AVIC test flies AG600 amphibious aircraft over sea
The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has completed tests of its AG600 large amphibious aircraft over sea.
The company confirmed the development on 14 April.
AVIC plans for the AG600 to have its first take-off from a water surface by the end of 2020. The first landing on water was achieved in October 2018.
Also known as ‘Water Dragon’, the aircraft is the set to become the world’s largest amphibious aircraft.
It has a wingspan of 38.8m and is 37m long making it a similar size to a Boeing 737 airliner. It has a MTOW of 53.3t and a maximum range of 4,500km.
China has indicated that it will be used to fulfil SAR, maritime patrols and firefighting missions.
More from Air Warfare
-
AUSA 2025: GA-ASI and Hanwha to produce Gray Eagle STOL in South Korea
The Gray Eagle STOL will be made available to several international militaries, with initial customer delivery planned for 2028.
-
AUSA 2025: AeroVironment showcases new variant of Switchblade loitering munition family
The new Switchblade 400 was on display alongside new variants of existing drones: the Switchblade 600 Block 2 and Switchblade 300 Block 20.
-
AUSA 2025: Boeing and Leonardo partner to pursue US Army rotary training contract
Leonardo’s AW119T helicopter will be offered as a solution for the Flight School Next contract, an initiative which aims to overhaul the US Army’s Initial Entry Rotary Wing training.
-
Denmark bolsters Arctic security with $4.2 billion spend, procures 16 additional F-35s
While the F-35s will help strengthen Denmark’s NATO contribution, other equipment such as a maritime patrol aircraft and additional drones were listed to further boost its Arctic defence capabilities.
-
AUSA 2025: IAI presents its bid for US Army’s next-generation VTOL UAS requirement
The OmniRaider uncrewed aerial system is described by Israel Aerospace Industries as an “Americanised” version of its ThunderB-NG vertical take-off and landing UAS of which there are hundreds in service.
-
AUSA 2025: Lockheed Martin conducts first ground-based demo of JAGM Quad Launcher
The first live-fire demonstration of the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile Quad Launcher was tested against a ground vehicle, with further tests against a UAS target planned for the system next month.