Future in the Sky

[Elrich von Richt]

Ichiro Hikari felt that today was a happy day, and knew that the days that followed would be in similar taste. When the SST was overthrown, and replaced by a far more revolutionary government, he lost his title as Crown Prince. However, he never cared about his title in the first place. He was married to a girl that was allowed to him by Emperor Lu from the Lu Empire. In the beginning, he didn't think much of her, but grew up to love her personality and finally proposed months ago. Their wedding, only two weeks before the current date, made him a happy man. She was given a new life in the SST days, under the name Misa Hikari. None of this mattered today though, and this day made him squeal with joy as much as the wedding did. He had finally received Haruhi's backing and acceptance on his proposal. Since before the revolution, to which he'd known a deal of planning on, he was committed to forming and maintaining a weapons development bureau, primarily concerning itself with aeronautics. Katsumi had already forwarded a similar proposal after talking to Ichiro, a few days earlier. His proposal was more towards land development, such as tanks and guns, however. His proposal had today resulted in Hikari Enterprises, abbreviated HiE. He had managed to get together some of the most brilliant technological minds, and best aeronautics engineers, the Republic had to offer.

His first project had begun days earlier, and prototype planning was skipped, as the initial HiE-1 and 2's were rejected by him. The HiE-3, however, interested him greatly. His bureau had also allocated some funds to the expansion and upgrading of the People's Air Force. Working with Cochin on both projects had been planned, and Ichiro would be contacting their lead bureau, Gosree Aeronautics Limited. Plans to make the HiE-3 either multirole, or have different versions had already been accepted. The only problem Ichiro forsaw, was the inability to produce such a high-tech aircraft. As he let these thoughts go through his mind, and sat at his desk looking at the blueprints, he dialed the GAL Office in Bishkek.

"Hello, this is Ichiro Hikari from the PDHRK, Director of the Hikari Enterprises Design Bureau. I'd like to speak to your highest official, as soon as possible, and maybe schedule a face-to-face meeting."

[king of cochin]

"Hello, this is Madhavan Pillai, Managing Director of Gosree Aeronautics Limited. You are welcome to visit us at our Corporate Head Quarters in Bishkek. May I enquire what this would be in lieu of?"

[Elrich von Richt]

Ichiro calmed himself, and took a breathe.

"It's about the potential for joint weapons development between your company, and my own. I'd like to possibly schedule a meeting upon which we can arrange the possibility, and maybe the project as a whole."

[king of cochin]

"I see. Well I dont see any problem with that, so long as I get the clearance from Ministry of External Affairs and Royal Cochin Defense Forces. You are welcome to com here and let us have that meeting. After that we shall discuss with the necessary authorities and get the clearance. Okay? We shall be expecting you."

OOC: Just RP the arrival of your team now.

[Elrich von Richt]

Shortly after receiving confirmation, Director Ichiro Hikari and his wife Misa Hikari stepped off the plane. With them, were a team of about 10 engineers, designers, and other professionals. They were to help represent the design bureau and the director's plans. They waited at the airport to be escorted to a designated area.

[king of cochin]

The PDHRK Corporate delegation were met by a senior executive of GAL and escorted to the GAL Corporate Headquarters. Arriving at the building they were speedily whisked off to the 31st floor were they were met by Madhavan Pillai, MD of GAL.

"Hello and welcome to Cochin. How may I be of assistance to you?"

[Elrich von Richt]

Ichiro nodded to his associates, feeling confident that his words were correct. He had already been ready to speak to the delegation, and had been preparing his words to them since even before landing off the plane.

"Essentially, I have a possible proposal for GAL and HiEDB to work together on a project. I've got a proposal for an aircraft that could become essential for the People's Air Force. It's design can also allow us to make multiple versions, for different roles. Essentially, to put in words, a joint development on this design is what I've come to request."

[king of cochin]

"Very well. We would like to see a more detailed proposal before we can commit ourselves to the project and we would also need to obtain clearance from RCDF, but that would most likely only be a formality considering the high regard in which the Kingdom perceives the PDHRK. If we could study the design our scientists and engineers would be able to decide the time frame required for the R&D required to develop the plane, if the design has similarities with the models which are manufactured by GAL , like Mig28, Su30, Mig35, Jadayu Mk.1, Jadayu Mk.2, Jadayu Mk.2N, lesser R&D would be required. For a different sort of airframe and design parameters we would have to embark on a fresh development project."

