America: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 244 Purchasing Warthogs

After touring the entire Green Field Manor and briefly establishing a development plan, Zhang Ailun left two Beggar Clan disciples to supervise and look after the ranch. He also greeted Old Karl and asked him to take care of the ranch as well. Then, Zhang Ailun prepared to head back to the city.

Dominic sent a message to the Grand Master. Zhang Ailun opened it and glanced at it.

Dominic: A customer wants to sell two General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofan engines. He needs to inspect them at a suburban warehouse. He seems quite eager to sell them.

Zhang Ailun: Okay, I'll be right back.

After putting away his phone, Zhang Ailun drove his Wrangler back to Los Angeles, taking Sig and the Beggar Clan disciples with him.

It took some time to get to the city. On the way, he had Sieg take his men off the truck while he switched to a different truck. He then called on Captain Chibatu, a professional ground crew member, and drove to the recycling station to pick up Dominic.

Dominic got into the car and sat in the passenger seat, explaining, "The customer seems to work in ground crew at the aircraft graveyard. He wanted to sell those two turbofan engines because of some unexpected events at home."

Chibatu also became interested and said, "The A-10 Warthog attack aircraft? This aircraft is over forty years old; it's an antique from the last century. It's still in service with the Air Force and is currently the only aircraft in active service responsible for providing intensive support to ground troops, including attacking enemy tanks, armored vehicles, and important ground targets. There's no suitable replacement at present. Even the F-15 and F-16 can't replace its position; 'bombarding the ground' is the most fitting description!"

"However, this attack aircraft is only suitable for small countries without air defense facilities, and it is basically useless in modern warfare. Generally, after stealth fighters are deployed to break through the front line and clear air defense obstacles, the Warthog is deployed to precisely strike enemy positions, ground forces, and arms depots, indiscriminately sweeping them away with its 30mm cannon at the front!"

"The market price of an A-10 Warthog attack aircraft is generally around US$1100 million. This is the export price. Its internal manufacturing cost is only a few million US dollars. If it is an older model attack aircraft with a longer service life and has undergone secondary maintenance and modification, it can be bought for two or three million US dollars through underground arms channels."

People with connections can even acquire a Black Hawk helicopter for $700,000 and then resell it for $5 million.

The Warthog attack aircraft has significant limitations. Against countries with strong air defenses, it is a sitting duck, and the phrase "bullying the weak and fearing the strong" perfectly describes it.

After all, it's an old relic from the last century.

But it remains as powerful as ever, capable of overwhelming the air forces of 99% of the world's countries!

"If I gave you a bunch of warthog scraps, could you assemble them into a complete form?" Zhang Ailun asked.

"Of course, if we have the professional equipment, I can. It's not like I haven't repaired this old machine before. I know how to run the wiring even with my eyes closed. It's not a big problem for me," Qibatu replied without hesitation.

"Okay." Zhang Ailun nodded in satisfaction. He drove there according to the location provided by the client.

Several tens of minutes later, we arrived at a factory building in the suburbs. From a distance, we could see a lean old man with gray hair and wearing sunglasses waiting by the roadside, with a Ford pickup truck parked next to him.

"Hey, hello! We're employees from Alfred's Scrap Metal Recycling Station. Are you the one selling turbofan engines?" Zhang Ailun parked his truck on the side of the road, and Dominic got out to greet him.

"That's right, it's me. You've finally arrived. I've been waiting here for several tens of minutes," the old man said.

"My name is Dominic, this is our staff member Hamburg, Chibatu, what's your name?" Dominic asked.

"Just call me Marushin." The old man nodded slightly. "I've already told you the details. What I'm selling are two General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofan engines for the A-10 Warthog attack aircraft. I've had some people look at them before, but the prices they offered weren't ideal."

"How much are they willing to pay?" Zhang Ailun asked with a smile. "Dude, this is a military attack aircraft engine. Where did you get it? Were you ground crew working at an aircraft graveyard before?"

Marushin said helplessly, "It's just as you think. I did work at the aircraft graveyard. It was a very lucrative job with excellent pay and benefits. However, due to some reasons, I messed up my life after retirement, and my wife even wants to divorce me."

"Many of the people I contacted before were involved in arms dealing, and some even had connections with local military districts, but they were only willing to offer $5 per engine. Good heavens, these are attack aircraft engines! Even though they are slightly worn engines, taken from retired aircraft, ordinary people can't buy them at all. When did they become so cheap?" Marushin complained bitterly.

Is it possible that most people wouldn't buy it precisely because it's so perfectly intact?

