CASI Publications

PLA Aerospace Power: A Primer on Trends in China’s Military Air, Space, and Missile Forces 5th Edition

Introduction and Strategic Context Over the past twelve months, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has deepened a force structure built around four services, the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Rocket Force; and four strategic arms, including the newly established Aerospace Force responsible for

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The Oriental Maritime Space Port: China's Sea-Based Expansion

China’s fifth spaceport, the Oriental Maritime Space Port (OMSP) [东方航天港], also known as the Dongfang Spaceport, in Shandong Province, is a facility responsible for both the manufacture and launch of rockets. The Port represents a significant step forward in China's ambitious expansion of its space

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Taking Flight: China's Military Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Industry

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS), including unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms, are a core element of the PRC’s military modernization program. The PLA has operated UAVs since the 1950s. While aerial drones are not a new technology, contemporary UAV systems are improving rapidly due to

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PLA Information Support to the Battlefield: UAV Employment Concepts and Challenges

China’s extensive investments in unmanned systems and their incorporation into informatized and eventually intelligentized warfare is a central component of the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA’s) modernization. The PLA Services—particularly the PLA Army (PLAA), PLA Navy (PLAN), and PLA Air Force

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China's Air Defense Radar Industrial Base

This report draws on open-source reporting, Chinese-language primary sources, satellite imagery, and multiple business databases to examine China’s air defense radar capabilities and the industrial base that develops, produces, and deploys them. Key findings include:• China’s large air defense

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Charting the Course: How the PLA's Expected Regional and Global Strategies Should Influence the U.S. Air Force's Lines of Efforts

By CASI Fellow Major Josh "Soup" CampbellThis report provides an analysis of the geopolitical dynamics between the United States and China, focusing on military and strategic considerations. It emphasizes that the United States, once unmatched in its military and economic prowess compared to China,

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ITOW: Officer Basic Capability Training Guide

The “In Their Own Words” series is dedicated to translations of Chinese documents in order to help non-Mandarin speaking audiences access and understand Chinese thinking. CASI would like to thank all of those involved in this effort. In the “In Their Own Words” series, CASI and its collaborators aim

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PLA Aerospace Power: A Primer on Trends in China’s Military Air, Space, and Missile Forces 4th Edition

The Big Picture As the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) moves ever closer to its centennial anniversary, it shows no signs of slowing the pace of modernization. Under the direct guidance of Xi Jinping, Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP),

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ITOW: Hypersonic Vehicle Technology

The “In Their Own Words” series is dedicated to translations of Chinese documents in order to help non-Mandarin speaking audiences access and understand Chinese thinking. CASI would like to thank all of those involved in this effort. In the “In Their Own Words” series, CASI and its

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ITOW: Air Force Tactical Logistics

The “In Their Own Words” series is dedicated to translations of Chinese documents in order to help non-Mandarin speaking audiences access and understand Chinese thinking. CASI would like to thank all of those involved in this effort. In the “In Their Own Words” series, CASI and its collaborators aim

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To Be More Precise: BEIDOU, GPS, and the Emerging Competition in Satellite-Based PNT

The United States and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) are in an emerging competition over satellite-based positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT). In 2020, the PRC completed BeiDou 3, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) similar to the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS). The PRC now

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The PLA Navy Coastal Defense Missile Force

The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is comprised of five branches (兵种): the surface fleet, the submarine fleet, naval aviation, the marine corps, and coastal defense. As the PLAN modernizes, each of the branches has undergone its own modernization. This includes the PLAN Coastal Defense force

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Chinese Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications

The People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) and China’s Nuclear Deterrence Capabilities Have Grown Considerably in the Past 15 Years. Originally, the PLARF was constructed as purely a delivery force for China’s nuclear weapons. However, that role has expanded dramatically in recent

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Coercive Space Activities: The View From PRC Sources

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is developing space technologies, in part, to deter and compel the United States from taking actions that Beijing deems counter to its national security interests. PRC coercive space efforts are intended to achieve effects in, from, and to space. People’s

