Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group
Encyclopedia
Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAC) is a Chinese
aerospace
conglomerate
that manufactures aircraft parts as well as designs and manufactures combat aircraft. It was founded in 1958 (as Chengdu
State Aircraft Factory No.132 Aircraft Plant) to be a supplier of aircraft for the Chinese
military. Currently it is a subsidiary of AVIC I.
The Chengdu conglomerate designed and now produces the Jian-10 (J-10)
medium-weight multi-role fighter that is considered to be one of the most advanced in China's inventory, as well as the FC-1/JF-17
light-weight multi-role fighter that is produced in cooperation with Pakistan
.
In April 1956 an agreement was signed by China with the Soviet Union which included assistance with China's aviation industry. This included the No. 132 fighter manufacturing plant construction project. Construction started on 18 October 1958 and was basically completed in October 1964. A total of 180 million yuan was invested, the plant covered 507.4 hectares and employed 10,485 people. The first J-5 fighter to be produced made a successful maiden flight in November 1964. The J-5 was then modified into a dual-seat model, the FT-5, whose maiden flight occurred in May 1966. The factory was also preparing to begin manufacture of the J-7
. With the beginning of the Cultural Revolution
in 1966 the plant was put under military control until 1972.
With the end of the Cultural Revolution in 1976, the No. 132 factory began a new period of development and the facility's focus was slowly shifted to scientific research and production. The maiden flight of the J-7I
occurred in March 1970 and in 1975 the J-7II was designed. It was decided that the J-7 required a comprehensive transformation of the plant. Until 1985 a 80,642 square meter workshop was built with new equipment and an annual production capacity of almost 200 J-7 fighters. In 1979 the No. 132 plant was introduced to the outside world as Chengdu Aircraft Company and began exporting military products as well as gradually providing products for civilian use, motorcycles for example. In 1982 the aviation industry of China began to be re-organised and CAC was one of the institutions to be focused on. During the process CAC was re-organised with the principle of "unified leadership and decentralised management".
CAC began using advanced foreign technology and equipment to improve its existing products and speed up development of new products. These were for export as well as the domestic market. The J-7A, F-7IIA, F-7B, F-7M and F-7III were developed and exported to over 10 countries. Developing and producing the J-7M in 1984 was an important achievement as it was then China's most advanced light fighter aircraft. In 1985 the company established a quality assurance system for its military products and was exploring the development of civilian products such as light vehicles, motorcycles, dry cleaning machines, windows and tooling for civilian enterprises. Factories for building hydraulic landing gear fixtures, motorcycle engines, moulds, model aircraft and dry cleaning machinery were established in 1987 and CAC became one of 19 motorcycle production sites. In 1988 a sub-contracting arrangement with the United States was formed and CAC was involved with the production of the McDonnell Douglas MD-80. In 1989 CAC was again re-organised into Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Corporation and promoted to a state enterprise in 1990. The first MD-80 nose section was delivered in 1991.
By 1992, CAC's motorcycle and jack factories were placed under the control of a new company for civilian products and, in 1992, CAC was recognised as a large industrial enterprise in China's aviation industry. The company reformed its wage system and structure in 1993. A quota reduction of 22.3%, 11.9% in staff levels was set. The company's automotive mould production factory was also re-organised. Further reforms to the labour system occurred in 1994, with greater attention paid to business regulation and workers' rights. Sub-contracting production projects were expanded in 1995 with firms in the U.S. (McDonnell Douglas and Boeing), South Korea and Singapore. The company's sales revenue in non-aviation products exceeded 1 million for the first time in 1996 after increased focus on this area. CAC later began producing Airbus A320
and Boeing 757-200
components, such as vertical and horizontal tails. The company also achieved ISO9001 quality certification in avionics
.
The first flight of the Chengdu J-10
fighter in 1998 was an achievement that proved the company's ability to produce China's third generation of fighter technology. In 2002 the first prototypes of the FC-1 / Super-7 fighter, jointly developed with Pakistan, were completed. Digital design, manufacturing and management techniques were developed during this time. The J-7G
also made its maiden flight and contracts were signed with Dassault for production of Falcon 2000EX
fuel tanks.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
aerospace
Aerospace
Aerospace comprises the atmosphere of Earth and surrounding space. Typically the term is used to refer to the industry that researches, designs, manufactures, operates, and maintains vehicles moving through air and space...
conglomerate
Conglomerate (company)
A conglomerate is a combination of two or more corporations engaged in entirely different businesses that fall under one corporate structure , usually involving a parent company and several subsidiaries. Often, a conglomerate is a multi-industry company...
that manufactures aircraft parts as well as designs and manufactures combat aircraft. It was founded in 1958 (as Chengdu
Chengdu
Chengdu , formerly transliterated Chengtu, is the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China. It holds sub-provincial administrative status...
State Aircraft Factory No.132 Aircraft Plant) to be a supplier of aircraft for the Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
military. Currently it is a subsidiary of AVIC I.
