Free Web NovelChapter 1046: Chapter 517 Perfect Test Flight!_3
And then what?
Mass production?
"Impossible!"
Liu Jiankun thought carefully and knew it was impossible. The performance of Warhawk-1 is indeed high-end, but the cost is too high. He paid close attention to the cost of the first prototype, which exceeded ten billion.
It’s certain that the cost of a prototype will be higher, but some parts of Warhawk-1 can’t enter mass production quickly, which means that the cost of parts similar to these won’t decrease much.
"So overall, producing twenty planes, the average cost per plane would be at least six billion."
"Six billion!"
"Twenty planes would be one hundred and twenty billion, and adding other auxiliary equipment, the expenditure would be even higher!"
"..."
Thinking about the cost gave Liu Jiankun a headache.
The currently identified future main fighter, the J-10 fighter jet, is also a medium-sized fighter, and the average cost of a bare plane is less than two billion.
One Warhawk-1 is equivalent to four J-10s. frёeωebɳovel.com
Although the performance of the J-10 fighter jet certainly can’t compare with the Warhawk-1, and the gap in air combat would be huge, in real combat, one Warhawk-1 might be able to defeat four J-10s.
But that’s not the demand.
Currently, there is no need for domestic combat operations, and even if there was real combat, the opponent would not be a strong international adversary. With the performance of the J-10, it’s basically enough.
Having the most high-end performance fighter jet manufactured now is not about serving in large quantities, but for future considerations.
For instance, the country’s first aircraft carrier has already been launched.
If we wait until the second or third, even more technologically advanced aircraft carriers are produced, then we might need high-end carrier aircraft, perhaps considering deploying Warhawk-1. The goal isn’t really combat, but mostly for deterring adversaries.
Without serving as carrier-based aircraft or engaging in foreign combat, high-end fighters on the homeland don’t have much room to play a significant role.
Of course.
Even if it’s just considering deterrents to adversaries, the higher-ups would definitely approve the construction of a few dozen planes to form the most elite air force unit, representing the highest level of the domestic air force.
In that case...
"Just thirty or forty planes will cost over two hundred billion!"
Liu Jiankun laughed bitterly.
It’s not that he can decide how many planes to build or make the decision directly, but when the higher-ups discuss related topics, they will definitely ask for the opinion of Aviation Group. As the general manager of Aviation Group, he must present a feasible plan. He can’t simply say, "No money, no way!"
That would be incompetence!
After much thought, Liu Jiankun recalled the previous considerations, exporting low-end engines to manufacture high-end ones.
"The same could apply to fighter jets. With the highest-end Warhawk-1 exceeding the F-35, perhaps three and a half to fourth generation jets could be exported?" fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
"Moreover, other series of fighter jets are completely different from Warhawk technology, even if they are hacked, it’s not a big deal."
"They can be exported as bare planes."
"The best plan would be... the WZ-A2 engine paired with the J-10? Or with the J-15? It definitely could reach the standards of a fourth-generation jet, right?"
"This way, there would be a significant profit margin!"
Thinking of this brightened Liu Jiankun’s spirit. He immediately made a phone call to the Kunlun project team, directly reaching the person in charge, Zhang Gangchuan.
At that moment, Zhang Gangchuan was thrilled with the progress of the WZ-A2’s tuning, and his team had already planned to conduct the first machine test next month.
Upon hearing that Liu Jiankun was calling, he eagerly reported the news, "General Manager Liu, I have good news for you. The WZ-2 type is ready to be mounted! Are you interested in coming to see it?"
"Mounted? You mean the engine is to be mounted, right?"
"Yes?"
Zhang Gangchuan was a bit puzzled; if not the engine, what else could it be?
He continued, "Our plan is for next month, and we’re ready to submit the application."
"Hmm."
Liu Jiankun’s tone showed no sign of happiness; instead, he continued to ask, "That’s good, it’s ready to be mounted. Then can you give me an estimate of when it can formally go into production?"
Zhang Gangchuan was stunned for a long while before he reacted with surprise, "You mean entering service?"
"Of course?"
"This... It will take a few more months... a year, or... maybe a bit over a year!" Zhang Gangchuan finally said with certainty, as if he was making a military pledge, where failure would mean beheading.
Of course, it wasn’t that severe.
Liu Jiankun was clearly disappointed and let out a sigh, "That’s a bit slow," he said and then added, "I just attended a flight test of one type. It was very successful, and within a few more months, it might be ready for production."
"The group is placing a lot of emphasis on the second type! Whatever your team needs, just say it. I can tell you for sure that the group supports you one hundred percent."
"Anyway, as soon as possible..."
Liu Jiankun went on in a nagging and disappointed tone before hanging up the phone.
On the other end.
Zhang Gangchuan was stunned for a long time, muttering ’one type’ to himself while the phone buzzed for a while before he suddenly realized, his mouth agape in surprise, "Type one, it couldn’t be Warhawk-1, could it? It’s already flown? Wasn’t it just assembled a while ago?"
"The flight test was also a perfect success..."
"So, the lower-tech Type 2 engine hasn’t even been tested on an aircraft yet, while the higher-tech Type 1 engine is ready for production and manufacturing, targeting Warhawk-1, and has completed its flight tests... Maybe even ready to enter service quickly?"
"This..."
Zhang Gangchuan was struck with an immense sense of defeat. His team had been working hard for so long, feeling they had made historic progress, but measuring up against other teams, he realized that their R&D speed was as slow as a snail’s.
"Could it be that I’m not good at engine projects? Not good at leading projects? Otherwise, why would there be such a big difference?"
"Maybe I should resign and let someone else take over the project group, then things might speed up?"
"Others have even flown fighter jets while we’re still struggling with low-end engine problems... Is it because of me? Or is there a problem with the whole group?"
Zhang Gangchuan fell into a severe state of self-doubt...
