By Xinhua,
Zhuhai (China) : China has given the go ahead to the development and production of the world’s largest amphibious aircraft, the Dragon 600, the manufacturing company has said.
The aircraft, which would be as large as an Airbus 320, could be used for tasks such as emergency rescue, fighting forest fires and sea patrols, Hu Haiyin, deputy general manager of AVIC General Aircraft Company, said Wednesday.
Hu said that market research indicated a domestic market for 60 such craft in the next 15 years.
The research and design stage, which has already begun, would last for four years, with commercial production to begin in at least five years, Hu added.
The first construction phase is scheduled for completion in 2012 and the company plans to have 1,500 employees.