China large amphibious aircraft to fly next half of 2020

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

China's independently developed AG600 large amphibious aircraft will conduct its first flight from the sea surface in the second half of this year, according to its developer on May 25.

This large aircraft will make its maiden flight from the sea surface of the coastal city of Qingdao, in east China's Shandong Province, said the state-owned plane maker Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). 

It represents a major step forward of the AG600 large amphibious aircraft project, the AVIC said. 

Codenamed ‘Kunlong’ the AG600 is designed to be the world's largest amphibious aircraft. 

Its development represents a Chinese breakthrough in this field. The AVIC develops the AG600 to meet the needs of China's emergency rescue and natural disaster prevention and control.