China’s domestically developed AG600 Kunlong amphibious aircraft has successfully completed its first scoop-and-drop drill in open water, marking a significant milestone in its operational capabilities. The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) announced the achievement on Thursday, highlighting the aircraft’s performance in natural conditions over Songhua Lake in Jilin province. This drill, which involved scooping and dropping water, tested the AG600’s systems comprehensively, a step forward from previous trials confined to the Jingmen test flight base in Hubei province. The AG600, capable of carrying a 12-tonne water load and skimming additional fills from lakes, can drop a total of 120 tonnes of water, sufficient to cover over 4 hectares with heavy-rain intensity during fire-fighting missions. Following its production certification in June, the AG600 has entered mass production, with the first three units set for delivery by the end of 2025.