School of Aeronautic Science and Engineering-Beihang University

Home / Schools & Colleges / School of Aeronautic Science and Engineering

School of Aeronautic Science and Engineering

The School of Aeronautic Science and Engineering (SASE) is one of the most distinctive schools of Beihang University, embodying the institution's strong focus on aerospace. It serves as the lead school for Beihang's first-level discipline in Aeronautical and Astronautical Science and Technology and independently supports the first-level discipline in Mechanics. Established in 1952 as the Department of Aircraft, it boasted Tu Shou'e, an esteemed scientist, academician, and winner of the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" Merit Medal, as its first department head. The School is dedicated to the fundamental, forward-looking, and pioneering research on the design, aerodynamics, structures, strength, flight mechanics, and human-machine environmental control of various aerospace vehicles (aircraft, helicopters, airships included), near-space vehicles, and micro aerial vehicles. It also focuses on developing new concepts, theories, and methodologies, and training experts in aircraft design, mechanics, environment control, and life support. The School has successfully developed several notable aerospace projects, such as the "Beijing-1" medium-range passenger aircraft, the "Bee" series light aircraft, coaxial dual-rotor helicopters, and near-space airships, bridging critical domestic technological gaps.

The School adheres to the principle of moral education and talent cultivation. Over the past 70 years, it has nurtured numerous outstanding individuals, including capable leaders like Yuan Jiajun, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Chongqing Municipal Committee; Li Peiyao, former Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress; and Jin Zhuanglong, a member of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). It has also fostered over 20 academicians, including Wang Yongzhi, winner of the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award and Chief Designer of China's Manned Space Program; Qi Faren, Chief Designer of the "Shenzhou" spacecraft; Tang Changhong, Chief Designer of the Y-20 large transport aircraft; Sun Cong, Chief Designer of the J-15 carrier-based fighter; Wu Guanghui, Chief Designer of the C919 large passenger aircraft; and Li Dong, Chief Designer of the Long March 5 (LM-5) rocket. The School has also cultivated many distinguished entrepreneurs, such as Wu Yuanzhi, Chairman of TAETEA Group; Gao Yunfeng, Chairman of Han's Laser; and Ma Wensheng, Chairman of Xinhu Futures.

Study

SASE is comprised of seven departments: the Department of Aircraft, the Department of Aerodynamics (Institute of Fluid Mechanics), the Department of Aircraft Structures and Strength (Institute of Solid Mechanics), the Department of Human-Machine and Environment Engineering, the Department of Flight Mechanics and Control, the Department of Dynamics and Control, and the Experimental Teaching Center. These departments span across three first-level disciplines: Aeronautical and Astronautical Science and Technology, Mechanics, and Power Engineering and Engineering Thermophysics. Among these, Aeronautical and Astronautical Science and Technology, and Mechanics, are included in the national "World-Class Discipline Construction" list. The two disciplines underpin 10 second-level disciplines, including key national second-level disciplines like Fluid Mechanics, Solid Mechanics, and Aircraft Design. Additionally, SASE hosts several national teaching centers, such as the National Aerospace Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center, the National Engineering Course (Mechanics) Teaching Base, and the National Textbook Research Base for Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Faculty

The School has an exceptionally well-qualified faculty. In its early years, it attracted well-known experts and scholars in aerospace and mechanics, including Shen Yuan, Tu Shou'e, Lu Shijia, Wang Derong, and Wang Junkui. Currently, we have 214 faculty members, with 201 full-time teaching staff, 74 of them being full professors and 100 being associate professors. There are six academicians, 18 national-level leading talents, two national-level distinguished teachers, three nationally appointed experts, and 28 national-level young talents. The School also hosts various high-caliber teams, including a team receiving the Science Fund for Creative Research Groups of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, a Ministry of Education (MOE) Innovation Team, an Outstanding Teaching Team in Basic Mechanics, a National Defense S&T Innovation Team, and a National-Level Outstanding Teaching Team.

Research

SASE has led multiple Chinese "firsts" in aeronautics and astronautics, contributing to nearly every project developing major aircrafts and missiles. Milestones include: Beijing-1 (1958), China's first light passenger aircraft; Beijing-2 (1958), China's first sounding rocket; Beijing-5 (1958), China's first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); Wuzhen-5 (1969), China's first spy drone for combat; and "Seagull Helicopter" (1995), China's first coaxial dual-rotor helicopter.

The School has established numerous national and provincial-level key laboratories, including the National Defense Key Laboratory for Aircraft Strength and Structural Integrity (Deputy Director Unit), the National Laboratory for Computational Fluid Dynamics, the National Defense Key Discipline Laboratory for Human-Machine Ergonomics and Environment Control, the MOE Key Laboratory for Fluid Mechanics, the MIIT Key Laboratory for Advanced Design Technology for Aircraft, and the Beijing Key Laboratory for Powder Technology Research and Development, focusing on solving core scientific problems and addressing critical challenges in aerospace and mechanics.

International Cooperation

SASE actively expands international collaborations and has established partnerships with universities in multiple countries. Currently, the School has built 46 joint master's and Ph.D. dual-degree programs with renowned universities, including Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the University of Tokyo, Osaka University, Australian National University, Monash University, Groupe des Ecoles Centrales, Free University of Brussels, Cranfield University, Eindhoven University of Technology, Polytechnic University of Milan, and Moscow Aviation Institute. Sixteen of these programs have received funding from the China Scholarship Council as part of the "Innovative Talent International Cooperation Training Project." The School also participates in several international exchange programs, sending students to partner universities for academic exchanges and encouraging the students to engage in international academic conferences to enhance their global competence.

As a leading aerospace school in China, SASE is not only a vital training base for high-quality aerospace talents and future leaders, but also a research hub dedicated to addressing core scientific challenges and critical technologies in aerospace and mechanics. SASE is committed to building a world-class aerospace institution and aims to make more significant contributions to the national aerospace industry and national modernization.

Tel: +86-10-61715199
Email：hangkong@buaa.edu.cn
Address：School of Aeronautic Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Changping District, Beijing 102206, P.R. China