"After all, it's an antique from the last century. It's just two engines; buyers won't find much value in it beyond collecting it. Even a perfectly intact retired Warthog could be bought for at least three to five million US dollars on the market!"

Zhang Ailun spoke frankly. He then half-jokingly added, "Unless you can provide other Warthog parts so the buyer can assemble it themselves, what can you do with just two engines? They're overkill for a private jet, and it's a shame to just leave them in storage."

"Let's take a look at those two big machines first. If the price is right, I'll consider buying them."

Zhang Ailun's words also put Marushen into a state of confusion and deep thought.

"Okay." Marushin took out the warehouse key, turned around and opened the warehouse door, leading the group into the warehouse. He lifted a curtain, revealing two turbofan engines inside.

One on the left and one on the right, mounted on the A10 Warthog attack aircraft, they resemble wings unfolding from the waist and abdomen.

Although many people think warthogs are ugly, relying on the 30mm cannon protruding from their snouts to fire their mouths, they are indeed somewhat ugly.

But its ugly appearance cannot hide its superior performance.

"As you can see, this is not the original Warthog engine; it's the improved B-model engine. The TF34-GE-100 engine has a maximum takeoff thrust of 4112 kg, providing the Warthog with an effective combat radius of 500 km. However, the upgraded TF34-GE-100B engine increases the A-10's maximum payload by nearly 2000 kg, raises the aircraft's service ceiling by 1500 meters, and ensures normal takeoff and landing in harsh environments," Marushin explained in detail about the engine's parameters and specifications.

Zhang Ailun wasn't familiar with this, so he asked Qibatu, who was standing next to him, to go and check it out.

The A-10 attack aircraft is 16.26 meters long, 4.47 meters high, weighs 11321 kilograms, has a maximum speed of 833 kilometers per hour, and a maximum range of 3900 kilometers. Its key features include powerful firepower, excellent low-speed maneuverability, and high survivability and reliability. The cockpit is protected by 540 kilograms of titanium alloy armor plating, and it features a dual-redundant flight control system. The two engines are spaced far apart, allowing the aircraft to continue flying even if one engine fails. A 30mm GAU-8 cannon is mounted in the nose, and there are 11 hardpoints under the fuselage capable of carrying 7258 kilograms of various types of weapons.

"The first Iraq War in 1991 marked the A-10's first combat deployment. During Operation Desert Storm, the 144 A-10 attack aircraft flew a total of 8775 sorties, destroying over 900 Iraqi tanks, 2000 other combat vehicles, 1200 artillery positions, and nearly a quarter of the Iraqi army's weapons arsenal!"

This also made the A-10 the most efficient fighter jet in the campaign.

The A-10 also accomplished part of the task of destroying radar. In addition, the Warthog shot down two Iraqi helicopters, both using its 30mm cannon.

Their record is indeed outstanding.

However, the Grand Master still said the same thing.

"If you only have two old engines from the last century, I can only offer the retail price of the engines. After all, they're not worth much except for collecting. How about $8 for each?"

Marushin immediately put on a pained expression. "Buddy, can't you give me a higher price?" "This price is already reasonable. The reason I raised it by $2 is because I have an Air Force captain with me who used to work in Air Force ground crew. He's more familiar with the performance of this old machine."

Zhang Ailun called over Qibatu and introduced him to Marushen: "This is the Air Force captain I was talking about. He also served as an instructor at a military academy. He can modify anything. If it were sold to someone else, the price would definitely not exceed $8."

Marushin fell into deep thought.

Seeing that he was somewhat interested, Zhang Ailun pressed his advantage, saying, "If you can provide me with other Warthog parts, or even the matching fire control system, I can offer you a price higher than the market price. One engine is $100,000. For other parts, depending on the model, I can offer you up to $1.2 million after delivery! Payment in full upfront."

"What? No, I've retired and I don't do that kind of business anymore. I mean, it's illegal, and I won't do it."

Although that's what he said, it was obvious that the old man already had some ideas; his eyes were darting around.

Although he has retired, his connections and resources are still there. Finding people in the aircraft graveyard to sell some warthog parts is not a big problem for him, since he has done it before.

If I don't sell parts, my monthly salary is at most ten or twenty thousand US dollars. What can that buy? When will I be able to buy a car or a house?

They've even sold the airplane blueprints several times.

After all, if we don't sell blueprints, buyers will be left with a bunch of parts but won't be able to assemble them properly.

They even include after-sales assembly services, offering a one-time price of $20 per person under the guise of a vacation, with airfare, meals, and accommodation all included.

A group of five or six people can go at once, eat and play on the buyer's turf, experience the exotic atmosphere, and it can be assembled for you in ten days to half a month. If you're quick and efficient, you can assemble it in a few days. The main advantage is that it's paid leave.

