From nose to tail, how China is reshaping the aviation supply chain
Recent developments in a number of areas show Beijing is continuing to reduce its reliance on foreign parts, close long-standing technological gaps and assert itself as a major player in civil aviation at all levels of the supply chain. We have gathered some of them below.
CJ-1000A engine whirring along
During an interview on state broadcaster CCTV, Zhang Yanzhong of the Chinese Academy of Engineering offered a rare public update on one of the country's most closely watched aviation projects: the CJ-1000A, a domestically produced large commercial jet engine.
Designed to power the
Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) C919 – China's answer to the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 narrowbody aircraft – the CJ-1000A is seen as paramount to the country's efforts to limit its reliance on foreign aerospace technology. Zhang said the engine's development is progressing smoothly and remains on schedule.
'All I can say is that our engine is progressing as planned, and the current progress is very positive. As for when it will be installed on Chinese aircraft – just wait for the good news,' he told CCTV.
The Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC), the CJ-1000A's developer, has said their product will perform on par with CFM International's LEAP-1C engine, currently installed in C919 models flying commercial routes. A successful roll-out of the Chinese company's engine would represent a major leap forward in the country's campaign for aviation self-sufficiency.
Hydraulic fluid gets the green light
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