Chapter 918 Falcon Z
?In cross-border cooperation projects like this, especially those involving sensitive models, what really consumes the most time and energy is often not technical issues.
Hence, after the overall upgrade plan of the M88-3 was confirmed by both parties involved in the project, the next thing was actually simple.
Snecma engineers who had just evacuated recently returned to No. 606.
Relevant funds were also paid from Dassault’s accounts to Snecma and Aerodynamics respectively.
?Of course, there’s Thales—
M88-3, including the subsequent M88-4 package upgrade contract, were all proposed under the framework of the "Falcon NG" business jet program.
This includes the transfer of technologies related to the "Damocles" photoelectric targeting pod.
Thales does not care about technology transfer. After all, this 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 if it is purely from an accounting perspective, it is not easy to settle down...
"boss."
??The day after Ian Vista and Liu Yongquan finalized the contract, Ed Steiner came to Serge Dassault with a financial expenditure statement:
“The amount we will spend on the Falcon NG project this year will most likely exceed the standard.”
“I know that.”
? Dassault nodded naturally:
“It won’t be a problem if you overspend a little. I’ll let the finance department sort out the whereabouts of the funds.”
He didn''t even open the financial statement.
?As president and CEO, Dassault can ignore other details, but finance and human resources 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 sums 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.
?Spent so much money to support so many financial experts, isn’t this the time when it comes into play?
?However, Ed Steiner did not give up there.
Since he came 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 made a shocking statement directly:
“I have read the report submitted by the civil aviation department before. Of course I know it is only for investors, but there is 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, we are still blank in terms of products, completely lagging behind Gulfstream and Bombardier.”
“Furthermore, as long as the Falcon NG project is transformed from an empty shell into a real project, even if there are some additional expenditures, it will not seem so abrupt.”
?Ed Steiner worked in the civil aviation sector before rising to executive positions at group level.
These things are considered old skills.
“But now that Rafale’s R&D expenditure has not been fully recovered, it would be risky to start a large-scale project directly…”
?It is naturally impossible for a very large group like Dassault to be like a self-employed person, where all expenses and income are settled in cash.
?At the same time, if the stall is too large, the capital chain will become more fragile.
“Pull them together...”
?Ed Steiner obviously had plans:
“Anyway, Thales, Snecma, and of course China, have all **** with us on the Falcon NG project...”
Hearing this, Dassault suddenly sat up straight...
…
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 General Affairs Office, handed the document to Chang Haonan, then withdrew and said nothing.
In fact, the group’s chief planner, or 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?”
While he was thinking, he opened the Chinese text of the document.
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 launched 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.
?It’s just that…
previous means before, now means now.
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-punch 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 Aerospace Power Group -
? Dassault and Snecma plan to develop a series of medium-bypass-ratio, low-thrust turbofan engines without afterburner, with thrust ranging from 3.5 tons to 6.5 tons, based on the M88 core engine.
Chang Haonan is almost certain that the reason why Falcon NG was able to become a full-time official was to avoid wasting the dumplings made by M88 with vinegar...
?Having said that, this plate of dumplings still tastes 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, and Dassault’s prediction is not wrong.
On the other hand, turbofan engines with small 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 is a case of borrowing chickens from each other.
In any case, if these models can really be put on the ground, then if you want to build large drones 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.
As long as the risks are properly controlled.
“The plan is pretty good.”
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 bad 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 use shorter abbreviations.
?Of course Falcon NG does not involve this aspect. Anyone who has seen it can never forget it.
?However, according to Chang Haonan’s experience, nine out of ten projects with these elements will die suddenly midway.
In other words, the Gripen NG and Boeing 737NG are relatively normal.
??If the project is completely controlled by him, then this little bit of mystery doesn''t matter.
But there were French people involved after all.
It’s still too unlucky.
"Um…"
Although Zhang Liangping didn''t understand why Chang Haonan cared about such details, he still nodded:
“Dassault will probably not reject such a small problem. What do you recommend 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 immediately made Chang Haonan''s eyelids twitch.
Laughing to death.
Your suggestion is very good, please don’t suggest it again in the future.
“I remember that Dassault’s last business jet project was called Falcon X.”
?He directly ignored the even more ominous name of Falcon MAX:
“Then let’s call Falcon Z...”
(End of this chapter)