Chapter 227 Large Aircraft Industrial Park! Agreement Reached!

On the other side, Lorenzo finally got some of the video tapes he had been thinking about before leaving Yanliang Airport.

Since uninvited people were not allowed to enter, Schneider and other key members of the European delegation could only wait outside.

These people could only see two planes taking off one after another and landing 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.

Therefore, 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's the test going?"

"Did the Chinese really conduct experiments under SLD conditions?"

"How far did the icing conditions on the aircraft differ from their predictions?"

"What is the purpose of the H-6 that took off with it?"

"..."

Everyone had questions they wanted to ask, and for a while 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 are the Chinese people doing on icing and anti-icing?"

This question is quite technical, and Colombo is very self-aware and not prepared to answer it.

Ms. Valette had given up on the 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, then shook his head.

"call……"

This reaction relieved Schneider:

"Let me just say, the Chinese people were probably bragging before. How can it be possible to make accurate predictions with the current technical level..."

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 obviously exceeded 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 a sentence or two. Let's go back to the hotel and talk in detail."

…

That afternoon, everyone in the European delegation watched the entire video tape that Lorenzo had brought back in a temporarily borrowed conference room.

Of course, the three simulation results pictures Chang Haonan sent to them were also circulated over and over again.

"So you're saying 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 and insinuations from multiple channels, they basically determined that China had certain advantages in the design of anti-icing and de-icing systems. More importantly, it had a complete set of airworthiness certification and testing systems related to anti-icing and de-icing.

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 and North America might have their own advantages and disadvantages, and could provide an opportunity for equal negotiations with the FAA.

As a result, today, Lorenzo directly told them 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:

"Based on my cognitive ability, I can't calculate how big the gap is between us and them, nor can I estimate how long it will take for us to develop to this level. I can only say that if we don't cooperate, There will be no possibility of catching up within five or six years. As for the future..."

Lorenzo thought for a moment:

"That depends on the development of computer performance. Theoretically, we can use CFD methods to achieve similar effects, but the amount of calculations is simply unimaginable and is enough for supercomputers to calculate into the 22nd century."

"So... we really need to conduct joint research with them?"

Schneider raised his head and looked at the other people, seemingly asking for 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 ordinary 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 Boeing and McDonnell Douglas will merge without paying any price. , but it’s a fatal thing.”

Whether starting from the interests of Finmeccanica Group or 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 must also have made great achievements in basic physics and computer science. In short, if we can cooperate with them, we will not Suffer a loss."

This time it's a real win-win.

Schneider's expression was wonderful for a moment.

After Lorenzo finished what he just said, he paused for a moment and then talked about the AIT aircraft:

"In addition, I paid special attention to the conditions during this test. The conditions they simulated with that AIT aircraft were indeed very realistic. The diameter of the artificially produced supercooled droplets was uniform, and the water mist formed could persist for a considerable period of time. time, it has the potential to be used for icing test flights of larger aircraft!”

For a moment, Valette even worried that Schneider would lose his breath 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, it is not feasible to directly purchase an improved version of the Figure 16, both technically and based on market feedback."

"But after communicating with the Toulouse headquarters in the past few days, I believe that we can produce one or two of our own AIT aircraft based on the Airbus A330 or A340 platform by purchasing subsystems or technologies from China."

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.

Then someone responded:

"If this is the case, then I suggest choosing the A330 platform. The twin-engine configuration is more economical and will be more competitive than the KC135 or KC10..."

"..."

In short, this matter has been settled.

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 already 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 actually wants to buy core subsystems from China!

Except for a few people who had been 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?

It’s definitely something that will make the 7pm news!

However, after all, Huai Guomo had experienced many 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 cleared his throat, and 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."

"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 as far as the level of aviation manufacturing is concerned, I don't think it is possible to carry out the cooperative production you mentioned."

This is not a lie. For an aircraft of the A330 level, let alone production, China currently cannot even do final assembly immediately.

After a pause, he continued:

"But if you are interested, then the AE100 project we talked about before would be fine..."

It must be said that Schneider is quite smart. He actually thought of using the already cold AE100 to make another profit.

However, Chang Haonan directly interrupted:

"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."

Asking Airbus to design aircraft according to Chinese standards was not even mentioned, so he simply stated his requirements directly:

"However, although we are not interested in producing AE100, 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 need to be purchased in the next ten or even decades will definitely be a huge number. I think Airbus will be very willing to eat part 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 be beneficial to the competitiveness of your company's aircraft models."

"Of course, you can send people to verify the supplier's qualifications and the quality of the parts."

Schneider did not answer right away because it was not his purview.

But both he and Chang Haonan knew that Airbus would not refuse this request.

After all, not all parts on 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, that was how it was in the previous life.

He just advanced the process by a few years.

On the one hand, although these European standard parts cannot be directly used in future Chinese 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