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Chapter 837: The ambitions of Boeing and General Atomics can't withstand the power of white gloves

Videos of DJI drones attacking tanks and armored vehicles in Syria are constantly circulating on the Internet in China, and they are no exception outside China.

In addition to letting more people know about DJI, a Chinese company, this has also allowed many countries to see the special application of small UAVs on the modern battlefield.

In the past, most people thought that only large UAVs such as Predator, Reaper, Global Hawk, and Twin-tailed Scorpion had practical significance on the battlefield.

Small consumer drones like DJI drones don't seem to have anything to do with war.

But the various videos on the Syrian side obviously broke everyone's perception.

As the most professional drone company in the United States, General Atomics has many products that are supplied to various teams in the United States.

Previously, they have always regarded Daystar Technology as their biggest competitor, after all, whether it is a twin-tailed scorpion drone or a Golden Eagle unmanned helicopter, it can be used in the military.

But I didn't expect a DJI to pop up now, and I caught them off guard.

"John, does the Pentagon have plans to purchase small drones in large quantities?"

Plint was promoted from vice president to president of General Atomics last month and is ready to make the company the world's largest drone company.

However, this ambition has not yet begun to be implemented, but it was hit by the sudden emergence of DJI drones, a Chinese company.

"We are assessing the impact of small UAVs on modern modes of warfare."

"But I think you've seen those videos in the past few days, small drones have special uses on some special battlefields."

"So in the future, it will definitely be purchased on a large scale."

John and Plint are also old acquaintances.

As soon as the other party spoke, he was able to guess the purpose.

"The role of small UAVs on the modern battlefield is becoming increasingly prominent, as they are capable of performing a variety of tasks and providing important support and support for military operations."

"Our company specializes in developing a new small unmanned aerial vehicle, and I hope the Pentagon can give more support."

When it was time to ask for funds, Plint would never be polite.

Anyway, if these funds are not given to themselves, they will be given to other enterprises, and will not be saved by taxpayers.

"Although small UAVs have a limited payload, they can still carry some small arms or explosives for air support and strike missions."

"It's a feature we didn't pay much attention to before."

"Now that the problem has been discovered, I must hope to be able to equip it as soon as possible."

"Now that you're starting R&D, how long will it take to get the product out?"

General Atomics is the largest drone company in the United States, and John knows that if the five/corner/building wants to purchase drones, he will definitely be unable to avoid them.

In addition, everyone is an old acquaintance, so there is definitely no need to go around in circles and sell customs at this time.

"This is very fast, and we will be able to come up with related products next year."

In Pultit's view, there is obviously no difficulty in consumer-grade small drones.

But John's view was a little different.

"What is the estimated cost of your small drone?"

Although it was not John who paid for it, if he could keep the purchase price down, it would definitely be his credit.

"There's no way to determine this yet, but I think it can be less than $100,000."

Plint thought for a moment and came up with an answer.

In his opinion, the Predator UAV products are priced at tens of millions of dollars at every turn, and now a small UAV of 100,000 US dollars should be attractive enough.

But John didn't see it that way.

"Pultrient, I specifically went to find out that the prices of various DJI drone products on the market are generally between $1,000 and $10,000, and there is no product as expensive as $100,000."

"For example, the drone used in Syria is said to be only about $1,000 for the dealer."

"In this case, if your drone has to bury $100,000, I'm afraid it will be very difficult."

Listening to Pultrient's words, some special thoughts suddenly popped into John's mind.

Of course, he wouldn't tell Plinter about that idea.

He was going to talk to a few friends about his thoughts later.

"John, we're working on small military drones, and we can't compare them to DJI's consumer drones."

"We need to consider that in complex environments, such as cities or mountainous areas, drones need to have high-precision positioning and navigation capabilities."

"Improving the navigation system, sensors and positioning algorithms of drones is a very important technical challenge, which requires a lot of manpower and material resources."

"In this role, UAVs need to maintain good communication and data exchange with ground command centers or other aircraft in long-distance and complex environments."