The Chengdu conglomerate designed and now produces the Jian-10 (J-10)
Chengdu J-10
The Chengdu J-10 is a multirole fighter aircraft designed and produced by the People's Republic of China's Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation for the People's Liberation Army Air Force...
medium-weight multi-role fighter that is considered to be one of the most advanced in China's inventory, as well as the FC-1/JF-17
JF-17 Thunder
The PAC JF-17 Thunder , or CAC FC-1 Xiaolong , is a light-weight, single-engine, multi-role combat aircraft developed jointly by the Chengdu Aircraft Industries Corporation of China, the Pakistan Air Force and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex...
light-weight multi-role fighter that is produced in cooperation with Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
.
History
Chengdu J-7
The Chengdu Jian-7 is a People's Republic of China-built version of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21. Though production ceased in 2008 it continues to serve, mostly as an interceptor, in several air forces, including China's.-Design and development:...
. With the beginning of the Cultural Revolution
Cultural Revolution
The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, commonly known as the Cultural Revolution , was a socio-political movement that took place in the People's Republic of China from 1966 through 1976...
in 1966 the plant was put under military control until 1972.
With the end of the Cultural Revolution in 1976, the No. 132 factory began a new period of development and the facility's focus was slowly shifted to scientific research and production. The maiden flight of the J-7I
Chengdu J-7
The Chengdu Jian-7 is a People's Republic of China-built version of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21. Though production ceased in 2008 it continues to serve, mostly as an interceptor, in several air forces, including China's.-Design and development:...
occurred in March 1970 and in 1975 the J-7II was designed. It was decided that the J-7 required a comprehensive transformation of the plant. Until 1985 a 80,642 square meter workshop was built with new equipment and an annual production capacity of almost 200 J-7 fighters. In 1979 the No. 132 plant was introduced to the outside world as Chengdu Aircraft Company and began exporting military products as well as gradually providing products for civilian use, motorcycles for example. In 1982 the aviation industry of China began to be re-organised and CAC was one of the institutions to be focused on. During the process CAC was re-organised with the principle of "unified leadership and decentralised management".
CAC began using advanced foreign technology and equipment to improve its existing products and speed up development of new products. These were for export as well as the domestic market. The J-7A, F-7IIA, F-7B, F-7M and F-7III were developed and exported to over 10 countries. Developing and producing the J-7M in 1984 was an important achievement as it was then China's most advanced light fighter aircraft. In 1985 the company established a quality assurance system for its military products and was exploring the development of civilian products such as light vehicles, motorcycles, dry cleaning machines, windows and tooling for civilian enterprises. Factories for building hydraulic landing gear fixtures, motorcycle engines, moulds, model aircraft and dry cleaning machinery were established in 1987 and CAC became one of 19 motorcycle production sites. In 1988 a sub-contracting arrangement with the United States was formed and CAC was involved with the production of the McDonnell Douglas MD-80. In 1989 CAC was again re-organised into Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Corporation and promoted to a state enterprise in 1990. The first MD-80 nose section was delivered in 1991.
By 1992, CAC's motorcycle and jack factories were placed under the control of a new company for civilian products and, in 1992, CAC was recognised as a large industrial enterprise in China's aviation industry. The company reformed its wage system and structure in 1993. A quota reduction of 22.3%, 11.9% in staff levels was set. The company's automotive mould production factory was also re-organised. Further reforms to the labour system occurred in 1994, with greater attention paid to business regulation and workers' rights. Sub-contracting production projects were expanded in 1995 with firms in the U.S. (McDonnell Douglas and Boeing), South Korea and Singapore. The company's sales revenue in non-aviation products exceeded 1 million for the first time in 1996 after increased focus on this area. CAC later began producing Airbus A320
Airbus A320
The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001...
and Boeing 757-200
Boeing 757
The Boeing 757 is a mid-size, narrow-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Passenger versions of the twinjet have a capacity of 186 to 289 persons and a maximum range of , depending on variant and cabin configuration...
components, such as vertical and horizontal tails. The company also achieved ISO9001 quality certification in avionics
Avionics
Avionics are electronic systems used on aircraft, artificial satellites and spacecraft.Avionic systems include communications, navigation, the display and management of multiple systems and the hundreds of systems that are fitted to aircraft to meet individual roles...
.
The first flight of the Chengdu J-10
Chengdu J-10
The Chengdu J-10 is a multirole fighter aircraft designed and produced by the People's Republic of China's Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation for the People's Liberation Army Air Force...
fighter in 1998 was an achievement that proved the company's ability to produce China's third generation of fighter technology. In 2002 the first prototypes of the FC-1 / Super-7 fighter, jointly developed with Pakistan, were completed. Digital design, manufacturing and management techniques were developed during this time. The J-7G
Chengdu J-7
The Chengdu Jian-7 is a People's Republic of China-built version of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21. Though production ceased in 2008 it continues to serve, mostly as an interceptor, in several air forces, including China's.-Design and development:...
also made its maiden flight and contracts were signed with Dassault for production of Falcon 2000EX
Dassault Falcon 2000
|-See also:...
fuel tanks.
