The mid fuselage of the China's self-developed AG600aircraft rolled off the production line in AVIC Xian Aircraft Industry Co., Ltd. on December 29, 2014, marking a key step toward its final assembly in 2015, China News reported. The AG600, once completed, is set to become the largest amphibious aircraft in the world.

AG600 aircraft is one of three large-scale civil aircraft programs approved by China's State Council, and also the first one launched after the restructuring of AVIC. The AG 600 is primarily used for firefighting over vast areas and over-water Search and Rescue (SAR).

In the concept of "amphibious, multipurpose and various series," the newly-developed aircraft is designed to employ a single hull, single wing layout on the cantilever and retractable tricycle landing gear, with an option of 4 WJ6 engines. The aircraft, with a maximum takeoff weight of 53.5 tonnes and a maximum range of more than 5,000 kilometers, can absorb 12 tonnes of water within 20 seconds, which is ideal for performing multiple operations including forest fire fighting, over-water Search and Rescue, marine environment monitoring, resource exploration, passenger and freight transportation and other operating tasks.

Notably, it is capable of on-water take off and landing and can also land directly at an airport. So it will greatly improve the speed of response to an emergency situation. It is learnt that the multipurpose aircraft can rescue a maximum of 50 people a single trip.

Since began developing the aircraft five years ago, the manufacturer won two firm orders on AG600 aircraft. According to AVIC, the first AG600 prototype expects to take its maiden flight at the end of 2015.