AVIC AG600

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AVIC_AG600

The AVIC AG600 Kunlong (Chinese: ??; literally: 'Kun Dragon') is a large
amphibious aircraft designed by AVIC and assembled by CAIGA. Powered by four
WJ-6 turboprops, it is one of the largest flying boats with a 53.5 t (118,000
lb) MTOW. After five years of development, assembly started in August 2014, it
was rolled out on 23 July 2016 and it made its first flight from Zhuhai Airport
on 24 December 2017; it should be certified in 2021, with deliveries starting in
2022.

The AG600 was previously known as the TA-600; it was designated the Dragon 600
before TA-600. After five years of development, CAIGA started to build the
aircraft in August 2014, for a first flight targeted at the time for 2015.
Assembly was still on its way in October 2015. The prototype was rolled out on
23 July 2016 at the Zhuhai AVIC factory. At the roll-out, AVIC targeted a maiden
flight by the end of 2016 and it has then gathered 17 orders, all from the
Chinese government including the China Coast Guard, AVIC does not expect to
produce it in large numbers. Target markets also include export sales, with
island countries such as New Zealand and Malaysia having expressed an interest.

On 24 December 2017, it made its maiden flight from Zhuhai Jinwan Airport. In
May 2018, AVIC planned to have Civil Aviation Administration of China type
certification completed by 2021 and deliveries starting in 2022.

After transfer from Zhuhai to Jingmen, the prototype started low-speed taxiing
on the Zhanghe reservoir on 30 August 2018. On 20 October 2018, the prototype
AG600 completed its first water take-off and landing at Jingmen's Zhanghe
Reservoir.

Further variants may be developed for maritime surveillance, resource detection,
passenger and cargo transport. It is one of the three big plane projects
approved by the State Council of China, with the Xi'an Y-20 military transport
and the Comac C919 airliner.


Role
Utility amphibious flying boat

National origin
China

Manufacturer
CAIGA

Design group
AVIC Special Vehicle Research Institute

First flight
24 December 2017

Status
Under development

The AG600 amphibious aircraft has a single body flying boat fuselage,
cantilevered high wings, four WJ-6 turboprops and tricycle retractable landing
gear. It can operate from 1,500 by 200 m (4,920 by 660 ft) stretches of water
2.5 m (8.2 ft) deep, and should be able to conduct Sea State 3 operations with 2
m (6.6 ft) waves. It was developed for aerial firefighting, collecting 12 t
(26,000 lb) of water in 20 seconds and transporting up to 370 t (820,000 lb) of
water on a single tank of fuel (31 rotations), and search and rescue, retrieving
up to 50 people at sea.

Assembled by CAIGA, it is 36.9m long and has a 38.8m wingspan, its MTOW is 53.5
t (118,000 lb) from paved runways or 48.8 t (108,000 lb) from choppy sea. AVIC
claims it is the largest amphibious aircraft. It is heavier than the 41 t
(90,000 lb) MTOW Beriev Be-200 or the 47.7 t (105,000 lb) ShinMaywa US-2, but
lighter than the prototype-only 86 t (190,000 lb) Beriev A-40. Previous
seaplanes were heavier, as the 75 t (165,000 lb) Martin JRM Mars or the
prototypes 100 t (220,000 lb) Blohm & Voss BV 238, 156 t (345,000 lb)
Saunders-Roe Princess or 180 t (400,000 lb) Hughes H-4 Hercules.

It could access remote atolls in the South China Sea’s Spratly Islands, claimed
by several bordering nations, as the South China Sea is subjected to territorial
disputes. It can fly in four hours from the southern city of Sanya to James
Shoal, the southernmost edge of China's territorial claims.

Specifications (AG600)

General characteristics
Capacity: 50 rescued or 12 t (26,000 lb) of water
Length: 36.9 m (121 ft 1 in)
Wingspan: 38.8 m (127 ft 4 in)
Height: 12.1 m (39 ft 8 in)
Max takeoff weight: 53,500 kg (117,947 lb) from land, 49,800 kg (109,800 lb)
from choppy sea
Powerplant: 4 × WJ-6 turboprops
Propellers: 6-bladed

Performance
Maximum speed: 560 km/h (348 mph; 302 kn)
Cruise speed: 500 km/h (311 mph; 270 kn) max
Range: 4,500 km (2,796 mi; 2,430 nmi)
Endurance: 12h
Service ceiling: 6,000 m (20,000 ft)
Operations from: 1,500 m (4,900 ft) of water




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