Chapter 205: From Equal Cooperation to Becoming a Downstream Supplier

In later generations, the most formidable intercontinental ballistic missile, the Dongfeng-41, is only 16.5 meters long, but its diameter has increased to 2.78 meters; such a missile can fly over ten thousand kilometers, enough to strike any country on Earth.

And now, the Dongfeng-3, with a range still under three thousand kilometers, is 24 meters long and has a diameter of 2.25 meters.

Thus, the launch vehicle for the Dongfeng-3 contains more technology than that of the Dongfeng-41.

Actually, that is not the case.

The Dongfeng-41 is a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile; once loaded into its launch tube, it is ready to fire at any moment, weighing 63.5 tons, whereas the Dongfeng-3 missile is a liquid-fuel medium-range ballistic missile; although its launch weight is 64 tons, during transport what is actually carried is just an empty shell, weighing only a dozen-odd tons.

It requires over fifty tons of fuel to be loaded, which must be added before launch; that is, the fuel must be placed on other fuel trucks, so the weight the missile launch vehicle needs to carry is greatly reduced.

In fact, even if this shell were placed on top of the vehicle body, it would not raise the center of gravity much, but…

Being a person requires vision; one must have foresight.

Although this launch vehicle is said to be for someone's Dongfeng-3 missile in some country, and that person even invested two hundred million dollars in R&D funding, we also need it domestically.

There's no need to mention the outdated models; advanced models are under development, and the Giant Wave Ashore project requires advanced missile launch vehicles—this bragging, Qin Miao has already blown.

The Giant Wave-1 missile is only 10.7 meters long, about the same as a Scud missile, but its diameter has increased to 1.4 meters, half again thicker than a Scud! The width of the Scud missile launch vehicle is already insufficient.

Moreover, the Scud missile is a bare round, directly carried on the launch vehicle, whereas our Giant Wave-1 ashore version comes with a launch tube; once attached, the diameter exceeds two meters!

The length of the launch vehicle can be adjusted by adding or removing axles, but its width must be planned ahead, to accommodate the Dongfeng-3 and the modified Giant Wave-1, the Dongfeng-21; that is, it must carry missiles over two meters wide, so the launch vehicle's wheelbase must be over three meters.

As Qin Miao was about to leave, the people of Wanshan Factory were stunned.

They originally thought that having surveyed the chassis of the MAZ-543 gave them capability equal to Harbin Institute of Technology, but now they realize the technology they mastered is worthless, utterly useless!

Moreover, they only did the survey; they don't even know if they can produce something of the same quality as the old Soviet products!

"Qin Chief, wait!"

Qin Miao turned his head: "Anything else?"

"We… we Wanshan Factory are willing to cooperate with your Harbin Institute of Technology's work; we are willing to provide matching support—no matter what product, as long as it is given to Wanshan Factory for production, we can definitely produce it…"

No more talk of joint cooperation or splitting profits after deducting production costs.

Now, as long as we divide the production work among them, they will be satisfied.

After all, third-line factories are all hungry; waiting for handouts from above is impossible, so they take the initiative, merely seeking a way out for the factory.

Now…

"How about this: you give us the MAZ-543 axle data, we'll review it and perhaps modify our original design; once the design is finished, we'll assign the axle production task to you."

All the people of Wanshan Factory widened their eyes.

What do you mean? You just said the MAZ-543 was completely useless, and now you want to enlarge it using its axle!

"What? You don't agree? Then forget it."

"Willing, willing, but… Chief Qin, our production costs…"

"Production costs—we will compare quotes from other domestic manufacturers and give you an average price; of course, if you're unwilling, then forget it, since we already have the design ready, and that axle data isn't even necessary."

"Willing, willing, willing!" Fan Gui hurriedly said: "We've already brought the axle data this time, Fan Jian, take out the data and hand it to Chief Qin!"

Fan Jian was still hesitating, when Fan Gui glared at him: "Hurry up!"

Thus, a briefcase of data was placed before Qin Miao.

"Chief Qin, this is the survey data we've prepared, but… could you… give us a down payment? After all, our factory's finances are tight lately…"

"Impossible!" Qin Miao said: "You produce according to our drawings; the products must meet our standards and pass inspection before we pay in full."

What a joke— in later generations' automotive supply chain, downstream suppliers consider it a blessing if they aren't pressed for payment; usually they're delayed several months or even half a year! If the OEM goes under, downstream suppliers might go bankrupt from being unable to recover payment.

Still want a down payment? Go dream!

If we give you the first batch's down payment, you'll become big shots, repeatedly demanding money; if we don't pay, you won't produce— we won't fall for that trick, don't bring out that old scheme!

Whoosh!

Fan Jian picked up the briefcase: "Brother, this is them trying to get something for nothing; we won't stand for this!"

Fan Gui also hesitated; these terms offer no benefit to Wanshan Factory at all, especially since the other side has taken so much money yet refuses to give us a share— that's too stingy! Where's the sincerity?

"Maybe we should forget it; you still haven't realized your situation. The planned economy is a thing of the past; later we will gradually develop a market economy. Supplying the OEM requires bidding— the lowest bid wins the contract, and prices will periodically be required to automatically drop by a certain margin."

Qin Miao glanced at them: "Harbin Institute of Technology isn't your direct superior; there's no need to coddle you. We just need to announce the news— plenty of factories will be willing to bid! Director Lu, let's go!"

Now we don't even need to treat you to a meal— we have to get back to work!

Smack!

Fan Jian's head got slapped; he widened his eyes: "Brother, why did you hit me?"

"You brat, from start to now you've never done anything right!" Fan Gui snatched the briefcase from his hand: "Chief Qin, this data— hand it over to you; Wanshan Factory is the flagship of third-line military factories, and we will definitely deliver qualified products to you!"

Wanshan Factory truly has no choice!