The engines powering the multiplying types of modern Chinese fighters, surveillance, transport, and bomber aircraft represent the core problems of China’s rise: increasing domestic strength in science and technology (S&T) and a persistent dependence on imported foreign technology.
For the Chinese military, improved engines are critical to its ability to perform more complex and demanding missions. Focuses of development include: advanced high bypass ratio turbofans for bombers and heavy transport aircraft; high-performance low bypass ratio turbofans and thrust vector control (TVC) for fighter aircraft; more-capable turboshaft engines for helicopters; and improved turboprop engines for tactical transport and maritime patrol aircraft.
At the strategic level, the shift from a mission of territorial air defense [国土防空] to preparing for both offensive and defensive operations [攻防兼备], and the resultant requirement to perform missions such as long-range strike [长途奔袭] and strategic force delivery [战略投送], are shaping Chinese requirements for more capable, long-range aircraft. At the tactical level, requirements for specialized missions such as close air support and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) are further driving requirements.
Chinese publications describe aeroengines as the “pearl in the crown” [皇冠上的明珠] of an aviation industry, the “heart of an aircraft” [飞机的心脏] and a “strategic guarantor” [战略保障] of national security. Despite this emphasis, China continues to struggle to develop its own aeroengines. The following section examines China’s progress in the development of modern aeroengines and the challenges it has encountered.