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

Chapter 404 Take the money from the other side to build our third-generation super-powerful pusher!

September has arrived, and Northwestern Polytechnical University is starting a new semester. The campus is full of new students.

Datang Corporation Headquarters.

"Mr. Qin, the turbofan engine you provided us with has serious quality defects, including data falsification, which has severely damaged Garrett's business reputation. You must give us an explanation!"

Qin Baomin remained calm, a faint smile on his face: "Really? May I ask what serious defect it is?"

"The surge margin is too low, even lower than the TF30 engine on the Tomcat! As a world-renowned aviation giant, how could you produce such a defective product! If this gets out, it will seriously damage your reputation!"

"Really? I remember you were there when we were test driving it, and we signed the finalization documents together... Wait, let me look for it."

Qin Baomin found the original documents, took them out, and placed them in front of Roger Connery.

"Hmph, I know, of course I know. Back then, we only trusted you. We never expected you to deceive us!" Roger Connolly gritted his teeth. "We can test it on the spot. Your product doesn't even meet the surge margin standard!"

“Mr. Connolly, since you have signed here, it means that this collaborative project has come to an end. If you want us to help with the modifications, that is also possible. However, you must cover the research and development costs. Of course, considering your current situation, we won't ask for too much. Let's set it at five hundred million US dollars. How does that sound?”

Five hundred million dollars!

Connelly's face darkened: "The development budget for the F100 engine was only 500 million. You're asking for far too much!"

“Since you think it’s too expensive, then forget it,” Qin Baomin said. “You can find other companies to help you improve it. Companies like Pratt & Whitney and General Electric are leaders in this industry. They… I think they would be willing to help you.”

What a joke!
These companies would love for Garrett to be driven out of the market, so why would they help them!
It seems the only one we can turn to for help is the East!

But... five hundred million dollars? How is that possible!

“Fifty million dollars, that’s the most we can offer!” Connolly said. “After all, you didn’t do a good job on this project, so we’re willing to contribute some money. But don’t try to make an exorbitant demand!”

"Five hundred million, not a penny less, we won't do it!"

Roger Connery's face darkened: "You guys... this is too shady! If word gets out, no company will want to work with you again!"

"Of course we do. Many companies are cooperating with us. For example, Rolls-Royce is currently working with us to jointly develop a new passenger aircraft engine. We don't necessarily have to take on small business like yours."

Roger Connery's body trembled.

Rolls-Royce is also a giant in the world of aircraft engines. The company has the Adur 151 engine used in the Goshawk trainer aircraft. There is also a version of this engine with an afterburner, which is the Adur 102, and the latter is used in the Jaguar.

If the Easterners cooperate with Rolls-Royce, they can get this engine; they won't lack engines themselves. However... Garrett's market share will be further eroded!
It seems that the development of this engine really can only rely on Easterners! But, five hundred million US dollars…

"Can it be less?"

"No, not a single cent less!"

At the same time, Magic City.

“Mr. Qin, we have estimated that developing a brand-new civil aviation turbofan engine with a thrust of ten tons will be extremely costly. Our preliminary estimate is that it will require at least five hundred million US dollars!” Mark Robertson said.

“No problem. If we each hold half the shares, we’ll contribute 250 million, and you’ll contribute 250 million!”

Right now, several hundred million dollars is nothing to Northwestern Polytechnical University, but for Rolls-Royce, it's absolutely a matter of life and death! They simply can't come up with that kind of money!
Mark Robertson looked slightly embarrassed: "Well, well... Mr. Qin, we're currently facing a very tight cash flow situation. Could you... perhaps advance us this R&D funding? We can then use the raw materials we produce in the UK to pay off the debt..."

"That's impossible. After all, we are also in the process of trial production of blanks. It won't be long before we can achieve complete self-production of blanks. The import volume will not exceed 50 million US dollars, which can only be counted as 10% of the equity. In addition, with the R&D personnel you invest, we will take 80% and you will take 20%. How about that?"

Of course not!
Mark Robertson shook his head repeatedly: "No, no, even if we participate in the V2500 project, we can still get a 30% share."

"But you don't have any money, do you? Even if you participate in the V2500 project, do you have the funds to invest?"

Mark Robertson remained silent, but his expression clearly showed his disagreement.

"If you want a 50% share, there's a way too," Qin Liang continued. "After the research and development is successful, production will be entirely in Shanghai. Your Luo Luo Company will be responsible for sales, and all the profits will belong to us until the research and development costs are paid off."

This is equivalent to using future money to do things now, which carries many risks. For example, if the research and development fails, the huge investment will be wasted. Or, if the research and development is successful, the British may renege on their decision and produce the engine in a European factory, or the engine may not be sold and not enough funds are raised. In such cases, the East will suffer losses.

Dongfang's suggestion is definitely that of a true friend!

