China is making significant strides in advancing its emergency response capabilities as three AG600M \\"Kunlong\\" large amphibious aircraft, independently developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), concluded another round of test flights. This milestone marks a critical step toward obtaining airworthiness certification for the aircraft.
The mission, carried out on Monday at AVIC's civil aircraft test flight center in Pucheng, Shaanxi Province, was supported by a dedicated team of approximately 500 aircraft researchers. Throughout the tests, the three aircraft underwent rigorous assessments, including flight control failure simulations, ice formation condition tests, and evaluations following upgrades to their avionics systems.
All three AG600M planes safely returned to the tarmac after completing the mission, as announced by AVIC on Thursday. These successful tests have validated the aircraft's performance and safety, laying a solid foundation for future airworthiness certification efforts.
The AG600 family of amphibious aircraft plays a pivotal role in China's efforts to enhance its emergency response capabilities. Designed to meet civil airworthiness standards, the AG600M is China's first homegrown large special-purpose aircraft intended for firefighting, maritime rescue, and disaster relief operations.
The AG600M variant features enhanced performance specifications, including a maximum takeoff weight of 60 tonnes, a 12-tonne water-carrying capacity, and a flight range of 4,500 kilometers. Its low-speed, short-runway capabilities make it ideally suited for complex missions such as dousing wildfires or conducting open-sea rescues.
The AG600M prototype achieved its first test landing on land in May 2022, followed by its inaugural water landing in August of the same year, demonstrating its versatility and reliability in various operational environments.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
