China’s homegrown amphibious aircraft makes sea-based test flight

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

China's domestically developed large amphibious aircraft AG600 successfully made its first sea-based test flight on July 26. 

The test flight demonstrated the aircraft's ability to operate in challenging maritime conditions and conduct missions, including far sea cargo transport and maritime emergency rescue, the aircraft's developer said. 

The AG600 aircraft took off from waters near the coastal city of Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province, on the morning of July 26. It was on show for around 31 minutes and finished a set of test maneuvers in the sky, before landing at an airport in Rizhao, Shandong Province. 

The event marked the success of the AG600's first sea-based test flight, the aircraft's developer Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC) announced in a statement. It also prepared the aircraft to conduct missions, including far sea cargo transport and maritime emergency rescue, in the future, the company said. 

The successful sea-based test flight indicated the AG600 has now basically reached its designed goal. Its next steps will likely involve more test flights as well as tests that challenge the plane's ability to resist sea water corrosion for extended periods, carry heavy cargo, and put out fire. 

The Chinese military expert, Yin Zhuo, told China Central Television previously that the AG600 is also suitable for military operations, such as patrol and anti-submarine missions. The amphibious aircraft is expected to be delivered by 2022, the Xinhua News Agency had reported in 2018.