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

The two test pilots in the cockpit had been waiting for a long time in the warm-up state.

After receiving the take-off order, the captain immediately released the brake lever.

Jin Xu in the cabin only felt a slight vibration, and then the plane began to accelerate.

The A340 has long been criticized for its relatively low thrust-to-weight ratio in terms of take-off distance and climb speed.

Fortunately, this aircraft is just a test platform, and its own weight is dozens of tons lighter than that of a passenger aircraft, so the physical sensation is similar to that of the 737 and A320 that we often take.

In fact, if the runway length limit is not taken into account, only one Trent 900 (equivalent to 2.5 CFM56-5Cs) is needed to fully power this 200-ton aircraft to accelerate and take off.

Therefore, the main functions of the other three engines are actually to provide a safety net and balance.

After all, the test also includes simulating parking in mid-air and then allowing the engine to complete self-starting.

But we certainly can't really make the plane unpowered.

During the entire takeoff process, Jin Xu was staring at a screen not far away.

What is shown on it is the rotation speed and load of each stage of the rotor of the No. 2 engine, including the fan.

The entire curve appeared quite smooth until it leveled off at 8500 meters.

There were only two significant fluctuations.

When the plane lifted its head, and when it climbed to about 2500 meters and encountered a violent irregular airflow -

Considering the severity of the intake distortion, the working stability of the Trent 900 is obviously still relatively optimistic.

As for more detailed data, we will have to wait until it is implemented before analyzing it.

"Slowly ascend to 10500 meters, adjust the rotation speed to 40%, and prepare to connect the RS325 and HC402 probes..."

The test leader who was sitting not far away gave orders in an orderly manner.

Upon hearing this, Jin Xu quickly shifted his attention to the other party and took out a notebook from his pocket.

After helping Rolls-Royce find the cause of the accident, Aero Engines Group's position in the entire project has risen accordingly.

Otherwise, how could a mere second-tier supplier have the opportunity to conduct aerial testing?

Originally, he even wanted to bring a camera and a tape recorder up.

But this is really a bit too outrageous.

Finally, the two sides reached a compromise, allowing him to move freely without affecting normal test work and flight safety, and to use paper and pen to take notes.

RS325 and HC402 are carbon oxide and nitrogen oxide detection devices installed under the wings respectively, which are used to test the pollutant emissions of the engine at different speeds.

It is also the most important thing that Jin Xu wants to understand on this trip.

Chang Haonan planned to focus on ultra-low fuel consumption and ultra-low emissions to bring AE1500 into the international market, but China did not actually have a particularly complete aviation emissions testing standard before.

Since this model is going to get EASA certification in the future, it is obviously a good choice to take this opportunity to refer to the process of Trent 900...

……

At this time, the plane had climbed to an altitude of nearly 10,000 meters. It was impossible to see the flight situation directly from the ground, so Champine and Bodi found a place with more sunlight and waited for the first flight test to be completed.

Not long after he relaxed, the former saw a face that he was somewhat familiar with, walking quickly towards him.

"Hello, Director Champein!"

The visitor took the initiative to come forward and greeted him.

It was not until this time that Champiin remembered that before the No. 341 test platform took off, there seemed to be a Falcon 2000 business jet landing.

But at that time his attention was all on the engine and he didn't care about the plane.

Now that I think about it, it should be a charter flight of Dassault Group.

"Dr. Casore, long time no see."

Champiin also shook hands with the other party warmly.

The aviation industry complex in Toulouse looks large, but in fact most of it is an airport.

The space actually used for office and scientific research is not very large.

Both of them are executives of France's core aviation companies, and they see each other every day.

We have known each other for many years.

As a member of Rolls-Royce management, Bodie actually has little dealings with Dassault, which mainly deals in fighter jets and business jets.

As for Casore, at most I had heard of his name, but I definitely didn't know him personally.

So he originally wanted to find a reason to avoid it, and take a short rest at the same time.

However, just as he turned around and prepared to leave, he heard Champine continue:

"The last time I saw you was before Christmas last year... I heard that you went on a business trip to China afterwards?"

For Casore, the cooperation between Dassault and Huaxia was no secret at all, so he answered almost without thinking:

"Yes, there is a cooperation project over there, so I have been staying here until now... I only came back because of an emergency mission."

