China’s AG600 amphibious aircraft clears sea trial on its way to being used in emergencies and South China Sea
- After Covid-19 delays, prototype successfully skis along ocean surface and then takes off from the water during trial in Shandong province
- It will be used in China’s emergency response to maritime incidents and natural disasters but could also serve South China Sea ambitions
China’s first home-grown and largest amphibious plane successfully made its first trial at sea on Sunday, state media reported, a major step towards final production.
Kunlong, the prototype of the AG600 amphibious aircraft, took off from an airport in the east of the country in Rizhao, Shandong province, and headed to waters near Tuan Island in Qingdao. The plane skied for four minutes on the sea surface before taking off again to head back to Rizhao, according to state news agency Xinhua.
“The successful sea trial marks another crucial step in the development of the project,” said Luo Ronghuai, general manager of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China.
The sea trial was essential for production of the plane to move forward, said captain Zhao Sheng.
“The plane needs experience and data in handling take-off and landing at sea as the maritime environment – wind, currents, waves, temperature and a corrosive environment – is totally different from lakes,” Zhao said.