The Chinese-built AG600 amphibious seaplane continues to undergo airworthiness testing and its variants could enter service in 2024 and 2025, according to state-owned China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC), the country’s leading aircraft manufacturer.
An AG600M, an aerial firefighting variant, recently arrived in Xi’an, where it will continue to undergo the necessary checks, according to the development company.
It is the largest variant of the AG600 family of aircraft. Conceived as an essential part of the national emergency rescue system, the model was developed to support firefighting missions, maritime rescue and other emergency operations over bodies of water.
China will produce a total of four airplanes and anticipates market entry in 2024. The search-and-rescue version, on the other hand, will enter service a year later.
In September 2022, the AG600M completed a series of water launch tests. In the same month, it received its first orders. AVIC General Huanan Aircraft Industry signed an agreement to purchase four aircraft, while Everbright Financial Leasing signed a letter of intent for another two.
Key features of the AG600M
The AG600M can collect up to twelve tonnes of water (at an interval of 12 to 20 seconds) from natural bodies, transport it to the site of a fire and dump it there. Its maximum take-off weight (MTOW) is 53.500 kilograms. It has a range of up to 5.500 kilometres and a maximum speed of 570 kilometres per hour.
It is designed to operate in complex weather and environmental conditions. In rescue missions, it can perform low-altitude searches and anchor to complete water rescue operations. In addition, it is capable of rescuing up to fifty people on each mission.
See also: China: second AG600M amphibious aircraft completes maiden flight
