China has showcased the world’s largest amphibious plane, the AG600. The plane is around the size of a Boeing 737 and will be used to douse forest fires and rescue people in danger offshore.
The aircraft is capable of taking off and landing both on terra firma and stretches of water, provided they are more than 1,500 m long, 200 m wide and 2.5 m deep.
The wingspan of the plane measures 127 ft and is 121 ft long. The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) claims, that the plane has a maximum take-off weight of 59 tons and highest speed of 500 km/h and can fly for 12 hours at a time.
The amphibious aircraft can save up to 50 people at a time. A report also says that it is also capable of carrying out environmental monitoring in marine settings, along with the detection and transportation of resources.
The company reveals that the aircraft is only meant for domestic use, and already there have been 17 orders for the AG600.
AVIC deputy general manager Geng Ruguang considers the AG600's completion as "the latest breakthrough in China's aviation industry, which demonstrates an overall improvement of China's national strength and research capacity."
