Product Details

The AVIC AG600 is an amphibious aircraft having the hull of a flying boat for waterborne operations along with a wheeled retractable undercarriage for alighting on land. It is one of the world's largest amphibious aircraft, after the Beriev A-40, and is the largest currently flying. The prototype AG600, built by CAIGA, has a wingspan of 38.8 metres (127 ft) and is powered by four turboprop engines. It is designed to have a maximum takeoff weight of 53.5 t (118,000 lb) and a maximum range of over 5,000 km (3,100 mi). The AG600 is one of China's three "big plane projects" approved by the State Council of China, along with the Xi'an Y-20 and C919. It is intended for both civil and military roles. In civil use, as an aerial firefighter it will be capable of dropping 12 tonnes of water, while in search and rescue operations it will accommodate up to 50 passengers. It is also intended to meet China's strategic defence needs in the South China Sea area, which has been subject to various territorial disputes. The prototype was rolled out on 23 July 2016 at the Zhuhai AVIC factory. Its maiden flight was made from the runway of Jinwan Civil Aviation Airport in Zhuhai, Guangdong on 24 December 2017.