Acknowledgements 6 Boeing737-300airbornecommandpostconversion 251 Il'yushinIL-76MDenginetestbed 251 Introduction 7 GatesLearjet35A136AELiNTconversion 251 1 TheChineseAircraftIndustry 11 8 Light UtilityAircraft 253 Feilong-l 253 2 TheFighters 23 ShenHang-1 253 ShenyangJJ-2(FT-2)advancedtrainer 23 Yan'an-l 253 J-5fighterfamily 24 Hongqi-l 254 J-6fighterfamily 31 Heilongjiang-l 254 ShenyangDongfeng-l07fighter(project) 47 TheBIAAMifengseries 254 ShenyangDongfeng-l04fighter(project) 47 HuabeiQingting-5 256 J-7fighterfamily 48 NAilAdasoAD-l00Voyager 257 HMEADongfeng-113fighter(project) 48 HuabeiQingting-6 257 ShenyangJ-8interceptor 75 NAI/AdasoAD-200 258 ChengduJ-9tacticalfighter(project) 90 NanchangHaiyan 258 ShenyangJ-10heavyinterceptor(project,firstdesignation) 92 SLACHU-l 258 ShenyangJ-ll lightfighter(project,firstdesignation) 92 NanchangN5 259 NanchangJ-12lightfighter 93 ChengduCA-l 259 ShenyangJ-13lightfighter(project) 94 SeaGull-l00(A1)andSeaGull-200 260 ChengduJ-l0(F-l0)multi-rolefighter(seconddesignation) 95 XADRISmallEagle100 260 ShenyangJ-ll fighter(seconddesignation) 104 NUAAFT300 260 ChengduFC-l Xiaolong(JF-17Thunder)fighter 106 NLAAC-500Aircar 261 XXJ(J-XX)futurefighterprojects 110 GEACEV-97 261 3 TheBombers 111 ShijiazhuangLE-500LittleEaglecabinmonoplane 262 TupolevTu-4- Chineseconversions 111 ShijiazhuangLE-800executiveaircraft(project) 262 HarbinH-5(B-5)tacticalbomber 112 9 Helicopters 263 XianH-6mediumbomber 118 HarbinZ5multi-rolehelicopter 263 XianH-8bomber(project) 137 Firstpublishedin2008by Harbin/CHRDIZ6multi-rolehelicopter 267 BeriyevBe-6flyingboat- Chineseconversion(Qing-6) 138 NPU/NAIYan'an-2lighthelicopter 268 Hikoki PublicationsLtd HarbinSH-5bomber/ASWflyingboat 139 HarbinModel701 lighthelicopter 268 1aRingwayTrading Est Newstealthbomberprogramme7 142 CHRDI/CAEZ7heavytransporthelicopter 269 ShadowmossRd 4 TheStrikeAircraft 143 ChangheZ8heavyhelicopter 270 Manchester NanchangQ-5(A-5)attackaircraft 143 HarbinZ9family 274 ShenyangJH-8fighter-bomber(project) 157 ChangheZ11 multi-rolehelicopter 283 M22 5LH NanchangQ-6fighter-bomber(project) 160 WuhanHelicopterIndustryCo. 286 England XianJH-7(FBC-l FlyingLeopard)fighter-bomber 164 CHRDIZl0multi-rolehelicopter(project) 287 CHRDI/ChangheWZl0attackhelicopter 288 5 TheTrainers 173 HongduMDHelicopters 290 Email:[email protected] NanchangCJ-5primarytrainer 173 Shanghai-SikorskyShenutilityhelicopters 290 NanchangCJ-6(Hongzhuan502)primarytrainer 175 Changhe-AgustaCA109utilityhelicopter 291 www.crecy.co.uk ShenyangJJ-l basictrainer 178 Lantian-Mil'Mi-171 transport/utilityhelicopter 291 NanchangK-8(JL-8)Karakorumadvancedtrainer 179 HarbinHC 120multi-rolehelicopter 291 ©YefimGordon, DmitriyKomissarov GuizhouJL-9(FTC-2000)ShanYingcombattrainer 184 HarbinZ15multi-rolehelicopter(project) 291 CY-l combattrainer/LFC-16fighter(project) 188 HongduL15HuntingEaglecombattrainer 188 10 TheUAVs 293 LayoutbyPolygon PressLtd., Moscow NAICK-l drone 293 6 AirlinersandTransports 191 WZ-5(ChangHong-l)reconnaissance.drone 297 Nanchang/ShijiazhuangY-5 191 BJ7104targetdrone 298 Colourprofiles:©AndreyYurgenson, Beijing-1 194 Ba-2targetdrone 298 thelateSergeyYershov, ValentinVetlitskiy HarbinSongHuaJiang-l 195 04research/survey/reconnaissanceUAV 299 Capital-l 195 Ba-6targetdrone 300 Linedrawings:©AndreyYurgenson NanchangJingGangShan-4 196 Ba-7(ASN-7)targetdrone 300 Y6airliner(project) 196 Ba-9(ASN-9)targetdrone 300 XianY7family 196 ASN-15reconnaissanceUAV 300 ISBN9781902 109046 ShaanxiY8family 207 ASN-l04reconnaissanceUAV 301 ShanghaiY10airliner 229 ASN-l05BreconnaissanceUAV 301 Allrightsreserved. Nopartofthisbook HarbinYl1 utilityaircraft 231 ASN-206reconnaissanceUAV 302 HarbinY12utilityaircraft 233 ASN-207reconnaissancesystem 303 maybereproducedortransmittedinany McDonnellDouglas(Shanghai)MD-82/-83/-90airliners 237 ASN-209reconnaissanceUAV 304 formorbyanymeanselectronicor ShaanxiY9militarytransport(project) 238 TJ-l targetdrone 304 mechanical, includingphotocopying, HEAlEmbraerERJ-145airliner 239 CK-2drone 304 Y16airliner(project) 239 GuizhouWZ-9reconnaissanceUAV 305 recordingorbyanyinformationstorage ACACARJ21 Xiangfeng 240 GuizhouWZ-2000reconnaissanceUAV 305 withoutpermissionfromthePublisher GuangdongChangshengChinaStarCS2000airliner(project) 243 ShenyangAnjianUCAV 305 XianWJairliner/transport(project) 244 ChengduXianglongreconnaissanceUAV 306 inwriting. Allenquiriesshould bedirected GuangdongChangshengChinaStarCS2010airliner(project) 244 BUAAHaioureconnaissanceVTUAV 307 tothePublisher. HuaYingreconnaissanceUAV 307 7 Special MissionAircraft 245 UnidentifiedUAVs 307 TupolevTu-l54M/DELiNTaircraft 245 PrintedinSingapore XianKJ-2000AWACSaircraft 247 Index 309 5 Theauthorswould liketothankfriends and wwwwpcjs.com, wwwaf.126.com, In thefirst halfofthe 20th centurythe Chinese a strong and well-armed ally) for help in set photographerswho kindlysuppliedthe photos wwwdefencetalk.com, wwwskyscraperlife.com, aircraft industrywas non-existent. Chineseavi ting up aircraft production. used in the making ofthis book: PeterDavison, www.fyjs.cn.wwwtop81bbs.126.com. ation was established in 1910 under the Qing The Bureau of Aviation Industry (BAI) was Neil