The amphibious AG600 'Kunlong' from the Chinese mainland has officially entered mass production after securing certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of the Chinese mainland. This milestone marks a leap in large special-purpose aircraft manufacturing and signals a new era for emergency response and environmental protection.
Measuring 38.9 meters long with a 38.8-meter wingspan and standing 11.7 meters tall, the AG600 'Kunlong' rivals the size of a Boeing 737. With a maximum takeoff weight of 60 tonnes and a practical range of 4,500 kilometers, it is now the worlds largest civilian amphibious aircraft by weight.
Designed as a firefighting powerhouse, the AG600 is equipped with a belly-mounted water-scooping system. By skimming the surface, it can scoop up to 12 tonnes of water in just 20 seconds before racing to combat forest fires or support disaster relief.
Developed since 2009 by Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the project brought together hundreds of units and tens of thousands of components. This collaboration highlights the Chinese mainlands growing strength in engineering, supply chain management, and quality control for complex aerospace projects.
Looking ahead, AVIC experts say the focus will shift to enhancing natural disaster prevention and emergency rescue networks. With the AG600 at its core, China plans to build an integrated rescue platform that can respond swiftly to floods, fires, and maritime incidents.
For young global citizens, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts, the AG600 'Kunlong' stands as a testament to innovation driven by real-world challenges. As climate change intensifies disaster risks, this flying boat may redefine how we protect communities and ecosystems around the world.
Reference(s):
China's amphibious AG600 aircraft greenlighted for mass production
cgtn.com
