Set sail1992

Chapter 734 We Don't Do "Auto Repair Factory"

Zhang Qihang's intention to develop a turbo-type aero-engine shocked the entire leadership of the group!
If we say that when Zhang Qihang decided to develop a piston-type aero-engine before, everyone could still comfort themselves with the idea of ​​"after all, this thing is still a piston-type engine", then after knowing that Zhang Qihang has decided to develop a turboprop engine and After the turboshaft engine, no one can calm down—compared with the traditional civilian gasoline engine, the turbine is a money-losing product. Not to mention the high R&D cost and the long payback period of the investment, the key is that this thing lasts for one year. How many can you sell?

As a result, wouldn't we invest a large sum of money in it, which may not be able to pay back for more than ten or twenty years?
From an investment point of view, this is by no means a wise investment.

Faced with everyone's worries, Zhang Qihang, who has been thinking about this for the past few days, nodded and said: "I understand everyone's worries. From many aspects, everyone's worries are justified. Our domestic airlines The manufacturing industry and aviation operations are underdeveloped, especially because of national security considerations. For a long time in the future, our country will not be able to open up the general aviation market to the private sector on a large scale like the West...even if it is opened , It is estimated that few people can afford to buy a plane. In this way, why is it necessary for us to invest such a large amount of money?
In this case, not to mention making money, when will the invested funds be recovered?And if we invest this money in other areas, how much money can we earn back for the group?
When it comes to our domestic Y-5 transport aircraft and the foreign An-2 transport aircraft's replacement engine, we don't need to develop an engine specifically for such an uncertain project. Now there are companies that provide similar engines in the world. There are so many, we can be a system integrator, buy engines from these manufacturers that can provide engines, and then refit these Yun-5 and An-2, wouldn't it be better? "

Hearing what Zhang Qihang said, everyone nodded frequently, and their faces were full of relief.

In particular, many comrades who were worried about whether Zhang Qihang had been dazzled by the success of this period of time secretly breathed a sigh of relief: It seems that Mr. Zhang was not dazzled by the previous success, and he just forgot Whatever my surname is, that's fine, that's fine.

Only Feng Guoqing, as an old hand, thought more: Since Mr. Zhang has considered these things, why did Mr. Zhang still decide to launch this project?What on earth is he thinking?

Without making Feng Guoqing wait too long, Zhang Qihang immediately announced his decision: "But after careful consideration, I still decided to do this project."

"..."

Everyone counted as one, except for Feng Guoqing, everyone was stunned: Mr. Zhang is so stubborn?
Only Feng Guoqing, his eyes flashed: Mr. Zhang really has his own considerations!

"I admit that what everyone thinks is really reasonable, but on the other hand, if we only do a system integration, what is the difference between us and those large auto repair factories?" Zhang Qihang asked: "And this There are not a few large state-owned auto repair factories that have closed down in the past few years, which proves that there is nothing special about this "auto repair factory" model. It does not have its own core technology and can be replaced by others at any time. , Could it be that what everyone wants is to become an auto repair shop that can be replaced at any time and may close at any time?"

It seems that there is no difference...

Even the most brain-dead people know that the auto repair shop does make money, but there is an upper limit for an auto repair shop. It may achieve tens of millions of annual revenue, but the auto repair shop has no core There must be other large-scale auto repair factories that can do things that technology can do, so there are not a few state-owned auto repair factories that have closed down in the past few years. self-employed.

"Mr. Zhang, I think I understand what you mean a little bit. Compared with the 'Auto Repair Factory', the 'Engine Factory' has undoubtedly higher technical content," Wang Zhengqiang said, "But I don't understand some things. .”

Zhang Qihang nodded and said: "If there is anything you don't understand, just say it."

"Since you plan to produce turbo-type aeroengines yourself, you must not be satisfied with only modifying our Y-5 and foreign An-2 transport aircraft? From the perspective of cost-effectiveness, this is not cost-effective. I simply calculated For a moment, even if you can sell 2000 engines, including the follow-up maintenance, the profit of the whole project in the next 20 years will not exceed 100%, let alone your plan to develop a turboshaft engine based on the same core engine, From this point of view, the whole project is almost a loss, which is not like your style,"

Speaking of this, Wang Zhengqiang looked at Zhang Qihang and said suspiciously: "But I thought about it carefully, it seems that unless our country makes big moves in the field of general aviation, there is no need for you to do this at all, so Mr. Zhang, tell us the truth , Is the country planning to make some big moves in the civil aviation system? For example, like the United States, the general aviation market below 3000 meters will be opened to the public.”

Hmm... yes~!

Wang Zhengqiang's words made everyone who had been very incomprehensible to Zhang Qihang's action before suddenly react: Yes, this project is not cost-effective just from the perspective of replacing the engine of the An-2/Y-5 transport aircraft, but if Mr. Zhang has other ideas, so maybe it's different?

Mr. Zhang must have obtained some internal information from the civil aviation department or a higher level in advance!
It must be so!
Many people's eyes are even brighter: If Mr. Zhang got some internal information in advance, then all his actions including Mr. Zhang's previous decision to develop helicopters are understandable...

After all, it is not that there is no demand for general aviation in China, it is just a policy restriction, but if the restrictions in this area are relaxed, how many business opportunities will there be?For example, since Americans can "fly" to work from their own back gardens, although we are not as luxurious as that, can we make "flying ambulances" first in terms of medical rescue?
With the flying ambulance, there is no need to worry about the traffic jam on the road delaying the best treatment time.

