The Rise of a Great Power's Military Industry: The Large Amphibious Aircraft

The AG600 large amphibious aircraft, designed for firefighting and water rescue (abbreviated as AG600, codename “Kunlong”), is China’s first large special-purpose aircraft. It is one of China’s three major aircraft projects (the Y-20, C919, and AG600), and the largest amphibious aircraft currently under development anywhere in the world. All major components are 100% domestically produced, and 95% of the parts and avionics are made in China, refusing to let hostile forces hold the country to ransom.

The AG600 has a single-hull design with a high-mounted cantilever wing. It is powered by four WJ6 engines and uses a retractable tricycle landing gear. Its maximum range is 4,000 kilometers and its maximum takeoff weight is 53.5 metric tons. During firefighting missions, it can scoop up 12 metric tons of water in just 20 seconds, making frequent trips between the water source and the fire. During water rescue missions, it can maintain stable flight as low as 50 meters, land on the water to conduct rescues, and carry up to 50 people at a time. During military missions, it can deploy a special operations platoon and its equipment anywhere within a 4,000-kilometer radius, and carry out demanding operations such as amphibious landings, island seizures, special operations, and infiltrating enemy territory.

Wang Hongzhang, 35, graduated from Northwestern Polytechnical University with a degree in Aircraft Design and Engineering. At just 24, he became the youngest chief engineer of the Kunlong AG600. He took part throughout the project in key technological breakthroughs, component manufacturing, assembly-line design, structural assembly, system installation and testing, test flights, and redesigns. He also took part in major operations with the AG600, including fighting the forest fire in Xichang, Sichuan, and maritime rescues.