Lewis, HelmutWalther, Victor Drushlyakov, wwwent.sino.com.cn, wwwaviationnowcom.cn, Dynasty when the government set up a small set up in 1951 asthefirst authoritysupervising Lindsay Peacock, Chris Lofting. wwwpic.tiexue.net, wwwscol.com.cn, air wing. Until 1949, progress was slow True, aircraft production in China. In 1953, follow Apartfrom official companyadvertising wwwstormpages.com, wwwweaponeu.com, aviation departments were set up at several ing the example of the Soviet Union, the PRC materials, printed sources used inthe making of wwwcrienglish.com, wwwdefence.pk, universities but China's aircraft fleet consisted launched its first five-year economic develop this book includeChinaToday: Aviation Industry wwwpakdef.info, wwwsonicmodel.com, entirely of imported types; there were a few ment plan. The latter included the construc published bytheChineseSocial Science Press in wwwsonic.bbs.com, wwwjczs.sina.com.cn, aircraft repair workshops (the first of these tion of several aircraft factories which were to Beijing in 1989and China Aircraft 1951-1997 www.mm.xxinfo.ha.cn.wwwmil.jschina.com.cn. was set up in 1913) but no manufacturing produce primarily military aircraft for the published byAviation IndustryPress. www.bbs.beareges.com.cn. facilities. This is unsurprising, considering that People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and The bookalso includes information and photos wwwmilitary.people.com.cn, wwwchinamil.com, the country was perpetually torn apart by rev the air component of the PLA Navy (PLANAF). An air-to-air of bytheXinhua NewsAgency andfrom thefollowing wwwconcentric.net, wwwmil.21dnn.com, a Hongdu L15 internetsources: wwwsinodefence.com, wwwmil.sohu.com, wwwchina.com, olutions (the Xinhai Revolution of 1911 which With Soviet assistance, aircraft factories were advanced trainer wwwtop81.cn, wwwchinaviewcn, wwwglobalsecurity.org, wwwavia.ru, ended the rule of the emperors in China, the built and commissioned in Nanchang, prototype. www.sh.eastday.com.wwwcjdby.net. www.aviaportru.wwwniieap.ru. failed anti-imperialist revolution of 1925-27) Shenyang (formerly Mukden), Chengdu, and wars. With Japanese occupation of China Harbin and Xian (formerly Chang'an). Actual in 1937-45, any indigenousaircraft production production, however, did not commence until was out of the question. 1954, ayear after the Korean War had ended. Itwas not until the last Chinese civil war of Starting virtually from scratch, the Chinese 1949 (alias the socialist revolution) and the aircraft industry appeared to be making rapid establishment of the People's Republic of progress. The mastering of the CJ-5 primary China (PRC) on 1st October 1949 that the sit trainer - the first aircraft to achieve quantity uation began to change. It took several years production in China - at Nanchang in 1954 to overcome the aftermath of the wars; wasfollowed in short order bythe introduction among other things, China had to rebuild its of the J-5 swept-wing subsonic jet fighter, a armed forces, now known as the People's state-of-the-art design, at Shenyang in 1955, Liberation Army (PLA). In the meantime, war followed bythe supersonicJ-6 in 1959 and the broke out next door in Korea in 1950, and even faster J-7 in 1961. Transport and utility China sided with the communist government aircraft production was launched at Nanchang of North Korea, extending military assistance. with the Y-5 biplane in 1957, and preparations Apart from the tell-tale '1,000,000 Chinese to build the Y7 twin-turboprop airliner at Xian volunteers', some of whom flew Soviet-sup began in 1966. Also in 1959, the Harbin plied combat aircraft, the Chinese aircraft Aircraft Factory began pro,duction of China's repair plants refurbished and repaired a total first rotary-wing aircraft, the Z5 medium heli of 473 aircraft and 2,627 aero engines of var copter. Aero engine production was also ious types, making a sizeable contribution to begun, the plant in Zhuzhou leading the way. the cause of the war. As the scope of national aircraft production The birth of the Chinese aircraft industry grew, the BAI was 'upgraded' to become the \ dates back to 17th April 1951 when the Third Ministry of Machine-Building. Central Military Commission and Government However, domestic and international polit Administration Council promulgated the ical developments soon had a profound influ 'Resolution on Building an Aviation Industry'. ence on the Chinese aircraft industry. In May This was a bold decision, considering that 1958, inspired by the successful fulfilment of China was an agrarian country at the time, the first five-year plan, Mao Zedong's govern with a low level of industrial development. It ment grew bullish and launched an ambitious was decided to turn to the Soviet Union plan of accelerated industrial development (which was interested in turning the PRC into known asthe 'Great Leap Forward'. In all areas 6 7 CHINESE AIRCRAFT INTRODUCTION Sino-Soviet relations remained strained national aircraft, aero engine and component even after the end of the 'Cultural Revolution' manufacturing plants. The CATIC Group - they did not improve until the mid-1980s. (China