Back in 1978, I was admitted to Northwestern Polytechnical University.

Chapter 161 Checking in at Dassault, I have to take a picture!

Dassault Systèmes, Santa Cruz Experimental Plant.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is our Mirage 2000 experimental factory. We are currently producing the third prototype, which will have full combat capabilities..." Sergey Dassault pointed to the aircraft being assembled in the center of the workshop, his face full of pride.

Old Song and the others carefully observed the Mirage 2000 being manufactured inside. The main beams of the fuselage were already formed, allowing them to closely examine its structure. This was a rare opportunity, but it was a bit of a pity that they couldn't take pictures. It would be even better if they could measure it with a ruler.

and many more!

Old Song looked at the parts being assembled at the rear: "Is that a servo motor?"

“Yes, this is the servo mechanism for the tail rudder,” Sejel said proudly. “This servo mechanism alone requires very advanced technology…”

The servo motor receives signals from the pilot and transmits them to the control surfaces. Currently, only hydraulic operation is available in China, and the servo motor is also hydraulically driven. The Mirage 2000 was the first French fighter jet with fly-by-wire control, so the servo motor naturally inputs electrical signals.

That's not a big deal. The key point is that this servo is extremely small, only the size of an aluminum alloy lunchbox! The delta wing fighter jet in front of us requires a lot of torque to operate the control surfaces, and this little box can provide such a large torque. What kind of structure is inside this box?
Old Song's desire to dismantle it became even stronger.

Is it powered by a drive motor inside?

“No, the motor doesn’t have that much torque; it uses electro-hydraulic transmission,” Sergiel said.

Okay, now we know the technical approach!

When it comes to sheer power, hydraulic cylinders are the way to go. This electric control system is driven by electronic components, which in turn drive the hydraulic cylinder. However, given how small the hydraulic cylinder is, the internal oil pressure must be extremely high... This is quite a sophisticated technology!
It seems that there are no factories in the East that can manufacture these parts. It looks like we still have to rely on Northwestern Polytechnical University!
"Come on, everyone, let's move forward. I'll take you to our R&D department, where we have Dassault Systèmes' advanced design programs..."

Old Song looked at the plane with reluctance, clearly not wanting to leave. Beside him, Old Lin said, "Can we take a picture together in front of this plane?"

A trip to Dassault should leave some souvenirs!

Old Song's eyes lit up: "That's right, let's take a photo together!"

“Everyone, taking photos here is not allowed. Let’s walk a little further ahead; there’s a better spot for taking pictures,” Sergiel Dassault said.

Everyone was clearly unwilling!

Sergey Dassault glanced at Lao Shen, who understood: "Everyone, since we're here at Dassault's factory, we have to respect the rules. Let's go, let's go up ahead; there are definitely better filming locations there. Come on, Lao Lin!"

"Ok."

The group had no choice but to continue forward. After walking for a while, they came across a billboard for Dassault Systèmes, which featured a Mirage 2000 with its wings spread as if about to take flight.
“Mr. Sergiel, I think this place is quite nice!” Old Shen said.

"No problem here, everyone line up in two rows!"

Click, click, click!

Several photos were taken. It wasn't the Polaroid era yet; they had to be developed. Sergey Dassault chuckled and assured him that he would mail them back once they were developed.

As everyone continued walking forward, no one noticed that there were several sculptures near the billboard. If you used a wide-angle lens, you would also include those sculptures in the frame.

"Gentlemen, we have noticed that your air force's equipment is outdated and urgently needs upgrading!" Before leaving, Sergey Dassault finally revealed his purpose: "I believe that you should choose our Mirage 2000 as your next-generation aircraft! It will fill a gap in your capabilities. Our Mirage 2000 has strong air combat capabilities and excellent interception performance, making it most suitable as your main force, deployed in the north, to better intercept Russian bombers..."

"Yes, we will consider it carefully," Old Lin nodded. The day's inspection came to a successful conclusion, and the inspection team's itinerary was also about to end. The airshow was already a public day, and for professionals like them, it had lost its significance.

That evening, the group boarded a private plane and returned to the East.

"Old Lin, what do you guys think of the Phantom 2000?"

"Old Shen, this doesn't seem to be a project under your supervision, does it?"

"Ahem, of course, I just wanted to say that this is a rare opportunity, we can't miss it!"

"Can't miss it? Sixty million US dollars a unit, do you think our country can afford it?"

Old Shen was a little embarrassed: "This... does seem to be quite expensive."

"Even if we were to purchase the Super 7, we wouldn't buy this. The Super 7's performance is already quite high, and the model we use ourselves is even more powerful..."

"How strong?"

"Old Shen, I'm not trying to criticize you, but why can't you keep this a secret? You're going to suffer a big loss!"

"Ahem, Lao Lin, I, Lao Shen, am also an Air Force member. I just wanted to do my part for the Air Force..."

On March 5, 1980, the higher authorities issued the "Notice on the Civil Aviation Administration of China No Longer Being Managed by the Air Force". Ten days later, the Civil Aviation Administration of China separated from the Air Force and became an agency directly under the leadership of the higher authorities. The original Air Force pilots also took off their military uniforms and put on civil aviation flight uniforms.

East, capital, airplane terminal.

“This old Shen is definitely suspicious. He’s been speaking in a way that’s siding with the French!” Old Lin said with a serious expression.

"Yes, while they are still under the jurisdiction of our Air Force, we should conduct an internal investigation. If they have indeed been bribed by the sugar-coated bullets of capitalism, then we must remove them as soon as possible!" Old Wang's expression also became serious.

"Old Wang, if Old Shen really isn't suited for that position, could we transfer Old Cheng from Shanghai over here?" Old Lin asked.

Mr. Cheng, the deputy chief engineer of the Y-10, if he were to lead civil aviation, then there would be hope for the Y-10!
Old Wang looked at Old Lin with a complicated expression: "We can't make the decision on this matter. We can only offer suggestions. The decision has to be made by the higher-ups."

"Ok."

Knock knock knock... Just then, a secretary rushed in.

"Distinguished leaders, the latest issue of the French newspaper Le Monde is out. The opinions in this paper... are clearly unfavorable to us!"

what?
Old Lin took it and glanced at it. He couldn't understand the tadpole-like characters on it, but the photo on the front page was very clear. It was the group photo taken at Dassault Company at that time. However, the people were very small, occupying less than a quarter of the photo area, with the rest being the background.

As a result, the nearby sculptures were all included in the photo.

These are all very famous sculptures.

"The Monument to Bruckhaus," "Night Fable," "The Traveler"... These sculptures are not originals, but replicas, and they all have one thing in common: naked women.

(End of this chapter)