"We also have to invest a lot of resources to ensure the stability, security and reliability of communication and data links."

"$100,000 is already the cost we calculated based on a large number of purchases."

What Plint said is obviously reasonable, and there is no way to easily refute it.

If you change it to a person who doesn't know the situation, it is estimated that you really think that the price of $100,000 for a small drone is really favorable.

But DJI's unmanned products are out there, and no matter how much you talk about the others, it's not convincing.

John, who had other ideas in mind, didn't bother to argue with Plint this time, and after a few more words, he ended the exchange.

Then he immediately found a friend who was very iron.

"Frank, I have an idea, you can see if it is feasible."

Over the years, John has cooperated with Frank in a lot of private work, and it can be said that Frank is nominally his friend and old classmate, but it is more accurate to say that Frank is John's white glove.

"Do you have a new idea?"

Frank looked at John expectantly.

Every time John spoke to him like that, it meant that something great was coming.

"Have you seen the videos of drones attacking tanks and armored vehicles circulating in Syria during this time?"

"Of course! This is already the most popular content on video sites, and I'm sure I've seen it too. ”

"According to the information I have learned, this small UAV is of great significance for the local battlefield, and the relevant departments have realized this and are ready to purchase a large number of them."

"John, but our company doesn't make drones."

Frank said regretfully.

For the relevant departments of the United States, the procurement of military products is definitely a huge piece of fat.

A large part of the hundreds of billions of dollars spent on military spending each year is related to military procurement.

John only had to pluck some hair off the top and eat a full bowl.

Over the years, the two of them have basically been making money around this thing.

"Just because we didn't produce in the past doesn't mean we won't produce in the future."

It is clear that John is going to make a fortune on drones this time.

However, Frank was a little pressured, and said: "The production requirements for military drones should be relatively high, and at present, General Atomics and Boeing are doing better in this regard, and we want to surpass these two competitors, I'm afraid it will be difficult." ”

To be a man is to be self-aware, this is Frank's code of conduct.

However, it was precisely because Frank was more honest that John dared to let him be his white glove.

Otherwise, you will be sold by accident.

"The drones produced by Boeing and General Atomics are all large drones, and they are millions of dollars, or even tens of millions of dollars."

"It's not at all the same thing as the small drones that we see in the video attacking tank armored vehicles."

"Drones like the ones that we've seen, they're selling for less than $10,000, and that's definitely not something Boeing and General Atomics can do."

"So they're not our biggest competitors in this business."

John gave his own interpretation in an ingenious way.

This gave Frank renewed hope.

To be able to do military business, it is naturally the best.

Drones, a high-tech-related business, tend to be more profitable, and he is more interested.

"Then do we really want to introduce a production line, recruit drone R&D personnel, and develop a small drone ourselves?"

"Although this UAV seems to be much simpler than the products developed by Boeing and General Atomics, the technical threshold is not so high."

"But if you want to win the favor of the relevant departments, the performance must not be very bad, right?"

"We started from scratch, and we didn't know when we would be able to come up with a qualified product."

Seeing that a piece of fat seemed to slip past his eyes, Frank felt a little pity.

But he really doesn't have any confidence to come up with their own drone products in a short period of time.

"We don't directly develop drones ourselves, or even produce drones, but that doesn't mean we can't sell drones."

John smiled mysteriously, apparently having something in mind.

"That'...... So how do we do it? ”

At this moment, Frank was really a little dizzy.

The company doesn't produce drones, so what kind of drone business do you have?

Is it possible to be a second-hand dealer?

Boeing and General Atomics won't give up their profits.

"The drone that appears in the video over there in Syria is a product from Huaxia DJI drone."

"The price of this kind of drone is generally between $1,000 and $10,000, and we can buy a batch of drones from DJI and let them remove the logo."

"Then we re-put our logo on our drone company and resell it to the relevant departments."

"A $1,000 DJI drone, after we change hands, we sell it to the relevant departments for $20,000, and this price will definitely satisfy many people."

