Chinese Aircraft: China’s Aviation Industry Since 1951

159 Pages·2008·179.424 MB·English

by  Yefim Gordon, Dmitriy Komissarov

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
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CHINESE AIRCRAFT THE CHINESE AIRCRAFT INDUSTRY
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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
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