“Okay!” Mark Robertson nodded. “Then we’ll do it your way!”

"Well, our only condition is to slightly change the shareholding ratio. We will hold 51% and you will hold 49%. This is mainly due to the regulations from above. Joint ventures cannot allow foreign parties to hold a controlling stake. Rolls-Royce has the most experience in developing advanced civil aviation engines, so you will definitely have the final say in the end."

Mark Robertson frowned.

"If you agree to these conditions, we will not charge interest on the R&D expenses we advance, nor will we consider factors such as inflation. Whether it is five or ten years later, after deducting profits, we will still deduct $250 million. After that, we will distribute our subsequent profits according to this ratio."

"it is good!"

Developing an engine takes at least five years. During those five years, how much will the dollar depreciate, and how much interest will be involved?
These conditions are enough to demonstrate the sincerity of the Easterners!

"Then let's sign the contract. Starting today, Northwestern Polytechnical University and Rolls-Royce will form a joint venture to develop the world's most advanced ten-ton-class civil aviation turbofan!"

With the contract signed, the research and development team of the WS-10 turbofan engine was all beaming with excitement. They originally thought it would take ten years to develop it, but now, five years would be enough. Moreover, they were able to complete the entire development process of an advanced aero-engine. Rolls-Royce was their teacher, guiding them step by step in research and development. In the future, they will teach their apprentices so well that they will outlive their teachers!

However, it's really... I feel bad that Northwestern Polytechnical University is paying for all of this.

After the contract was signed and the next steps were arranged, everything was on track. Only then did Mr. Zhang, the person in charge of the WS-10 research and development, walk over with a look of emotion.

"Comrade Qin Liang, thank you for your support, but... it's really a bit embarrassing for us to have such a huge amount of research and development funding invested by you."

"It's alright. This project has already changed hands. Once it's successfully developed, it will be manufactured in Shanghai. Of course, we'll have to cover the R&D costs. As for the five hundred million US dollars... it's nothing. It's just a drop in the bucket for us."

Originally, when the WS-10 project was first initiated, Factory 410 was designated as the production site. However, now the R&D funding is from Northwestern Polytechnical University, the R&D institution is in Shanghai, and production is also in Shanghai. Factory 410 doesn't have the production facilities. As for whether they will cause trouble...

Qin Liang couldn't care less about all that. After all, under the original arrangement, Factory 410 was the kind of factory that didn't have to spend a single penny. Such a windfall should never have happened in the era of market economy.

Besides, it was the Air Force that pushed them to do this. If they have any complaints, they should go find the Air Force!

"Yes, that's for sure. Factory 410 doesn't have the production facilities here either. Mr. Qin, I'll get back to work now."

"come on!"

After watching Mr. Zhang leave, Professor Liu came over.

"Liangzi, this five hundred million dollars, we got it from Garrett, right?" Qin Liang nodded: "That's right!"

"So, Garrett will also get our improved engine design? Could this be..."

The engine they're providing now has a problem. It's fine for business jets since there's no need for drastic throttle changes, but it won't work for fighter jets.

This is a plan from those people across the ditch, but now we're going to give them the improved engine... Isn't that... aiding the enemy?
"Even if we don't give it to them, after a few years, once our upgraded Q5 engines are flying all over the world, Garrett will still be able to map our engines and copy them. It won't be a big deal for them, and by then, we won't get a single penny."

This engine wasn't a highly classified project to begin with. The Q-5 will be equipped with it and fly all over the world. Garrett will get the technology sooner or later, so why not make some money now!

Garrett will not contribute any funds; in the end, it will be those people on the other side of the ditch who will provide the funding. This is equivalent to them funding our development of high-thrust turbofan engines needed for third-generation and even fourth-generation fighter jets! Of course, we should take advantage of this!
As for whether the other side will install it on their plane... that depends on their ability! According to the original design, the engine, after being lengthened, could not be fitted into the rear engine compartment. They lengthened the engine compartment, which will lead to a series of problems!
In short, the IDF would never mature before the 1990s, and after the 1990s... it seems they no longer needed to develop it themselves!
"Okay, as long as you've planned it out, that's fine. We also need to report this to the Air Force to avoid future trouble."

Qin Liang nodded: "That's for sure."

Across the ditch is the aviation development center.

"What? We need another $500 million for improvements?" Zhang Xuebin immediately flew into a rage: "No, no, this is clearly your mistake. Even if we need improvement funds, you have to raise them yourself, it has nothing to do with us! If you can't provide us with qualified engines, then you are in breach of contract!"

"Yes, it was our mistake. However, it would be best if you paid for it, because Garrett Company cannot afford it. If you don't pay, the engine cannot be improved, and you will have to use the original engine."

Richard Garrett remained calm. "Are you kidding me? Five hundred million dollars! The total profit from this engine probably isn't even that much! Right now, the only option is to get these people in front of me to cover it; otherwise, they'll abandon the project."