National Aero-Technology Import and Hence, acting in accordance with the principle Export Corporation, or Zhongguo Hangkong 'my enemy's enemy is my friend', the People's Jishu Jinchukou ZonggongsJ) was formed on Republic of China established diplomatic and 26th August 1993, with CATIC (founded in economic relations with the western world. January 1979) as its core company, to be (Until then, since 1949 China had been repre responsible for import and export of aero and sented on the international arena solely bythe non-aero products, subcontractwork andjoint Republic of China (RoC) - that is, the break ventures. away Taiwan.) As a result, the PRC was now In line with the new policy concerning the able to import US and West European aircraft national aerospace industry, Chinese aircraft and gain limited access to western aircraft factories forming part of AVIC now manufac technologies, including aero engines. There tured airframe components for western air were several implicationsofthis; for onething, craft - the Boeing 747 long-haul airliner, the ofthe economy, cranking out as much as pos last attempt to assert himself over his more China again resorted to licence production or Airbus Industrie A300 and Boeing 757 medi Chairman Mao Zedong (centre) sible within the shortest time was considered pragmatically minded comrades-in-arms who reverse-engineering - this time of western air um-haul airliners, the Airbus Industrie A318/ inspects aJ-6 the prime target; things like quality control, were trying to introduce elements of market craft (specifically, French helicopters and the A320 and Boeing 737 short/medium-haul air fighter atthe fundamental research and (in the case of the economy in China and restore his position McDonnell Douglas MD-82/83 airliner). For liners, the ATR72 and Bombardier Dash 8Q Shenyang plant. aircraft industry) the laws of aerodynamics, which was faltering after the failure of the another, new Chinese civil aircraft were now regional turboprops and the Bombardier 415 knowledge of structural materials and even 'Great Leap Forward'. Using the widespread developed with US Federal Airworthiness fire-fighting aircraft. Test pilotWu the basicdesign principleswere brushed aside. discontent caused by this failure, Mao and his Regulations (FAR) in mind (later the domestic The Chinese aerospace industry suffered Kerning receives As a result, the industry was effectively dis so-called Gang of Four did their best to shift civil aircraft airworthiness regulations were from the Asian slump of 1998. That year the congratulations organised; the indigenously built aircraft pro the blame to the opposition inside the harmonised with FAR). Also, more often than total workforce ofthe industrywas reduced to after asuccessful duced between 1958 and 1960 turned out to Communist Party of China, launching a mas not they were built around western engines, about 500,000, when about 34,000 workers flight in aJ-5. be of such inferior workmanship that the sive attack against it. This was the birth of which improved their export potential - in the were laid off and some 14,000 others trans PLAAF refused to accept them and the Air Maoism, a period of intensive power struggle ory at least. ferred to non-aerospace activities. Force's re-equipment plans were derailed. None in the nation's leadership and ideological In 1993 the Chinese aircraft industry On 1st July 1999, in an effort to become ofthe newfactories builtwithin this time frame 'cleansing' at all levels. The nationwide politi underwent further reforms. The Ministry of more competitive, China established ten new could be commissioned until 1962, and more cal debate quickly escalated into fierce con Aerospace Industry was disbanded, giving state-owned aviation corporations. Thus the than 70% ofthe Chineseaircraft industry's pro frontation between various clans and repres place to the Aviation Industries of China AVIC behemoth, which then had 560,000 duction facilities (this amounts to a shop floor sions against those who refused to follow the (AVIC) state-owned corporation established on employees, was divided into two 'competing area of approximately 1.02 million square new 'party line'. The existing science and cul 26th June 1993 to develop the market econo but co-operating' entities- AVIC Iand AVIC II. metres) had to be rebuilt. Politically motivated ture were declared 'bourgeois' and 'harmful', my and expand international collaboration in Theyare equal economicentitiesauthorised by decisions (such as the transfer of production a course towards confrontation with the aviation programmes. AVIC, which was head the state to make investments, operating as from one factory to another, with the resulting Soviet Union was taken, the Communist Party quartered in Beijing, exercised control over all state holding companies under the direct need to move personnel and materiel) often was effectively decapitated, the nation was proved damaging to aircraft production. totally militarised and found itself in almost Besides, the Chinese military kept setting complete political isolation. design goals that were beyond the capabilities This period lasted