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Chinese aviation in the world's top flight
By Yang Jian |
November 21, 2012, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE Zhuhai air show that ended on Sunday was a high-profile showcase for China's aviation power, with both civilian and military aircraft on display.
Domestically manufactured fighter jets, helicopters, drones and a stealth fighter on par with US fourth-generation planes attracted world attention during the six-day, 9th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in the southern city.
"It showcased the image of the Chinese Air Force and enhanced the spirit and morale of the army," said Shen Jinke, a publicity officer with People's Liberation Army Air Force.
The air show attracted more than 100 foreign delegations of government and military officials.
Deals valued at a record US$11.8 billion were signed, including sales of 202 aircraft.
"The Zhuhai air show is the only major international exhibition integrating defense, aerospace and civil aviation," said Song Yongxin, a Chinese aviation commentator.
Though the Farnborough, Paris and Dubai air shows also exhibit some defense products, most of the sales at those events involve civil aviation and are on a lesser scale than the Zhuhai show, he said.
China's newly unveiled attack helicopter, the WZ-10, was a star attraction after it executed a low pass over a Su-27 jet fighter from Russia's "Warriors" flying squad on the first day of the show.
"The helicopter is regarded as an important weapon for the country's mechanized national defense system as well as for its land forces," Xinhua news agency said.
The WZ-10, the country's most advanced attack helicopter, first captured public attention in July when reports surfaced that it used pirated US technology.
Yang Yujun, a defense ministry spokesman, denied the reports.
"China's attack helicopters and their engines are all home-developed and have proprietary intellectual property rights," he said.
"The public appearance of the WZ-10 proved that to be true," Wu Ximing, designer of the helicopter, said at the show.
He said the WZ-10 pushed the vanguard of China's helicopter industry forward 15 years to top world-level standards.
The Chinese-designed Wing Loong unmanned plane was another attraction at the Zhuhai show. The Wing Loong has a maximum takeoff weight of over 1,000 kilograms, which can carry two missiles with a flight time of 20 hours.
"The drone can scout and conduct attack missions simultaneously," said Fang Yuanpeng, a researcher with the Chengdu division of the Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC), which developed the drone.
The Wing Loong was commissioned by China's Air Force. Several red stars were painted on the fuselage of the drone to show how many missions it had flown.
AVIC also showed a model of a new generation fighter jet, the J-31, a stealth plane whose existence was revealed only recently.
The J-31 display featured only a one-quarter scale model of the jet, but it attracted big crowds. The PLA Daily website also posted pictures of the black aircraft model during the exhibition, but identified it only as an "advanced fighter concept."
China's first stealth fighter, the J-20, was unveiled in early 2011, but is not expected to enter service until 2018.
The J-10, the first supersonic 3rd-generation fighter jet designed and manufactured using Chinese technology, made its appearance on the final day of the show.
Pilots with the Bayi Aerobatic Team of the PLA Air Force performed elaborate formations with the multi-role combat fighter, which is capable of operating under all weather conditions.
"It looks very dangerous," said Huang Yi, a bystander from Guangzhou who was viewing the aerial stunts. "Two of the aircraft flew very close together, but then they flew off in opposite directions."
The Zhuhai air show was first held in 1996 under the name Airshow China.
It has become the biggest air show on the mainland and the only one supported by the government.
Some shows in the past were deemed disappointing by exhibitors and visitors, who complained about poor logistics and exhibits.
Russian aircraft dominated the show's first decade. The situation began to change in 2008 with the appearance of Chinese military parts and the country's C919 jumbo jet and ARJ21 regional jet.
The 150-seat jumbo jet, which is expected to make its maiden flight in 2014 to compete with Boeing and Airbus, won 50 orders at the air show this year, boosting total orders to 380.
The PLA Air Force attended the air show for the first time in 2010 when it displayed aircraft that took part in the 60th National Day parade in 2009, including the H-6 Badger bomber, the JH-7 Flying Leopard fighter-bomber and KJ-200 early warning aircraft.
