Chapter 1022: Doesn’t this highlight the role of Siro Company?
The news that Eleanor suddenly broke out completely exceeded everyone''s psychological expectations.
?There was a commotion in the room almost immediately.
The connection between Rolls-Royce and China in aviation technology actually started a long time ago.
?Even the years when the Spey project stalled were not interrupted.
This also includes film cooling.
In fact, Rolls-Royce even provided several projects for the first research group at Hokyong University of Technology to study active cooling technology for aerospace engines.
?Although they are only marginal research, for China, which was still in its infancy and faced with tight funding, it was definitely a timely help.
Later, the after-sales business of products exported to China was directly placed locally.
And it all pays off—
Relatively low after-sales costs and stable parts supply channels make China Airlines more likely to choose products from the United Kingdom rather than the United States or Canada under the same circumstances.
Especially in the past five years, the market share has skyrocketed.
?It’s a pity that they failed to get a share of the pie at the 737 and A320 levels, which affected their future growth potential.
?But no matter what, at least my mouth is full of food now.
??Royce’s mentality has always been:
No one understands the Chinese aviation market better than me.
Of course, China’s progress in the field of aviation technology in recent years can be seen by those in the industry as long as they are not blind.
However, whether judging from the information currently available or the external performance of the other party, this progress is mainly reflected in the fields of project management and engineering design.
In terms of manufacturing, considering that China still imports a lot of aviation base materials, components and processing equipment every year, it is generally believed that the speed of progress should be relatively slow.
This is also in line with the general logic of industrial development.
The result is now…
They find that they don’t seem to understand that much either.
"Professor, regarding this... was it directly stated by Snecma?"
Tim Bodie’s mouth that had been raised just now drooped, and his expression became serious.
On the one hand, he felt it was a bit unreasonable.
On the other hand, as the deputy director of the entire Trent series of engines, he must also consider everything.
??If Huaxia components are really used on the Trent 900, it will be smooth sailing. But if something unexpected happens, even if the accident is not caused by production quality problems, it will definitely face a huge impact from public opinion.
"no."
Eleanor decisively gave a negative answer:
“Actually, I didn’t ask just now.”
"That…"
??Podi did not expect that the other party would deny it so simply.
But Elinor did not give him a chance to question, but immediately explained:
“Look carefully, in that booklet, on the last page about the turbine, there is a line of small words marked below.”
Coincidentally, the brochure also reached Bodi at this time.
?He followed Elinor''s instructions and soon discovered the line of words:
“Due to the complex internal structure of the air film hole,... it will be handed over to a designated supplier for mid-term maintenance?”
After hearing this statement, the voices of discussion and questioning gradually subsided.
We are all insiders and can hear the hidden meaning—
The SeA650 itself is a jointly developed model, but considering the convenience of promotion, in the early stage of publicity, both the banner and the promotional channels used were Snecma.
Including future guarantee services for European users, they will definitely be contacted directly by the French.
?In order to prevent certain litigants from using the accusation of false publicity to engage in legal blackmail, this disclaimer was added.
Indicates that another company actually provides after-sales service to this part, and we at Snecma only transfer it on your behalf.
There will definitely be relevant clauses in the contract in the future.
?Since Snecma can''t even handle maintenance and guarantees, let alone production and processing...
Only the Chinese may be responsible.
For a time, everyone either lowered their heads in thought, stared blankly, or paced back and forth...
In short, they all fell silent.
?Especially Purdy and Lapworth.
?For a major model like the Trent 900, the final decision must be made by the management team as a whole and then submitted to the board of directors for signature and approval.
?However, as project executives and core technical personnel, the two of them undoubtedly have a high say in this.
Of course, it also means taking reciprocal responsibilities.
"professor."
After struggling to no avail, Bodi turned to look at Elinor who was watching the excitement on the sofa:
“SeA650 engine, to what extent is it progressing now?”
“I mean... when will it be available to users?”
The latter raised his head slightly and recalled the conversation at the exhibition just now:
“If you mean it will be delivered to the airlines together with the Falcon 8Z, it will have to wait until early 2004... Of course, this is just their statement.”
"Let me estimate...probably before 2005." Professor Elinor followed the "common sense" in Europe and made some allowances based on the delivery time given by Liu Yongquan.
Then, perhaps in order to increase the credibility of his statement, he added another sentence:
“After all, their aircraft engine has a lot of new technologies. In addition to the three-dimensional special-shaped air film hole, there is also a permanent magnet fault-tolerant power generation system that replaces the traditional rotor bearing...”
Lapworth on the other side is not engaged in the overall design of aviation engines, and did not give much response to this permanent magnet fault-tolerant power generation system.