from 1966 to Mao's of the national aircraft industry - even with death in 1976, leading to untold chaos and Soviet assistance. As aresult, indigenous com devastation in the national economy and the bat aircraft projects (notably supersonic fight country's life as awhole. Above all, it caused a ers) were cancelled after running into serious large loss of life - an estimated 1million peo development problems - only to be replaced ple were killed in the course of the 'Cultural by even more ambitious ones. Revolution'. The resulting shortage of special Sino-Soviet relations had been deteriorat ists was afurther blow to the aircraft industry. ing since the early 1960s, with China accusing As a result, China's aircraft industry was the Soviet Union of 'revisionism' and 'moving forced to go it alone. Gradually the industry towards imperialism'. There was also aterrito developed from reproduction of existing air rial dispute between the two nations concern craft types to development of indigenous ver ing some islands on the Ussuri River (which sions and aircraftofentirely indigenous design. culminated in a border conflict in March Subsequently the Third Ministry of Machine 1969). As a result, Sino-Soviet relations Building was transformed into the Ministry of An aerial view of dropped to afreezing point in 1965. Aviation Industry and, laterstill, the Ministry of the Shenyang As if that weren't enough, enter the so Aerospace Industry when China started manu- Aero Engine called Cultural Revolution - Chairman Mao's facturing and launching space vehicles. \ Factory. 8 9 CHINESE AIRCRAFT supervision of the Central Government. The tions, not lower than 5; this was reportedly two groups have a similar scope of business due to superstitious reasons, as the Chinese (aircraft, aero engines, avionics and equip numeral 'four' sounds very similar to the ment, plus non-aviation products such as Chinese word for 'death'. automobiles) but have a different specialisa As the basic design was refined and modi tion. AVIC I focuses on large and medium fied in China, the consecutive versions were **. sized aircraft while AVIC II gives priority to identified by Roman numerals; thus, the J-7 feeder aircraft and helicopters. fighter was followed by the J-7 I, J-7 II, J-7 III In June 2008, however, it was announced and J-7 IV. After 1987 the Roman numerals .. * that AVIC I and AVIC II are to re-merge. were replaced by Roman letters; thus the H-6 According to the merger commission formed IV became the H-6D, though this is not ahard The principal factories and institutions of servicesofmilitaryand civil aircraft, engines, air at AVIC I, the united company will be formally and fast rule- in somecases the letters did not the Chinese aircraft industry are listed in borne equipment, and weapons systems. incorporated in July. No further details of the match the former numerals, denoting adiffer this chapter. Military products include fighters, fighter forthcoming merger have been released so far. ent version. Export aircraft wore further 'west bombers, bombers, transports, trainers and ernised' designations- for instance, the Q-5 III reconnaissance aircraft. Civil aircraft include *** became the A-5C. The manufacturers shorVmedium-haul airliners and transport air A few words have to be said about the In the case of specialised versions an extra As of this writing, the manufacturing element craft. Italso producesmorethan 3,000different Chinese aircraft designation system. The origi designator letter was used: for example, Dfor ofthe Chineseaircraft industry is primarily rep types of non-aerospace products in 8majorcat nal system used by the manufacturers consist Dian (electronic warfare - either electronic resented by the two state-owned corpora egories, including industrial gas turbines, auto ed of a fancy-sounding and sometimes ideo intelligence or electronic countermeasures), tions, Aviation Industries of China I (AVIC I) mobiles, motorcycles, refrigerating machinery logically flavoured codename in typical J for Jiaolianji (trainer), U for You (in-flight and Aviation Industries of China II (AVIC II). and environmental protection equipment. AVIC Chinese style - DongFeng (East Wind) for refuelling tanker) and Z for Zhenchaji (recon I services include aircraft leasing, general avia fighters, FeiLong (Flying Dragon) for bombers, naissance). Normally itwas added to the prefix tion services, and management of national air XionYing (Mighty Eagle) for attack aircraft, (for example, HD, HJ, HU and HZ denoted craft verification and flight testing. AVICI HongZhuan (Red Craftsman) for trainers - and ECM, conversion trainer, IFR tanker and photo AVIC I comprises 53 large and medium a three-digit number. The first digit was again reconnaissance versions of bombers), but sized industrial enterprises, 31 research insti a code for the aircraft class (1 =fighter, 2 = again this was not a hard and fast rule. For AVIC I is headquartered in Beijing and headed tutes, 19 specialised companies and institu = = bomber, 3 attack aircraft, 5 trainer; 4 pos example, an armed version of the Z9 helicop by President Liu Gaozhuo, with Yang Yuzhong