CHINA’S LARGEST AMPHIBIOUS JET TAKES OFF
Aviation Industry Corp spent eight years developing AG600, designed to carry out marine rescues and battle forest fires
CHINA’S domestically developed AG600, the world’s largest amphibious aircraft, performed its maiden flight yesterday from an airport on the shores of the South China Sea, the latest step in a military modernisation programme.
China has stepped up research on advanced military equipment as it adopts a more muscular approach to territorial disputes in places such as the disputed South China Sea, rattling nerves in the Asia-Pacific region and the United States.
State television showed live images of the AG600 lifting off from Zhuhai airport in the southern province of Guangdong, which sits on the South China Sea coast.
It returned about an hour later and taxied to its stand accompanied by martial music and greeted by crowds waving Chinese flags.
Xinhua news agency said the aircraft was the “protector spirit of the sea, islands and reefs”.
It had previously been scheduled to make its first flight earlier this year but it is unclear why it was delayed after ground tests took place in April.
State-owned Aviation Industry Corp of China has spent eight years developing the aircraft, which is roughly the size of a Boeing Co 737 and is designed to carry out marine rescues and battle forest fires.
However, state media has also noted its potential use in the South China Sea, where China, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Brunei all have overlapping claims.
Powered by four turboprop engines, the AG600 can carry 50 people during maritime searchand-rescue missions, and can scoop up 12 tonnes of water within 20 seconds for fire fighting trips, according to state media.
The aircraft has received 17 orders so far from Chinese government departments and Chinese companies.
It has a maximum flight range of 4,500km and a maximum takeoff weight of 53.5 tonnes.
It can use conventional airports and land and take-off from the sea. Reuters