China's homegrown AG600 amphibious aircraft makes maiden flight

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World Aviation Defense & Security News - China
 
 
China's homegrown AG600 amphibious aircraft makes maiden flight
 
China's first home-grown large amphibious aircraft AG600 makes a smooth landing after its maiden flight in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 24, 2017. At 9:39 a.m., the amphibious aircraft AG600, code named "Kunlong," soared into the sky from the Jinwan Civil Aviation Airport in the city of Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province.
     
China homegrown AG600 amphibious aircraft make maiden flight 640 001China's first home-grown large amphibious aircraft AG600 takes off at the Jinwan Civil Aviation Airport in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 24, 2017
(Credit: Xinhua/Liang Xu)
     
Designed to be the world's largest amphibious aircraft, the AG600 will be mainly used for maritime rescue, fighting forest fires and marine monitoring. The AG600 is the third member of China's "large aircraft family" following the large freighter Y-20 and large passenger aircraft C919, which made maiden flights in 2013 and 2017.

The AG-600 is reportedly the largest amphibious aircraft currently being built. It has been announced that the aircraft will have a maximum takeoff weight of 53.5 t (53,500 kg; 118,000 lb) and a maximum range of over 5,000 km (3,100 mi). The aircraft will have a wingspan of 40 metres (130 ft) and will be powered by four turboprop engines.

It is believed to be the world's largest in-development amphibious aircraft.

     
China homegrown AG600 amphibious aircraft make maiden flight 640 002China's first home-grown large amphibious aircraft AG600 flying above the Jinwan Civil Aviation Airport in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 24, 2017
(Credit: Xinhua/Liang Xu)