According to Official Xinhua News, maiden fight world’s largest amphibious aircraft AG600, specially designed to extinguish forest fires and carry out and monitor maiden flight from the southern city of Zhuhai.
AVIC had forecasted that dropping of 12 tons of water far aerial firefighting and 50 passengers for search and rescue operations would be suitable for AG600.
AG600 can also “be used to monitor and protect the ocean”, said Xinhua.
First flight was initially forecast for 2015 but was postponed until the first half the current year 2017.
Xinhua had reported in March that AG600 would take its maiden flight in late May.
AG600 was reported to be the largest amphibious aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 53.5 t and a maximum range of over 5,000 km. This aircraft with wingspan of 38.8 metres and powered by four turboprop engines was also reported.
Forward fuselage of this aircraft was completed in 2015 and prototype was rolled out on 23rd of July 2016, at Zhuhai AVIC factory.
This aircraft have strategic in the South China Sea, which has been subject to various territorial disputes, and is designed to defend China’s interests in the South China Sea area.
The manufacturer has indicated that export sales of the aircraft and that island countries, including New Zealand and Malaysia is expected.
