The military-industrial scientific research system of the academic master.

To put it nicely, Tim Bodie's current behavior is complacent, but to put it bluntly... it's a bit like a mean man who has succeeded.

However, Charles Champion had no time to care about such details.

As the chief operating officer of the A380 project, he was even more excited than Bodie when he heard that the Trent 900 could be delivered on schedule.

After all, the pressures that both sides are under are completely different.

The A380 is a "new century air cruise ship" with a take-off weight exceeding that of the Boeing 747 and a volume even larger than that of the An-225. It not only carries Airbus's hopes of completely suppressing its old rival Boeing in the passenger aircraft field, but also constantly attracts the attention of public opinion around the world.

In most cases, especially at the beginning of a project, this focus is undoubtedly beneficial.

This model once received funding and resource investment that exceeded commercial rationality.

But the price of investing beyond commercial rationality is that expectations also exceed commercial rationality.

As a general rule, technical teams will leave themselves some wiggle room when revealing R&D schedules to the outside world.

Because of such a huge scale of project, even a god cannot guarantee that there won’t be any trouble.

Take the Trent 900 for example.

Although Bodi said that the delivery would be before March 2004, Champine was almost certain that the other party's internal schedule was at least a quarter earlier than that, or even more.

However, in the case of the A380, publicity needs outweigh technical needs.

The public relations department bypassed the R&D team and directly disclosed the internal plan schedule.

And if the media just joins in the fun, it won't lead to any serious consequences.

The real trouble is that the overwhelming public opinion will eventually affect users who are ready to place orders.

There are rumors that the A380 will be put into operation in 2007. Now you tell me that it will be delivered before 2008. Are you looking down on me?

Therefore, the supply contract for the first users was also signed before the end of 2007.

In the end, Champiin felt like there was a whip whipping his butt almost every moment. If he made the slightest mistake, he would have to bear the double pressure from the client and outside public opinion.

Given the current situation, if the Trent 900 can really be delivered on schedule or ahead of schedule.

Even let him call Bodie his godfather.

Of course, both Airbus and Rolls-Royce are well-known large companies in the industry, and aircraft engines are special non-shelf products. It is definitely not possible to do a deal like a black market transaction where the two parties just collude and finalize the deal.

Later, the previous letter of intent must be upgraded to a formal supply agreement.

In particular, details such as the delivery deadline and the technical status that the product must reach upon delivery cannot be neglected in the slightest.

Otherwise, if something goes wrong in the future, you will just be left with a lot of trouble.

Fortunately, Bodi was accompanied by a legal team, and they were obviously here to achieve a result as soon as possible...

"Charlie, in order to improve efficiency, I suggest that you organize a technical team as soon as possible and go to the Rainsway factory to understand the situation while the negotiations are underway."

At the end of the meeting, Bodi suddenly proposed:

"In this way, even if there are any problems or disagreements during the talks, they can be communicated and resolved in the shortest possible time..."

The fact that the British could come up with such a "heretical" idea shows that Rolls-Royce is well prepared and determined to win the power for the A380's maiden flight.

However, facing the party B who suddenly took the initiative and started to push for updates, Champiin was a little uncomfortable:

"Uh... Timmy, you came too suddenly this time. We definitely can't start negotiations today... or in the next few days. We also need time to assess the situation and organize manpower..."

He replied somewhat awkwardly:

"Anyway... I will hand over the information and reports you brought to the group as soon as possible. We will definitely be able to start negotiations before the end of next week at the latest..."

Before coming to Airbus, Bodi had already anticipated the efficiency of the French, so he was not surprised by this answer.

In fact, even the hotel room was booked for two weeks.

However, he still deliberately pretended to be in a difficult position, and after hesitating for a long time, he nodded reluctantly:

"Okay, but it has to be quick... The ground testing of the Trent 900 has entered the final stage, and we don't want to delay the air testing..."

"..."

The performance in front of Champein put Bodie in a good mood.

After leaving Airbus, he quickly organized his staff and began preparing for the negotiations that would begin next week.

Speaking of preparation, there is actually nothing special that needs to be done.

In his opinion, and even in the opinion of the entire Rolls-Royce company, the Trent 900 has now made up for the last shortcoming in performance. Compared with its competitors, the only shortcoming is the high speed, that is, the noise control during takeoff and climb, which is slightly worse.

But this disadvantage is not worth mentioning compared to the huge lead in fuel economy.

In addition, the basic design of GP7200 is derived from the GE90 and PW4090 engines. This hybrid design can combine the advantages of both models at best, but on the other hand it will also bring many technical risks.

In short, let’s talk about performance, reputation, and risk.

The advantage is so great that I don’t know how to lose!

However, what happened next soon made Bodi understand what it meant to be overjoyed and then sad...

……

On the first weekend after the Rolls-Royce team arrived in France, Bodie, who had nothing to do, took a few of his men out for some fun as usual.

When he returned to his residence, it was almost midnight.

But several team members who stayed behind did not fall asleep, but gathered at the door of Bodi's room.

Obviously waiting for him to come back.

"director."

The team assistant came forward:

"Two hours ago, we received a message from the headquarters asking you to return home as soon as possible, but we couldn't contact you just now, so we had to wait here."

This sentence made Bodi, who was already seven points drunk, shudder and sober up instantly:

"Let me... or let us?"

He shook his still dizzy head and immediately confirmed it.

"Director Panos Watson specifically emphasized that you will return home alone, and the rest of us will continue to negotiate with Airbus in France, but..."

The other party paused for a moment, then lowered his voice further:

"We are asked to delay as much as possible and not to reach a clear agreement with Airbus for the time being."

If Bodi had just come to his senses just now, now he was sweating coldly.

As the deputy project manager, there was nothing unusual about the headquarters calling him back individually.

After all, many important decisions cannot be made without his presence.

But at the same time, he asked the negotiation team to delay time...

I'm afraid there is only one possibility left -

Trent 900, something went wrong.

And it’s not a small problem.

Because just as Champiin guessed, the delivery time of March 2004 actually left a three-month margin.

The sudden change in negotiation strategy now means that three months is not enough...

Bodie felt a slight headache.

Thinking about how I boasted in front of Champine two days ago, but ended up failing miserably.

This wave is obviously bound to be embarrassing.

But compared with the progress of Trent 900 and even the future and fate of this model, personal face seems insignificant.

He took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down:

“When is the next flight?”

"I checked. It's 7 a.m. tomorrow."

The assistant replied:

"However, considering the weather in London, it might be faster to take the Eurostar."

Eurostar is a cross-sea railway train between London and Paris, with about 6-9 trips per day.

For short trips like those in England and France, it is often more convenient than flying.

This is especially true in adverse weather conditions.

But the environment is a little worse.

"Then take the train... I hope they are more punctual than the British and German railways..."

Bodi made a prompt decision:

"We are going to Paris now."

Airbus' factory is located in Toulouse in southwestern France, about 700 kilometers away from Paris.

After saying that, he opened the door, suppressed the slight headache brought on by the alcohol and began to pack his things.

"Manager Bodi, if you haven't returned after the negotiations start next week and Airbus asks about it again..."

The assistant followed in.

He didn't know what happened at the headquarters, but after Bodi left, the entire team lost someone who could make the final decision, and there was no way to conduct negotiations normally.

If something really goes wrong, it is likely that the assistant will be the one to take the blame.

However, Bodi himself was so upset that he had no time to comfort others. He immediately said what he was thinking:

"Just say that I'm suddenly unwell and can't preside over the negotiations... The headquarters may send another person to take charge, but if not, you will have to support them for a while..."