Previously, Castle realized he had fallen into a recurring cycle—always responding to external threats rather than taking proactive measures to capitalize on his intelligence and technological advantages. Determined to change this pattern, Castle decided to act preemptively in the case of Stan Aerospace's continued pursuit of his cutting-edge technologies. Even though he had firmly rejected their earlier requests, the company's persistence in seeking access to his flight control system, advanced missile designs, and newly unveiled visual stealth technology was becoming a nuisance.
Castle recognized that allowing the situation to escalate would only invite more problems. Instead, he resolved to handle it decisively.
Stan Aerospace had already approached France's Dassault Aviation after Castle's initial refusal to collaborate. Castle knew this, and he saw no reason to let the situation spiral further. If he couldn't dissuade them through dialogue, he was prepared to escalate the matter by involving Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and even the U.S. military to ensure Stan Aerospace backed off. If things came to that, any public backlash against Stan Aerospace would be their own doing, not his.
To begin with, Castle decided to reach out to a reasonable figure within Stan Aerospace's leadership—a rarity among the company's typically arrogant executives. This particular leader had shown some pragmatism, and Castle hoped that a direct conversation could resolve the issue.
The phone call went as Castle expected. The Stan Aerospace executive, though reluctant to abandon their pursuit of Castle's technology, was forced to concede that obtaining it was impossible. Castle explained that his innovations were now classified as critical defense assets by the U.S. government, effectively placing them under strict export controls.
With both Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman already leveraging this technology to enhance U.S. military capabilities, any attempt to share it with a foreign entity—even an allied one—would be blocked at every level. The executive acknowledged the reality of the situation.
Castle was firm but courteous. He reminded the executive that even if they pursued alternate means to obtain the technology, they would inevitably face resistance not just from his partners but also from the U.S. military and government. For Stan Aerospace, this was a dead-end.
Grudgingly, the Stan Aerospace executive agreed to drop the matter. Castle thought he had successfully defused the situation, but both he and the executive overlooked one critical factor: not everyone within Stan Aerospace shared the same level of pragmatism.
The executive failed to immediately inform the rest of Stan Aerospace's board about his agreement with Castle. As a result, a rogue board member, the impulsive and shortsighted Rajad, remained unaware of the resolution. This oversight would lead to a new wave of complications down the line.
Meanwhile, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman wasted no time capitalizing on their newfound access to Castle's visual stealth technology. Northrop Grumman secured an expanded contract to integrate the technology into the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber modernization program, with the U.S. Air Force promising additional funding. Lockheed Martin, on the other hand, had more ambitious plans.
Armed with the visual stealth technology, Lockheed Martin approached the Pentagon with an audacious proposal: to retrofit the majority of the U.S. Air Force's subsonic aircraft fleet with this cutting-edge capability. This included RC-135 electronic reconnaissance aircraft, C-5 and C-17 transport planes, and even AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) platforms.
The scope of the proposal was staggering, involving thousands of aircraft. If Lockheed Martin succeeded, it would significantly boost its market dominance and bring in a windfall of government contracts.
The Pentagon, however, was taken aback by the sheer scale of the proposal. The plan covered nearly 70% of the U.S. Air Force's subsonic fleet, encompassing a wide range of specialized aircraft. While the potential benefits were undeniable—enhancing survivability and operational effectiveness across the board—executing the plan would require massive resources.
Adding to the complexity was Boeing's sudden realization of the threat posed by Lockheed Martin's maneuver. Although Boeing had been aware of Castle's technology, the company had largely focused on its civilian aircraft business in recent years. Preoccupied with competing against Airbus for dominance in the commercial aviation market, Boeing had underestimated the importance of Castle's innovations.
When news broke that Lockheed Martin had proposed retrofitting Boeing-built RC-135 reconnaissance planes and AWACS with visual stealth capabilities, Boeing's leadership was incensed. The idea that their own aircraft could be modernized by a rival company was nothing short of an existential crisis.
In response, Boeing scrambled to act. Senior executives dispatched teams to lobby the Pentagon and Congress to block Lockheed Martin's proposal. Simultaneously, they sent representatives directly to Castle's estate in New York, hoping to negotiate access to his technology.
Castle was unsurprised when he received a call from Boeing's representatives, informing him of their impending visit. Shaking his head, he marveled at how quickly the defense industry could mobilize when faced with competition. Lockheed Martin's bold move to encroach on Boeing's domain was particularly audacious, and Castle couldn't help but admire their cunning.
Still, Castle found the entire situation amusing. The same companies that had spent years ignoring or underestimating him were now clamoring for his attention. Lockheed Martin's aggressive play for dominance and Boeing's panicked response highlighted just how valuable his technology had become.
Despite the chaos, Castle understood the stakes. The Pentagon's interest in modernizing its fleet with visual stealth capabilities meant that this was no longer just a commercial battle—it was a matter of national security. Both Lockheed Martin and Boeing were vying for contracts worth billions of dollars, and the outcome would shape the U.S. defense landscape for decades.
For Castle, the challenge was balancing his relationships with these industry giants while protecting his own interests. Although he appreciated the attention, he knew better than to let any single player dominate the field. Ultimately, Castle's goal was simple: to ensure that his technology was used responsibly and to secure his own legacy in the process.
As the representatives from Boeing approached his estate, Castle couldn't help but smile. The game was on, and he was holding all the cards.
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