[Elrich von Richt]

Hikari nodded as he heard the words said to him, and opened his briefcase. The blueprints for the HiE-3 lied inside. He pulled them out, and handed them to the Cochin representatives. He had the original with him as well, and had just handed them a copy.

"This is my bureau's proposed design for the HiE-3 'Etania'. We also have drawn up possibilities for two or more different versions, with different specifications and uses."

OOC: http://www.the-blueprints.com/blueprints-d...4-nosferatu.gif

[king of cochin]

"From the designs you have shown us it looks quite similar to our Mig35 models, hence it wont require much of fresh R&D. However we would also like to know what performance characteristics and functionalities you want in this aircraft. For eg: Engine characteristics, General characteristics, weaponry capabilities, avionics etc," Madhavan Nair said.

[Elrich von Richt]

Hikari nodded, seeming suprised and happy with the response.

"So, when shall we begin?"

[king of cochin]

"As soon as we receive your Engine characteristics, General characteristics, weaponry capabilities, avionics etc for the proposed plane we can start with its development. We have contacted Royal Cochin Defense Forces and the Ministry of External Affairs and they do not object to this project."

[Elrich von Richt]

Hikari wrote on a small piece of paper.

Gun: 2x GsH-30-1 30mm Cannon

Missile: AA-8 "Aphid"

Including: ADMM and ECMP

The engine characteristics are similar to that of a Su-47 or F-22.

General characteristics:

Length: 63 ft 0 in (19.2 m)

Wingspan: 38 ft 4.5 in (11.7 m)

Maximum Speed: Mach 2.5

[king of cochin]

Nair studied the specifications and said, "Thank you for this information. Base on what you require and what technologies we already have developed, we believe a working prototype would be ready in an year and a fully operational unit ready for induction could be launched in another year. From the prototype stage onwards we would be getting the manufacturing base readied for majority of the systems and with full commissioning of the system we would have a manufacturing capability ready for serial production of the units.

Where would you prefer to do the manufacturing, in PDHRK or Cochin? Manufacturing at our GAL plants would enable the production to be done using the better quality materials and manufacturing processes of our industrial and technological base. We would also need to know how many of these units PDHRK would be requiring so that the manufacturing process be accordingly oriented.

Once we receive answers to these queries the matter of payment for this long term project may be discussed."

[Elrich von Richt]

Hikari nodded as he listened onwards.

"I understand the following details, and believe the GAL plants should manufacture the HiE-3. If possible, for testing purposes, once the first working prototype is completed and available, could we be informed? This is essential, as we will be able to study the finished design and have a pilot test-fly it for the first time. As for production, as of this moment the government has told us to put an order of 400 planes into service."

[king of cochin]

Of course since Hikari Enterprises Design Bureau would be working along with Gosree Aeronautics Limited on almost every stage of the design and development of course PDHRK would be informed and consent obtained at every relevant stage, especially since you are the principal customer of the product.

[Elrich von Richt]

Hikari smiled.

"I'm glad to hear that."

[king of cochin]

From: Managing Director,

Gosree Aeronautics Limited.

To: Director,

Hikari Enterprises Design Bureau

Greetings,

This is to inform you that the first working prototype of HiE-3 'Etania is ready and is ready for its first test flight. The first flight would be an unmanned systems validation test with a special avionics guidance package from RCAF-TC and the second would be a manned test flight flown by two GAL Test Pilots. We welcome Mr. and Mrs. Hikari to observe the test flights and bring over their technical personnel to suggest any corrections in the systems design. After a further series of intensive flight tests, HiE3 would be ready for combat induction model.

Yours Sincerely,

Madhavan Pillai,

MD, GAL.

[Elrich von Richt]

From: Director

Hikari Enterprises Design Bureau

To: Managing Director,

Gosree Aeronautics Limited.

Greetings,

Thank you for informing us of the current status of the aircraft and the ability of it to be flown and tested at a prototype stage. I will make sure to prep the company's plane and arrive as soon as possible for this momentous occasion. Working with your company thus far has been a wonderful endeavor, and hopefully will continue to further projects in the future. I eagerly await the results of the tests and cannot wait to see the plane with my own eyes.

Signed,

Ichiro Hikari

Hikari Enterprises DB, Director