To increase competition and innovation in China’s missile and aerospace sector, in 1999 State Council divided the China Aerospace Corporation into the China Aerospace and Technology Corporation (CASC) and the China Aerospace and Industry Corporation (CASIC). [2]  CASC engages in the research, design, manufacture and launch of space systems, as well as strategic and tactical missiles. CASC also offers defense systems, such as such as vehicle air defense, ship-to-air missile, surface-to-air, and portable missile weapon systems, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), precision guided bombs, and guided multiple-launch rockets. [3]

CASC was the primary contractor for the ShiJian-6 Group-04 satellites launched by China in October 2010. [4] At the 8th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition (2010 Zhuhai Airshow), CASC exhibited UAV’s with brochures claiming capabilities in battlefield reconnaissance, fire adjustment, data relay, intelligence collection, ground-strike missions and electronic warfare (EW) missions. [5]

As with other defense conglomerates in China, the principal actors in many of these industries are CASC’s subordinate enterprises. CASC controls over 100 research institutes, production facilities and companies. [6] Most notable are the following:

Eight large research & development organizations: [7]

• China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT, also referred to as the 1st Academy),
• Academy of Aerospace Solid Propulsion Technology (AASPT, also referred to as the 4th Academy),
• China Academy of Space Technology (CAST, also referred to as the 5th Academy),
• Academy of Aerospace Liquid Propulsion Technology (AALPT, also referred to as Base 067),
• Sichuan Academy of Aerospace Technology (SAAT, also referred to as Base 062),
• Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST),
• China Aerospace Times Electronics Corporation (CATET), and
• China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics (CAAA)

Eleven specialized companies:

• China Satellite Communications Corporation
• China Great Wall Industry Corporation
• China Aerospace Engineering Consultation Center
• China Centre for Resources Satellite Data and Application (CRESDA)
• Aerospace Science & Technology Finance Co., Ltd
• Aerospace Capital Holding Co. Ltd
• China Aerospace Times Electronics Corporation
• China Aerospace International Holding Ltd
• Beijing Shenzhou Aerospace Software Technology Co., Ltd
• Shenzhen Academy of Aerospace Technology
• Aerospace Long-March International Trade Co., Ltd

Sources

[1] “Profile,” China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, www.spacechina.com.
[2] James Mulvenon and Rebecca Tyroler-Cooper, “China’s Defense Industry on the Path of Reform,” report prepared for the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission by Defense Group Incorporated, October 2009, p. 18.
[3] “China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation: Company Overview,” Bloomberg Businessweek, 2011, http://investing.businessweek.com.
[4] “China Aerospace and Technology Corporation (CASC),” Jane’s Space Systems and Industry, 18 October 2010.
[5] Wendell Minnick, “China Developing Armed/Recon UAVs,” DefenseNews, 24 November 2010, www.defensenews.com.
[6] Evan Medeiros, Roger Cliff, Keith Crane and James Mulvenon, “A New Direction for China’s Defense Industry,” RAND Project Air Force, 2005, p. 53.
[7] “Profile,” China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, www.spacechina.com; Academy and Base references taken from Evan Medeiros, Roger Cliff, Keith Crane and James Mulvenon, “A New Direction for China’s Defense Industry,” RAND Project Air Force, 2005, p. 53.