This paper presents a Wiener-type recurrent neural network with a systematic identification algorithm and a control strategy for the identification and control of unknown dynamic nonlinear systems. The proposed Wiener-type recurrent network resembles the conventional Wiener model that consists of a dynamic linear subsystem cascaded with a static nonlinear subsystem. The novelties of our network include: (1) the two subsystems are integrated into a single network whose output is expressed by a nonlinear transformation of a linear state-space equation; (2) the characteristics of the trained network can be analyzed by its associated state-space equation using the well-developed theory of linear systems; and (3) the size of the network structure is determined by the number of state variables (or the system order) of the unknown systems to be identified. To effectively identify a given unknown system from its input-output data, we have developed a systematic identification algorithm that consists of an order determination procedure, a parameterization procedure, and an online learning procedure. The false nearest neighbors algorithm was adopted to acquire a minimal embedding dimension from the input-output data as the system order, and then the eigensystem realization algorithm (ERA) was used to initialize a best-fit state-space representation according to the acquired system order. To improve the overall identification performance, we have derived an online parameter learning algorithm based on an ordered derivatives and momentum terms. Subsequently, a simple feedback linear controller was designed to control the unknown dynamic nonlinear systems without much complexity. Computer simulations and comparisons with some existing recurrent networks have conducted to confirm the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed Wiener-type network, identification algorithm and control strategy. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.