The AG600, the world’s largest amphibious aircraft (capable of landing on water and land) in China, successfully completed its maiden flight over the sea on July 26.
According to Chinese media reports, the plane took off from the eastern Chinese city of Chengdu at 10:18 a.m. local time and completed a test flight in 31 minutes.
According to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), its successful flight overseas is the most significant development of the aircraft, which made its first flight over land in 2017 and successfully took off in water for the first time in 2018.
The aircraft is code-named Keunlong and is the world’s largest amphibious aircraft and the first large aircraft to be built independently by China.
Its purpose is to rescue people during emergencies and natural disasters.
This is a milestone for China to modernize its military.
In the wake of the China Sea dispute, China is equipping its military with state-of-the-art technology and the aircraft was built for the same purpose.
The aircraft will be able to carry 50 people during the maritime search and rescue operation, while it will be able to carry 12 metric tons of water with it, which will help in extinguishing the fire.
The aircraft was built by the Aviation Corps of China in about 8 years and has the size of a Boeing 737, while it is designed to deal with marine rescue and forest fires.
The aircraft weighs 53.5 tons and has a take-off capacity and can travel up to 2800 miles at a time.
It can also take off at sea as well as traditional airports.