China's domestically-developed large amphibious firefighting aircraft, the AG600 "Kunlong," received its type certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China, a milestone in China's aviation industry, and signals the aircraft's readiness to enter the market, CCTV reported on Sunday.
Developed by the Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC), the AG600 is the world's largest civilian amphibious aircraft, with a maximum takeoff weight of 60 tons and the capacity to carry up to 12 tons of water. It has a cruising speed of 220 kilometers per hour and an operational range of 4,500 kilometers, making it ideal for missions such as firefighting, logistics and communication.
The AG600's development, testing and certification process represents a significant achievement in China's civil aircraft manufacturing and airworthiness sectors, with its complexity earning it the distinction of a "tough nut to crack," Huang Lingcai, the chief designer of the AG600 series said, cited in a Xinhua report.
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