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A Complex Systems Engineering Undertaking: The Qian Xuesen School of Systems Engineering

Systems engineering is a method for research and analysis that holistically analyzes complex problems, such as building a spacecraft or an entire national defense program, by coordinating and optimizing components of the system such as individual work processes. This study is an early attempt

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In Their Own Words: On Maritime Strategic Access

The “In Their Own Words” series is dedicated to translations of Chinese documents in order to help non-Mandarin speaking audiences access and understand Chinese thinking. CASI would like to thank all of those involved in this effort. In the “In Their Own Words” series, CASI and its collaborators aim

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Organization of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC)

Established in 1951, the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) is China’s largest aviation enterprise, responsible for producing essentially all of China’s domestic military aircraft, UAVs, and helicopters, as well as a wide range of civilian aircraft and other aviation and non-aviation

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China-Russia Nuclear Industry Cooperation

In May 2021, Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping presided over a groundbreaking ceremony for their countries’ biggest joint nuclear energy project to date: the construction of four new nuclear reactors in China’s Jiangsu and Liaoning Provinces. The 20 billion

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PLA Counterspace Command and Control

This report started as an effort to answer two questions about each of six counterspace weapon classes typically referenced in unclassified counterspace reports. The weapons discussed in this report include: Direct Assent Antisatellite Missiles, Directed Energy Counterspace Weapons, Terrestrially

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ITOW: Basic Issues of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era

The “In Their Own Words” series is dedicated to translations of Chinese documents in order to help non-Mandarin speaking audiences access and understand Chinese thinking. CASI would like to thank all of those involved in this effort. In the “In Their Own Words” series, CASI and its collaborators aim

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The Regenerating Road China’s Rapid Runway Repair Capabilities and Other Recovery Methods

This report addresses China’s rapid runway repair capabilities and other methods of restoring air operationswhen faced with enemy assaults. If functionality is hindered, this will restrict the PLA’s ability to launch air operationsand respond to attacks from outside forces. Fixed and obvious

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China-Russia Space Cooperation: The Strategic, Military, Diplomatic, and Economic Implications of a Growing Relationship

Over the past two decades, the relationship between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Russia has transitioned from what some described as a relationship of convenience to what both countries now call a “comprehensive strategic partnership.” The growing strategic partnership between China and

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In Their Own Words: China's Aerospace Security Strategic Concept

According to the idea of defining concepts, analyzing the situation, determining goals and achieving goals, this book involves the basic issues involved in China's aerospace security strategy, including the core concepts of the national aerospace security strategy, the strategic situation facing

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An Exploratory Analysis of the Chinese Hypersonics Research Landscape

According to reports, China conducted tests of hypersonic glide vehicles in July and August 2021, which Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley described as “concerning.”1 China’s hypersonic weapons program has drawn significant global attention and research interests in recent years.

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PLA Rocket Force Organization

The PLA Rocket Force (PLARF), formerly known as the PLA 2nd Artillery Force (PLASAF) until 2016, is responsible for the PLA’s land-based nuclear and conventional ballistic missiles. The Second Artillery Force was officially established in 1966 and given command of China’s small inventory of

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Xi Jinping: Lines of Authority

Xi Jinping is the undisputed top leader of China and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in Chinese media. He regularly appears on the front pages of Chinese newspapers, has phone applications dedicated to “Xi Jinping Thought,” has dedicated sections for his speeches present on many Chinese

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PLA Aerospace Primer 3rd Edition

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In Their Own Words: Lectures on the Science of Space Operations

The “In Their Own Words” series is dedicated to translations of Chinese documents in order to help non-Mandarin speaking audiences access and understand Chinese thinking. In the “In Their Own Words” series, CASI aims to provide Chinese texts that illustrate thoughtful, clearly articulated,

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Chinese Views of the Spectrum of Conflict: Theory and Action

There is a widespread consensus among Western scholars that Chinese actions have become more aggressive in recent years. Foreign vessels have been rammed in disputed waters, transits of neighboring countries’ Air Defense Identification Zones have increased in number and scale, and border disputes

