F-15EX and shipbuilding win big in proposed $150 billion US defence funding boost
The legislation outlined additional budget to enhance air, land and naval platforms, including next-generation air and uncrewed naval programmes.
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.
The legislation outlined additional budget to enhance air, land and naval platforms, including next-generation air and uncrewed naval programmes.
The deal is for 400 AIM-120D-3 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM). It increases the stocks the country already has and follows a US$1.7 billion order for 745 missiles approved in March last year.
The delivery is the first in a total of 25 helicopters on order, with all deliveries expected to be completed by 2027.
The investment will bring together the Hybrid Drones and MBDA to enable the former to further develop its Hydra 400 UAV, previously showcased by the British Army.
Work has begun on stockpiling the Joint Strike Missile (JSM), following the first missile’s delivery from Kongsberg and the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency.
The USAF Chief of Staff has claimed that the sixth-generation fighter would allow for guaranteeing “air superiority for generations to come”.