22nd July 2015
Assembly of the first AG-600 amphibious aircraft is on track for completion by the end of 2015 ahead of its maiden flight in the first half of next year.
With assembly officially commencing on 17 July, several subsidiaries of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) have also assisted in the construction of the world's largest amphibious aircraft. In late April, the 17.5m long mid/aft fuselage came off the assembly line of the Hanhong Aircraft Company.
Developer of the AG-600, the China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Company (CAIGA) describes the aircraft as a fire-fighting and water rescue craft but analysts consider it likely to fulfil a military role too. It is believed the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) currently does not operate any amphibious aircraft since the decommissioning of its Harbin SH-5 craft.
With China embroiled in territorial disputes in the South China Sea as well as with numerous island reclamation projects an amphibious aircraft would offer the PLAN great utility in terms of maritime patrol and territorial enforcement. China is constructing an airstrip on Fiery Cross Reef, but the AG-600 could readily service other islets and facilities where no airstrip is available.
Huang Lingcai, the AG-600s chief designer, said the plane with its 4,500km range can fly a round trip between Sanya on Hainan Island and James Shoal without refuelling. Although effectively administered by Malaysia, James Shoal is claimed as the southernmost point of Chinese territory.
CAIGA describes other functions of the ‘Jiaolong’ (Water Dragon) as monitoring of the marine environment, maritime search and rescue, resource exploration and transportation.
Qu Jingwen, general manager of CAIGA, said, ‘The AG-600s overall specifications, such as the maximum take-off weight and flight range, are better than other amphibious planes in the world. Some countries with many islands, such as Malaysia and New Zealand, have expressed interest in the AG-600.’
At 36.7m long and with a 38.8m wingspan it is larger than both the US-2 from ShinMaywa in Japan, and the Be-200 from Beriev in Russia. With a maximum take-off weight of 53.5t, the AG-600 is powered by four WJ6 turboprop engines. CAIGA lists the aircraft’s maximum speed as 560km/h.
For fire-fighting duties the AG-600 can draw 12t of water in 20 seconds. It can accommodate 50 passengers, and one aircraft has already been ordered to carry tourists to reefs in the South China Sea.
Since the project was launched in September 2009 a total of 17 AG-600 aircraft have been ordered by domestic users. AVIC officials predict a domestic market of 100 AG-600s in the coming decade.
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