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The PRC State & Defense Laboratory System

Over the past 30 years, China has developed a vast and complex laboratory system. From an analytical standpoint, at present, laboratories generally fall into one of several categories according to their administrative rankings. They include, in descending order: state-level laboratories[国家级],

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China’s Model of Science

On 20 January 2021 newly inaugurated President Biden sent a letter to his science advisor, geneticist Eric Lander, posing five essential questions about how to ensure America’s leadership in science and technology for the next 75 years. The letter deliberately invoked a similar letter sent by

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In Their Own Words: 2020 Science of Military Strategy

The “In Their Own Words” series is dedicated to translations of Chinese documents in order to help non-Mandarin speaking audiences access and understand Chinese thinking. In the “In Their Own Words” series, CASI aims to provide Chinese texts that illustrate thoughtful, clearly articulated,

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Sino-Russian Defense Cooperation’s Impact on Chinese Aerospace RD&A

We should not forget that in the “Era of Great Power Competition,” the United States has two peer “Strategic Competitors” and several others with whom we compete. When our two largest competitors, namely the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation, cooperate toward their common

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China's Spaceplane Program

Spaceplanes are one area in which China seeks to mimic or compete with U.S. technology. Inspired by the U.S. Space Shuttle and more recently by the Boeing X-37B orbital test vehicle, China has several ongoing projects to develop reusable launch vehicles capable of flight in both air and space. While

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Females in the PLA Air Force

This report discusses the past and present role of females in the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force (PLAAF) to include officers, enlisted personnel, civilian cadre, and civilian personnel. Historically, females in the PLAAF served in two primary roles:

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In Their Own Words- Services and Arms Application in Joint Operations

Service and Arms Application in Joint Operations is one of the special series of reference texts written under the PLA Joint Operations Command Talent Cultivation Project of the former Shenyang Military Area Command. It discusses the roles and methods of all Services in integrated joint operations

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In Their Own Words: Lectures on Joint Campaign Information Operations

Written by the PRC’s National Defense University (NDU) faculty, with assistance from the General Staff Operations Department and the Academy of Military Sciences, this text contains instructional material for NDU Commander’s Course, Staff Officer, and PLA-wide Information Operations Advanced Studies

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The U.S., China, and Artificial Intelligence Competition Factors

As technology continues to progress rapidly, so does its impact on modern warfare. As the world moves deeper into the era of great power competition, this becomes an even more important area to watch. The United States and China are both pursuing high technology very rapidly and with

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China's Ballistic Missile Industry

Along with space and cyber, the missile forces of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) People’s Liberation Army have seen the greatest increase in importance, and funding, over the last two decades. This progress was further emphasized when, as part of the 2015 reforms, the Second Artillery was

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70 Years of the People's Liberation Army Air Force

For those of you who have the privilege of knowing the great Ken Allen, this book will come as no surprise. For those of you who don’t know Ken personally, trust me when I say he has dedicated his life to the study of the People’s Liberation Army’s Air Force (PLAAF). In many cases, such a statement

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In their Own Words: Military-Civil Fusion Lexicon

This paper is intended as a reference guide for the group of terms frequently used in Chinese official discourse to describe the practice of civil military integration and civil military relations in China. Although military-civil fusion (MCF) was elevated to a national strategy under Xi Jinping,

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China’s Ground Segment: Building the Pillars of a Great Space Power

Space has long been important to national security. Dating back decades, the “Space Race” was not just about the ideological competition between the communist Soviets and the free West, it had real world national security implications. That is even more true today. As technology has advanced and

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Commanders of the PLA Air Force

In the era of great power competition, it is important to understand all of the actors. Not just organizations and structure, but people as well. On 27 August 2017, Lieutenant General Ding Laihang became the 12th Commander of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force (PLAAF) since 1949. He

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PLA's Science of Military Strategy (2013)

