Chapter 125

What's wrong? Isn't this a testament to our friendship? Actually, we have already bought all the technology for this engine; the original design data should naturally be handed over to us.

No, no, that's not it; you can't do that!

Then let's jointly develop it!" Qin Miao said: "We were sincere enough; who would have thought you'd look down on our proposal—what can we do?"

The other side fell silent.

"Mr. Goebel, does their technical route really have no meaning?"

Yes, there's no real meaning; our engine was originally on a simple route—adding another stage would greatly increase its complexity...

It's clearly your technology that's lacking, yet you claim our route is problematic—the American T700 engine has six compressor stages, and we never heard American engineers say its structure is complicated.

How can they be the same? The T700 is over 1,000 kilowatts, with upgraded versions potentially reaching 1,500 kilowatts, while our engine is only in the 500-kilowatt class.

But now it's in the 700-kilowatt class." Qin Miao said: "Since two compressor stages aren't enough, why can't we add a third? You don't want to jointly develop with us simply because you fear overlapping power with the AH-2 engine; if you won't, we'll do it ourselves—it's that simple. Auguste, you speak up!

Auguste, standing nearby, already regretted it.

We originally thought this side of the East had advanced technology, especially advanced materials, but aside from a perforated fan blade, there's nothing else!

Now, Turbomeca is clearly in a bind—whether they agree or not, they'll lose out, and having handed over the original design data to the East means they certainly won't get it back.

On the surface, the East seems to have gained an advantage, but from the Eastern perspective, the reasons are fully justified.

Turbomeca has a mature engine series: the 500+ kW is the AH-1, the 700+ kW is the AH-2. Now the East, on its own, wants to raise the AH-1's power to AH-2 levels—how will the French sell their AH-2 then?

Originally, if the East wanted to increase engine power, it would have to keep buying technology from Turbomeca, a steady profit stream—but now... the trickle of income has turned into a one‑shot deal!

Watching the French suffer, Qin Miao secretly smiled; his true goal was precisely these original design data.

Later, the East initially introduced the AH-1C engine, copied it to produce the Wozhuang 8, then successively introduced the AH-1D, 1D1, 1M, etc., technology patents, producing the Wozhuang 8A, 8D, 8E, etc., engines.

In short, we had no technology of our own, relying entirely on imports. Qin Miao couldn't help but lament: on one hand, domestic units lack initiative; on the other, lacking original design data makes modification impossible.

You, you must give us the technology for the hollow turbine blade! Only then is it fair!

Qin Miao gave them a sideways glance: "Sorry, this technology involves third‑party patents; we have no right to sell it."

Sonia-Metong's face, originally pale, was now visibly darkening.

Third‑party patents—what a handy excuse! The British sold Sperry to the East, playing this trick, making the East spend extra money to absorb the technology, but the French don't do that!

All the AH-1 engine's technology patents were given to the East, yet now the East is bringing up third‑party patents!

You Easterners have no patent rights!

Cough, cough—I'm just putting it in terms you can understand; we can also say it another way: the hollow‑cooling blade technology isn't ours from Ha Gong Da.

The development of this hollow turbine blade couldn't have happened without the renowned materials expert, Shi Lao's contribution!

In 1920, Shi Lao was born into an intellectual family; in 1948 he went to the U. S., first studying at the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy, then at Notre Dame University in Indiana. During his studies he began a research career, making great contributions, and when he planned to return home, the U. S. government barred his return, placing him on the blacklist together with Qian Lao.

After persistent struggle, he finally made his way back home, thereafter embarking on an even more glorious life. Lacking high‑temperature alloys? He successfully developed the iron‑based high‑temperature alloy GH135! Need hollow blades? Even if he'd never seen one, a colleague who'd been to the Paris air show could sketch it from memory—that's enough! If the Americans can make it, we can too!

Before solid‑blade casting had even been achieved, Shi Lao led a team and, in just one year, successfully produced hollow blades—making the East the second country after the United States to master this technology.

Have you ever heard of Mr. Shi Changxu?

I have!" Goebel said: "When I was at Notre Dame in the U. S., I followed Professor Peretti, who had previously mentored this senior brother; he couldn't praise him enough, saying Eastern students are the smartest and most eager to learn...

Goebel!" Sonia‑Metong's face darkened like a pot bottom; this time she came and suffered a big loss, and even the engineers beside her defected—how did the Easterners become so smart? We French are the smartest!

Sonia, I think we can cooperate with the Easterners—after all... our engine's fuel consumption is too high; such an upgrade would still be quite...

Fuel consumption is generally averaged per hour per kilowatt of power; with other engine parameters unchanged, the injection amount stays the same, but when power increases, the fuel consumption per kilowatt‑hour drops significantly!

Although they have a 700‑kW AH‑2 engine, its power boost comes from burning more fuel, making it look backward compared to the upgraded AH‑1 product.

Goebel is in favor.

Everyone present felt moved; bringing up Shi Lao immediately made the French engineer nod in agreement to cooperate! Shi Lao is mighty!

Sonia gritted her teeth: "We can stay and cooperate, but the results must be shared, including the hollow turbine blade technology! Qin, if you truly want to cooperate, show your sincerity!"

Fine, we can give that sincerity—but... R&D costs money; you put up five million dollars, we provide the site and prototype products, how about that?

The French mastering this technology is only a recent development; giving it to them in exchange for joint cooperation is still worthwhile, after all, with the French on board, engine improvements will be faster.

No way—the R&D expenses are too high! And why shouldn't you put up the funds?

Then we'll contribute one million, no more; just that hollow‑blade technology alone is worth five million!