Domestically manufactured fighter jets, helicopters, drones and a stealth fighter on par with US fourth-generation planes attracted world attention during the six-day, 9th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in the southern city.
"It showcased the image of the Chinese Air Force and enhanced the spirit and morale of the army," said Shen Jinke, a publicity officer with People's Liberation Army Air Force.
The air show attracted more than 100 foreign delegations of government and military officials.
Deals valued at a record US$11.8 billion were signed, including sales of 202 aircraft.
"The Zhuhai air show is the only major international exhibition integrating defense, aerospace and civil aviation," said Song Yongxin, a Chinese aviation commentator.
Though the Farnborough, Paris and Dubai air shows also exhibit some defense products, most of the sales at those events involve civil aviation and are on a lesser scale than the Zhuhai show, he said.
China's newly unveiled attack helicopter, the WZ-10, was a star attraction after it executed a low pass over a Su-27 jet fighter from Russia's "Warriors" flying squad on the first day of the show.
"The helicopter is regarded as an important weapon for the country's mechanized national defense system as well as for its land forces," Xinhua news agency said.
The WZ-10, the country's most advanced attack helicopter, first captured public attention in July when reports surfaced that it used pirated US technology.
Yang Yujun, a defense ministry spokesman, denied the reports.
"China's attack helicopters and their engines are all home-developed and have proprietary intellectual property rights," he said.
"The public appearance of the WZ-10 proved that to be true," Wu Ximing, designer of the helicopter, said at the show.
He said the WZ-10 pushed the vanguard of China's helicopter industry forward 15 years to top world-level standards.
The Chinese-designed Wing Loong unmanned plane was another attraction at the Zhuhai show. The Wing Loong has a maximum takeoff weight of over 1,000 kilograms, which can carry two missiles with a flight time of 20 hours.
"The drone can scout and conduct attack missions simultaneously," said Fang Yuanpeng, a researcher with the Chengdu division of the Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC), which developed the drone.
The Wing Loong was commissioned by China's Air Force. Several red stars were painted on the fuselage of the drone to show how many missions it had flown.
AVIC also showed a model of a new generation fighter jet, the J-31, a stealth plane whose existence was revealed only recently.
The J-31 display featured only a one-quarter scale model of the jet, but it attracted big crowds. The PLA Daily website also posted pictures of the black aircraft model during the exhibition, but identified it only as an "advanced fighter concept."
China's first stealth fighter, the J-20, was unveiled in early 2011, but is not expected to enter service until 2018.
The J-10, the first supersonic 3rd-generation fighter jet designed and manufactured using Chinese technology, made its appearance on the final day of the show.
Pilots with the Bayi Aerobatic Team of the PLA Air Force performed elaborate formations with the multi-role combat fighter, which is capable of operating under all weather conditions.
"It looks very dangerous," said Huang Yi, a bystander from Guangzhou who was viewing the aerial stunts. "Two of the aircraft flew very close together, but then they flew off in opposite directions."
The Zhuhai air show was first held in 1996 under the name Airshow China.
It has become the biggest air show on the mainland and the only one supported by the government.
Some shows in the past were deemed disappointing by exhibitors and visitors, who complained about poor logistics and exhibits.
Russian aircraft dominated the show's first decade. The situation began to change in 2008 with the appearance of Chinese military parts and the country's C919 jumbo jet and ARJ21 regional jet.
The 150-seat jumbo jet, which is expected to make its maiden flight in 2014 to compete with Boeing and Airbus, won 50 orders at the air show this year, boosting total orders to 380.
The PLA Air Force attended the air show for the first time in 2010 when it displayed aircraft that took part in the 60th National Day parade in 2009, including the H-6 Badger bomber, the JH-7 Flying Leopard fighter-bomber and KJ-200 early warning aircraft.
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