The “In Their Own Words” series is dedicated to translations of Chinese documents in order to help non-Mandarin speaking audiences access and understand Chinese thinking. CASI would like to thank all of those involved in this effort, especially the teams from our "big brother"/ 大哥 at the China

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In their Own Words: PLA's Science of Campaigns

The “In Their Own Words” series is dedicated to translations of Chinese documents in order to help non-Mandarin speaking audiences access and understand Chinese thinking. CASI would like to thank all of those involved in this effort, especially the teams from our "big brother"/ 大哥 at the China

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China's Space Narrative

Both China and the United States have created separate parts of their military dedicated to space. Commercial, scientific, and military endeavors in space are all intimately linked, and one must understand how they are viewed to better understand how a nation might proceed in one or all of

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China's Military-Civil Fusion Strategy

Military-Civil Fusion (MCF), this term seems like a counterpart to the American term civil-military integration (CMI), but in reality it is far deeper and more complex. Whereas, according to the U.S. Congressional Office of Technology Assessment, America’s CMI is “cooperation between government

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"Private" Chinese Aerospace Defense Companies

As the United States continues it shift away from the Post 9-11 era toward the era of Great Power Strategic Competition, it is important to understand with whom we are competing and the manner in which they are competing with us. Too often, we view things only though our own

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The People’s Liberation Army’s Academic Institutions

The basis for any military is education and training. Without this foundation, we would just be armed groups of men, marauding our local areas. Education and training allow tactics, techniques, and procedures to be transmitted as lessons learned from one generation to the next. These eventually form

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China's Aeroengine Industry

As we move further into the era of 21st century great power competition, it is important to understand with whom we are competing. This report is our second in a series of studies by the China Aerospace Studies Institute that seeks to lay the foundation for better understanding the Aerospace

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China's "Little Eagles": People's Liberation Army Developing its Next-Generation Pilots

This report examines the two most notable programs through which the People's Liberation Army Air Force and the People's Liberation Army Navy use Military Civil Fusion to develop their next generation

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China's Aviation Industry: Lumbering Forward

As we move further into the era of 21st century great power competition, it is important to understand with whom we are competing. This study is the first in a series of studies by the China Aerospace Studies Institute that seeks to lay the foundation for better understanding the Aerospace

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Understanding Shuangxue: The PLAAF's Learning Organization Initiative

This study focuses on how the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is attempting to better educate their people, promote learning, and thereby improve their combat effectiveness, the ultimate goal of any military. While many western nations’ militaries have a long

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Understanding the "People" of the People's Liberation Army: A Study of Marriage, Family, Housing, and Benefits

This study focuses on the People of the People’s Liberation Army. Without people, there is no army, and without highly trained people, there is no modern army. This is true not just for China, but for nations all over the world, the United States included. U.S. military

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Selling a Maritime Air Force: The PLAAF's Campaign for a Bigger Maritime Role

Inter-service rivalry is an ever-present condition for militaries around the world. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is no exception to this rule. Since the end of 2015, the PLA has been undergoing massive reforms, both in strategic direction and in operational structure. The Chinese

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Brigadization of the PLA Air Force

In 2016, China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) began to implement its 11th large-scale reorganization, including a 300,000-man force reduction. One key component of the reorganization was the PLA Air Force's (PLAAF) shift away from its traditional Division-Regiment system to a

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Supporting the Infinite Battlefield- SSF study

CASI's Study of the SSF organization. Please contact CASI if you are interested in this publications

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The PLA’s Unmanned Aerial Systems: New Capabilities for a “New Era” of Chinese Military Power

The People's Republic of China (PRC) is the world's largest producer of UAVs at this time and captures a vast portion of the commercial market, as well as the military one. While it is important to keep the commercial aspects in mind, this particular paper will focus on military UAVs, their

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PLA as Organization 2.0

From June 13-14, 2012, DGI organized a conference with some of the best minds on People's Liberation Army and People's Armed Police organization issues providing their knowledge as paper writers, discussants, and conference attendees. This volume presents the outcome of that conference and includes

