A model of the head of Jiaolong-600, China’s new large amphibious aircraft, has recently been disclosed on the Internet. It is China’s typical new special aviation product. Its test flight is expected to be carried out at the end of this year.
The aircraft, if made, will be successor of the Shuihong-5 China developed 40 years ago and will be the largest amphibious aircraft in the world, larger than Japan’s US-2.
Source says that the large aircraft will satisfy China’s need in extinguishing forest fire and emergency rescue at sea. It is installed with 4 WJ6 engines and can carry water tanks on its wings. It is able to take in 12,000 kg water in 20 seconds and travel to and fro between water source and fire site many times. It can keep flying stably at the height of 50 meters and carry 50 people away from danger in rescue operation.
The aircraft is designed and made entirely by China and will have different equipment and facilities for different requirements such as marine environmental surveillance, resources survey, passenger or cargo transportation, etc.
