Want China Times, Luis Weng and Staff Reporter 2014-01-19
An illustration of the new Jiaolong-600. (Photo/China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co) |
China
recently unveiled the model of the head of the Jiaolong-600, the country's new
large amphibious aircraft, which is expected to become the world's largest,
reports the state-run China News Service (CNS).
The new
plane, currently under development, is a single-hull comprehensive rescue
airplane with a four-turbine propeller, and is similar in size to the Airbus
A320, CNS said.
The plane's
maximum take-off weight is 48 metric tonnes, which surpasses the 47.7 metric
tonnes of Japan's US-2, currently the world's largest amphibious plane in
service.
The
Jiaolong-600 is designed to have a cruise speed of 555 kilometers per hour and
a maximum range of 5,300 kilometers, and can draw 20 metric tonnes of water in
just 12 seconds, CNS said, adding that the plane can carry up to 50 people
during rescue missions.
China began
developing the Jiaolong-600 in 2009 as the last generation of amphibious
aircrafts in the Harbin SH-5 range — which entered into service during the
1980s — no longer meets the demand for rescue missions.
Besides
Japan's US-2, the global market for such planes is dominated by Russia's Beriev
Be-200 and Be-103, Canada's Bombardier 415 and the French-built Akoya.
Demand in China
for the Jiaolong-600 is estimated to be 60 units, while a different model for
the overseas market is also expected to be announced, according to CNS.
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