Chapter 888: It makes sense to have a laser targeting pod on a business jet, right?
Serge Dassault's voice was not loud when he said this, but the people around him still heard it clearly.
People are generally open-minded about this matter.
Make money, not shabby.
Moreover, although GE has now relaxed the restrictions on cooperation conditions, after such a round of repeated incidents, both Dassault and Snecma are bound to become afraid of the rope after being bitten by a snake once.
At least in the field of military models, we need to think twice before cooperating with the Americans in the future.
Of course, more importantly, today's M88-2 engine has a relatively obvious Chinese design style.
Even if General Electric can really mend its ways and turn back, it will definitely not be an easy task to continue to develop on the current basis.
As for rolling back to the previous version and starting over...
The French are a little timid, but they are not stupid.
As we all know in engineering, if a system works properly, try to leave it alone.
Although until now, Dassault still couldn't figure out how the Chinese had managed to completely transform the M88 engine in less than three quarters, but since the test results were all smooth, it would be better to let it continue to be smooth...
The entire Rafale project has consumed too much energy and resources of Dassault himself and Dassault company, and it cannot withstand another round of tossing and turning.
Therefore, everyone turned their attention to Ian Vista.
As the technical representative of Snecma, he was the only one among all the people present who had had long-term contact and technical exchanges with the Chinese side.
Being stared at by many people, Vesta had already prepared herself mentally for expressing her opinion, so she cleared her throat and said:
"From what I have learned and seen recently, the Chinese aviation engine technology should have just been developed in recent years."
"Well...of course we know that."
Dassault showed a somewhat helpless expression and interrupted Vesta's speech:
"And I also want to know the reasons for their rapid progress, but at least for now, we should focus on more realistic issues."
The M88 engine is important to the Snecma Group, but not the most important one.
After all, there is the CFM56 with huge sales volume to back it up.
Although after the farce in the past two years, everyone has basically seen through the fact that this "jointly developed" model is basically completely dominated by General Electric, but no matter what, the money that should be shared will always be paid in full.
However, Rafale is basically a lifeline project for Dassault, at least for Dassault Aviation.
At present, the sales volume of Mirage 2000 is being squeezed by the increasingly cheaper F16 and Su-27 series, while the new product line of ultra-long-range business jets is under development. The entire civil aviation business is in a stage where income is not enough to cover expenses.
Serge Dassault could not help being anxious.
"I know I know."
Vesta raised his hand and pressed it down, signaling Dassault to stay calm:
"I want to say that the Chinese are indeed quite unique in the field of aero engines, especially in the field of aero engine design, but at least for now, their development is still quite unbalanced."
“虽然华夏人保留了很多区域没有对我们开放，但还是不难发现，他们到目前为止仍然在生产几种相对落后的型号，比如仿制英国斯贝MK202的WS9、仿制苏联AI20M的WJ6、仿制苏联P11F300的WP13、仿制PD3M的WP8……”
"Compared to the new turbofan engine used on the Chinese-made Su-27 and the WP14 that appeared a few years earlier, these engines are completely from the previous or even the previous era. They are completely outdated in terms of technology, but they have not been completely eliminated."
"The most likely reason for this situation is that they now have one... or several, anyway not many, very capable R&D teams, so they can come up with several new products with first-class performance, but the level of the entire industry is still very low, and there are not enough capable and experienced engineers to apply the advanced technologies of these new products to other models in a short period of time..."
"..."
"So, we can seize this time difference, come up with something that they are interested in, and form a community of interests with them through cooperative projects... just like what the Russians did..."
It should be said that Vesta has almost grasped the essence of the matter based on the limited things he has seen and heard in these few months. His level is indeed extraordinary.
The suggestions made are also reasonable -
Compared with the simple form of payment and goods being exchanged between buyer and seller, cooperation in which both parties get what they need is obviously a more solid relationship.
The typical example is Snecma itself.
Although they had many conflicts with General Electric over the M88 engine, in order to make money through cooperation, no one had the intention of causing trouble on the CFM56 project.
The only problem is...
"Well, Mr. Vesta."
Ed Steiner, who had been listening nearby, frowned:
"You... or of course we, what is there that the Chinese would definitely be interested in?"
"..."
This somewhat heart-wrenching question caused the atmosphere to fall into silence for a moment.
