An AG600 large amphibious aircraft, code-named Kunlong, on Sunday obtained its type certificate from China's aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), paving its way into the market entry.
Type certificate represents the approval of the design of the aircraft and all component parts. This signifies the successful completion of the world's largest newly-developed amphibious aircraft.
As a vital advanced aeronautical equipment to strengthen the country's emergency rescue and natural disaster prevention capabilities, the aircraft is designed to carry out rescue missions such as firefighting and maritime search and rescue in all types of terrain across the country.
With a maximum takeoff weight of 60 tons, it can carry up to 12 tons of water, cruise at a minimum speed of 220 kilometers per hour, and has a maximum range of 4,500 kilometers.
Capable of operating from land and water, the AG600 boasts a unique design.
"The AG600 has a fuselage with a structure similar to boat hull, and a pair of floats under its wings to provide lateral stability during water operations. Meanwhile, it has a stepped hull bottom and anti-wave grooves at the front of the fuselage. It also has a high-strut landing gear on both sides of the fuselage. Thanks to these unique designs, it can take off from both land and water," said Cheng Zhihang, director of general design department of South China Aircraft Industry Co., Ltd under China Aviation Industry General Aircraft (CAIGA).
For an aircraft to operate from both land and water poses significant challenges, due to the density difference in air and water, varying by nearly 800 times. The AG600 team overcame the challenges through rigorous research and testing.
"Throughout the design process, we conducted thousands of tests in water dynamics and wind tunnels to ensure the aircraft's shape meets functional needs. We also overcame tremendous technical difficulties in the manufacturing process," said Cheng.
China's AG600 large amphibious aircraft gets type certificate