A single Warthog, sold in bulk as parts, would only fetch a total value of a little over two million US dollars. This is far less than the price of a fully operational Warthog, since retail prices are always lower than market prices.

What's the value of a pile of steel? You can buy materials anywhere, but you have to assemble it to make it work. The essence of technology is like boiling water.

"That's a real shame. I can only afford to buy these two engines for $16," Zhang Ailun sighed.

"Dominic, send the money."

"Okay." Dominic immediately prepared to pay the remaining balance for the engine.

"Wait! I can provide you with some of the parts!" Marushin finally couldn't resist the temptation of a million dollars.

After hesitating for a moment, he nodded in agreement. "Including the fuselage, wings, tail, cockpit, electronic components, 30mm cannon, and custom-made piloting equipment... a total of $150 million! If you think it's feasible, I'll try to get it done for you. After all, the transaction is quite complicated, and I also need to find someone to prepare the goods."

The so-called "stockpiling" actually involves dismantling usable parts from retired aircraft in aircraft graveyards, labeling them as obsolete and unusable, and ostensibly selling them at scrap metal prices. However, in reality, these parts are sold to companies or arms dealers in various channels at discounted prices.

The money from the scrap metal was handed over, because those items were indeed sold, while the money from the fighter jet parts was split equally among the employees.

You asked for the price of scrap metal, which I paid. What does the price of used parts have to do with me?

"Deal!" Zhang Ailun smiled and immediately shook hands with the other party to finalize the transaction. He paid a deposit of $20 and took away the two turbofan engines. Subsequent transactions would also take place in this location, with $20 paid for each subsequent batch of parts delivered.

After agreeing on the time and place, Marushin used the warehouse crane to transport the two engines onto the truck. The load, weighing several tons, even weighed down the truck.

"What do you plan to do with the warthogs?" Marushin asked with some doubt as he packed the two turbofan engines onto the truck. "You'd better not use them recklessly on your own soil."

"Of course we have a use for it, don't worry, it won't involve you. Actually, my friend is in the arms business. If the price is right, I'll most likely sell this A-10 attack aircraft to someone who needs it," Zhang Ailun said with a slight smile.

Marushin was also very satisfied with the answer.

I received the payment notification, closed the warehouse door, got into the pickup truck, and said, "I'll let you know when the goods arrive. Goodbye."

"Goodbye. It's been a pleasure doing business with you." Watching the other party leave, Zhang Ailun and his men got into the car and drove to the suburban airport with the two turbofan engines.

After all, assembly operations require a large space, and the only suitable facility at present is a suburban hangar that can accommodate an entire Warthog attack aircraft.

After entering the hangar password, Zhang Ailun drove the two turbofan engines to the hangar for storage. He also told Qibatu, "If you lack repair equipment, just let me know, and I'll buy it online. If you need manpower, you can go to Old Pick Auto Repair Shop and find someone to help you. I also know some people who are good at modifications at a modification shop in the suburbs."

"I don't need anything else. I can find a few people to assemble the equipment myself. I can't wait to get it assembled."

Qibatu rubbed his hands together, his eyes filled with no superfluous emotion but a burning desire to work on the engine, eager to get started immediately!

Seeing how energetic he was, Zhang Ailun felt relieved, knowing that this matter was no challenge for him. After organizing the inventory, he simply drove the group back to the city.

As dusk fell, Zhang Ailun returned to the city, got back into his Wrangler, and received invitations to a banquet from Tommy and Rip.

Tommy: Hey! Burger King! Mr. Kim! Our tour and record sales plans are all set! You'll never believe how much money we made this time! Come to the Rip Villa in West Hollywood, where there's champagne and fine wine, beautiful young ladies with fair skin, and bonuses waiting for you!

Zhang Ailun: Okay, I'll be right there. You guys shouldn't mind if I bring two more people, right?

Tommy: What are you saying! This is your home! We've prepared a celebration party especially for you! Bring as many people as you want!

Zhang Ailun nodded in satisfaction, took out his phone and sent Jennifer a message inviting her to the party.

Last time, no one was chosen at the gathering, so the leader plans to bring his own people over.

Jennifer: Honey! Thank you for thinking of me even though you're at the party! Would you like me to bring a few of my girlfriends to join in the fun?

Zhang Ailun: Which sister are you referring to? Eileen? This is a relatively clean private party, we don't have anything too fancy going on.

Jennifer: Then I'll just bring Eileen with me. I'm off work, come pick me up!

Zhang Ailun: OK.

(End of this chapter)