tions engaged in foreign trade, material sup sibly denoted transport aircraft) and the other ter was designated Z9W (Wuzhuang - arma and Gu Huizhong asSeniorVice-Presidents. The ply, research and development. Nearly two ran consecutively (for example, ment) ratherthan ZW-9, and amaritime patrol corporation mainly engages in the develop 240,000 people are employed in industrial Dongfeng-101 through Dongfeng-l13). The version of the Y8 transport was designated ment, manufacturing, sales, and after-sales enterprises while 45,000 more employees military, however, used two-digit service desig Y8X (Xun). nations matching the last two of the year *** Production of H-6 bombers and when the type was accepted for service, with Considering that China has been largely Y7 airliners at an occasional version designator letter added; closed to the outside world for manyyears and the Xian aircraft thus, the Dongfeng-102/-103/-105 family that that its armed forces and defence industry factory. completed tests in 1959 became the Type 59, (including the aircraft industry) have been Type 59A and Type 59B respectively. under tight security wraps, reliable informa In 1964 China switched to a new system tion on Chinese aircraft - especially new used by the manufacturers and the PLAAF/ designs - has been hard to come by. The situ PLANAF alike which designated the aircraft by ation began to improve when the Internet role. The Chinese word(s) denoting this role found its way to China. Covertly taken photos were usually abbreviated to a one- or two-let of current Chinese aircraft (including experi ter prefix followed by a sequential number mental ones) and details of aircraft pro within each class of aircraft: BA (target drone), grammes were published on the worldwide CJ (Chuji Jiaolianji - primary trainer), H web via Hong Kong and Taiwan. (The latter (Hongzhaji - bomber), J(Jianjiji - fighter), JH aspect is unsurprising, since in the PRC (Jianjiji Hongzhaji - fighter-bomber), JL Internet activities are closely controlled by the (Jiaolianji - [advanced] trainer), Q (Qiangjiji state authorities; this has been referred to as attack aircraft), SH (Shuishangji Hongzhaji 'the Great Firewall of China'.) Hence in many maritime bomber, ie, flying boat), WZ (Wuren cases the authors have had to rely on literature Zhenchaji - unmanned reconnaissance aerial and the Internet as the only available sources vehicle), X (Xiangji - glider), Y (Yunshuji of information. ' transport), Z(Zhishengji- 'vertically ascending It has to be said that aircraft engines, vehicle', ie, helicopter or VTOL aircraft). A weapons and equipment are not dealt with in curious aspect of this system was that the this book for reasons of space. They will be numeric designator was, with very few excep- dealt with in afuture expanded edition. 10 11 CHINESE AIRCRAFT THE CHINESE AIRCRAFT INDUSTRY • China Flight Test Establishment (CFTE) 48) and tail surfaces for the Boeing 757 medi Female workers at AVIC check the • China Gas Turbine Establishment um-haul airliner; and fuselage components for quality of an • Guizhou Aviation Industries Group Co. Dassault Falcon 2000EX business jet. It is also engine compo (GAIGC) due to manufacture the rudder for the nent. • Shanghai Aero-Engine Manufacturing Plant Boeing 787 Dreamliner medium/long-haul air • Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Factory liner. Additionally, it will build the flightdeck (SAMF) section of the indigenous ARJ21 regional jet. • Shanghai Aircraft Research Institute (SARI) • Shenyang Aero-Engine Research Institute China Air-to-Air Missile • Shenyang Aircraft Industries Group (aka Shenyang Aircraft Corporation - SAC) Research Institute • Shenyang Liming Engine Manufacturing Based at Luoyang, Henan Province, and origi Corporation nally known as the No. 607 Institute, the Air • Xian Aero-Engine Corporation to-Air Missile Research Institute (AAMRI) is • Xian Aircraft Design and Research Institute tasked with developing fighter weapons. In (XADRI) particular, this organisation developed the • Xian Aircraft Industries Group PL-4, PL-10 and PL-11 semi-active radar-hom Liu Gaozhuo, (aka Xian Aircraft Company - XAC) ing medium-range AAMs, which proved President ofthe unsuccessful. Not to be put off, AAMRI AVIC Icorpora tion. work in research institutes. Total assets are brought out the PL-12 (PiLi-12) active radar Baggage doors AVIC I Commercial Aircraft 34.9 billion yuan. homing 'beyond-visual-range' AAM, also for a western air Examples of AVIC I enterprises include Company known as ShanDian-10 (SD-10) for export. liner manufac Chengdu Aircraft Company, Xian Aircraft The AVIC I Commercial Aircraft Company Development of this weapon officially began tured by an Company, Shenyang Aircraft Company and (ACAC) was established in 1998 by six organ in 1997 and took seven years to complete. AVIC Ienterprise. their National Trade Bureau. Parts for Boeing isations - CAC, SARI, SAIC, SAC, XADRI and During a live test in August 2005, a total of jetliners and other non-Chinese aircraft are XAC. The company developed and manufac Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group eleven missiles were