AVIC has commenced engine ground trials of the AG 600 amphibious aircraft, ahead of taxi trials and maiden flight.
AVIC has commenced engine ground trials of the AG 600 amphibious aircraft, ahead of taxi trials and maiden flight.
The prototype which was rolled out in July 2016, is scheduled to carry out maiden flight in the first half of 2017. It was publicly revealed during the Zhuhai air show in Oct 2016.
The aircraft can take off and land from ocean, making it ideal for sea search and rescue missions and aerial fire fighting.
It can carry 50 passengers in a SAR/transport missions like the one to reach remote islands without an airport or sites of maritime accidents.
In aerial fire fighting role, it can perform cyclic aerial water bombing, by scooping 12 tonnes of water while landing on water bodies.
It is powered by four locally produced Dongan WJ-6 turboprop engines rated at 3,805 kW (5,103 hp) each. It is a license built version of the Ukrainian Ivchenko AI-20 turboprop engine. The AG600 has a maximum take off weight of 53.5 tonnes and maximum range of 5000 km.
