China's homegrown AC313A large utility civil helicopter, which is specially designed to meet the country's demands for air rescue missions, successfully conducted its maiden flight on May 17, according to its developer.

The flight took place at an airport in Jingdezhen, East China's Jiangxi province, marking a major step forward in the development of China's air emergency rescue system, said the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the country's leading aircraft maker.

It can carry up to 28 people on board, with a maximum take-off weight of 13.8 tons with external sling loads. It can load up to 5 tons of water for firefighting missions.

Following the maiden flight, the development work of the AC313A will now enter the flight test phase, the developer said. It is expected to receive certification by 2024 and enter the market to serve customers in 2025.

Upgraded from the AC313 helicopter, the AC313A is a multi-purpose helicopter with new engines, an upgraded transmission system, and tech optimizations in many other systems, such as the avionics and flight control, said the AVIC.

This new helicopter is also installed with a health and usage monitoring system (HUMS), as well as rotor ice protection and de-icing facilities to enhance its performance and safety.

It can operate in complicated terrains and weather conditions, such as a high plateau and high and low temperatures.

The AC313A can be installed with various facilities for emergency rescue missions. This allows it to carry out missions across the country such as supply delivery, forest and urban firefighting, lifting large equipment, disaster prevention and relief, medical rescue, law enforcement, maritime rescue and search, and transport for offshore oil platforms, according to the developer.

It will help strengthen the country's air emergency rescue system and capabilities, according to the AVIC.