in the aviation industry system like Zhang Zhenhua.
Many times, Chang Haonan's unintentional words or even a tone of voice can determine a project or a person's future and destiny.
So, he had to start paying attention to his words and deeds.
Especially in front of these subordinates.
Whether Chang Haonan likes this is not necessarily true. But whether he likes it or not, this is what happens.
After receiving a clear positive evaluation, Zhang Zhenhua finally felt relieved.
So he tentatively asked about another thing -
Although Ren Bingda did not say it explicitly, he still hoped that Chang Haonan could guarantee the prospects of such an engine.
Although it has been approved by the group leaders and there is no procedural problem in diverting part of the funds from Turbofan 9 for other purposes, if the money is really wasted, then as the initiator Ren Bingda will also be affected to some extent by some negative effects.
China’s basic logic is to unify rights and responsibilities. After all, this is a large amount of foreign exchange expenditure. It is impossible to completely select responsibilities just because of procedural compliance.
"Lao Zhang, I have made it clear before."
Chang Haonan's tone became slightly more serious:
"The models introduced this time cannot be preset for the time being. The installation target, so I can’t guarantee anything here.”
He still has a big game to play, so naturally he can’t agree directly——
The reason why he has to pass through the west. Luo Company introduced such an inconspicuous model to prove the feasibility of the "aviation-engine-first" route.
And if you give a large package to a few models before the official introduction, you will be on the old path of "model traction" in the past.
It even proves that model traction is the right approach.
Wouldn’t that be shooting yourself in the foot?
Seeing Chang Haonan's determined look, Zhang Zhenhua did not dare to continue to struggle with this matter.
He quickly changed the topic to turbofan 9A, reported on the installation progress during this period, and then left the former's office.
After seeing off Lao Zhang, Chang Haonan sighed softly, and after a moment of hesitation, he picked up the receiver of the red phone next to him.
Although he said something tough, it was impossible for him to really ignore it.
This model was introduced by him at his suggestion to the Haofa Group. If he just acted as a hands-off shopkeeper, wouldn’t it be like starting with chaos and finally abandoning it?
After several transfers, the call was finally connected.
Across the street is Sun Huizhong, an old acquaintance of Chang Haonan who has been promoted to the chief designer of Guihang Industry.
"Gong Sun, it's me, Chang Haonan."
Chang Haonan seldom uses this phone number, so he has to report his home address first.
"Mr. Chang?"
The person on the phone was a little confused at first, and then quickly turned into surprise:
"Mr. Chang, what are your instructions for calling me? We will implement it immediately!”
If people like Zhang Zhenhua and Zhong Shihong are just grateful and respectful to Chang Haonan, then the comrades in Guizhou Province are completely worshiping him.
After all, when Guihang Industry was almost desperate, it was Chang Haonan who injected them with a life-saving research fund in the name of a "Project 10 DSI Technology Verification Machine".
The Coach 9, which is currently undergoing intensive ground tests and preparations for flight tests, was almost designed by Chang Haonan and Sun Huizhong.
If nothing else happens, this will be the flagship model of Guihang Group for a long time to come.
“I can’t talk about instructions. I just want to ask. At the beginning of this year, I should have mentioned to you about a medium-altitude long-endurance drone. I wonder if Mr. Sun still remembers it?”
The M250 engine is mainly installed on three types of aircraft - light helicopters, primary trainers or medium-sized unmanned aerial vehicles.
For the current aviation industry, the last one is obviously easier to implement and more practical.
Even if PLA has no spare money for equipment, it can still export it.
“I have an impression, of course I have an impression!”
Although there was a phone line between them, Sun Huizhong stood up:
"It's just that our group's strength is concentrated on the key research coach 9. Therefore, currently we have only established a UAV flight control research laboratory in accordance with your previous instructions, recruited a group of graduates from related majors, and are doing preliminary planning. Research.”
“I wonder if Mr. Chang needs us to adjust the focus of research and development?”
Faced with such a positive Sun Huizhong, Chang Haonan quickly replied:
"No, no, no, that's not necessary. You should focus on completing the Coach 9 first. Its test flight data is related to the design of the subsequent prototype of the J-10, and the progress must be guaranteed."
"I just I want to tell you that I have a 300kw light turboprop engine here that can be used as power. I will fax the more detailed data in a while. You can use this power data as a reference during the pre-research process to determine the aircraft. dimensions and other data.”
This is definitely an unexpected surprise for Sun Huizhong.
After all, almost every model of China Aviation Industry has been worried about the engine.
It is indeed rare that the engine is predetermined before the aircraft is even drawn.
"Okay...Okay!"
(End of this chapter)