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AVIC AG600

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AG600
AG600 (foreground) and Y-20 at the Airshow China 2016
Role Utility amphibious flying boat
National origin China
Manufacturer Aviation Industry Corporation of China
Design group China Aviation Industry General Aircraft (CAIGA)
First flight 24 December 2017[1][2]
Status Under development

The AVIC AG600, code named Kunlong (鲲龙), also known as TA-600, is a large amphibious flying boat that is being designed and built in China by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).[3] The aircraft made its first flight in Zhuhai, Guangdong on 24 December 2017.[1][2] The development of the plane is one of China's three "big plane projects" approved by the State Council of China, along with the Xi'an Y-20 and C919. [4]

Design and development

The AG600 is reportedly the world's largest amphibious aircraft.[5][6] CAIGA, which has started work on the prototype AG600, has announced that the aircraft will have a maximum takeoff weight of 53.5 t (118,000 lb) and a maximum range of over 5,000 km (3,100 mi).[5] The aircraft will have a wingspan of 38.8 metres (127 ft) and will be powered by four turboprop engines.[7] The first flight was initially forecast for 2015[8] but was postponed until the first half of 2017.[9] The forward fuselage was completed in 2015.[10] The prototype was rolled out on 23 July 2016 at the Zhuhai AVIC factory.[11] Its first land flight occurred from Jinwan Civil Aviation Airport in Zhuhai, Guangdong on 24 December 2017, at 09:39 China Standard Time.[1][2] The maiden flight lasted about one hour. There were 17 orders from within China before the flight.[12] The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council of China sent a congratulatory telegram after the flight.[13]

AVIC states that the AG600 will be suitable for aerial firefighting, dropping 12 tonnes of water, and search and rescue operations for up to 50 passengers.[10] American magazine Popular Science and BBC speculates that the aircraft could also have strategic value in the South China Sea, which has been subject to various territorial disputes.[7][12][8] One Chinese commentary states that the aircraft was specifically designed to defend China's interests in the South China Sea area, compared with Russia's Beriev Be-200 and Canada's Canadair CL-415, though the aircraft could be a deficit[clarification needed] due to limited orders.[14][15]

The manufacturer has indicated that they expect export sales of the aircraft and that island countries, including New Zealand and Malaysia, have expressed interest.[16]

Specifications (AG600)

Data from AerospaceTechnology.com[5], Popular Science[7], Flight Global[17], militaryfactory.com[18], Guo[19]AVIC[20]

General characteristics

  • Capacity: 50 passengers
  • Length: 36.9 m (121 ft 1 in)
  • Wingspan: 38.8 m (127 ft 4 in)
  • Height: 12.1 m (39 ft 8 in)
  • Max takeoff weight: 53,500 kg (117,947 lb)
  • Powerplant: 4 × WJ-6 turboprops, 3,805 kW (5,103 hp) each
  • Propellers: 6-bladed constant speed propellers

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 570 km/h (350 mph, 310 kn)
  • Range: 5,500 km (3,400 mi, 3,000 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 10,500 m (34,400 ft)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

  1. ^ a b c "China's first large amphibious aircraft AG600 takes to the skies for maiden flight - Xinhua | English.news.cn". www.xinhuanet.com. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "Live: China's AG600 aircraft makes first flight". Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  3. ^ "Beijing building world's largest amphibious aircraft amid South China Sea tensions". International Business Times. 21 July 2015. Retrieved 28 July 2015. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ "Assembly of amphibious plane AG600 underway in China". CCTV.
  5. ^ a b c Yan pei. "AG600 advances with mid-fuselage completion". china.org.cn. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
  6. ^ AG600 Kunlong, world's largest amphibious plane, in maiden China flight, BBC News, 24 December 2017.
  7. ^ a b c Lin, Jeffrey; Singer, P.W. (29 July 2014). "China is Building the World's Largest Sea Plane". Popular Science. Retrieved 29 July 2014. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  8. ^ a b Grady, Mary (18 August 2014). "CAIGA To Produce Biggest Amphibious Airplane". AVweb. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  9. ^ "China eyes maiden flight of world's biggest amphibious plane after engine test". RT. 15 February 2017. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  10. ^ a b Polek, Gregory (20 March 2015). "AVIC builds forward fuselage of first AG600 amphibian". Aviation International News. Retrieved 21 March 2015. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ "La Chine présente l'AG600, son avion amphibie". journal-aviation.com (in French). Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  12. ^ a b "AG600 Kunlong, world's largest amphibious plane, in maiden China flight". BBC.
  13. ^ （受权发布）中共中央 国务院对AG600首飞成功的贺电. Xinhua. 2017-12-24.
  14. ^ "中国又一款大飞机曝光：意向订单仅20架 赔本赚吆喝？". eastday.com (in Chinese). Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  15. ^ "中国又一款大飞机曝光：意向订单仅20架 赔本赚吆喝？ - 再三再四网". z3z4.com (in Chinese). Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  16. ^ "China starts assembly of world's largest amphibious aircraft". the People's Daily (English Edition). 20 July 2015. Retrieved 28 July 2015. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ Greg Waldron (5 August 2014). "China TA-600 amphibian eyes first flight in 2015". Flight Global. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  18. ^ "AVIC TA-600 / AG-600 - Flying Boat / Maritime Patrol / Search and Rescue - History, Specs and Pictures - Military Aircraft". militaryfactory.com. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  19. ^ Guo, Miao; Liu, Tao. "AG600机头交付 我国成当今世界最大水上飞机制造国". 光明网 (in Chinese). Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  20. ^ "AG600 to Complete Final Assembly for Maiden Flight". avic.com. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
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