fired, all hitting their tar made at these facilities. Flight testing of civil tured the ARJ21 family of regional jets (now The Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group gets. and military aircraft are also underthe respon the responsibility of CACC - see below). (Chengdu Aircraft Corporation - CAC, or sibility of AVIC I. ACAC is based in Shanghai. Yang Yuzhong Chengdu Feiji Gongye Gongsl) specialises in The principal AVIC Iaviation entities are: is Chairman of the Board of Directors, Zheng building fighters. It is headquartered in China Flight Test Establishment • AVIC ICommercial Aircraft Co. (ACAC) Qiang is President, and Tao Zhihai and Chen Chengdu; Luo Ronghuai is Chairman and The China Flight Test Establishment (CFTE) is • Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute (CADI) Jin are vice-presidents. President. an R&D organisation responsible for testing • Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (aka CAC was established in 1958 as the and evaluating all civil and military aircraft in Chengdu Aircraft Corporation - CAC) Chengdu State Aircraft Factory No. 132 and China during the development and certifica • China Air-to-Air Missile Research Institute Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute built with Soviet assistance. Over the years, it tion phases. In addition, the organisation also Situated in Chengdu (Sichuan Province), the has produced various types, starting with the carries out flight tests and analysis in support Chengdu Aircraft Design Institute was estab J-5A second-generation interceptor (1964-69) lished in 1970 on the basis of the 13th and its JJ-5 (FT-5) trainer derivative (March _.~-\ .. Aviation School. This organisation started life 1965- late 1986). These were followed bythe ~--\-- ..-·r-·~ as the Chengdu branch office of the No. 601 J-7 third-generation fighter family - the basic l1li--, jljt-- Design Institute in Shenyang, but presently J-7 (F-7A), which entered production in June 21'- I became a research and development institu 1967; the J-7 I; the J-7 II (F-7B) from 1979; the _.:t:.:--l _>llc.' tion in its own right - the No. 611 Design export F-7M (1985-897) and F-7P (1989-93); -15' I Institute. It specialises in fighter design, having the J-7111 (J-7C) in 1992-96; the J-7IV(J-7D) in -..-'1I~>:.:i developed such aircraft as the J-7 third-gener 1994-99; the J-7E (1993-2002); the F-7PG III --1~~ ation fighter family and the J-10 fourth-gener (2001-02); the J-7G and its F-7BG and F-7NM ~ ation fighter (see Chapter 2). export derivatives (from 2002). Currently the _~ II The institute covers more than 80 disci plant produces the J-10 fourth-generation plines, including fluid dynamics, engineering, medium fighter (since 2002) and the FC-1 structural strength, vibration research, elec (JF-17) light fighter that is produced in co tronics design (including radars and laser sys operation with Pakistan since 2008 tems), flight v~hicle design, electricity, instru CAC is also an aircraft parts manufacturer. ment design, vacuum research, automatic Subcontract work includes passenger doors control systems, environmental control sys for the Airbus Industrie A320 shorVmedium The building of The AVIC Ihead tems, material application, computer and soft haul airliner; wing parts for the Boeing 737 the Chengdu Air quarters in ware development, reliability research, and shorVmedium-haul airliner and Boeing 747 craft Design Beijing. information processing. long-haul airliner; the rear fuselage (Section Institute. 12 13 • CHINESE AIRCRAFT THE CHINESE AIRCRAFT INDUSTRY The CFTE man Xi'an. A second facility is located at the Asmall wind agement build tunnel at one of PLAAF's Dinxing airbase in the Gobi Desert in ing; notethe AVIC I's research Gansu Province. AVIC Ilogo on and development top The organisation's aircraft are operated by establishments. aspecial PLAAF unit - the Air Force Flight Test Regiment (AFFTR). This unit was officially acti vated on 7th March 1974, but it can trace its origins back to the flight test team of the 8th Research Institute of the PRC 1st Ministry of Machinery Industry. Guizhou Aviation Industries Group Co. The Guizhou Aviation Industries Group (Guizhou Hangkong Gongye Gongs/) is based in Guiyang, Guizhou (formerly Kwangtung) ofaircraft programmes. While some ofthe air Province. It is currently headed by President craft operated by CFTE are merely prototypes, Zhang Jun, with Zhang Shangdao as Vice heavily modified testbeds and research aircraft President and Zhou Wancheng as Chairman of than 20 enterprises, of which the principal Shenyang Aircraft Corporation of all sorts make up aconsiderable part of the the Board. ones are the Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Based at Shenyang (formerly Mukden) in fleet. GAIGC incorporates many enterprises, fac Factory (SAMF), the Shanghai Aircraft Liaoning Province, Manchuria, the Shenyang The CFTE's main base is at Yanliang, tories and institutes engaged in various aero Research Institute (SARI), the Shanghai Aero Aircraft Corporation (SAC, or Shenyang Feiji Shaanxi Province, a small industrial town space and non-aerospace activities; as of