Chapter 116: Look at how sincere they are— let

The Frenchmen, almost frozen into popsicles, finally waited for the Easterners; they wiped their noses while watching the test pilot climb aboard the aircraft, skillfully making all pre‑takeoff preparations— they didn't even need an external power source, relying solely on the helicopter's built‑in battery!

A roaring sound rose, and the engine spat out several puffs of black smoke; a whistling sound rose, and the left engine successfully started! Then came the right engine……

Both engines started successfully in one go; starting in frigid regions is no longer a problem!

"I never expected you to have solved the cold‑region start problem! How did you do it?" Auguste said.

"Sorry, I can't say that." Qin Miao said: "If you want to know, you'll have to pay!"

Great!

Back then the French gave us a hard time; now we'll give it right back to them!

"How much money?"

"Not much—ten million will do."

Ten million! What a joke!

Auguste shook his head: "If it can be solved over a lunch break, it must be simple—there's no way it would need ten million!"

"Yeah, if you French were handling it, you'd probably take a month or even a year or two to fix it, then boldly demand twenty or thirty million!"

Auguste was at a loss for words.

"Qin, I know that because of us you've grown some misgivings about us." Auguste said sincerely: "But… we're also willing to mend the rift—for example, we've already contacted domestic parties and will send over the targeting systems and missiles for the attack helicopter……"

"If you send those over, isn't it so we can help you solve the attack‑helicopter problem?" Qin Miao glanced at him: "Now these have become your goodwill? Originally we thought we were friends and would help each other if we could, but now… we'll go strictly by the contract—you must fulfill everything written in it, and we won't discuss anything not covered!"

A cold wind blew, and a chill ran through the Frenchman's heart— I never expected the Easterners to get angry!

If only I had known……

"Qin, what do you demand? We're willing to satisfy it!"

"No, we have no demands!" Qin Miao said: "Originally we planned to cooperate with you to boost the Dolphin helicopter's performance, and even transform it into a proper attack helicopter, but now… forget it!"

After all, the Dolphin helicopter is merely a ordinary transport helicopter; even with pylons installed to give it ground‑attack capability, it still falls far short of a dedicated attack helicopter!

Only the AH‑1 seen on the Vietnam battlefield truly counts as an attack helicopter; its tandem‑seat layout, low in front and high in back, not only gives good visibility but also reduces drag, and in the later stealth‑era it would even lower radar cross‑section.

Now, hearing Qin Miao say that, the Frenchman regretted even more— if only he'd known, he wouldn't have been so obstinate, always thinking about making more money, and now……

"We have first‑rate experience; we can develop it together!"

Qin Miao glanced at him: "Forget it—later you'll just ask for money again."

"No, no, we don't want money!"

"If the R&D site is also yours, we'll get nothing anyway— forget it, forget it; we'll handle it ourselves at Ha Gong Da!"

"We're willing to develop it here in Ha Cheng!"

"Well, seeing how sincere you are, we'll make a concession— let's first cooperate to boost engine power, from 522 kW up to around 700 kW; what do you think?"

In fact, professional attack helicopters do exist— namely the Zhi‑19, improved from the Zhi‑9 base; it looks cool and is in no way inferior to Western counterparts.

But such an upgrade would require enormous effort; with China's current technical level, we simply lack the capability and the investment.

You have to eat bite by bite and work step by step; to master an advanced attack helicopter, you must first raise engine power!

We already have the rotor system; increasing power won't overtax it— just boost the engine output and the helicopter's takeoff weight can go higher!

Raising power from 522 kW to 700 kW would let the Zhi‑9's takeoff weight reach five tons! Even if the airframe were reinforced adding a few hundred kilograms, we'd still gain at least half a ton of external load— previously it carried only four anti‑tank missiles, now it could carry eight, doubling its firepower; we could even add two rocket‑pod launchers!

Moreover, with increased power and reserve capacity, if we keep the original four‑ton takeoff weight, we could easily operate on high plateaus!

"How could that be possible!" Qiewaliye shook his head: "That's a forty percent power increase— it simply can't be done!"

"Unless we use the Arrius 2 series engine, which puts out 714 kW… but… you Easterners haven't procured that engine, so… I'm sorry." Auguste's face showed resignation.

Actually, the French Aerospatiale's Panther, which they wanted to re‑engine, originally planned to fit the TM313 turboshaft rated at 870 kW, but due to logistics and maintenance considerations they settled on the Arrius 2 series at 714 kW; meanwhile, China imported the civilian version of the Turbomeca Arriel, using the Arrius 1 engine, which only delivers 552 kW.

That engine is patented— using it costs money.

"Just because you can't do it doesn't mean we can't— we'll simply improve the existing engine; it's no big deal: just upgrade the compressor to raise pressure ratio and airflow, then use more advanced turbine blades downstream to boost heat tolerance. Professor Zhou, does Ha Gong Da have this capability?"

"Of course!" Zhou Bing nodded, thinking inwardly, "You say all this, but we've got nothing— if you French really cooperate, don't make us look foolish!"

The Frenchman was stunned.

"Increasing power and power‑to‑weight ratio, lowering fuel consumption, raising lifespan— what's so hard about that? Before it was just unnecessary, but now……"

"Since Ha Gong Da has this technology, we can join in!" Auguste said.

As for new materials, Ha Gong Da actually has them! This composite material is one of them— the facts are right before his eyes, and he can't help but believe.

"If you want to join in, you'll have to hand over the complete design data for the Arrius 1 engine, so we can study and improve it."

Back then they signed the Arrius 1 production‑patent transfer agreement, which included manufacturing processes, inspection data, etc., but the original design documents were not part of it; after receiving those materials, China could only produce the engine, unable to grasp the original design, and thus unable to improve it!

After all that wrangling by Qin Miao, although he didn't get any money, he did obtain the original data— still a big gain!

But…… will the French agree?

Auguste had no hesitation, nodded and said: "Good!"