Rebirth 99 to become a car giant.

Chapter 930 Chinese Apache stirs up the storm
As the two most prestigious military helicopters in active service in the United States, the Black Hawk and Apache have followed in the footsteps of Uncle Sam and been active in local conflicts one after another.

When developing the Kunpeng heavy-lift transport helicopter, Cao Yang also arranged for personnel to benchmark against Sikorsky's Black Hawk helicopter and develop a multi-purpose armed helicopter belonging to Venus Technology.

However, as Venus Technology moves towards more military products, products like the Black Hawk are no longer enough.

"Mr. Cao, the relevant departments have told us that they hope that Daystar Technology can develop a professional armed helicopter based on Apache."

"I think it's not a big problem for companies to develop professional armed helicopters based on existing technology."

Zhao Siyu took several core technical personnel to report the new product planning to Cao Yang in the conference room.

As Venus Technology's communication with relevant departments becomes smoother and smoother, various demands also appear directly in front of Venus Technology.

The largest consumer of military products is definitely China, so Zhao Siyu feels that he must pay full attention to the demands of relevant departments.

Otherwise, he would not have specially arranged this report.

"Can't the Black Hawk helicopter also be used as an armed helicopter?"

Although Venus Technology also thought about integrating some Apache functions on the basis of Black Hawk.

But after all, it is different from professional armed helicopters.

In fact, Cao Yang understood this in his heart, but he was a little worried that when new products were developed, the products developed to compete with the Black Hawk helicopter would not be marketable.

After all, the development is almost complete, so it would be a pity to give up directly.

"The Black Hawk and the Apache are undoubtedly two excellent helicopters, but there are still big differences between the two helicopters."

Zhao Siyu opened the PPT and prepared to introduce the relevant situation.

"First of all, the Black Hawk helicopter is more commonly known as a multi-purpose armed helicopter. Although the Black Hawk helicopter can also use Minigun, Hellfire, and 70mm rocket launcher equipment, it does not have a head-up display. This means that the Black Hawk helicopter does not have the ability to mount combat missiles, and the Black Hawk helicopter does not have the big mushroom above the rotor of the attack helicopter, and its perspective on unknown battlefields and airspace is not as good as the Apache.”

"Secondly, there is a big difference in the design of the cabin between the Black Hawk and the Apache. The cabin of the Black Hawk helicopter is a typical bread-shaped cabin, and is equipped with sliding doors to facilitate the boarding of special operations soldiers, and the Black Hawk helicopter The cabin is divided into driving and carrying parts, so the cabin of the Black Hawk helicopter is very much like a van.”

"The Apache helicopter has an obvious independent dual-cabin design. There is no carrying space behind the cockpit. Instead, it is replaced by a bulky general-purpose turboshaft engine and more fuel."

"And it can be seen from the appearance that since the Apache does not need to consider capacity, the frontal area and resistance are obviously smaller than the Black Hawk, which has a thicker cabin."

With the page-by-page PPT introduction, Cao Yang had a more intuitive understanding of the differences between the two products.

I always felt that the Black Hawk that appeared in the movie "Black Hawk Down" was the helicopter with the best overall performance, so I thought about developing similar products based on it.

Now it seems that it is still not enough.

"In addition, the performance positioning of Apache and Black Hawk is actually very different."

"The Apache was designed to pursue lateral and longitudinal movement capabilities as much as possible, and the multi-angular nose design and the design of the coverless armor box gave the Apache a very good bulletproof appearance and more protection when falling. Buffers and survival probabilities.”

"All designs of the Black Hawk helicopter seek to be simple. Whether it is the temporary Minigun shooting port or the aerodynamic shape of the rigid bomb-receiving aircraft, it can prove the simplification of the Black Hawk helicopter's design."

"So for relevant departments, Black Hawk is a very good product and has corresponding usage needs."

"But Apache is also their pursuit, a weapon that directly participates in combat on the battlefield."

Zhao Siyu carefully explained the difference between the two to Cao Yang.

At the same time, it also reported the demand for both Blackhawk and Apache products from relevant departments.

The maximum takeoff weight of the Black Hawk helicopter and the Apache helicopter is 10 tons, and the helicopter itself weighs about 4 tons.

For Venus Technology, many things are actually universal.

