Beechcraft and Air National Guard Successfully Demonstrate Communications Armed Reconnaissance Software

AT-6 becomes first fixed wing aircraft to utilize SINCGARS SA Waveform capability

Beechcraft Corporation today announced that its AT-6 light attack aircraft has become the first fixed-wing aircraft to successfully utilize the Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System Situational Awareness (SINCGARS SA) Waveform capability. The SINCGARS SA Waveform is a software-controlled high frequency radio designed to provide digital communication and global positioning services (GPS) in both fixed and mobile configurations vital for military armed reconnaissance. 

The assessment and demonstration were conducted in August by members of the U.S. Air Force Air National Guard and Georgia Tech Research Institute. The dual ARC-210 Warrior Radios of the AT-6 were configured to securely and directly communicate simultaneously with three different Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC).  These ground forces were carrying PRC-148, PRC-152 and PRC-117 radios and positioned to replicate numerous, realistic combat situations.

The success of the SA Waveform in the AT-6 will help propel the U.S. military to further advance its future mission tactics in Close Air Support (CAS), Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) and Combat Search and Rescue Task Force (CSARTF).

“Beechcraft’s AT-6 was selected as the first fixed-wing aircraft to perform this demonstration due to its advanced communications and data transfer capabilities which enables it to perform complex close air support and combat search and rescue missions,” said Russ Bartlett, president, Beechcraft Defense Company. “During the demonstration, the AT-6 successfully transmitted and received tactical audio and dynamic position locations with fielded combat ground radios.”

The AT-6 is a multi-role, multi-mission aircraft system designed to meet the full spectrum of needs for the light attack mission. Leveraging highly-specialized, but off-the-shelf capabilities, the AT-6 is outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment such as the Pratt and Whitney PT6A-68D engine, CMC Esterline’s mission modified Cockpit 4000, Lockheed Martin’s A-10C-based mission system and L-3 WESCAM’s MX-15Di sensor suite. The AT-6 leads the light attack market with purpose-built capability, affordability, sustainability and interoperability for the most demanding scenarios.