624 Institute
Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE)
China Gas Turbine Establishment
Gas Turbine Institute
Sichuan Gas Turbine Institute
Center of Light Gas Turbine

Two institutions in China, the Shenyang Aero-Engine Research Institute (the 606 Institute), and the China Gas Turbine Establishment (the 624 Institute), have led R&D efforts on a wide range of turbofans developed over the past two decades for combat aircraft, flight training aircraft, as well as UAVs and cruise missiles. The WS-10 engine project officially commenced in 1987 at the 624 Institute of the Ministry of Aviation Industry, also known at the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE).

Based on the related disciplines, the Center of Gas Turbine carries out research of scientific issues related to the design of the overall performance of gas turbines, and design and matching of various components and integrated systems. The goal is to provide the scientific basis and new technological channels to the research and development of light power systems in China with completely independent intellectual property right, and to become a domestic important and international well-known key base for basic theories and high-tech research and development and for training talented people in the field of light power systems. At the Center there is a research and development team long engaged in light power systems.

At the Center there are research testing platforms covering series of parts and integrated light power systems. The Center has independently set up a design system for light gas turbines with self-owned intellectual property right and acquired software for the analyses and calculationsof performances of series of parts and integrated systems. With the support of key 863 projects of the Ministry of Science and Technology and aviation enterprisesthe Center has committed and participated in a number of R&D tasks of key technologies in light gas turbines. The Center broadly participatesin national cooperation, built a cooperative R&D platform for auxiliary power for aircraft with the China Aviation Industry Group, builta joint laboratory for key technologies in aero-engines, and jointly committed a number of state-level research tasks with other institutions.

An advanced engine development facility will be built in Sichuan province as China moves closer to building its own jumbo jet. The base in Mianyang will provide advanced testing facilities and simulate the height and speed of an aircraft at high altitude. The country's current altitude simulation testing facility - the largest in Asia - is located at the gas turbine institute in Jiangyou, Sichuan province. But plans to build large aircraft have placed tough demands on the facility, and the existing infrastructure is not of a high enough standard.

Mianyang is located in the northwest of Sichuan, 98 kilometers from Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan province. Its administrative divisions includes the two districts of Fucheng and Youxian, the New and High-Tech Industries Development Zone, the six counties of Santai, Anxian, Zitong, Yanting, Pinwu and Beichuan, Jiangyou city, and the Science Zone Administration Office of the provincial government. It covers an area of 20000 square km with a population of 5.18 million, among which 50 square km and 500 thousand people are in the urban area. The place enjoys a subtropical, humid and temperate climate, with annual average temperature 14.7-17.3°, the lowest temperature 4-5°, the highest temperature 32-34°, annual average relative humidity 71%.

Since the setting up of Mianyang Municipal Government in 1985, GDP has increased by an average of 10.8% per year, and the Industrial Added Value has increased by an average of 14.9%. GDP in 2001 reached RMB 32.98 billion yuan. It is thus the second most important city in Sichuan, one of the fastest developing cities in Western China, and has a very favorable development potential.

Mianyang is a very important state defense military industrial and research base with 18 state defense research institutes, such as China Academy of Engineering Physics, Chinese Aerodynamics Research & Development Center, Chinese Gas Turbine Institute, etc. There are six universities and technical schools, two national technical centers (Changhong and Jiuzhou), six provincial technical centers (eg. Shuangma and Dongchai). In the various fields of nuclear technology and its application, aerodynamics, aeronautic engines, magnetic materials and industrial automation, Mianyang leads in China and / or the world.

In Mianyang, there are about 50 big and middle scale key enterprises such as Changhong, Jiuzhou, Changgang, Shuangma, Huachen, Huarun, Shuanghui, Fuling, Fenggu, Taiji Group and so on. Electronics, mechanical engineering, metallurgy, construction materials, chemical industry, etc., make up the key industries. Mianyang has already been developed to be the largest IT products producer in Western China.

Mianyang has about 2200 years of history with official local government. It is the birthplace of the Emperor Dayu, Leizhu the mother of silk, and Li Bai the great poet of Tang Dynasty. It is also named as the "Giant Panda Country". To the north is the Jianmen Castle, to the south ChengDu Plain, to the west Jiuzhai Huanglong, and to the east Bayu and Three gorges, so it is known as the hub or "the throat and key" of Sichuan through its history. The eco-tourism routes include Wanglang Natural Protection Zone, Qianfu Mountain, Yuanwang Cave, etc. Fule Mountain and Zitong Damiao contain important remains for tourists interested in the "Three Kingdoms". There are also industrial and scientific sites for interested tourists, such as CAEP Exhibition Center, Asia's largest aerodynamics center, Changhong Commercial Center. It is becoming the top tourism center of Sichuan and West China. The famous Yuewang Lou (tower) is one of the four most famous towers in China.