"Everything that Flies"
Mission
The mission of CASI is to advance understanding of the strategy, doctrine, operating concepts, capabilities, personnel, training, organization, of China’s aerospace forces and the civilian and commercial infrastructure that supports them. By studying “ everything that flies” in China, we can better understand decision making, limitations, opportunities, and challenges in competition. CASI serves as the Department of Air Force’s premiere center for the study of China and its aerospace capabilities.
CASI supports the Secretary, Chiefs of Staff, and other senior leaders for the Air and Space Forces. CASI provides expert research and analysis supporting decision and policy makers in the Department of Defense and across the U.S. government. CASI can support the full range of units and organizations across the USAF, USSF, and the DoD. CASI accomplishes its mission through conducting the following activities:
CASI performs the following tasks, in priority order.
- First, CASI will conduct primary source research and translation on all topics germane to Chinese aerospace, to include air, space, cyber, and missile related fields and civilian-sector work. This research will directly inform a variety of long and short form reports and briefings for a broader audience.
- Second, CASI directly enables the warfighter by expanding their understanding of Chinese aerospace and strategic thinking. This will include such actions as working with Red Cells for wargaming or providing background information for large force exercise design.
- Third, CASI works to educate the force about Chinese aerospace, to include lectures and direct instruction at multiple levels of Professional Military Education.
- Fourth, CASI engages the community of interest outside of the DAF, to include joint and allied partners, think and academic constituents, and other government organizations, as well as the PLA and PRC as applicable.
CASI supports the U.S. Defense Department and the China research community writ-large by providing high quality, unclassified research on Chinese aerospace developments in the context of U.S. strategic imperatives in the Asia-Pacific region. Primarily focused on China’s Military Air, Space, and Missile Forces, CASI capitalizes on publicly available native language resources to gain insights as to how the Chinese speak to and among one another on these topics.
CASI aims to fill a niche in the China research community by providing high quality, unclassified research on Chinese aerospace developments in the context of U.S. strategic imperatives in the Asia-Pacific region.
Key Functions
Publish Original Research Products on Chinese Aerospace Development
CASI's products are composed of long research reports as well as short, readily digestible research briefings based on open-source materials. CASI publications are made available to the public through this website. CASI also draws on the wealth of knowledge of experts within and outside of the USAF or U.S. government through our CASI Associates Program.
Engage With the CASI Community of Interest
CASI hosts an annual conference on Chinese aerospace developments that showcases the research conducted by CASI analysts. The conference assembles individuals inside both the Air Force and Department of Defense as well as constituents from think tanks and academia to discuss key themes in Chinese aerospace developments. This year's conference is Chinese Aerospace Power Projection Development and Execution.
Facilitate Broader Understanding of Chinese Aerospace Issues
CASI maintains a physical as well as a virtual library of unclassified written materials in English and Chinese relating to all aspects of Chinese aerospace developments and Chinese military thought. This is available to the CASI COI.
Provide Education and Mentoring Opportunities
CASI aims to serve as a source of expertise that the USAF can draw upon to increase understanding of Chinese aerospace developments. This includes providing mentorship opportunities for USAF officers and civilians with an interest in Chinese aerospace issues to conduct intensive research and work directly with CASI analysts.
Actions:
- CASI primarily conducts open-source native-language research supporting its five main topic areas.
- CASI conducts conferences, workshops, roundtables, subject matter expert panels, and senior leader discussions to further its mission. CASI personnel attend such events, government, academic, and public, in support of its research and outreach efforts.
- CASI publishes research findings and papers, journal articles, monographs, and edited volumes for both public and government-only distribution as appropriate.
- CASI establishes and maintains institutional relationships with organizations and institutions in the PLA, the PRC writ large, and with partners and allies involved in the region.
- CASI maintains the ability to support senior leaders and policy decision makers across the full spectrum of topics and projects at all levels, related to Chinese aerospace.