?But Bodie stopped abruptly, with an expression on his face that was almost exactly the same as Elinor''s before.
?However, the use of magnetic bearings was not considered in the Trent 900 from the beginning, and in any case it is impossible to make major changes to the overall design at this juncture.
? So he just opened his mouth, but in the end he did not change the topic, but began to silently calculate the development cycles of the Trent 900 and A380
No matter what, let’s solve the most important thing at hand first.
However, the calculation results are not very optimistic:
“I originally thought about waiting for the SeA650 to be delivered to users and then observing it for a year or two to make sure there are no fatal reliability issues before making a decision.”
At this point, he sighed with regret:
“But the A380 plan is to start test flights in 2005. If we want to catch up with the prototype competition stage, there is not enough time anyway..."
“Can you consider using the current engine for test flights first, and then replace it when the mass production model is delivered..."
Someone has come up with a new idea.
“It’s difficult.”
Bodi immediately shook his head:
“In fact, there is no technical problem, but the temporary upgrade will definitely affect the psychology of customers, and considering that testing is required in the middle, it will also delay the delivery time of the whole machine. In the end, it will only make more people choose GP7200.”
“If there is an obvious loss in the first batch of orders for a model, based on past experience, it will be difficult to turn around unless we wait for a new generation of products.”
…”
Seeing that the discussion could not produce a result in a short period of time, Lapworth, who had not expressed his position just now, decided to do the next best thing:
“Now, the Trent 900 at least has the possibility to outperform its competitors, so anyway, I think we should contact China first, purchase a batch of sample parts, and at least bring them back for testing first.”
Among all the people, as the developer of new film cooling technology, he undoubtedly has the most positive attitude:
“If the component-level test can be passed and the installation test is carried out later, the resistance from the board of directors will be reduced.”
“It’s not entirely a question of purchasing volume…”
Bodi said helplessly:
"Since you are looking for someone else to produce it, you must at least provide some parameters related to the turbine design and the base material. So even if it is a sample piece, you have to prove that it is necessary before the superiors agree to use the data. Give it out..."
Actually, although he didn’t say it explicitly, this is a matter of prejudice—
Even for professional and technical personnel like them, China''s development speed in the aviation field is somewhat difficult to understand and accept.
Not to mention the people above who make the decisions.
So, even if we are looking for someone to do the work for us, it is more likely to be accepted by "finding someone from France to do the work for us" than "finding someone from China for the work."
?The reason why he wanted to observe the situation of SeA650 in two years just now was based on this consideration.
By then, it can be said that the reliability of Huaxia products has been verified on other models. Now there is no second option before us. If we don’t choose, we have to choose this.
It’s a pity that time waits for no one.
“If you want me to say…”
Suddenly, a weak voice came from the corner of the room, which immediately attracted everyone''s attention.
It’s Luke Norris.
Ordinarily, he actually belongs to the middle level of Luo Luo Group, but among this group of people, he does seem to have no status...
?Hence, being stared at by so many eyes almost made him forget how to breathe.
“Uh...I want to say that if there is only a small amount of samples, maybe we can use Ciro Company to make this matter less sensitive...”
“Ciro Company…”
Lapworth showed a trace of confusion in his eyes:
“Aren’t they only responsible for maintenance, training and liaison?”
“It was indeed like this in the beginning.”
Norris replied:
“But I just remembered that they submitted a report two years ago, which mentioned the relationship between the Airbus A380 engine selection issue and the Chinese market..."
“Ah?”
?Purdy and Lapworth looked at each other.
Logically speaking, if this kind of report is really important, then they both should have read it.
Norris continued to explain:
"I have read that report. It has nothing to do with technology or the Trent 900 engine itself. In fact, it is a roundabout way to expand the business scope of Ciro Company, especially to increase the R&D and production functions, so it was reported directly to the administrative management. there…"
Lapworth immediately rolled his eyes:
“Are you kidding me, they can develop...”
The words stopped abruptly in the middle of the sentence.
Siro Company may indeed not be able to develop anything.
But the Chinese can.
?As Norris said just now, as long as the Ciro Company is involved in the process, and the executives on the board of directors do not understand technology, who can tell what is going on?
“So...what was your response then?”
??Bodi had obviously figured this out and quickly asked.
“We didn’t think they could research anything at the time.”
Norris shrugged:
“But the Chinese market is too important, and it is not good to refuse it completely, so we have symbolically arranged a few R&D positions, as well as tens of thousands of pounds of funding per year, so that they can engage in technical cooperation in name only..."
(End of this chapter)