This week, COMAC introduced its long-awaited C919 airliner.
The ceremony marked the roll out of the company's first production C919 and featured appearances from numerous high-level government dignitaries.
The C919 is COMAC's second aircraft since the company was formed in 2008 by the merger of nine Chinese government-owned entities.
The company's first product was the ARJ21 regional jet, which first flew last year.
However, the COMAC's airplane building experience goes back decades. The company's Shanghai division used to build airframes for planes like McDonnell Douglas' MD82/83 airliners. The same type of aircraft seen here in service with American Airlines.
A decade and a half ago, the company built a pair of MD90 jets for two Chinese airlines. Today, both jets are in service with Delta Air Lines.
According to COMAC, this is the first modern airliner of its type to be designed and developed within China.
The single-aisle jet can be had with as many as 168 seats.
Depending on the variant, COMAC claims the C919 has a range of 2,500 to 3,500 miles.
This is China's answer to ...
... and even the smaller Bombardier CS300.
According to the manufacturer, the C919 is constructed with advanced aluminum lithium alloys and composite materials.
Currently, COMAC has 517 orders for the C919. With the exception of a few customers, such as Hainan Airlines and GE's commercial aircraft leasing arm, the majority of the plane's orders are from Chinese government-owned entities.
The jet is expected to be powered by a pair of CFM LEAP-1C turbofan engines. CFM is a 50-50 joint venture between General Electric and SNECMA of France.
The 919's cockpit display, on-board maintenance and flight recording systems will also be provided by GE.
The jet's auxiliary power unit, automated flight controls and parts of its navigation system will be sourced from America's Honeywell Aerospace.
COMAC expects the C919 to make its maiden flight sometime next year.