In fact, there has been a lot of technological cooperation between China and France.
But France is France and Dassault is Dassault.
They do not have a platform like the Aviation Industry Corporation of China or the China Import and Export Corporation that can coordinate the interests of different domestic enterprises.
Companies like Dassault, Snecma and Thales have a lot of historical connections and have been cooperating for almost half a century, so they can still sit down and talk together and coordinate their respective interests.
But companies like Eurocopter and Airbus are obviously not going to take risks for the benefit of Dassault.
This brings us to another, more macro issue.
After all, the size of France as a whole is still too small.
An area of 55 square kilometers and a population of 6000 million.
Moreover, the higher education enrollment rate is not outstanding among developed countries.
Against this backdrop, France has neither given up its efforts to build a relatively complete industrial system nor wants to become a leader in the European integration process.
This results in many things appearing to be French.
But it’s actually European.
Or the world's.
Even American ones.
It may not seem like much of a difference at ordinary times, but when the critical moment comes, it is often inevitable to feel restrained.
The CFM56 is certainly more advanced than the PS90A.
But if the latter is forced into a corner, he can even use his family assets to make a deal.
The former is useless no matter how urgent it is.
What Snecma said doesn't count.
"I remember..."
Finally, it was Dassault who interrupted the silence:
"Many years ago, China should have obtained the production license for the Arriel series turboshaft engines?"
He looked at Vesta:
“Can you try harder in this regard?”
Turbomeca, which develops the Arriel engine, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Snecma, so it is naturally easier to do things within the framework of the same group.
"You mean Ahye 1C?"
Vesta nodded:
"That's true. But on the one hand, they can already produce most of the parts independently. On the other hand... affected by competitors, the importance of this project in China seems to be gradually decreasing..."
Originally, the Z-9, as China's only "domestic and usable" helicopter model for a long time, had a certain status within the aviation industry system.
However, the good times did not last long.
在某个人的推动之下，冰飞集团近两年陆续上马了合作研发的7吨级AC139和10吨级NH90/直12两个新项目。
The former is about to deliver the first product to customers, while the latter has already entered the finalization and certification process.
Especially the Z-12.
After temporarily replacing the TV3-117VM, although the larger engine resulted in a top-heavy appearance, which looked quite strange compared to the original NH90, and its range was also reduced, it is still a 10-ton helicopter after all.
The operating habits of the front three-point landing gear and side door + tail door are similar to those of the Mi-8 series, which has been equipped with a lot.
Even with great efforts, there is still a certain potential for plateau deployment.
She immediately became the new Sweetie.
The Navy has even made new requirements for the hangar and helicopter deck area of the next generation of combat ships.
Although Lu Jun has no money at the moment, he is like a young lady who has been to a big city. After his standards have risen, he no longer looks down on the honest people in the village.
There is little interest in the plan to convert the Z-9 into an armed helicopter.
In this way, even if the Z-9, which has become Mrs. Niu, has not completely lost its value, at least it no longer needs to take on the tasks of a 4-ton or even 6-ton helicopter with its 10-ton body as planned in the past.
The urgency is naturally not that high...
"Speaking of collaborative research and development..."
After another silence, Edsteiner suddenly raised his head:
"I remember that our contact with China last year started in the name of jointly developing business jets?"
"Yes...but what's the point?"
This matter was originally just an excuse. After the formal connection with AECC was established, no one mentioned it anymore.
"What if... we give up some of our interests in the Rafale or Falcon projects and bring Thales in as well?"
Ed Steiner's thoughts suddenly opened up:
"The two Russian-made passenger planes currently produced by the Chinese both have three-person cockpits, and more advanced cockpit equipment will definitely be needed in the future..."
"Even if it's not necessary... Thales' optoelectronic system is certainly attractive enough..."
"Photoelectric system?"
Dassault was a little confused for a moment:
"What does a business jet need this kind of thing for?"
"Lend me your name..."
Ed Steiner replied nonchalantly:
"If you have to find a reason..."
He looked up and thought for a few seconds:
"In order to ensure the safety of VIP passengers during takeoff and landing in bad weather, it is reasonable for business jets to carry a day and night targeting pod to observe runway conditions, or a low-altitude navigation pod to avoid obstacles, so as to avoid accidents like Air France Flight 296... Isn't it?"
