2016 China International Aviation and Aerospace ExhibitionBy Willie Bodenstein This year's aerial extravaganza had much to flaunt, from the fifth-generation stealth fighter to China's largest combat UAV, which is capable of targeted assaults that were once the exclusive preserve of American drones. Various other domestic unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) were also on display in the static park and exhibition halls. The show was opened by two Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) J-20 'fifth-generation' fighters one of which did a high speed fly past whilst the other did a vertical climb and short display before departing. The Chengdu J-20 is a stealth, twinjet developed for the People's Liberation Army Air Force. The J-20 made its first flight on 11 January 2011, and is expected to be operational in 2018.  A pair of China's home-grown J-20 stealth fighters made their public debut during the opening of the exhibition. Photo Ch 06 commons.wikimedia.org The Cloud Shadow, made by AVIC Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Group, possesses a payload of 400 kg, cruising altitude of 14,000 m (i.e. 46,000 ft), a maximum speed of 620 km/h, and endurance of six hours. AVIC is offering the UAV with a standard line-of-sight radio connectivity suite, which offers a range of 290 km.  The Cloud Shadow combat drone, a domestically manufactured unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can stay in the air for up to 60 hours and carry 24 surface-to-air missiles. Over 40 countries and a total of 700 exhibitors took part in Airshow China in 2014. The Exhibition featured the display of real-size products, trade talks, technological exchange and flying displays.  American Exhibitors at China Airshow 2016. Photo Kallman The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), China Meteorological Administration (CMA), Zhuhai government, and several international corporations have signed a series of major purchase and cooperation agreements to the value of 100-billion RMB. The agreements include 30 projects covering Satellite Engineering cooperation, air defence weapons systems, Carrier Rockets, missile systems, and several other significant space technology and service products.  A model of the Ewat Aerospace UAV. Photo www.difc.cn Flying into the southern Chinese city for the exhibition was the Y-20 military transporter, a Chinese-made aircraft that can take off while carrying 200 tons.  The Y-20, with a crew of three, made its maiden flight in January 2013, making China the third nation after the US and Russia capable of developing strategic transport aircraft. Photo AVIC Russia's Helicopters demonstrated the Mi-26TS, modified to suit China's summer weather conditions. Mi-26TS is capable of transporting up to 20 tons of cargo.  MT-26TS. Photo Russian Helicopters Bombardier brought its CS300 aircraft to Airshow China in Zhuhai for one reason only - to show potential Chinese customers that the aircraft is real and flying.  Bombardier CS300. Photo Bombardier The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) announced during the exhibition that it has set up a joint venture with Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) as part of ambitious plans to jointly develop a wide body jet. The joint venture, to be based in Shanghai, will start operations in 2016. The jumbo jet represents the two countries' aim to compete in the wide body segment, currently controlled by Europe's Airbus Group and Boeing Co of the United States.  Harbin Z-19E. Photo commons.wikimedia.org  The AG600 will be suitable for aerial firefighting dropping 12 tonnes of water, and search and rescue operations for 50 passengers. Photo Xinhua  Red Arrows. Photo UK Ministry of Defence  Russian Knights. Photo Pixelbay  PLA Air Force's "August 1st" team. Photo Xinhua  Airbus A350 XWB. Photo China.org.cn Guizhou Aviation Industry Import/Export Company (GAIEC) attended with a high level team lead by the CEO. The company exhibited its Guizhou JL-9, (also known as the FTC-2000 Mountain Eagle) two-seat fighter-trainer. The FTC-2000 started as a GAIEC private venture to develop an inexpensive trainer for fourth generation aircraft for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and the People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force.  The Guizhou JL-9 trainer was revealed at the 2001. Photo Czip commons.wikimedia.org China's Xiamen Airlines confirmed during the show that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to buy up to 30 Boeing 737 MAX 200 aircraft for its aircraft for its low-cost units.  Boeing 737 Max. Photo Boeing The China Airshow reaffirmed China as a major role player in the technology sector. The product line up displayed was exceptional and prototypes displayed proofed that China will soon be well sufficient in all of its military and civilian asset needs. |
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