Built by China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co., the AG-600 can carry 50 people during a maritime search and rescue mission. To extinguish forest fires, it can take on 12 metric tons of water from a lake or sea within 20 seconds and pour it on the fire. Powered by 4 turboprop engines, it will be the world’s largest amphibious aircraft, with a maximum takeoff weight of 53.5 tons and an operational range of about 4,500 kilometers. According tot he aircraft’s chief designer, China will be able to use its first domestically developed amphibious plane to enhance its operational capability at sea and safeguard its maritime interests.
CAS news release, July 20, 2015
China assembles first amphibious aircraft, receives 17 domestic orders