STORY: China's AG600M amphibious aircraft complete key test flights
SHOOTING TIME: file
DATELINE: Jan. 14, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:04
LOCATION: Beijing
CATEGORY: TECHNOLOGY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the AG600M aircraft in test flight

STORYLINE:

Four China-developed AG600M firefighting aircraft have completed a series of key tests for compliance during 2023, according to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

The AG600M aircraft, a member of the homegrown AG600 large amphibious aircraft family, is aiming to obtain the required type certificate by the end of 2024, and to be delivered to operators for firefighting and other rescue operations in 2025, said the AVIC.

Compared with the technology demonstrator AG600 aircraft, the firefighting-specialized AG600M has an upgraded maximum take-off weight of 60 tonnes, and a maximum water-dropping capacity of up to 12 tonnes.

Multiple other improvements have also been made to this aircraft, giving it more comfort and better economic performance, said the developer.

The AG600M aircraft features the fly-by-wire flight control system, an integrated avionics system and other related systems.

The optimized ship-bottom-shaped belly enhances the large amphibious aircraft's operational performance when faced with ocean waves and expands its capabilities in terms of water-rescue operations.

Codenamed Kunlong, or "water dragon" in Chinese, the AG600 aircraft family is being developed as vital aeronautical equipment to strengthen China's emergency-rescue capabilities. Its developers are aiming for these aircraft to be effective in combating forest fires, conducting maritime search and rescue, and in other critical rescue missions.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Beijing.
(XHTV)