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| CGI of the AG600 Amphibious Aircraft |
China has commenced assembling the AG600, the world's largest largest amphibious aircraft, reports the website of China's national broadcaster CCTV.
The AG600, developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, is said to have entered the assembly stage in Zhuhai, a major city in southern China's Guangdong province, with hopes of conducting its maiden flight next year.
The amphibious aircraft, developed for sea rescue and firefighting missions, can takeoff from land or water and has a maximum takeoff weight of over 50 tons. It is capable of rescuing 50 people at a time on sea rescue missions.
With a maximum flight range over more than 5,000 kilometers, and an effective rescue radius of nearly 3,000 kilometers, the aircraft is also believed to have strategic value in the South China Sea, where China is embroiled in several territorial disputes.
Read the full story at Want China Times