
Three of China's homegrown AG600 large amphibious aircraft completed their first test flights in Weinan, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Feb. 3, 2025. (Photo/Aviation Industry Corporation of China)
(ECNS) -- Three of China's homegrown AG600 large amphibious aircraft completed their first test flights in Weinan, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, according to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) on Thursday.
The tests included flight control failure simulations, ice formation condition tests, and checks following upgrades to its avionics systems.
These test flights laid a solid foundation for the aircraft to obtain airworthiness certification with the support of about 500 members of the research team during the Spring Festival holiday.
Codenamed Kunlong, or "water dragon," the AG600 is designed to meet China's civil airworthiness standards. It is China's first homegrown large special-purpose aircraft of such kind for firefighting, maritime rescue, and disaster relief operations.
As a member of the AG600 family, the AG600M has a maximum take-off weight of 60 metric tons, a capacity of carrying up to 12 metric tons of water and a fight range of 4,500 kilometers. It can conduct low-altitude flying at low speed and short-runway.