Facilities
- Chengdu Airframe Plant
- Chengdu Engine Company
- Chengdu Aircraft Design InstituteChengdu Aircraft Design InstituteChengdu Aircraft Design Institute , or «CADI», is a Chinese design institute and jointer partners with Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group for military aircraft.The CADI seems to be working on the J-XX 5th Generation Fighter Aircraft, a stealth fighter project seemingly designated J-13...
Aircraft
- Chengdu JJ-5 (JianJiao-5) basic jet trainer; export model designated FT-5
- Chengdu J-7Chengdu J-7The Chengdu Jian-7 is a People's Republic of China-built version of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21. Though production ceased in 2008 it continues to serve, mostly as an interceptor, in several air forces, including China's.-Design and development:...
- Lightweight interceptor; export models designated F-7 - FC-1 Xiaolong/JF-17 Thunder - Lightweight multi-role fighter
- Chengdu J-10Chengdu J-10The Chengdu J-10 is a multirole fighter aircraft designed and produced by the People's Republic of China's Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation for the People's Liberation Army Air Force...
- Medium-weight multi-role fighter - Chengdu J-20Chengdu J-20The Chengdu J-20 is a purported fifth-generation, stealth, twin-engine fighter aircraft prototype developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force . In late 2010, the J-20 underwent high speed taxiing tests. The J-20 made its first flight on 11...
- Heavy-weight fifth generation stealth fighter
Aircraft parts
- ACAC ARJ21ACAC ARJ21The Comac ARJ21 Xiangfeng is a twin-engined regional airliner. It is the first regional passenger jet to be developed and indigenously produced by the People's Republic of China...
nose section - Chinese licensee of McDonnell Douglas MD-80 / MD-90McDonnell Douglas MD-80 / MD-90The McDonnell Douglas MD-80 is a family of twin-engine, short- to medium-range, single-aisle commercial jet airliners. The MD-80 series were lengthened and updated from the DC-9. The airliner family can seat from 130 up to 172 passengers depending on variant and seating configuration.The MD-80...
- Parts supplier for Northrop GrummanNorthrop GrummanNorthrop Grumman Corporation is an American global aerospace and defense technology company formed by the 1994 purchase of Grumman by Northrop. The company was the fourth-largest defense contractor in the world as of 2010, and the largest builder of naval vessels. Northrop Grumman employs over...
- Empennage (horizontal stabilizer, vertical fin and tail section) for the Boeing 757Boeing 757The Boeing 757 is a mid-size, narrow-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Passenger versions of the twinjet have a capacity of 186 to 289 persons and a maximum range of , depending on variant and cabin configuration...
- Parts and maintenance tools for AirbusAirbusAirbus SAS is an aircraft manufacturing subsidiary of EADS, a European aerospace company. Based in Blagnac, France, surburb of Toulouse, and with significant activity across Europe, the company produces around half of the world's jet airliners....
See also
- Changhe Aircraft Industries CorporationChanghe Aircraft Industries CorporationChanghe Aircraft Industries Corporation is a Chinese helicopter manufacturer and supplier to the People's Liberation Army of China. The company is based in the city of Jingdezhen in Jiangxi province. Changhe employs 4300 employees in two production facilities with 1.29 million sq. metres and 0.22...
- China Aviation Industry Corporation
- ACAC consortiumACAC consortiumThe AVIC I Commercial Aircraft Company is a subsidiary of Aviation Industries of China I , formed in 2002 by various Chinese aviation companies, including:* Shanghai Aircraft Research Institute...
- China Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing CorporationChina Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing CorporationHongdu Aviation Industry Corporation is a Chinese aircraft manufacturer and supplier to the Chinese military...
- Guizhou Aircraft Industry Co.
- Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing CorporationHarbin Aircraft Manufacturing CorporationHarbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation , often shortened to Hafei, is an aircraft manufacturing company located in Harbin, the capital of the Heilongjiang Province of the People's Republic of China....
- Hongdu Aviation Industry Corporation
- Shanghai Aviation Industrial Company
- Shanxi Aircraft Company
- Shenyang Aircraft CorporationShenyang Aircraft CorporationShenyang Aircraft Corporation is a Chinese civilian and military aircraft manufacturer located in Shenyang. Founded in 1953, it is one of the oldest aircraft manufacturers in the People's Republic of China. Many aircraft manufacturers in China such as Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group or Guizhou...
- Xi'an Aircraft Industrial CorporationXi'an Aircraft Industrial CorporationXi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation , also known as Xi'an Aircraft Company Limited is a Chinese aircraft manufacturer and developer of large and medium-sized airplanes. It is based in Yanliang District, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. It is joint partners with 603rd Aircraft Design Institute of...
- People's Liberation Army Air ForcePeople's Liberation Army Air ForceThe People's Liberation Army Air Force is the aviation branch of the People's Liberation Army, the military of the People's Republic of China...