Based on the Black Hawk helicopter under development, Zhao Siyu feels that the development time can be greatly compressed by continuing to develop a similar helicopter like Apache.

"Since the relevant departments have needs, we will develop it according to the needs of customers."

"However, in order to reduce production costs to the greatest extent, parts in all aspects should be shared as much as possible."

Cao Yang no longer struggled. If there is a market, then just develop it.

By then Venus Technology will have four helicopters on the market, which will greatly enhance its influence in the helicopter field.

Compared with heavy transport helicopters, the market demand for medium-sized helicopters such as Black Hawk and Apache should be greater.

Even if the sales price is lower by then, it is still worth looking forward to.

"Well, that's what I think too. As a professional anti-tank armed helicopter, the Apache has a rotating nose turret equipped with a 1mm chain-type anti-tank gun and 30 external hardpoints that can hang 4 anti-tank missiles and tools. 8 Install a rocket launcher."

"The aircraft is also equipped with a target interception display system and night vision equipment, which can search, identify and attack targets under complex weather conditions."

"It can effectively destroy medium and heavy tanks, has good survivability and the ability to fly close to the ground at ultra-low altitudes. As long as we develop similar products, it is expected to become the most important armed helicopter in China."

Following this conversation between Cao Yang and Zhao Siyu, a new project team was formally established within Daystar Technology.

Many things such as engines and flight control systems can be considered to be shared, or extended after appropriate modifications.

There are also many fuselage materials that can be used universally, which greatly reduces the difficulty in all aspects.

However, if Daystar Technology makes such a move, Aerospace Technology will feel uncomfortable.

"Mr. Zhao, I heard that the relevant departments intend to reduce the number of WZ-10s in preparation and wait for the new model of armed helicopters from Venus Technology to be put into service."

"We have already made a plan before, but if we suddenly adjust it now, it would be too childish, right?"

"After all, Daystar Technology's professional armed helicopters are only now being developed."

Wan Jinniu came to Zhao Tianling's office with an unhappy face, wanting to discuss a response plan.

It is not a secret within the system that relevant departments approached Daystar Technology to develop armed helicopters.

Wan Jinniu even knew that the requirement put forward by the relevant departments was to develop the Apache helicopter gunship based on the United States.

The Apache has always been considered the world's number one armed helicopter with no rivals.

Huaxia naturally hopes to have similar products.

Otherwise, I will always feel uneasy in my heart.

But for so many years, AVIC has not produced products of the same level.

Even the WZ-10, which started mass production two years ago, is not as good as the Apache.

After all, the take-off weight is just a few tons different, and the number of weapons carried is less than 30% of the Apache.

In this case, there is naturally a relatively large gap in combat effectiveness.

Although for China, the successful development of the WZ-10 is considered a very remarkable achievement.

This is also the first professional armed helicopter in Asia.

But if technology is not as good as people, then it is not as good as people. No matter what niche you say you are great in, it will definitely not be enough.

Not to mention the Apache, even compared with a multi-functional aircraft like the Black Hawk, the WZ-10 has no advantages.

AVIC is not unaware of this situation, so it is developing a larger version of the WZ-20.

“No other company can match the speed at which Daystar develops new products.”

"Although they have only begun to research professional armed helicopters now, they will be able to take out the prototype next year, and start equipping relevant departments on a large scale the year after that."

"Under such circumstances, it is almost inevitable for relevant departments to reduce the number of WZ-10 equipment."

"Unless something unexpected happens midway with Daystar Technology."

Although Zhao Tianling was a little dissatisfied with the decision of the relevant departments.

But the arm cannot twist the thigh, and this outcome cannot be changed.

So he quickly convinced himself to adjust his mentality.

"I admit that Daystar Technology is very strong and every product in the past has been excellent."

"But professional armed helicopters are not what they are good at after all. Isn't it a bit hasty to make some decisions before coming up with any products?"

"At least we have to wait until other people's prototypes come out before making adjustments."

Wan Jinniu is the head of AVIC's helicopter business.

He definitely hopes to win relevant helicopter orders for AVIC as much as possible.

After all, apart from relevant departments, these orders basically have few other sources.

Internationally, the competitiveness of AVIC's helicopters cannot be said to be very strong.