"After all, $20,000 may be a fraction of what Boeing and General Atomics offered."

As soon as John said this, Frank's eyes lit up.

He knew that John dared to do this, and he must have his own way to deal with a series of people.

Otherwise, such a vigorous operation would definitely not be able to continue.

But he thought of something again, and said: "This selling price is directly 20 times the purchase price, isn't it too exaggerated?" ”

Although the profits of military products are very high, the profits of 20 times at every turn are still beyond the normal level.

Frank definitely knows this.

"Do you think the $19,000 difference is our profit?"

"We're almost enough to be able to leave three achievements, and the rest needs to be given to other people."

"Otherwise, how could it be possible to sell the drone with such a simple and crude method?"

As soon as John said this, Frank immediately understood everything.

But he certainly wouldn't ask anything more on that issue.

It wasn't part of his business, he just had to do what John told him to get the company up and running.

It's just that he quickly thought of another question and said, "Will they have any opinions on our OEM DJI drone products?" ”

"This batch of products was sold to the relevant departments in the United States, and if it weren't for our OEM, it would be impossible for DJI to get this batch of orders."

"Besides, we won't be their competitors after the brand, as long as the other party is smart enough, they will turn a blind eye."

John replied in the affirmative.

However, Frank threw out a new question, saying: "Since DJI drones can be used in large quantities on the battlefield, if companies like Boeing and General Atomics are pushing for sanctions against DJI behind the scenes and not allowing relevant departments to use DJI products, won't our business be abandoned halfway?" ”

Frank's concern is definitely not unreasonable.

Sanctioning other arms companies is the most popular thing for the relevant departments in the United States.

The military industry is the backbone of the United States.

The stakes here are very deep.

Whoever dares to grab meat from the American arms company in this regard will definitely be cleaned up by the other party.

Frank has seen too many similar cases.

"Although DJI drones can be used in the military, they are indeed civilian consumer drones, and most consumers buy them for aerial photography and other purposes."

"Even Boeing and General Atomics are clear about that."

"So even if we want to promote sanctions against DJI, I think it should be to restrict the purchase of relevant departments, and will not directly prohibit ordinary consumers from buying."

"Otherwise, many consumers will stand up and protest."

I have to say that John's analysis is quite reasonable.

The United States also needs to consider public opinion.

After all, public opinion is sometimes the vote.

If you go too far, you'll be affected in all sorts of ways.

"As long as the relevant departments restrict the use of DJI drone products, our business is estimated to be unsuccessful."

"After all, Boeing only needs to arch our approach outward, and this thing will be very difficult."

When Frank said this, John couldn't help but frown.

This is still very reasonable.

And Boeing is definitely capable of doing this kind of thing.

After all, the relevant departments have banned the purchase, and you can simply change the label and continue to sell.

Is this stupid?

However, John's wool is not once or twice, and he is still very experienced.

"When the time comes, they will push the relevant departments to ban the purchase of DJI drone products, and maybe it will give us another new opportunity."

"Huh? New opportunities? ”

Frank was completely confused.

It's all this time, and there are still new opportunities?

"That's right, new opportunities!"

"Boeing is likely to push the relevant departments to ban the purchase of DJI drone products, but ordinary consumers can still buy them, and ordinary companies can also buy them."

"We can buy a large number of DJI drones by ourselves and lease them to the relevant departments."

"For example, the rental price of a drone is $3,000 a year, and the compensation for each drone is $30,000 after damage, maybe in the end we will make more money."

John smiled, pleased with his idea.

After so many years in this field, he has a clear understanding of the development of many things.

There's definitely a lot of room to maneuver in this.

Of course, at that time, it was absolutely impossible for him to eat all the fat in this piece.

He can set up a company to buy DJI drones and lease them to the relevant departments, and some other people can definitely do the same.

When the time comes, let's communicate and share this piece of cake together.

……

While John was planning how to make money from the drone business, Boeing was not idle.

They are purchasing a batch of various models of DJI drones for analysis.

