China unveils world's largest amphibious aircraft

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

China has completed production of the world's largest amphibious aircraft which will be used to fight forest fires and perform marine rescues.

The aircraft, dubbed the AG600, is around the size of a Boeing 737 - far larger than any other plane built to take off and land on water.

It has a maximum flight range of 2,800 miles and can collect 12 tonnes of water in 20 seconds. Its maximum take-off weight of 53.5 tonnes.

The state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China unveiled the first of the new planes on Saturday in the southern port city of Zhuhai.

The Chinese plane, which is targeted at the domestic market, will be 'very useful in developing and exploiting marine resources,' local media reported, adding that it could be used for 'environmental monitoring, resource detection and transportation'.

AVIC deputy general manager, Geng Rugang, said the plane was 'the latest breakthrough in China's aviation industry.' A plan for the development and production of the AG600 received government approval in 2009.

Data from AerospaceTechnology.com, Popular Science, Flight Global, Guo and militaryfactory.com

General characteristics

• Capacity: 50 passengers
• Length: 40 m (131 ft 3 in)
• Wingspan: 40 m (131 ft 3 in)
• Max takeoff weight: 53,500 kg (117,947 lb)
• Powerplant: 4 × WJ-6 turboprops, 3,805 kW (5,103 hp) each
• Propellers: 4-bladed constant speed propellers

Performance

• Maximum speed: 570 km/h (354 mph; 308 kn)
• Range: 5,500 km (3,418 mi; 2,970 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 10,500 m (34,449 ft)

 

[P4-630]

Funny voice in the video, sounds like they used google translate audio

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Wonder if they'll find international buyers for it.

The problem with bottom scoop aircraft like this is they need a large body of water to safely scoop. Bigger is not necessarily better because it translates to needing a larger body of water.

That said, it's sad seaplanes have been going away.

 

[dorsetknob]

I Humbly beg to DIFFER
Chinese propaganda at work
wilki
Specifications (H-4)
Performance specifications are projected.



Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major engine
General characteristics

• Crew: three
• Length: 218 ft 8 in (66.65 m)
• Wingspan: 320 ft 11 in (97.54 m)
• Height: 79 ft 4 in (24.18 m)
• Fuselage height: 30 ft (9.1 m)
• Empty weight: 250,000 lb (113,399 kg)
• Loaded weight: 400,000 lb (180,000 kg)
• Powerplant: 8 × Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major radial engines, 3,000 hp (2,640 kW) each
• Propellers: four-bladed Hamilton Standard, prop, one per engine
  • Propeller diameter: 17 ft 2 in (5.23 m)

Performance

• Cruise speed: 250 mph (407.98 km/h)
• Range: 3,000 mi (4,800 km)
• Service ceiling: 20,900 ft (6,370 m)

The chinese must have recently hacked Hughs corp for the spruce goose blueprints and.............

 

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

I Humbly beg to DIFFER
Chinese propaganda at work
wilki
Specifications (H-4)
Performance specifications are projected.



Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major engine
General characteristics

• Crew: three
• Length: 218 ft 8 in (66.65 m)
• Wingspan: 320 ft 11 in (97.54 m)
• Height: 79 ft 4 in (24.18 m)
• Fuselage height: 30 ft (9.1 m)
• Empty weight: 250,000 lb (113,399 kg)
• Loaded weight: 400,000 lb (180,000 kg)
• Powerplant: 8 × Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major radial engines, 3,000 hp (2,640 kW) each
• Propellers: four-bladed Hamilton Standard, prop, one per engine
  • Propeller diameter: 17 ft 2 in (5.23 m)

Performance

• Cruise speed: 250 mph (407.98 km/h)
• Range: 3,000 mi (4,800 km)
• Service ceiling: 20,900 ft (6,370 m)

The chinese must have recently hacked Hughs corp for the spruce goose blueprints and.............

Naah

Spruce Goose flew once.....and recent thinking suggests that was only possible through "ground effect".

 

[dorsetknob]

It Still flew and above spec's show its bigger

Howard Hughs was instructed to only perform taxi trials and "Smirk" thats all he was supposed to perform
A little to much throttle and it cruised for about a mile in the air ( yes that was ground effect in Action ) he never was given the chance of FULL FLIGHT TRIALS
but yes it Did Fly

 

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

amphibious
amˈfɪbɪəs/
adjective

1. relating to, living in, or suited for both land and water.
   "an amphibious vehicle"

I rest my case.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

This is competing with the Bombardier CL-415 which is a significantly smaller plane.

Hughes H-4 Hercules wasn't designed to be a firefighter like these are. It was a heavy lift aircraft where runways aren't available.

Howard Hughes deliberately took off with it even when he was ordered not to. People were slandering him and his plane and he set out to prove them wrong.

Hercules couldn't land on, well, land, at all.

 

[dorsetknob]

I rest my case.

