China’s ambitious AG600M “Kunlong” amphibious aircraft have successfully completed a series of critical test flights, marking a significant milestone toward airworthiness certification, according to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).
On Monday, a fleet of three AG600M aircraft underwent rigorous tests at the AVIC civil aircraft test flight center in Pucheng, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province. Supported by a dedicated team of around 500 researchers, the aircraft faced a battery of assessments, including flight control failure simulations, ice formation condition tests, and upgrades to their advanced avionics systems.
All three planes completed their missions safely, returning to the tarmac without incident, AVIC announced on Thursday. These successful tests have validated the aircraft’s performance and safety standards, paving the way for the next steps in the certification process.
The AG600 family is a cornerstone in China’s efforts to enhance its emergency response capabilities. As the country’s first domestically developed large-scale special-purpose aircraft, the AG600M is designed to meet civil airworthiness standards and is tailored for firefighting, maritime rescue, and disaster relief operations.
The upgraded AG600M boasts impressive features, including a maximum takeoff weight of 60 tonnes, the ability to carry up to 12 tonnes of water, and a flight range of 4,500 kilometers. Its capability to take off and land on both land and water, coupled with its aptitude for low-speed and short-runway operations, makes it ideal for tackling complex missions like combating wildfires and performing open-sea rescues.
The AG600M prototype first demonstrated its capabilities with a test landing on land in May 2022, followed by a successful water landing in August of the same year. These achievements highlight China’s growing prowess in aviation technology and its commitment to advancing its own aerospace industry.