Even cost competitiveness is relatively limited.

After all, many new materials and new processes require special investment in production lines.

But their products have been produced for decades, and all costs have been amortized.

AVIC does not have the ability to integrate the entire industry chain like Venus Technology.

"I heard that the multi-purpose medium-sized helicopter they previously developed to compete with Sikorsky's Black Hawk helicopter has almost been completed."

"A new type of armed helicopter will be developed on the basis of this helicopter, which will greatly save time in all aspects."

"In addition, they already have experience in the development of Kunpeng and Eagle heavy transport helicopters. If we can't handle the Apache, they might be able to handle it very quickly."

Although what Zhao Tianling said was unpleasant, Wan Jinniu knew that it might be the truth.

There is really no way to compare technology with Daystar Technology.

A certain technology that you have been unable to master for several years may be broken through in a month.

How does this speed compare?
"Boeing's Apache was originally developed by several companies including Hughes and Bell. Later, Hughes was acquired by McDonnell Douglas, and McDonnell Douglas was absorbed by Boeing, eventually becoming a Boeing product."

"But many parts of the Apache are produced in cooperation with various companies."

"Most of the various components such as engines, fuselages, and flight control systems are not produced by Boeing itself."

"I think it is not necessary for Venus Technology to produce all the parts of the helicopter. Can some parts be handed over to us for production?" The cooperation between AVIC and Venus Technology is relatively close. Wan Jinniu knows that in the end There is no way to prevent Daystar Technology from entering the field of professional armed helicopters.

If AVIC can't handle it on its own, it can't help but let Daystar handle it, right?
If this is really the case, he will be sprayed to death by then.

However, he feels that although AVIC cannot produce the entire aircraft, some parts can still be produced.

There is no need for Daystar Technology to produce everything in-house.

Zhao Tianling thinks this makes sense.

"Let's go to Daystar Technology to have a chat sometime. We'll also check out the progress of the H-20."

"We may not be able to help much with the engines and flight controls, but we should still be able to make some efforts on the airframe."

The production of various parts of the fuselage is considered to be a relatively large workload among the entire helicopter parts.

The biggest problem for this part is the development and supply of raw materials. As long as these problems are solved, the difficulty of production will be reduced a lot.

Zhao Tianling feels that AVIC can purchase raw materials from companies such as Nanshan Carbon Fiber, process them into corresponding fuselage parts, and then supply them to Venus Technology for use.

When the time comes for publicity, it can be said that AVIC is deeply involved in this armed helicopter, and it looks much better in appearance.

He felt that as long as he communicated well with Cao Yang and Zhao Siyu, the other parties would still consider cooperation.

……

As a private enterprise, Daystar Technology's work style is very different from that of AVIC and Aerospace Technology.

Whether it was the Eagle heavy-lift transport helicopter developed before or the Venus 777 currently under development, official announcements began when the product was just approved.

If something like this happened to AVIC, it would be completely unimaginable, and it could even be said to be a major leak.

This time, we want to develop an armed helicopter based on the Apache, so that China can also have a professional armed helicopter like the Apache. Venus Technology is not hiding it.

Although it is developed against Apache, after all, the other party is a product decades ago, and there is definitely room for improvement in some things.

Therefore, Daystar Technology made some optimizations in appearance before officially announcing the renderings.

At this time, there may not be much reaction on the Chinese Internet. After all, if a professional thing like an armed helicopter is not properly promoted, no one will realize how awesome it is.

But Boeing, which has been paying attention to the news of Daystar Technology, is about to explode.

"Muilenberg, Daystar Technology's Kunpeng heavy transport helicopter has suppressed the sales of our CH-47 in the international market."

"Now we have to develop similar products for our Apache armed helicopter. This is to make our Apache unable to be sold internationally."

David is definitely in a very bad mood now.

Although Boeing has many products, it cannot withstand the fact that several models are scrapped every year.

Daystar Technology is completely going against Boeing.

How can one tolerate such a thing?

"Didn't they previously develop a medium-sized helicopter based on Sikorsky's Black Hawk helicopter?"

"Why are you suddenly trying to copy our Apache again?"

In Muilenburg's view, China's military industrial enterprises have developed by relying on various plagiarisms.

So every time he spoke, he was full of contempt for relevant Chinese companies.

