Zhang Yanzhong, Director, National Large Aircraft Project Expert Advisory Committee

Zhang Yanzhong, born on March 4, 1940, in Sanyuan County, Shaanxi Province, is an expert in aviation systems engineering and signal processing. He is an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Director of the Expert Advisory Committee for the National Large Aircraft Major Project, Director of the Expert Advisory Committee for the National "Aeroengine and Gas Turbine" Major Project, and Chief Designer of the Large Aircraft Independent Program. He joined the Communist Party of China in 1960. He has served as President of the Chinese Aeronautical Research Institute, Chief Engineer of the Ministry of Aviation Industry and the Ministry of Aero-Space Industry, Deputy General Manager of China Aviation Industry Corporation, General Manager of China Aviation Industry Corporation II, Chairman of China Aviation Science and Technology Industry Co., Ltd., and Professor and PhD Supervisor at Beihang University.

Born on March 4, 1940, in Sanyuan, Shaanxi.

In 1962, graduated from the Department of Physics at Northwest University.

In 1984, graduated from Trinity College, University of Cambridge, UK, with a PhD degree.

In 2001, elected as an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

From 2004 to 2010, served as Director of the Faculty of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

Since 2008, served as Director of the Expert Advisory Committee for the Major Large Aircraft Project of the State Council.

As of 2025, he remains active in strategic consulting and talent cultivation in the aviation field, participating multiple times in academician visits to normal universities. In 2023, his personal biography Biography of Zhang Yanzhong was published, and in 2024, his collection of scientific essays was released.

Research AchievementsResearch Overview
For over 60 years, Academician Zhang Yanzhong has devoted himself to the aviation industry, focusing on mechanical vibration, signal processing, and aviation systems engineering research. From pioneering fault diagnosis and vibration control in the 1960s and 1970s, to information technology innovations in the 1980s, to leading multiple aviation model developments in the 1990s and beyond, and in the new century directing the demonstration and implementation of major national projects for large aircraft and "two engines" (aeroengines and gas turbines), his work has spanned the critical phases of China's aviation industry transitioning from catching up to running in parallel and partially leading, making strategic contributions to building China into an aviation powerhouse.

Major Achievements and Projects

• 1960s–1970s: Led the development of China's first 18,000g shock acceleration calibration device; pioneered aircraft fault diagnosis, successfully resolving vibration issues in 55 aircraft, winning 2 awards at the National Science Conference.
• 1980s: Proposed new algorithms for "subgroup convolution" and fast recursive FFT; invented a new structure for digital systems using "finite state machines"; pioneered the discipline of "XOR circuit simplification"; introduced graph theory to solve limit cycle oscillation problems, among other innovations.
• 1990s onward: Responsible for the project approval and systems engineering development of certain airborne missiles and radars, as well as various aircraft and helicopters, promoting multiple models to win national awards (e.g., Y-12 aircraft winning the National Science and Technology Progress First Prize).
• From 2006: Served as Director of the Large Aircraft Major Project Demonstration Committee, coordinating resolutions to the four major debates ("military-civilian, large-small, east-west, domestic-foreign"), proposing four coordination plans, and enabling the C919 large aircraft to achieve its maiden flight within nine years.
• 2010s: Led the demonstration of implementation plans for the "Aeroengine and Gas Turbine" major project and the "Airborne Systems Enhancement Plan," comprehensively advancing aviation power and airborne systems development.
• Other Consulting Projects: Served as leader for major Chinese Academy of Engineering consulting projects such as "Building a Conservation-Oriented Society" and "South China Sea Protection and Development Strategy Research," proposing goals and measures for a conservation-oriented society and major suggestions like the "Dinghai Shenzhen" (Sea-Stabilizing Divine Needle) project for safeguarding South China Sea sovereignty.

Honors and Awards

Received 2 awards from the National Science Conference and 11 national- and ministerial-level awards. In 2023, awarded the Outstanding Alumni Magnolia Award by Northwest University. Frequently recognized with awards such as the "Outstanding Contribution Award for National Major Science and Technology Program Organization and Management." With a spirit of "success not belonging to me," he did not pursue personal awards but was elected as an Academician.

Even in his advanced age, Academician Zhang Yanzhong remains committed to the dream of building an aviation powerhouse. He has promoted advanced training classes for large aircraft talents (multiple sessions held, cultivating over 1,100 key personnel). His spirit of serving the nation through aviation inspires future generations and provides enduring momentum for China's advancement from an aviation power to an aviation superpower.