AG600 Second Unit Assembled, Third in Production
Designated Unit 1102, the aircraft is now being prepared for its maiden flight.
AVIC General Aircraft Zhuhai announced on August 7 that it has completed assembly of the second mass-production AG600 amphibious aircraft.
Designated Unit 1102, the aircraft is now being prepared for its maiden flight.
The milestone follows the rollout of the first mass-production unit, Unit 1101, in May, which has since completed its initial production test flight.
According to AVIC General Aircraft Zhuhai, the assembly of Unit 1102 incorporated lessons from the first unit.
The team optimized assembly sequences, enforced stricter foreign object debris (FOD) control, and standardized sealing procedures.
Using 3D printing reduced drilling errors, cutting overall non-conformities by nearly 35% compared to the initial aircraft.
Digital tools also enhanced the accuracy and efficiency of wire harness inspections and system integration testing.
Production advances follow a series of recent program achievements for the AG600.
In April, the aircraft received its Type Certificate (TC) from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), followed by the Production Certificate (PC) in June.
The program is reportedly setting new records for development cycle times for large civil aircraft in China, AVIC said.
The AVIC subsidiary added that production of the third AG600, Unit 1103, is underway, with engine installation complete and ongoing work on avionics, power, and hydraulic systems.
The deployment of additional AG600 aircraft is expected to enhance China’s emergency rescue capabilities.