May i point out to Mu' laud
His Evidence is Flawed and despite the Title his Evidence does clash and contradict with thread title

China Builds World's Largest Seaplane

PS i'm applying for summary judgment and costs in my favour

 

[FordGT90Concept]

It's not the largest seaplane because H-4 Hercules is bigger.
It is the largest amphibious plane because, unlike H-4 Hercules, it can land on sea and ground.

 

[dorsetknob]

It's not the largest seaplane because H-4 Hercules is bigger.

My point exactly

 

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Bloody pedant.........ASBO time...

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

Since when does China not steal thunder from others?

 

[D007]

Why isn't "putting out fires" on the top of this list? lol

 

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

China has completed production of the world's largest amphibious aircraft which will be used to fight forest fires and perform marine rescues.

Of the 2 uses listed, fighting fires was first.


I didnt add the third possible use...........anti-sub warfare.

 

[dorsetknob]

I didnt add the third possible use...........anti-sub warfare.

another possibility is Air Transportation to and from those New Islands that seem to be appearing in the south China Sea's
not all are yet big enough for a Land based Runway to be Built

 

[FordGT90Concept]

I didnt add the third possible use...........anti-sub warfare.

another possibility is Air Transportation to and from those New Islands that seem to be appearing in the south China Sea's
not all are yet big enough for a Land based Runway to be Built

When I first saw it posted, these are exactly the things I read in between the lines. I'm not really concerned about the former (namely because US subs are badass) but the latter is likely the motivation for China commissioning it.

 

[xkm1948]

Since when does China not steal thunder from others?

Before they were brainwashed by the Soviets? If I recall correctly during most of human history Chinese technology and civilization are superior than Western society. However after soviets took over and Mao wiped the entire history of China it is the sad state we see today.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

The dynasty system collapsed (1912) before the Soviets rose to power (1922). It was basically chaos (civil war, foreign meddling, imperialist pressures, etc.) in China between 1912 and 1949 when the communists seized control (undoubtedly with some Soviet aid or at least influence). China had some major inventions (like gunpowder) before the West did but these happened long before this period in history.

 

[Caring1]

Is that thing made out of Bamboo?
Radar will have trouble picking it up ....

 

[xkm1948]

Sad to see people on tech site so narrow minded. Not everything made in China is junk. Gotta admit the media's brain washing is pretty powerful.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

Sad to see people on tech site so narrow minded. Not everything made in China is junk. Gotta admit the media's brain washing is pretty powerful.

There two sides here, its not narrow minded because China is also known for cloning everything and turning it into an abortion. There is yin and yang in China you cannot just pick a side and say the other doesnt exsist, that makes you narrow minded as well.

 

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

The world's biggest water bomber – with a 200-foot wing span wider than a 747 jumbo jet and the ability to carry 7200 gallons of water.

FOR SALE
£3 million

According to the EAA, the plane is the last of its kind after only six of the Martin JRM Mars seaplanes were made for the US Navy during the Second World War.

They were built as long-range troop and freight transport to fly between Hawaii and the mainland United States.

But they were later converted to water bombers and given the ability to carry enough water to cover 4 acres of land in a single pass.


HOW DOES IT DO IT

The Captain executes a normal landing, keeps the the aircraft 'on the step' and allows the speed to decrease to 70 knots.

He then passes engine power to the Flight Engineer and selects the scoops to the 'down' position.

The ram pressure for injecting the water into the tanks is such that the aircraft is taking on water at a rate in excess of a ton per second. To account for this added weight, the Flight Engineer must advance the throttles to maintain a skimming speed of 60-70 knots to ensure the aircraft remains on the step.

Pickup time is, on average, 25 seconds. When the tanks are full, the Captain will have the scoops raised, call for takeoff power from the Flight Engineer and carry out a normal loaded takeoff.

Once airborne, the foam concentrate is injected into the water load (normally, 30 US gallons of concentrate into the 7,200 US gallon water load) where it is dispersed and remains inert until the load is dropped.

Once dropped, the tumbling action causes expansion which converts the water load into a foam load. This process is repeated for each drop.

Many thanks to @jboydgolfer 's production company for making the vid......

 

[Vayra86]

Mine is bigger!

 

[ZoneDymo]

There two sides here, its not narrow minded because China is also known for cloning everything and turning it into an abortion. There is yin and yang in China you cannot just pick a side and say the other doesnt exsist, that makes you narrow minded as well.

Reading comprehension, he clearly said "not everything made in china is junk".
"not everything is junk" does not mean "Not everything is junk therefor everything is great and perfect and flawless"

Not everything is junk means that they do also make really good products and that is simply true, "made in china" nowadays has some negative connotation because of dumbasses, when 99% of what you use is made in China.
Also China's copying is getting better and better and better, I would highly recommend you watch Top Gear's China episode where they specifically focus on the car industry in China and how it evolved over time, credit where credit is due.