But the speaker has no intention, the listener has the intention.

Bodi, who was a little tired at first, was no longer sleepy at once and stopped immediately.

He is now very curious about all the companies that cooperate with China.

Of course, we are not from the same company... or even the same country, so Bodi would not ask about the details of the cooperation right away.

I just took advantage of a break to introduce myself:

"Hello, I'm Tim Bodie, deputy project manager at Rolls-Royce, nice to meet you."

"..."

It was a very normal topic to introduce, so Casore didn't take it too seriously and just continued chatting with the two people about trivial topics.

But Bodi came here with a purpose in mind, so it was impossible for him to stay here and do oral gymnastics with the other person.

Therefore, after some pleasantries, he had to choose a slightly more radical approach:

"Dr. Casore, I just heard that you just came back from China?"

The latter comes from a military background, so that's extremely sensitive.

I immediately realized that the other party's turn of topic was a bit abrupt and there must be a trap behind it.

It is almost public knowledge that Dassault has a cooperative relationship with China.

However, the specific details of the cooperation cannot be disclosed casually.

So, he nodded:

"Yes, go there to purchase some secondary aviation materials... You know, the requirements for these things are not high, and there is a cost advantage over there."

Hearing that the other party was also looking for Chinese people as secondary suppliers, Bodi was slightly relieved:

"really……"

He nodded and continued:

"To be honest, they have developed very quickly in recent years, but unfortunately there is no market suitable for us Rolls-Royce..."

As the deputy director of R&D of the Trent 900, what Bodi meant by "no market" was naturally that China did not have an aircraft that used Rolls-Royce engines.

In fact, this was completely unintentional, and I just wanted to end the topic about China.

But Champine next to him obviously misunderstood. After hearing this, he lowered his head, looking thoughtful.

I felt a little distracted until Bodie left.

“Tim.”

After a period of silence, Champiin suddenly raised his head and looked at Bodi:

"I wonder if you have any plans to develop a new engine with a thrust of about 12-14 tons suitable for medium- and short-range passenger aircraft?"

This sudden question made the latter a little confused. After thinking for a while, he asked back:

"You mean... for A320 and 737-class aircraft?"

"Correct."

Bodi's expression became even more confused:

"But... we already have the V2500 series?"

Strictly speaking, the V2500 engine is a model developed and produced by International Aero Engines (IAE).

Similar to the Engine Alliance company that developed the GP7200, it was also for this dish of vinegar-wrapped dumplings.

The company was jointly established by Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, MTU, Fiat and Japan Aero Engines Corporation, and its only product is the V2500.

Although this means that many companies will come to share a piece of the pie, judging from Rolls-Royce's business distribution, it is obviously impossible to independently develop a product with a duplicate positioning.

But Champiin shook his head mysteriously, came closer and lowered his voice:

"We are planning a new generation of A2010 aircraft for 320 and beyond. The core goal is to reduce fuel consumption by 15% and carbon and nitrogen oxide emissions by more than 20%... The V2500 is a -year-old foundation. It is impossible to meet the requirements anyway, so a new power source is definitely needed..."

Bodie's eyes suddenly widened.

This is really explosive news.

The market for 80-ton mainline passenger aircraft is conservatively estimated to be worth trillions of dollars.

Any piece of the pie here can affect the landscape of the world's aviation industry.

While the V2500 is confirmed to be eliminated early, Rolls-Royce has no experience in developing engines of the same level.

If we hadn’t gotten the news today, we would have fallen behind our two main competitors:

"I'm afraid I'll have to report this to the board of directors after I go back..."

Champin nodded imperceptibly, and then continued:

"Since I can tell you this, it means that the demonstration phase is almost over, so we must act quickly... If it doesn't work, we can find other companies to cooperate in research and development."

But Bodi on the other side was a little worried:

"GE has the most experience in this level of engines. In addition, due to the unpleasantness in the previous cooperation with Snecma, it is highly likely that it will not accept any joint research and development plan... Pratt & Whitney has also made huge profits in the development of V2500 and has long had the idea of ​​going it alone..."

"It all depends on how you decide..."

After all, Champiin is not Luo Luo's man, so having said this, he has done his best:

"In short, if you miss this opportunity, you may not have the opportunity to re-enter this level of market in the next 20 years..."