ANI
24 Jul 2016, 14:18 GMT+10
Beijing, July 24 (ANI): China has completed production of the world's largest amphibian aircraft, AG600, that it plans to use to fight forest fires and perform marine rescue operations.
The AG600 rolled off a production line in the southern city of Zhuhai on Saturday in what aviation observers see as a milestone for the country, reports Xinhua.
The aircraft has a maximum take-off weight of 53.5 tonnes, a maximum cruising speed of 500 km per hour, a maximum flight range of 4,500 km, and a maximum endurance of 12 hours, according to state aircraft maker the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).
The 37-meter-long AG600 with a wingspan of 38.8 meters is by far the world's largest amphibian aircraft, about the size of a Boeing 737, according to AVIC Deputy General Manager Geng Ruguang.
In addition to taking off and landing like an ordinary plane, the AG600 can also take off and land from stretches of water that are at least 1,500 meters long, 200 meters wide and 2.5 meters deep.
It can collect 12 tonnes of water in 20 seconds, and transport up to 370 tonnes of water on a single tank of fuel.
It took nearly seven years by a group of 70 aircraft component manufacturers and research teams with over 150 institutes from 20 provinces and municipalities in China to complete this project.
"The AG600 is like a ship that can fly, with advanced gas-water dynamic engineering and underwater corrosion resistance technology," said Huang Lingcai, chief designer of the plane. (ANI)Get a daily dose of Asia Pacific Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Asia Pacific Star.
More InformationDHARAMSHALA, India: The Dalai Lama turned 90 on July 6, celebrated by thousands of followers in the Himalayan town of Dharamshala,...
HONG KONG: China has fired back at the European Union in an escalating trade dispute by imposing new restrictions on medical device...
Chinese FM calls for joint efforts in finding right way for China, U.S. to get along China and the United States should work together...
New Delhi [India], July 12 (ANI): In a remarkable decision taken at the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee, India's official...
How the Wests recklessness is testing Moscows nuclear patience A multipolar world is, by its nature, a nuclear one. Its conflicts...
The Hague [Netherlands], July 11 (ANI): Italy made history after securing qualification for the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup in India and...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: A federal rule designed to make it easier for Americans to cancel subscriptions has been blocked by a U.S. appeals...
BASTROP, Texas: In a surprising turn at Elon Musk's X platform, CEO Linda Yaccarino announced she is stepping down, just months after...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Former British prime minister Rishi Sunak will return to Goldman Sachs in an advisory role, the Wall Street...
LONDON, U.K.: Physically backed gold exchange-traded funds recorded their most significant semi-annual inflow since the first half...
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands: Some 32 percent of global semiconductor production could face climate change-related copper supply disruptions...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks rebounded Tuesday with all the major indices gaining ground. Markets in the UK, Europe and Canada...