China joins the elite fighter-plane club
6/1/2007 9:47
China has become only the world's fourth country capable of developing on
its own advanced fighter planes, engines, and missiles.
Geng ruguang, deputy
general manager of the China Aviation Industry Corporation I, said yesterday
that China has successfully developed the new-generation plane Jian-10, or
Fighter-10, the Taihang turbofan engine, and air-to-air missiles.
The
jian-10 made its debut in Beijing yesterday. A five-minute video revealed how
the fighter takes off, lands, fires missiles and flies in formation.
The avic
I spent seven years developing the Jian-10 aircraft, the engine, and the
new-generation missiles. The multi-role Jian-10 has single-seater and two-seater
versions.
The jian-10 and the Taihang turbofan engine, both with proprietary
intellectual property rights, herald the third generation of Chinese fighter
aircraft and military aero-engines, said Geng.
The jian-10 series marks a
breakthrough in China's research and development of heavy fighter aircraft, said
Liu Gaozhuo, executive commander of the Jian-10 program.
Military observers
say the Jian-10 cannot match American fourth-generation fighter aircraft in
performance, but its basic design and home-made onboard equipment are comparable
to those of mainstream fighter aircraft in the West.
The jian-10 will help
the Chinese air force improve defense capabilities and speed up weapon
modernization.
China is now capable of developing its own big-thrust military
aero-engines and the Taihang turbofan will power its third-generation fighters,
said Liu.
Geng said the Chinese air force had been equipped with the
country's new fourth-generation air-to-air missiles, which can launch
beyond-visual-range and multi-target attacks and do not require further guidance
after launch.
Avic i has also successfully developed China's first turbofan
regional jet, the ARJ21, which can carry 70 to 110 passengers.
The arj21 is
expected to make its maiden flight in March, 2008, and deliveries will begin
before October, 2009.
The manufacturer has received 71 orders for the plane
from domestic companies, including Shanghai Airlines, Shandong Airlines and
Xiamen Airlines.
Avic i is the leading aircraft manufacturer in
China.
Xinhua
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