It can be said that this kind of contempt pervades many military-industrial enterprises in the United States.

"They must have realized that the Black Hawk has many shortcomings in dealing with tanks."

"Especially since China is also undergoing some team reforms, after the reorganization, the Army Aviation's demand for armed helicopters has become even stronger."

Due to Venus Technology, David has paid a lot more attention to China in recent years.

In fact, ordinary Americans have very little understanding of China and are very one-sided.

Many people have never been to China in their lives and have only received some news about China from who knows how many years ago on the Internet.

Even if they see some new changes, everyone takes it for granted and ignores them.

After the Olympics, this situation slowly changed.

It’s just that this change is a bit big, and many people can’t accept it, or don’t want to accept it.

"China continues to develop its military strength in all aspects, and our previous methods of sanctioning Daystar Technology have not had much effect."

"The next step is to change my mind and push the Pentagon to take other actions to stimulate China."

"Have they not always wanted to develop their military strength?"

"Then we will provide some advanced military products to the countries around China so that they will be overwhelmed."

"Unless funding is significantly increased, even if some new products are developed, they will not be able to equip them in large quantities."

Muilenburg is definitely not a man of faith.

He has always been very active in suppressing China and Daystar Technology.

It's just that the previous measures didn't have very good results, so he felt that a change was needed.

Anyway, the United States has many chess pieces around China that it can move.

As long as Boeing pushes it casually, whether it is selling some military products produced by Boeing itself or products produced by Lockheed Martin and other companies, it can make China very uncomfortable.

He even felt that conditions could be relaxed for the sales of CH-47s in Tianzhu.

Just to disgust China.

……

Boeing responded quickly to Daystar's official announcement of entering the armed helicopter market, and Sikorsky was not slow either.

"Stephens, didn't Daystar Technology want to copy our Black Hawk?"

"Why is it suddenly copying Boeing's Apache again?"

"Did something go wrong while copying our Black Hawk?"

Ivanchuk looked at Stephens a little confused.

He was a little unsure whether the news was a good thing or a bad thing for Sikorsky.

Because something doesn't seem right.

"I find it strange too, but I think even if the other party has problems in copying Black Hawk, they probably won't give up easily."

"I just hope they don't succeed so quickly."

Although Stephens hopes that there will be problems with Daystar Technology's development of the Black Hawk, he is not really that naive and pins his future on his opponent's mistakes.

In the past two years, he has spent a lot of time getting to know China and the situation of Daystar Technology.

"Venus Technology wants to produce all kinds of products, and the threat to us will become bigger and bigger in the future."

Ivanchuk frowned, worried about the future.

Sikorsky is a professional helicopter company, and its main products are various helicopters.

Now the CH-53 has been produced by Daystar Technology as a similar product, which has basically abolished Sikorsky's export business of similar products.

Daystar Technology then developed a helicopter of the same type as the Black Hawk. Although it has not yet been finally completed, it will definitely happen sooner or later.

As a result, Sikorsky's two major businesses were crippled.

In the capital market, Sikorsky's valuation can be said to have dropped significantly.

This is very detrimental to future development.

"Ivanchuk, I heard that Boeing is promoting some special arms sales and wants to use these arms sales to increase pressure on China."

"Can we also participate in it and see if we can increase the sales of Black Hawk."

Stephens also felt they could get involved.

After all, foreign military sales in the United States are often quite profitable.

If they don't actively participate, they may not even be able to drink a sip of soup.

"I've also heard about this, but our relationship with Boeing has been relatively tense during this period."

"They also want to win the order for heavy transport helicopters from Tianzhu, and they hope we can give in."

"But with such a big order, how can we give in?"

"Boeing has many other products besides the CH-47, but we are mainly in the helicopter business."

When Ivanchuk said this, Stephens understood immediately.

As Sikorsky's flagship product, the CH-53 naturally does not want to give way to Boeing's CH-47.

There are hundreds of millions of dollars in profits behind that.

No one can get along with money.

"If this is the case, the situation will be difficult to say."

"How about we get Tianzhu's order first and then discuss arms sales and exports to countries surrounding China?"

Stephens obviously wants every advantage in his pocket.

In fact, it may not be possible in the end.

(End of this chapter)