Abstract: The history of the aviation industry reveals that core and key technologies cannot be acquired through external means such as requests, purchases, or negotiations. For latecomers, achieving technological advancement requires a steadfast commitment to autonomous innovation. Most existing research provides in-depth case studies of breakthroughs in individual core and key technologies or products, implicitly assuming that the overall systemic knowledge at the overall product level is exogenously given. This approach makes it challenging to clearly identify the sources of industrial systematic growth. In fact, systemic knowledge is the foundation and key to achieving breakthroughs in core and key technologies and enabling latecomers to catch up. However, existing research has not given it sufficient attention, creating a significant knowledge gap in the theoretical framework of autonomous innovation. To address this theoretical gap, this study takes four representative aircraft models from the history of China's aviation industry, JH-7, MA60, ARJ21, and C919, as case studies to explore the generation, accumulation, and value of systemic knowledge. The study also delves into the intrinsic mechanisms through which systemic knowledge drives the systematic growth of the aviation industry, aiming to clarify the development roadmap for China’s aviation industry and other critical fields, while supporting the nation's transition from a large manufacturing country to a world manufacturing power. The results show that, first, the generation of systemic knowledge is rooted in independent product development, emphasizing autonomous research and development to master and understand the underlying principles of technology rather than relying on surveying and mapping or imitation for technological accumulation. Second, the accumulation of systemic knowledge is achieved through product development platforms that enable technological iteration and upgrading, highlighting the strategic and leading role of systemic knowledge as critical to accelerating technological progress and achieving high-quality domestic substitution. Third, the value of systemic knowledge lies in enhancing national industrial autonomy and driving profound transformations in the industrial foundation. Furthermore, leading enterprises at the "pinnacle" of the industrial system generate and accumulate systemic knowledge through independent product development. By employing "long-arm innovation," these enterprises drive iterative advancements in component knowledge across the supply chain, enabling high-quality domestic substitution. In addition, collaboration with leading users facilitates the critical process of "learning by using," fostering user-driven knowledge innovation. This synergy establishes a market-oriented "positive cash flow development cycle," propelling systematic growth throughout the industry. Based on these findings, China should implement mechanisms such as " horse-racing" and " open competition mechanism to select the best" in strategic emerging industries and future-oriented industries to accelerate the cultivation of leading enterprises capable of mastering systemic knowledge, thereby gaining a competitive edge in development. Simultaneously, the government should maximize its role in guiding scientific and technological innovation by fostering a "pair-share" collaborative mechanism that connects major strategic product development enterprises with leading users. Additionally, an industrial innovation system should be established, centered on the development of "pillars of a great power," which integrates basic research, breakthroughs in core technologies, and systemic knowledge innovation.

摘要： 系统知识是关键核心技术突破和后发追赶的基础和关键，但现有研究并未对其予以足够重视，难以清晰刻画工业体系化成长的源泉。以歼轰-7、新舟60、ARJ21和C919为案例，本文探讨了系统知识的生成、积累与价值，并深入剖析了系统知识推动航空工业体系化成长的内在机理。研究发现：居于工业体系“塔尖”的领军企业通过自主产品开发生成并积累系统知识，以“长臂创新”方式推动供应链的组件知识迭代创新，持续实现高质量的国产替代；与领先用户合作完成必不可少的“用中学”用户知识创新，构建市场化导向的“正向现金流发展循环”，带动整个工业实现体系化成长。本文不仅为我国航空工业的自主创新之路提供了可靠理据，也为“国之重器”突破擘画出可行的发展路线图。