The AVIC AG600 Kunlong has a maximum take-off weight
of 180.000 lbs and is one of the world`s largest flying boats. First flight was
on December 24th, 2017 and deliveries are planned to begin in 2022
Codenamed “Kunlong,” the AG600 is designed to be
the world’s largest amphibious aircraft. This large-scale special-purpose civil
aircraft is developed to assist with fighting forest fires and water rescues.
The Chinese-originated AVIC AG-600 Flying Boat is currently
in development and set to become the largest amphibious aircraft in the world
when it sees service introduction.
In 1986, the Chinese Navy began operations of the Harbin
SH-5, a large amphibious aircraft utilized primarily for maritime patrol and
over-water Search and Rescue (SAR). The design emerged from work handled in the
1970s but only seven examples were taken on through production spanning from
1984 to 1985. The local Chinese concern of AVIC (“Aviation Industry
Corporation of China”) is now planning a successor based on the SH-5 as
the “TA-600”. This development will retain the former’s amphibious
capabilities and operate in largely the same roles as its Cold War-era
predecessor. Beyond these military-minded roles, it is also envisioned that the
TA-600 will be capable of firefighting over the vast, hard-to-reach Chinese
wilderness – which will make range and water-hauling key qualities in the
design. The TA-600 is expected to begin final assembly in 2015 for delivery
during 2016 – this is a delay from the original 2014 delivery window.
The TA-600 has its roots in a 2009 initiative and, at this
time, the aircraft retained many of the features seen in the original SH-5.
Over the years, its silhouette has been slowly revised by way of modified float
supports, a more blended, better-contoured cockpit roofline, and a
“T-style” tail unit (as opposed to the split vertical tail fins of
the SH-5). On the whole, the aircraft has continued use of flying boat basics –
high, shoulder-mounted wings, two engines installed at each wing, and a
boat-like hull for water landings. Its standard operating crew will be two
pilots, a loadmaster, and any required mission specialists (sortie dependent).
The hold will also support seating for up to 50 passengers. The resulting
aircraft has proven heavier than previously planned at approximately 107,000lb,
up from the original 98,000lb. The added weight has altered the expected
operational range, reduced from 3,200 miles to 3,100 miles. Dimensions
currently include a wingspan of 131.2 feet. Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) is
listed at 117,950lb.
Design plans are for all-new, Chinese-made turboprop engines
to power the aircraft through constant speed propellers with an output of at
least 5,000 horsepower per engine unit. The current selection remains the aged
WJ-6 which is nothing more than the Chinese copy of the Soviet Ivchenko AI-20
series.
With China’s ever-growing reach into the Pacific, aircraft
like the TA-600 will play an ever-increasing role to asserting regional
dominance over its neighbors and general instability in one of the most
important commercial waterways on the planet.
Program Updates
July 2016 – The AG-600 was unveiled to onlookers as a static
display – this as an international tribunal sided against Chinese claims in the
South China Sea.
November 2016 – The AG-600 amphibian was on public display
as part of the 11th Zhuhai Air Show.
November 2016 – There are seventeen AG-600 committed to
orders. A first-flight is tentatively scheduled for sometime in 2017.
December 2017 – An AG-600 aircraft recorded the series
first-flight on December 24th, 2017. It remains under development heading into
2018.
October 2018 – The AG-600 has made its first-flight from
water on October 20th, 2018. It flew for 14 minutes near the Jingmen Zhanghe
Airport (Hubei). First-deliveries are scheduled for 2022.
Armament
Currently none. Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) military models
would include depth charges, naval mines, torpedoes, and provision for dropping
conventional ordnance.
Specifications
Year: 2022
Status: In-Development
Manufacturer(s): Aviation Industry Corporation of China
(AVIC) – China
Production: 1
Capabilities: Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW); Anti-Ship;
Navy/Maritime;
Commercial Market; Search and Rescue (SAR); Reconnaissance
(RECCE);
Crew: 3
Length: 121.06 ft (36.9 m)
Width: 127.30 ft (38.8 m)
Height: 39.70 ft (12.1 m)
Weight (Empty): 70,548 lb (32,000 kg)
Weight (MTOW): 117,947 lb (53,500 kg)
Power: 4 x WJ-6 (Ivchenko AI-20) Turboprop engines
developing 5,100
horsepower each and driving 6-blded constant-speed
propellers.
Speed: 311 mph (500 kph; 270 kts)
Ceiling: 32,808 feet (10,000 m; 6.21 miles)
Range: 2,796 miles (4,500 km; 2,430 nm)
Rate-of-Climb: 2,100 ft/min (640 m/min)
Operators: China (probable)
