Chapter 918 Falcon Z
For cross-border cooperation projects like this, especially those involving sensitive models, what really consumes the most time and energy is often not technical issues.
Therefore, after the overall upgrade plan of the M88-3 was confirmed by both parties involved in the project, the next thing was actually simple.
The Snecma engineers who had just evacuated recently returned to No. 606.
Relevant funds were also paid to Snecma and Aerodynamics from Dassault’s accounts.
Of course, there is also Thales Group -
M88-3, including the package upgrade contract for M88-4 in the future, are all proposed under the framework of the "Falcon NG" business jet plan .
This includes the transfer of technologies related to the "Damocles" photoelectric targeting pod.
Thales does not care about technology transfer. After all, it is not the first time, but it is impossible to contribute to others in vain, so the transfer payment naturally falls on Dassault’s head. .
But then again, for Dassault, this money is entirely additional expenditure incurred to meet China's needs.
Even from a purely accounting perspective, it is not easy to settle...
"Boss."
On the second day when Ian Vista and Liu Yongquan finalized the contents of the contract, One day, Ed Steiner came to Serge Dassault with a financial expenditure report:
“The amount we spent on the Falcon NG project this year will most likely exceed the standard. .”
“I know that.”
Dassault nodded matter-of-factly:
"There will be no problem in overspending. I will let the finance department handle the whereabouts of the funds."
He didn't even open the copy. financial statements.
As president and CEO, Dassault can ignore other details, but finance and personnel must be firmly in hand.
Ed Steiner is actually the technical leader and is not responsible for business management.
Therefore, Dassault must have known about the cost overruns of the Falcon NG project earlier and in more detail.
After all, it was just a shell project.
If only three or two small amounts of funds are involved, it can also be interpreted as feasibility demonstration and early project research.
But as more and more capital flows are involved, overspending is inevitable.
Dassault didn’t take it seriously at all.
Spending so much money to support so many financial experts, isn’t this when it comes into play?
However, Ed Steiner did not give up there.
Since he came here specifically for this matter that was not within his jurisdiction, he must have a deeper purpose.
The previous ones are just foreshadowing:
“Actually, I have a better solution.”
This is the real purpose.
Dassault finally stopped writing in his hand and raised his head to look at the old man who had been with him for many years.
After a few seconds, he gestured to the other party to continue.
“How about we...really develop this Falcon NG?”
Ed Steiner just said something shocking:
"I have read the report submitted by the civil aviation department before. Of course, I know it is just to deal with investors, but there is actually nothing wrong with the content."
"Large business jets with ultra-long range are indeed The future development direction, and although we have several paper plans in this field, the product is still blank, completely lagging behind Gulfstream and Bombardier.”
“And as long as the Falcon NG project is an empty shell. Once it becomes a real implementation, even if there are some extra expenses, it will not seem so abrupt.”
Ed Steiner had been working in the civil aviation department before being promoted to a group-level executive.
These things are considered old skills.
"But Rafale's R&D expenditures have not yet been fully recovered. To directly launch a large-scale project would be risky..."
A very large group like Dassault naturally cannot spend the same amount as a self-employed individual. All income is paid in cash.
At the same time, if the stall is too big, the capital chain will become more fragile.
"Bring them together..."
Ed Steiner obviously had a plan:
"Anyway, Thales, Snecma, and of course China, have all been bound to us on the Falcon NG project..."
Hearing this, Dassault suddenly sat upright. Body...
...
In short, in just a few days, a project research and development project document involving four participants and far longer than previously expected was placed. On Chang Haonan's desk.
"Mr. Chang, this is a new cooperation proposal that Dassault Group suddenly proposed to us. Please take a look."
Zhang Liangping, deputy director of the Second Comprehensive Office, handed the document to Chang Haonan, then withdrew and said nothing.
In fact, the chief planner of the group, or in other words, any leader of the group, cannot make decisions on such major foreign-related cooperation matters alone.
It must be voted on by a collective vote.
But considering that the entire project starting from Turbofan 10 was directly or indirectly handled by Chang Haonan, if he made a statement at the meeting, it would naturally carry considerable weight.
“Falcon NG…”
Chang Haonan saw the title on the cover at a glance:
"Isn't this a shell project just for the purpose of developing the M88?"
