On the morning of March 28, a ceremony marking the induction of the MA60 firefighting aircraft and the official commissioning of the 2,150-meter runway at Hengdian Airport was held at Dongyang Hengdian Airport. The event not only marks a significant boost to aviation emergency response capabilities in Zhejiang and the broader Yangtze River Delta region, but also opens a new chapter in the high-quality integrated development of “aviation + film + tourism + emergency response” in Hengdian.
The MA60 firefighting aircraft is a key asset in China’s aviation emergency rescue sector. It is the country’s first large- and medium-sized fixed-wing emergency response aircraft developed in compliance with CCAR-25 airworthiness standards, placing it at the forefront of domestic technological capability. Currently, only two such aircraft are deployed nationwide, underscoring their critical role in major emergency rescue missions.
The aircraft features outstanding firefighting performance, with a maximum water capacity of 6 metric tons. A single drop can effectively suppress large-scale fires. It can conduct precision water drops at altitudes between 50 and 100 meters above the fire site within 2 to 4 seconds, swiftly curbing the spread of flames. Beyond its core firefighting function, the MA60 serves as a versatile emergency response platform. Equipped with advanced monitoring systems, it can conduct aerial fire reconnaissance and transmit real-time, accurate fire data to ground command centers. Its integrated communications system helps bridge information gaps among response units, enabling efficient coordination. Additionally, the aircraft can transport personnel and supplies, accommodating up to 28 rescuers or 3.7 metric tons of emergency cargo, making it adaptable to a wide range of rescue scenarios. Its low-speed maneuverability is also excellent, with a cruising speed of 230 km/h, enabling stable operations in complex terrain such as mountainous and valley areas for precise fire spotting and response.
As a provincial aviation emergency rescue base in Zhejiang, Hengdian has now integrated the MA60 firefighting aircraft into its existing fleet of helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles, establishing a multi-layered emergency response system comprising “fixed-wing aircraft + helicopters + UAVs.” This further enhances the integrated air-ground, coordinated emergency protection network across the Yangtze River Delta region, strengthening efforts to safeguard the lives and property of the public.