Free Web NovelChapter 1093: Chapter 541 This time it’s impressive, I’m so envious of you~_1
The Aviation Group and ST country finalized an engine purchase agreement worth $1 billion, definitely an unprecedented major event domestically.
At first glance, a $1 billion agreement may not seem much, but actually, it’s a sizeable order at the international level as well.
For the Kunlun Type II engine, the profits are quite substantial.
So far, less than $20 million has been invested in the development of the Kunlun Type II engine, so it could virtually be said to have no cost. Just selling a few engines would recoup the investment, and the selling price per unit is very high—$21 million each. Although it is still somewhat less than M Country’s top-tier F135 engine, the price is still very steep.
From a purely commercial standpoint, one could say it was a huge win, and the profits have even covered the development costs of the Kunlun engine.
The development of the Kunlun engine has been a long process, but the total investment has not exceeded $500 million.
Of course, the purchase of an aviation engine is essentially a military order, which can’t be considered solely from a commercial point of view—other factors must be considered.
Like technical issues, for example.
The WZ-A2 is a "downgraded" version based on Zhao Yi’s original engine design, where many ’black technology’ design elements were abandoned in favor of more traditional and comprehensible designs. The WZ-A2 can be regarded as the pinnacle of domestic aviation engine technology, following the prior technical line of the SU Union and further developed independently.
Even with the more advanced WZ-A1 engine available, the original peak of technology wouldn’t easily be shared with others.
ST country has completed the first step of cooperation by purchasing fifty WZ-A2 engines. The next step will surely be a desire for deeper cooperation, hoping to establish manufacturing within ST country’s territory through a joint venture. ƒreewebɳovel.com
The advantage here is the potential to learn the technology, possibly the methods of engine production, or at the very least to advance the home country’s related technology.
However, from a domestic perspective, the consideration would definitely be to restrict manufacturing within the country, preventing ST country from gaining the technology.
Of course.
If ST country is really willing to pay a hefty price and sign a massive military order, it’s not inconceivable to let them have some advantage in manufacturing technology, considering the existence of the WZ-A1 engine would mean the dispersion of WZ-A2 wouldn’t have too much impact.
Another cost factor that needs to be considered is the capability of Zhao Yi himself.
The low development cost of the WZ-A2 engine is mainly due to Zhao Yi’s designs. More investment will certainly be needed to refine it further, but the starting point of the engine is already very high.
Thus, at the internal celebration meeting, the senior leadership specifically expressed affirmation and admiration for Zhao Yi; the Aviation Group also stated that $10 million of the agreement funds would be allocated to support the Warhawk group.
This $10 million is not just funding; it’s discretionary.
Zhao Yi expressed his gratitude on the spot.
He didn’t care about the money; $10 million was not a significant amount to him, but it was different for the other members of the Warhawk group. They were just ordinary research staff without such substantial family assets. Taking home some bonuses to share would probably boost the morale of the Warhawk group and incentivize them to invest more in their work.
The internal celebration meeting was not only for celebration but also to solidify future export directions.
Liu Jiankun gave a report, stating that the development and refinement of WZ-A2 would be accelerated, and he analyzed the future export directions.
As the main export model, the WZ-A2 should be sold as much as possible.
The plan of the Aviation Group is to sell at least more than 400 units. ST country will surely help consume a portion, and the rest will target Eastern Europe, South America, Central Asia, and most importantly, the Middle East.
"If over 500 units are sold, the profits will become very attractive."
"Once the technology is perfected and production costs are substantially reduced, given the current international aviation landscape, the Kunlun Type II engine will be capable of supporting exports for the next twenty years."
"..."
Zhao Yi attended the celebration meeting the entire time very low-key, only standing up to say a few words when the senior leadership called on him; otherwise, he was merely an observer.
There were many topics at the celebration meeting, such as the J-40, the WZ-A2 engine—both directly related to Zhao Yi.
However, Zhao Yi wasn’t too moved, as nothing had caught him by surprise.
The most shocking was still the J-40’s debut; the Kunlun Type II engine was just a subtext, but even the performance of the J-40 was very normal. From the first test flight, the J-40 could complete these maneuvers, but Liu Jiankun didn’t carry out the performance tests due to safety concerns.
When everything goes as expected, there’s little to be excited about. free𝑤ebnovel.com
Zhao Yi calmly participated in the celebration meeting and then returned with the senior leadership on the plane.
On the way.
The senior leadership asked him curiously, "Academician Zhao, why do I feel like you’re not excited at all... thrilled? The J-40 is, after all, your brainchild."
Zhao Yi replied, "If there was an actual combat performance, I might be interested, but it’s just flying. It doesn’t improve much on the test flight."
"..."
The senior leadership thought it over and realized the information he had was correct: Warhawk-1 only had equipment installed, and the original design hadn’t changed at all.
Is this the reason for your lack of excitement?
He was somewhat puzzled.
Zhao Yi said, "Actually, if you think about it, revealing anti-gravity would be more astonishing, right?"
The senior leadership nodded vigorously, suddenly understanding why Zhao Yi wasn’t excited. Anti-gravity technology had already been developed and tested several times. Compared to that, what’s so significant about a fighter jet design?
No matter how advanced a fighter jet design might be, could it possibly surpass anti-gravity?
