BEIJING – China will have better capability in maritime search, rescue and firefighting as it moves closer to putting the world’s largest amphibious aircraft into use.
Developed and built by State-owned aircraft giant Aviation Industry Corp of China, the AG600 carried out its first water-based take-off and landing at Jingmen Zhanghe Airport, one of China’s leading amphibious airports in Jingmen, Hubei province, on Saturday.
President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to researchers and engineers of the program to express his congratulations, encouraging them to continue to strive to build a strong aviation industry.
The success of the first waterborne flight of the AG600 marked another significant achievement through independent innovation by China’s aviation industry, Xi said.
Leng Yixun, a senior project manager in charge of the AG600, said on Saturday after the water test that AVIC is poised to speed up the aircraft’s flight tests and plans to deliver it to users as soon as possible.
Once delivered, the AG600 will mainly be tasked with performing maritime search and rescue operations as well as firefighting activities.
It can also be refitted to conduct environmental inspections, resource surveys, anti-smuggling operations as well as personnel and supply transport, said Huang Lingcai, chief designer of the AG600. /China Daily/Asia News Network