Engine Manufacturing Factory; and Shanghai Gongsl) is the oldest Chinese aircraft industry approximately 56 km (34.7 miles) northeast of 2004, total assets were 10.6 billion yuan and International Aero Technology. enterprise and the cradle of Chinese fighter the aerospace workforce was about 6,000. Of these, SAMF (Shanghai Feiji Zhizao design and production. It is currently presided The CFTE flight Main aircraft manufacturing plants are named Gongchang) is the oldest, having been estab by Li Fangyong. line at Yanliang Honghu, Honglin, Longyan, Shuangyang and lished in 1950. Unfortunately little is known The Shenyang aircraftfactory was founded crowded with Yunma. about its activities. In the early 1980s the fac on 29th June 1951 with Soviet assistance. Its test and develop Over the years, the main enterprise of tory built the prototype and the static test first products were the JJ-2 jet fighter trainer ment aircraft. GAIGC produced the J-6 IV interceptor (1970) example of the Y10 medium-haul airliner and the J-5 second-generation jet fighter (the and various versions of the JJ-7/FT-7 trainer China's first passenger jet; yet series produc latter was in production in 1955-69). In 1959 (starting in February 1986); it also manufac tion failed to materialise. In 1987-91 SAMF the factory launched trial production of the tured J-7 components for Chengdu. Current undertook assembly of 35 McDonnell Douglas J-6A supersonic all-weather interceptor and programmes include the JL-9 (FTC-2000) MD-82/MD-83 airliners from US-supplied kits, J-6 day fighter; this was followed by full-scale advanced trainer and the WZ-2000 unmanned followed by two MD-90s in 2000. production of the J-6 from 1963 onwards and An overall view of Yanliang air reconnaissance aerial vehicle. The group also In 1979 SAMF became the first Chinese other versions - the JZ-6 reconnaissance air AChengdu FC-1 field, with six produces air-to-air missiles and rocket launch company to start subcontract work for west craft (1967), the improved J-6C day fighter Xiaolong, aka Chengdu J-10 ers (at the Fel'lglei Armament Factory), as well ern manufacturers. In particular, itwas the sole (starting in August 1969), the J-6 I, J-6 II, J-6 III JF-17 Thunder prototypes in the as maintenance jigs and tools for the Airbus supplier of MD-80 horizontal stabilisers, main and finally the JJ-6 (FT-6) conversion trainer (dn 02), under foreground. airliner family. wheel well doors and some other parts. produced in 1973-1986. goes statictests. Currently it manufactures Boeing 737NG (737-600/-700/-800/-900) horizontal stabilis Liyang Motor Corp. ers. In April 2008 SAMF became asubcontrac Located at Guizhou and initially known as the tor for Airbus Industrie, delivering its first set Guizhou Engine Factory (GEF), the plant was ofcargo doorframesforthe Airbus A320 fam founded in early 1965, later becoming part of ily. Currently the plant is to undertake final the Guizhou Aviation Industries Group. It mas assembly of the ARJ21 regional jet. tered production of the WP-7 afterburning turbojet in 1969, followed bythe WP-13 after Shanghai Aircraft Research burning turbojets. Institute This R&D institution was responsible for the Shanghai Aircraft development of the Y10 airliner. It also partic Manufacturing Factory ipated in the development of the ARJ21 The Shanghai Aviation Industries Group (SAIG, regional jet. or Shanghai Hangkong Gongye Gongsi) chaired by Shen Huancheng includes more 14 15 • CHINESE AIRCRAFT THE CHINESE AIRCRAFT INDUSTRY ... ----.... ~ Boeing 747and so on; the latest is the manu The WP-6 afterburning turbojetentered trial \ facture of the fin leading edge for the Boeing production in 1959 but qualityproblemsforced 787. an interruption until late 1960. Production of In November 2007 the US general aviation the WP-7 afterburning turbojet began in 1963 aircraft manufacturer Cessna Aircraft but had to be transferred to Guizhou because Company announced it had selected SAC as a SEF was overburdened with other work. partner to manufacture the new Model 162 In 1976the plant commenced trial produc SkyCatcher light sport aircraft. tion ofthe WS-9 afterburning turbofan, which Currently the Shenyang Aircraft Industries turned outto be difficultto master and took a Group has a workforce of about 30,000; only long time to debug. In November 2006 the some 30% ofthe currentactivities are in aero Liming Motor Co. completed the development space. and test cycle of the WS-10 Taihang after burning turbofan intended for the J-10 and J-11 fourth-generation fighters. Industrie and water tanks, stabilising float MA60 fuselage Shenyang Aero-Engine Research side panels being pylons, ailerons and various doors for the Institute Bombardier 415 waterbomber. Component assembled at Xian. A WS-10ATai Initial production of the J-7 third-genera Originally known as the Shenyang Aero Xian Aircraft Industry Company manufacture for the ATR42/ATR 72 regional hang turbofan is tion fighter took place in 1966 but was trans Engine Design Office (SADO) and then as the As the name implies, the Xian Aircraft Industry turboprop began with wingtips in 1986 but bench-run at ferred to the