He thought as he opened the file Chinese text.
Soon, he understood what Dassault meant. Anyway, the money has been spent, everyone's relationship is in place, and the conditions are relatively mature. Then Dongfeng can completely fake it and make this Falcon NG real.
If you calculate the time, this project started in 2001 is most likely the Falcon 7X ultra-long-range business jet in its previous life.
A model that continues Dassault’s three-engine design habit.
But...
The past was the past, and the present is the present.
In this timeline, Chang Haonan is really hard to say what Falcon NG will eventually develop.
Because in this project document, Dassault proposed a total of 3 types of design plans that are similar with some minor differences.
Each category is divided into 4 types with different sizes, and the maximum take-off weight ranges from 20 tons to 45 tons.
If nothing else, at least they all adopt the more common tail-slung double release layout.
Including the avionics system, Honeywell did not continue to use Falcon 900 and Falcon 2000, but was handed over to Thales Avionics, a subsidiary of Thales.
As for power, it is even more earth-shaking.
This is also the main reason why the French must involve the Aerodynamics Group -
Dassault and Snecma plan to develop a series of thrusters without afterburners based on the M88 core aircraft. Medium bypass ratio small thrust turbofan engines ranging from 3.5 tons to 6.5 tons.
Chang Haonan is almost certain that the reason why Falcon NG was able to become a full-time official was because he did not waste the dumplings made with M88’s vinegar...
Having said that, the taste of this plate of dumplings It’s still pretty good——
On the one hand, from the perspective of a reborn person, ultra-long-range business jets do have a very broad space for development in the 21st century. Dassault’s prediction on this point is not wrong. .
On the other hand, turbofan engines with low thrust actually have great potential.
However, the Aerospace Power Group is limited by personnel and capital scale, and cannot roll out such a large business alone for a while.
Borrowing French chickens to lay eggs seems to be a good choice.
Of course, the other party probably thinks so too.
It’s okay to borrow chickens from each other.
In any case, if these models can really be put on the ground, then if you want to build large UAVs like the Global Hawk in the future, at least you won't have to make do with a turbojet 7 without afterburner like in the previous life.
Thinking of this, Chang Haonan basically had an idea.
Although Dassault's sudden attack is a bit suspicious of putting other companies on a rack.
But it can make money now, but it will have other uses in the future.
There is really no reason to disagree.
Just control the risks appropriately.
“The plan is not bad.”
Chang Haonan closed the document and said to Zhang Liangping:
“That’s the name... I suggest the French change it.”
The former said, reaching out and lightly tapping the words "Falcon NG" on the cover.
NG, which is NextGeneration, the next generation.
Affected by the indiscriminate bombardment of various abbreviations in his previous life, Chang Haonan has been allergic to elements such as "advanced", "next generation" and "future" until now.
Although he had tried a similar name in a playful way before, the abbreviation was so long that he couldn't even remember it.
So later, unless it was on official documents, everyone started to call it a shorter abbreviation.
Of course Falcon NG does not involve this aspect. Anyone who has seen it will never forget it.
However, according to Chang Haonan's experience, for any project with these elements, nine out of ten will die suddenly midway.
The Gripen NG and Boeing 737NG are relatively normal.
If the project is completely controlled by him, then this little bit of metaphysics doesn't matter.
But there are French people involved after all.
It’s still too unlucky.
"Well..."
Although Zhang Liangping didn't understand why Chang Haonan cared about such details, he still nodded:
"I guess Dassault won't refuse such a small problem. What do you suggest changing it to?”
Chang Haonan really didn’t think about it for a while, so he lowered his head and fell into thinking.
Seeing that his leader was silent, Zhang Liangping thought that the other party wanted to hear his opinion, so he tentatively asked:
"Our business jet model is expected to be world-class in terms of economy, safety and comfort. Otherwise, how about calling it Falcon MAX?"
This name directly made Chang Haonan's eyelids jump. .
Laughing to death.
Your suggestion is very good, please don’t suggest it again in the future.
“I remember, Dassault’s last business jet project seemed to be called Falcon X.”
He directly ignored the even more unlucky name of Falcon MAX:
"Then let's call it Falcon Z..."
(End of this chapter)
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