The 14th International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, usually known as Airshow China, kicked off on November 8. More than 740 enterprises from 43 countries and regions participated in the event on-site or online, and a batch of aerospace products will make their debuts. Cao Weidong, a Chinese military observer, has a unique view of the event.
Question: What equipments are unveiled at this air show?
Cao Weidong: We can see a number of main battle equipment of the PLAAF on the site, such as the KJ-500 early warning aircraft, J-20 fighter, J-16 fighter, J-10 fighter, H-6K bomber, Y-20 transport aircraft, and YU-20 tanker aircraft, as well as many special aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In addition, there are also many civil aircraft including the C919, China's first homegrown large jetliner, and the AG600M, China's self-developed new-configuration amphibious firefighting aircraft, at the airshow, not to speak of the big ones like Long March carrier rockets.
Question: What are the highlights of UAVs involved in the event?
Cao Weidong: There are two families of UAVs displayed in the event, "Wing Loong" and "CH".
UAV has the following characteristics. First, long flight duration. Generally speaking, manned aircraft can stay in the air for more than ten hours at most, but UAVs can stay longer as required by the mission.
Second, smart operation. Some small drones can perform the task of grabbing objects. They can enter a room and take a CD back from the table. Some drones can even fly to high buildings to paint slogans.
Third, multiple-purpose. For instance, when someone accidentally gets drowned in summer, a UAV can land on water and turn into a boat to rescue the drowning, which is much faster than lifeguards. In the future, the UAVs may be applied to execute more tasks of an even wider range.
Question: It is learned that more than ten indoor exhibition halls and professional static exhibition zones have been set up in the air show, and various models of ground weapons and equipment are also on display. According to your observation, which will be the most popular equipment in the event?
Cao Weidong: We can see various kinds of radars, missiles, armored vehicles, tanks, unmanned ships, etc. in the ground equipment display zone. Many people like our "Taihang" engine, the heart of aircraft. Besides, some composite materials that can make aircraft invisible will also be appealing to visitors.
Question: The air show will last from November 8 to 13, during which the PLAAF will usher in the 73rd anniversary of its founding on November 11. From the equipment displayed in this air show, what is the trajectory of the PLAAF’s development over the past 73 years?
Cao Weidong: The PLAAF was initially founded for air defense, and now has been transformed into a strategic air force that integrates air and space power, featured with offensive and defensive capabilities. This can be embodied in two aspects.
First, the equipment system has gradually been improved. For example, the J-20 fighter jet is capable of supersonic cruise and features a very flexible aerodynamic layout. In addition, we also have transport aircraft, tanker aircraft, early warning aircraft, bomber, UAV, etc.
Second, personnel training methods have changed. In the exhibition hall, you can see simulation trainers, through which the pilot cadets can conduct simulated flights under diverse weather conditions, such as heavy fog and thunderstorm. The advanced simulation training will considerably accelerate the pilot training and shorten the training course.
Question: Since its inception in 1996, Airshow China has gone through 26 years. It has become a grand aviation gathering for relevant industrial giants across the world and has grown to be a dazzling name brand of China. What’s your comment on the international influence of Airshow China?
Cao Weidong: During the first International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, we were shocked by Pugachev’s Cobra performance of Russian pilot Pugachev driving a Su-27. At that time, Boeing and Airbus played the leading role in the exhibition of civil aviation aircraft. Today, all kinds of equipment independently developed and manufactured by China have taken a leading role in the Airshow China. In the future, Airshow China is to play an increasingly important role in the development of the world aerospace industry.