"Comrades, I have to tell you that you really think too much." Just when everyone thought that Zhang Qihang knew some inside information, Zhang Qihang unceremoniously poured cold water on everyone's heads: " Don't even think about it, if an inside information reaches the level that even a person like me can know, at a higher level, it must be known by everyone? In this case, we are still waiting for us to do it? Those abilities The big shots in Tongtian have already started in advance, how can it be our turn?"

Zhang Qihang's words made everyone finally calm down: It seems to be the same reason...

That being the case, what is the reason why Zhang always did this?
Without answering right away, Zhang Qihang looked at Feng Guoqing and said, "Secretary Feng, remember what I told you before that a big company must have one or two strategic projects that don't seem to make money, but must be invested persistently. ?”

"Of course I remember." Hearing what Zhang Qihang said, Feng Guoqing laughed immediately: "I used what you said to convince those comrades in the province... You think this aero-engine project is the one of our company' although it may be A strategic project that doesn't make money, but is actually valuable and significant'?"

Ok?
Is that so?

Zhang Qihang's words made everyone serious - when Zhang Qihang put forward the statement "although it may not make money, but it is of value and significance and a major strategic project", it was recognized by everyone. , then everyone really wants to hear why this aero-engine project can become a strategic project of Huateng Industrial Group "although it may not make money, but its actual value and significance are great".

Zhang Qihang nodded seriously: "Yes, I really think so."

Feng Guoqing's expression also became serious. He didn't speak, but looked at Zhang Qihang seriously, obviously waiting for Zhang Qihang to give himself and everyone an explanation.

Zhang Qihang didn't hold back anymore, he explained: "Maybe you don't know much about the composition of our country's aero-engines, so let me briefly introduce them to you, so that you can have a preliminary concept and impression:
First of all, our country has a huge power/thrust coverage gap in the field of aero engines. For example, in the power range of 100 horsepower, have you heard of any aero engines?Including turboshaft, turboprop or simply piston aeroengine. "

Everyone looked at me and I looked at you, and was a little stunned and surprised for a while: Although we have never heard of it, but an aero engine with this power level...is there any market demand?
Jiang He was rather impatient, and immediately asked, "Mr. Zhang, I'm not questioning you, but which country's air force would need such a weak aero engine? What can a mere 100 horsepower do?"

As soon as Jiang He finished speaking, everyone nodded in agreement...

"Yes, yes, what Comrade Jiang He said makes sense."

"100 horsepower, this is really not enough..."

"It seems that I have never heard of any aircraft with such a little power..."

…………

Zhang Qihang was not surprised by everyone's reaction, he nodded with a smile: "It seems that everyone doesn't think much of this kind of engine, but what if I say that Mi Jun thinks this engine is 'really fragrant'?"

As soon as Zhang Qihang's words fell, everyone immediately talked about it, and many people frowned, feeling incomprehensible—everyone had the same idea: the U.S. military thinks this 100-horsepower aircraft engine is really good?

how can that be.

Zhang Qihang didn't make a fool of himself, he still did a lot of homework for today's meeting: "At the beginning of the year before last, the U.S. Navy signed a contract with General Atomics worth 3170 million US dollars called 'Advanced Conceptual Technology Demonstration'. The Navy required General Atomics to produce drones and establish three ground stations within 30 months, and the first batch of three aircraft and one ground station were delivered in October of the same year.

General Atomics conducted the first test flight of this "advanced concept technology verification" UAV in July of that year. According to the public situation in the United States, the entire technical verification work will be completed by the end of this month. If there is no accident, By next year, according to the naming rules of the US Army, this UAV, now called 'Predator', will be awarded the official military code name: RQ-7.

According to the public information released by the United States, the RQ-1 'Predator' UAV is equipped with a ROTAX 914 piston aeroengine that everyone is familiar with. The time is more than 7000 hours, and it can conduct continuous 220-hour continuous reconnaissance over the target, and transmit real-time video back to the control center and command center..."

Speaking of this, Zhang Qihang laughed: "According to the estimates of the relevant agencies of the United States, the demand for the RQ-1 'Predator' UAV and its various improved models by various military services in the United States is more than 2000, which means that It means that counting spare engines, the Pentagon needs to purchase at least 2400 ROTAX 914 engines. If you include the "Predator" and various improved models sold to allies in the future, the total sales may exceed 4000, and at least 4800 rotax 914 engines are needed , Do you still think such a 100-horsepower piston aero engine is meaningless?"

"..."

Everyone in the room was shocked by Zhang Qihang's words and were speechless!

Everyone is familiar with the ROTAX 914 engine. After all, the first manned ultra-light helicopter used this engine, but no one thought that such a seemingly ordinary thing, this project alone Almost 5000 units can be sold, which is more than 10 billion, although it is RMB!

"Of course, that's not the point," Zhang Qihang continued amidst everyone's shocking and inexplicable expressions, "What I want to say is that, apart from what I just heard about the US Navy's 'Advanced Conceptual Technology Verification' plan, The US Air Force has proposed a project or plan called 'High Altitude Persistence Advanced Concept Technology Verification'.

按照米国空军对‘高空持久性先进概念技术验证’项目的要求，他们需要一款最大飞行速度超过700公里每小时、巡航速度超过600公里每小时、航程超过24000公里、飞行高度超过16000米、续航时间超过42小时、可从美国本土起飞到达全球任何地点进行侦察的大型高空高速长航时无人侦察机。

This large high-altitude, high-speed and long-endurance unmanned reconnaissance aircraft must be able to carry a variety of high-performance reconnaissance equipment such as synthetic aperture radar, television cameras, and infrared detectors, as well as defensive electronic countermeasure equipment and digital communication equipment. The Joint Forces Command provides [-]/[-] long-range, real-time reconnaissance capabilities... So, comrades, are you aware?The age of drones is upon us. "

(End of this chapter)