China reached an aviation milestone with its AG600 "Kunlong" amphibious aircraft gaining the much-sought type certificate of China's Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC), technically paving the way for market introduction. This was a celebrated event in Beijing with the marking of the culmination of a 16-year development journey and puts the AG600 in the category of the world's largest civil amphibious aircraft in terms of takeoff weight.
Key Highlights
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The AG600, designed by Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), is intended for high-stakes missions such as firefighting, marine search and rescue, and disaster relief—serving pressing national demands throughout China's vast and diverse landscape.
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At a maximum takeoff weight of 60 tons, the AG600 can lift 12 tons of water in only 20 seconds and spill it over a radius of 4,000 square meters, and it is an effective weapon against wildfires.
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The aircraft has a 4,500-kilometer range, a maximum speed of 460 km/h, and can take to the skies, rivers, lakes, and seas due to its distinctive hull-shaped fuselage and wing-mounted floats for stability when on water.
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The AG600's development brought together 22 provinces, close to 300 enterprises, and 16 universities, demonstrating China's "small core, big collaboration" principle and pushing domestic aviation innovation.
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The certification is preceded by thorough testing: 2,167 sorties and close to 5,000 flight hours, confirming adherence to 353 airworthiness standards.
AVIC plans to receive a production certificate by August and deliver the initial aircraft by October 2025, further fortifying China's emergency response and civil aviation sectors.
Sources: Xinhua, China eVTOL News, Emirates