As for breach of contract and going to court... go ahead, they're ready to fight! They simply don't believe that an American company like themselves can lose a lawsuit in the United States!
Huang Xiaozong sighed: "Could the research and development budget be reduced? We... really can't afford such a huge sum!"

He could already imagine the reprimand he would receive if he reported this matter!

The crash of the prototype has already cast a shadow over the IDF project. Fortunately, the problem has been identified. Now, to solve the problem, we need to come up with another 500 million.
There are too many!

"We also hoped to lower the price a bit, but... Northwestern Polytechnical University is adamant about demanding $500 million."

"Okay, I'll go report."

Inside the official residence, after listening to Emperor Huang Xiaozong's report, the old man looked at the drizzling rain outside with a complicated expression. After a long while, he slowly spoke.

"The most important thing about this matter is to confirm whether they already know that this engine was developed for us. If they do know, there might be more problems. Even if we spend five hundred million US dollars, we might not be able to get a reliable engine!"

"I don't know, absolutely not. If they really knew, they wouldn't have cooperated with us, much less modified our equipment," Huang Xiaozong assured him, patting his chest.

"Okay, then let's put up another five hundred million dollars. I heard they're building a second one?"

"Yes, we'll install the older engine first and begin preliminary test flights," Huang Xiaozong said. "After that, there won't be any more problems!"

"Okay, let's go then!"

The aerospace development center is full of confidence for the upcoming test flights, and in their eyes, this aircraft still has a bright future.

Elsewhere in the world, another group of people are filled with anticipation for their plane.

The capital of India.

“Currently, we have designed two versions to meet your requirements.” Sergei Korotkov, an engineer from the Mikoyan Design Bureau, stood in front of the projector and displayed the first slide.

"This is designed to be comparable to the F-16. From the cockpit to the rear, there are strakes on both sides, medium aspect ratio wings, all-moving horizontal stabilizer and a tall vertical stabilizer, and it is equipped with an RD33 engine. This is also our most mature solution at present. If we choose this, we can get this aircraft into service within five years."

The Indians stared at the design drawings, especially the huge rectangular air intake under the fuselage, which looked like an ugly, gaping mouth.

This thing is practically a single-engine modified version of the MiG-29!

The MiG-29s weren't very good; they suffered heavy losses in previous battles, and although the losses were on the ground, they still left a bad impression on them.

“And what about the second version?” Apuija Singh asked.

"The second layout retains the same fuselage, but the wings are changed to a canard configuration, with canards in front and a large delta wing behind. Thanks to the advantages of the canard configuration, this aircraft can have greater maneuverability..."

"We want the latter!"

They didn't like the first one; no matter how they looked at it, they thought the second one was prettier!
"The latter model is more difficult to develop, and the development time... may be more than ten years."

"How could it take so long?" the Indian man exclaimed in astonishment.

"Because this model requires power transmission operation, and also digital power transmission."

The fighter jets developed by the Russians have always been very crude. They would use old technology rather than new technology. The MiG-29 still uses the old hydraulic control system, and the Su-27 was originally also hydraulically controlled, but it was later found to be insufficient, so it was changed to fly-by-wire, and even then it was an analog fly-by-wire system!

Digital telex? The Russians don't have that technology!
However, they are people we must overcome!

In fact, the former is a single-engine version of the MiG-29, while the latter is a single-engine version of the MiG-1.42!
In order to counter the Americans, the Russians have also begun the development of a new generation of fighter jets. The heavy aircraft project, also known as the MFI project, has been assigned to the Mikoyan Design Bureau. According to the Central Institute of Fluid Mechanics, they will adopt a canard layout.

Originally, they only planned to develop this fighter jet, but... with the Indians coming to their door, they could also conveniently get the light fighter jet project started. All they had to do was replace the canard configuration with the light fighter jet. Anyway, the Indians were providing the funding, so it wouldn't matter if the project failed.

However... they were mentally prepared for the technical difficulty; even ten years might not be enough.

The Indians looked at each other, and finally, Apooye Singh spoke first.

"Can this aircraft compete with the twin-engine Q-6?"

“Of course, no problem!” Korotkov said. “This will be the most advanced fighter jet in the world! The future belongs to canard-layout fighters! Starting to develop this aircraft now will allow us to lead the world in the future!”

"Okay! This one will do!" Apuija Singh started drooling as he looked at a PowerPoint presentation.

"Then please transfer the next phase of R&D funding to us, let's start with one hundred million US dollars!"

"What, so many?"

"Developing a modern fighter jet costs money. Right now, we're only at the design stage. Once we start test flights, the cost will be even higher!"

"Then...our design team should join us and develop it together!"

　PS: The image above is of the MiG-33, a former single-engine version. This designation was later given to the MiG-29 for modification. Below is the envisioned canard configuration version.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)