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PLA Air Force's Four "Key Training Brands"

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force's (PLAAF) desire to advance its strategic transformation through qualitative changes is evidenced by its development of what it calls the "four key training brands". These include: the Golden Helmet military competition; the Golden

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PLA Naval Aviation Training and Operations

This report examines the roles, missions and developments in training within the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) Naval Aviation branch. Naval Aviation provides the PLAN with its own air capability independent of the PLA Air Force (PLAAF). Historically,

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CASI PUBLICATIONS

PLA Aerospace Power: A Primer on Trends in China’s Military Air, Space, and Missile Forces 5th Edition

The Oriental Maritime Space Port: China's Sea-Based Expansion

Taking Flight: China's Military Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Industry

PLA Information Support to the Battlefield: UAV Employment Concepts and Challenges

China's Air Defense Radar Industrial Base

Charting the Course: How the PLA's Expected Regional and Global Strategies Should Influence the U.S. Air Force's Lines of Efforts

ITOW: Officer Basic Capability Training Guide

PLA Aerospace Power: A Primer on Trends in China’s Military Air, Space, and Missile Forces 4th Edition

ITOW: Hypersonic Vehicle Technology

ITOW: Air Force Tactical Logistics

To Be More Precise: BEIDOU, GPS, and the Emerging Competition in Satellite-Based PNT

The PLA Navy Coastal Defense Missile Force

Chinese Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications

Coercive Space Activities: The View From PRC Sources

A Complex Systems Engineering Undertaking: The Qian Xuesen School of Systems Engineering

In Their Own Words: On Maritime Strategic Access

Organization of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC)

China-Russia Nuclear Industry Cooperation

PLA Counterspace Command and Control

ITOW: Basic Issues of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era

The Regenerating Road China’s Rapid Runway Repair Capabilities and Other Recovery Methods

China-Russia Space Cooperation: The Strategic, Military, Diplomatic, and Economic Implications of a Growing Relationship

In Their Own Words: China's Aerospace Security Strategic Concept

An Exploratory Analysis of the Chinese Hypersonics Research Landscape

PLA Rocket Force Organization

Xi Jinping: Lines of Authority

PLA Aerospace Primer 3rd Edition

In Their Own Words: Lectures on the Science of Space Operations

Chinese Views of the Spectrum of Conflict: Theory and Action

The PRC State & Defense Laboratory System

China’s Model of Science

In Their Own Words: 2020 Science of Military Strategy

Sino-Russian Defense Cooperation’s Impact on Chinese Aerospace RD&A

China's Spaceplane Program

Females in the PLA Air Force

In Their Own Words- Services and Arms Application in Joint Operations

In Their Own Words: Lectures on Joint Campaign Information Operations

The U.S., China, and Artificial Intelligence Competition Factors

China's Ballistic Missile Industry

70 Years of the People's Liberation Army Air Force

In their Own Words: Military-Civil Fusion Lexicon

China’s Ground Segment: Building the Pillars of a Great Space Power

Commanders of the PLA Air Force

PLA's Science of Military Strategy (2013)

In their Own Words: PLA's Science of Campaigns

China's Space Narrative

China's Military-Civil Fusion Strategy

"Private" Chinese Aerospace Defense Companies

The People’s Liberation Army’s Academic Institutions

China's Aeroengine Industry

China's "Little Eagles": People's Liberation Army Developing its Next-Generation Pilots

China's Aviation Industry: Lumbering Forward

Understanding Shuangxue: The PLAAF's Learning Organization Initiative

Understanding the "People" of the People's Liberation Army: A Study of Marriage, Family, Housing, and Benefits

Selling a Maritime Air Force: The PLAAF's Campaign for a Bigger Maritime Role

Brigadization of the PLA Air Force

Supporting the Infinite Battlefield- SSF study

The PLA’s Unmanned Aerial Systems: New Capabilities for a “New Era” of Chinese Military Power

PLA as Organization 2.0

PLA Air Force's Four "Key Training Brands"

PLA Naval Aviation Training and Operations