Chengdu plant once the latter No. 606 Design Institute, the Shenyang Aero Company (XAC, or Xian Feiji Gongye Gongsl) was extended in May 1997 to include ATR 42 SARI. had been commissioned. In 1979 the Engine Research Institute (SARI) was responsi is located in Xian, Shaanxi Province. Gao wing boxes and ATR 72 rear fuselage sections. Shenyang aircraft factory began production of ble for military engine design. It developed Dacheng is the company chairman and presi the J-8 interceptor; this was followed by the such engines asthe PF-1 non-afterburning tur dent, assisted byvice-chairman Meng Xiangkai improved J-8 I in 1985-87 and the drastically bojet for the indigenous JJ-1 trainer, the and vice-president Chen Fusheng. Aviation Xian Aero-Engine Corporation redesigned J-8 II and its derivatives from 1988 Hongqi-2 afterburning turbojet intended for activities embrace 20 aircraft design depart Originally known as the Xian Engine Factory onwards. On 29th June 1994, SAC became the stillborn Dongfeng-107 fighter. Other SARI ments and five aircraft design laboratories, (XEF), this plant began production ofthe WP-8 II1III1II the core enterprise of the newly formed products were the WP-7A (1969), WP-13 and have produced more than 20 different non-afterburning turbojet in 1965. It also built Shenyang Aircraft Industries Group. (1978) and WP-14 Kunlun afterburning turbo types of aircraft. the WDZ-1 auxiliary power unit. I XAC I Production of the J-11 fourth-generation jets and the experimental WS-5 (co-developed The large aircraftfactory atXian was estab fighter (licence-built Sukhoi Su-27SK) began in with the China Aeronautical Establishment in lished in 1958; yet production of the H-6 Xian Aircraft Design & 1998. Currentlythe plant is mastering produc 1963-73)and WS-6NVS-6A turbofans. The lat medium bomber in Xian did not commence The logo ofthe tion of indigenous derivatives- the single-seat ter model had a long development cycle last until 1964. Specialised versions ofthe bomber Research Institute Xian Aircraft J-11Band the two-seat J-11BS. ing from 1964 to 1981. were gradually introduced (the nuclear-capa The Xian Aircraft Design & Research Institute Company. On the commercial aviation side, SAC is a ble H-6A followed in 1966, the H-6D missile (XADRI), initially known asthe No. 602 Aircraft subcontractor for the indigenous ACAC (now carrier in 1983 etc.) Production stopped in the Design Institute, is an R&D establishment CACC) ARJ21 regional jet, supplying the tail Shenyang Liming Motor Co. early 1990s- onlyto resume atthe turn ofthe tasked mainlywith developing combat aircraft unit, engine pylons and electrical subassem This enterprise was created on the basis ofthe century when the up-armed H-6H and the re (in particular, the JH-7 fighter-bomber). It also blies. Also, since 1985 SAC has been doing Shenyang Engine Overhaul Factory in 1954 engined H-6K were developed. had a hand in developing the ARJ21 regional subcontract work for western aircraft manu 57:emerging-as the Shenyang Engine Factory In 1982 the plant began production of the airliner. The logo ofthe facturers. This includes doors for the (SEF). Under the guidance of its first director Y7 regional airliner family. This line of devel Xian Aero Engine Bombardier Dash 8 regional turboprop, cargo MoWenxiang and chiefengineerXu Xizan the opment is still current - the Y7-100 entered Corporation. doorsfor the Boeing 757, wing ribs and emer plant launched production of the WP-5 after production in 1986, followed by the Y7-200A Aircraft engineering centre gencyexitsforthe Airbus A310 and A320, the burning turbojet with Soviet assistance in in 1999and the MA60 in 2000; the latest pas AVIC Ialso holds asmall share (5%) in an air tailcone and landing gear doors for the 1956 while still under construction. This was senger version called MA600 is due to enter craft engineering centre wl;rich the European Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules transport, followed by the WP-5ANVP-5D, WP-5B and tests as of this writing. The Y7H freighter ver consortium Airbus Industrie has set up with rear fuselage and tail components for the WP-5C non-afterburning versions in 1965, sion equipped with a rear loading ramp was AVIC II. Boeing 737-700, floors and bulkheads for the 1966 and 1976 respectively. introduced in 1988. Another major current programme is the The logo ofthe JH-7 fighter-bomber which entered initial pro AVIC II corpora AVIC II duction around 1990. tion. In 1980XAC established itself as asubcon tractor for western aircraft manufacturers. By comparison, AVIC II - likewise headquar Boeing was the first customer; the plant man tered in Beijing - comprises 81 subordinate ufactures fins and tailplanes for the Boeing industrial enterprises, research institutes and The administra tion buildings of 737 and Boeing 747; wing trailing-edge ribs other organisations. It is currently headed by the Xian Aero for the 747 and floor beams for the 747-400 President Zhang Hongbiao, with Song Engine Special Freighter. XAC also produces A320 Jingang, Xu Zhanbin and Liang Zhenheasvice Corporation. wing components and doors for Airbus presidents. 16 17 .1