China's Aviation Industry

An unique examination of the history and current status of the Chinese Aviation industry

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To set up a strong world class aviation industry has been a long cherished wish of the Chinese people, and today in the new millennium it is very close to achieving this goal, certainly in the civil field as a sub-contractor to many of the world's leading airframe and aero-engine manufacturer's. This book reviews the industry since its inception, when at the dawn of man's flight quite a number of Chinese with knowledge of advanced aircraft design and manufacturing returned home to embody the nation with their skills to empower the country to maintain its own defence and save the country from powers of aggression. It was a slow start however, progressing from repair of foreign designs, to reverse-engineering copy to indigenous designs albeit most were developments of imported Soviet types, including the Nanchang A-5 Fantan which has been its most prolific export to date.Today China has a vibrant airframe, aero-engine, AAM missile drone and UAV sector though lacks in the precision guided weapons field. This book gives a unique insight into an industry in a country that is rapidly becoming one of the world's wealthiest nations.