Picture of Gu Songfen Photo: Shenyang Aircraft Design and Research Institute of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China
Gu Songfen, a member of the Communist Party of China (CPC), an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), a famend plane aerodynamicist in China, and a analysis fellow of the science and know-how committee of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), handed away at 21:11 on May 31, 2026, in Beijing as a consequence of illness regardless of medical therapy at the age of 96, based on an obituary launched on Monday by the Shenyang Aircraft Design and Research Institute of the AVIC.
Gu was born in Suzhou, East China’s Jiangsu Province, in February 1930. He joined the CPC in March 1981 and commenced his profession in August 1951. He held key positions together with director of the Shenyang Aircraft Design and Research Institute, deputy director and senior advisor of the science and know-how committee of AVIC, and vice chairman and honorary president of the Chinese Aeronautical Establishment. He was elected an academician of the CAS (then known as member of the division) in 1991 and an academician of the CAE in 1994.
Throughout his life, Gu remained deeply dedicated to advancing China’s aviation science and know-how.
Gu innovatively designed aerodynamic configurations for a number of plane varieties and established the aerodynamic design system for China’s plane trade. Gu led the event of the J-8 and J-8II supersonic fighters, marking a milestone as China’s first independently developed fighter jets. Gu additionally established China’s fighter improvement system, making monumental contributions to the generational leap in aviation weapon programs.
Closely attuned to nationwide strategic safety, he supplied vital decision-making assist for China’s giant passenger plane program. Loyal to the CPC and dedicated to his work, he mentored a giant quantity of main plane design skills, rendering excellent service to the event of China’s aviation trade.
Gu acquired quite a few prestigious awards and honors, together with the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award, the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award (Special-Class, First-Class and Second-Class), the He Liang He Li Ji Jin Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress, the National May 1 Labor Medal, the National Role Model Worker, and the “Touching China’s 2021 Person of the Year”, amongst many others.
Global Times