There were even a few tanks and armored vehicles that were about to be scrapped in the test site for testing.

With this test, they have a clearer idea of the power of small drones.

"Absen, will you be able to produce a miniature missile suitable for small UAVs?"

"If micro missiles can be combined with small UAVs, the lethality should still be very large."

"I remember that Daystar Technology demonstrated the swarm tactics of drones before, and specially developed micro missiles."

"Although the video and drones in Syria are all bombs, it is undoubtedly more appropriate to replace them with miniature missiles."

David was just promoted to vice president of Boeing last year, so he naturally wants to do something.

Although drones are not Boeing's core business, everyone is optimistic about this market, and David also wants to work hard.

"There is naturally no problem in the production of miniature missiles, but in order to make missiles miniaturized and lightweight, a large number of lightweight materials need to be used, preferably high-end carbon fiber materials."

"In this way, the production cost of this miniature missile may be higher than the price of DJI drones."

As the person in charge of Boeing's ballistic business, Absen's judgment is relatively accurate.

The price of DJI drones in China starts at only $1,000, and in this case, with a bomb worth hundreds of dollars, the cost of use is definitely very low.

Even if two planes set off at the same time, one of them is shot down, and the other one can play a role, it can be considered a very cost-effective.

But for Boeing, the cost of a miniature missile may be 20,000 US dollars, and the cost of its own UAV will go to 100,000 US dollars, and the final use cost will be more than N times higher than DJI.

This situation is nothing if there is no comparison.

But everything is afraid of comparison.

"It is impossible for relevant departments to use DJI drones as civilian products, and it is normal for similar drones to be upgraded into military products, and the price is higher."

"Besides, after using micro missiles, the attack accuracy is definitely much higher than that of ordinary bombs, and the attack effect is much better."

"It's normal to pay for the advancement of this technology, and the price is a little higher."

"Besides, even if the cost is high, it is actually more than 100,000 US dollars, which is nothing compared to the price of the Reaper drone."

When David said this, Absen didn't know how to refute it.

After all, that's exactly what happened.

"What if other companies do DJI with very cheap solutions?"

"Then we're not competitive at all."

Although the arms market in the United States is mainly monopolized by those few companies.

But when it comes to some new products, the situation is a little more special.

As long as the competitiveness is enough, some new entrants can still drink a sip of soup.

Obviously, such a brand-new product as a small UAV, as long as it works well, it will be the kind that belongs to special circumstances.

"You mean General Atomics?"

"There's no way they're going to make cheap drones."

"If that's the case, then how can they continue to sell high-end products like the Predator drone and the Reaper drone in the future?"

David gave his judgment in the affirmative.

However, before he could finish his sentence, Plinter of General Atomics called her.

"David, are you preparing to develop a small drone?"

The other party did not go around in circles and went straight to the topic.

The question was so sudden, which made David feel a little weird.

Everyone is a circle of people, although there is a competitive relationship, but in fact, personal relations are also passable.

Plint asked himself, apparently something.

Besides, Boeing is going to engage in small drones, and there is nothing particularly worthy of secrecy about this kind of thing.

After all, I'm just telling you if I'm working on this thing, not to show you all my skills.

"Yes, we have already set up a project to start developing small drones."

After a few seconds of thought, David gave his reply.

"General Atomics probably won't let go of this market, right?"

Immediately afterwards, David immediately asked again.

Gifts are still exchanged.

You can't let the other party always hold the initiative, after all, you represent Boeing.

"You're right, we are also preparing to develop small UAVs."

"But this time, I'm afraid we're all going to miscalculate."

"The purchase order of small UAVs from relevant departments will be delivered within 3 months at the latest, and it is impossible for us to come up with a mass product in such a short time."

When Plint said this, David immediately felt the strangeness.

The two of them are the largest drone companies in the United States, and without full communication with them, the relevant departments decided to deliver a large number of drones in three months.

This is obviously not normal.

Unless the relevant departments already have other options, they are sure that they can complete the delivery of large quantities in 3 months.

(End of chapter)